Common causes of residential fires in Texarkana and how to avoid them

There are numerous dangers you need to think about as a homeowner. Fire is chief among them, as it can arise anywhere and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 reported fires. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep them from happening|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Texarkana.

What causes residential fires in Texarkana?

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

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most frequent kinds of residential fires in Texarkana and all other areas. Unattended stovetops are the chief origin, so always keep an eye on that scorching skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long might cause internal components to wear out and spark. Placing heaters next to combustible objects like bed sheets and drapes or using frayed cords will also lead to devastating results. Other heating elements, such as furnaces and fireplaces, could cause fires and need to be examined periodically.
• Electrical: Old wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are some ways electrical complications cause fires. Don’t use an appliance with a damaged cord, and ensure combustible substances like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and often result from carelessness. Situating them within an area reachable by pets or near ignitable materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can bring about devastating results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Texarkana is to eliminate reckless behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, never leave a candle burning, and properly discard cigarettes. If you need to use a space heater, do so sparingly and invest in one that has an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Texarkana

You need to have smoke detectors on every floor and more by sleeping quarters. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety components will not only recognize smoke but can also trigger due to extreme heat. Furthermore, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring representatives whenever an emergency takes place. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against known threats with a Vivint smart home in Texarkana

Elevate the protection of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant updates to your mobile device and the reassurance that you get with professional monitoring. Place a call to (870) 544-4225 to get started.