A Few Leading Fire Sources

1/3/2019 (Permalink)

Outdoor grills can be a cause of fire in your Alexandria, LA. home

Leading Causes Of Fire Damage

Homeowners in Central Louisiana, should be aware of a number of leading causes of fire damage. Understanding these statistics can help you prevent a home fire and make more informed decisions regarding your fire insurance policy.

1. Food Preparation

Cooking fires are the largest category of fires requiring a documented fire department response. Most of these involve a stove range of some kind, with electrical ranges being somewhat more dangerous than gas ranges on average. Outdoor grills also rank fairly high on the list of fire causes. Around a third of these cooking fires are the result of unattended flames or heating surfaces. Clothing ignition does not usually directly cause kitchen fires, but a fire that spreads to clothing has a strong correlation with personal injury.

2. Heating Systems

The second-most common category of home fire, at around 15% of total reported cases, involves heating elements. Many of these fires, around two-fifths, are due to smaller portable space heater units. The typical cause of a space heater fire is the proximity to combustibles such as upholstery or certain building materials. Another prominent issue is the lack of appropriate fire cleaning around fireplaces and chimneys, where certain flammable materials can build up over time.

3. Electrical Systems

Another leading cause of fire lies in the various faults that can appear in home wiring and related electrical systems. A majority of these occur either in lighting components or locations where electrical power is transferred, such as outlets or adapters. Homeowners should take special care to schedule an inspection for any exposed wiring or non-functional appliances, as these can lead to shorts that ignite surrounding flammable materials.

Even the most cautious homeowner can never completely eliminate the risk of a home fire. However, a little familiarity with some of the most common fire problems can help prevent injury and the need for professional fire restoration.

SERVPRO of Alexandria services Alexandria, Pineville, Ball, Marksville, 
Natchitoches, Winnfield.