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Leading causes of residential fires in Beaumont and how to avoid them

September 25, 2023
Man surprised by smoke pouring out of oven

When you own a home, there are numerous hazards to keep in mind. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can happen in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were in excess of 350,000 recorded fires. Fortunately, there are things you can do to prevent them. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Beaumont.

What sparks residential fires in Beaumont?

Fires can begin in any location and without notice, whether sparked by a discarded cigarette in a garbage can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

  • Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most widespread types of residential fires in Beaumont and elsewhere. Unattended stovetops are the main cause, so always watch that hot skillet when making dinner. It’s also worth nothing that soaking a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
  • Heating: Area heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long can result in inner components wearing down and sparking. Frayed cords and putting heaters near combustible materials like blankets or drapes may also lead to disastrous results. Other heating devices, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and ought to be checked frequently.
  • Electrical: Worn out wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems lead to fires. Don’t use an appliance with a damaged cord, and make certain combustible materials like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it inspected immediately.
  • Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still commonplace and usually result from careless behavior. Placing candles in close proximity to combustible materials like curtains or having them within the reach of a rambunctious pet will often result in disaster.
  • Smoking: Despite the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette still burning or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can give rise to destructive results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Beaumont is to avoid reckless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and discard cigarettes properly. If you have to use a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off safety precaution in case it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Beaumont

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more near sleeping quarters. But you can take your home’s safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only discern smoke but can also trigger due to extreme heat. Additionally, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency takes place. This is a nice perk, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Defend against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Beaumont

Enhance the protection of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You may custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant notifications to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you get with professional monitoring. Place a call to (409) 978-7822 to get started.