Top causes of residential fires in Prescott and how to avoid them

There are many dangers you need to consider as a homeowner. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States due to residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were more than 350,000 documented occurrences. Luckily, there are actions you can take to avoid them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Prescott.

What causes residential fires in Prescott?

Fires can start in any location and without warning, whether sparked by a burning cigarette in a garbage can or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most widespread kinds of residential fires in Prescott and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the chief cause, so always watch that scorching skillet when making dinner. It’s also essential to note that drenching a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Running them for lengthy amounts of time can result in internal components breaking down and catching fire. Frayed cords and situating heaters near flammable materials like bedding or drapes can also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and need to be examined regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues cause fires. If you discern flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it investigated right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires from candles are still all too common and typically result from careless behavior. Burning candles too close to ignitable items like drapes or keeping them within range of a rambunctious pet will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or throwing out smoldering ashes too soon can give rise to destructive results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Prescott is to steer clear of careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you have to operate a space heater, do so in short intervals and get one that offers an automatic shut-off switch in case it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Prescott

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only recognize smoke but can also be tripped due to extreme heat. Furthermore, considering they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring specialists whenever an emergency strikes. This is a notable benefit, specifically when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various threats with a Vivint smart home in Prescott

Upgrade the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (928) 267-6739 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.