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

When you own a home, there are numerous threats to consider. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can happen in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 noted occurrences. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to keep them from taking place|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Saginaw.

What sparks residential fires in Saginaw?

Fires can start in any location and without notice, whether ignited by a smoldering cigarette in a garbage can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent types of residential fires in Saginaw and everywhere else. Ignored stovetops are the chief culprit, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dumping water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Running them for too long may result in inner parts degrading and catching fire. Frayed cords and situating heaters near combustible items like bed sheets or window coverings may also lead to devastating results. Other heating elements, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and need to be checked regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are several of the ways electrical problems cause fires. If you detect sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it investigated immediately.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and typically result from careless behavior. Placing them within a pet’s domain or next to ignitable objects will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or throwing out smoldering ashes prematurely can give rise to devastating results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Saginaw is to avoid negligent behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and properly get rid of cigarettes. If you must operate a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Saginaw

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and more by bedrooms. But you can take your safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety components will not only discern smoke but can also be tripped due to rising heat. Furthermore, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring representatives whenever a crisis strikes. This is a nice benefit, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and call the fire department.

Defend against common risks with a Vivint smart home in Saginaw

Upgrade the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant updates to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (989) 461-3399 to talk with a Vivint representative.