Common causes of residential fires in Dothan and how to prevent them

There are numerous perils you need to think about as a homeowner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can happen anywhere and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were more than 350,000 reported incidents. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to stay clear of them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Dothan.

What starts residential fires in Dothan?

Fires can sprout up anywhere and without notice, whether sparked by a smoldering cigarette in a trash can or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread sorts of residential fires in Dothan and everywhere else. Neglected stovetops are the primary source, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dousing a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long might result in inner elements degrading and sparking. Placing heaters next to combustible objects like bed sheets and curtains or using frayed cords can also lead to disastrous results. Other heating elements, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and need to be inspected periodically.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems cause fires. Don’t use an appliance with a frayed cord, and ensure flammable substances like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it checked out promptly.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and often result from people being careless. Burning candles in close proximity to combustible items like drapery or keeping them within the reach of a curious pet will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or discarding smoldering ashes too soon can cause destructive results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Dothan is to avoid reckless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle unattended, and properly get rid of cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so infrequently and use one that includes an automatic shut-off safety precaution in case it tips over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Dothan

You ought to have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety components will not only discern smoke but can also trigger due to rising heat. Additionally, because they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency strikes. This is a worthwhile feature, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against known dangers with a Vivint smart home in Dothan

Upgrade the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant alerts to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you get with professional monitoring. Contact (334) 378-2166 to talk with a Vivint representative.