Common Fire Incidents In The United States

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fires can start anywhere and at any time and the injury and damage that they cause can at times be severe. The article below illustrates some of the most common fire incidents in the United States that you can read about to help you in reducing or eliminating the associated risks. By learning some of the important tips that we are about to share, you can save your property and your loved ones from a threatening situation.

Kitchen Fires

The most common type of fire is the kitchen fire. The reason behind why the kitchen is the source of many fire hazards is because it is where electricity, heat, grease, and water come together. Grease fire is the most common type of kitchen fire. It is highly dangerous as it can spread out of control quickly throughout the whole house. Most grease fires occur because a frying pan is left on the stove unattended for an extended period of time. An overheated pan may also cause a fire when the grease inside catches fire. Grease fires cause critical injury and major property damage, so it is important to pay close attention when you are cooking.

Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are caused by different factors such as faulty electrical wiring, faulty appliances, worn out breaker boxes, or improper use of electrical sockets. Older homes also may not have proper wiring to handle the excessive number of electrical appliances being used in a day. Old breaker boxes are designed to automatically shut off the electricity supply when the circuit becomes overloaded. However, worn or broken connections may not activate the breaker switch. Lighting may also cause electrical fires if the system contains improper wiring. The use of light bulbs that come in wattage that is higher than the recommended level may also cause a fire.

Heater Fires

This type of fire is especially common during winter. Portable heating units need to always be equipped with automatic shut-off technology whenever they overheat. However, improper wiring or worn-out appliances may eventually still cause a fire. Coil space heaters are just as hazardous as their coils will ignite anything that is combustible. It is recommended to place your space heater at least three feet away from anything combustible such as bedding, curtains, furniture, and clothing. Do not use space heaters with extension cords as they generate high levels of electricity which may start a fire.

Smoking-Related Fires

Fires caused by cigarettes cause at least 1,000 deaths in the United States per annum. Majority of these fatalities do not even concern the smoker who is the main culprit of each of the situations. Most smoking fires get started by embers that ignite on bedding, furniture, and trash cans. This is why smokers need to always extinguish their cigarettes completely before emptying their ashtrays into the trash. Never smoke in bed or when you are tired or drowsy. Flammable surfaces such as chairs, couches, or beds should also always be free of ashtrays as they may tip over and cause a fire.

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