Leading causes of residential fires in Tuscaloosa and how to prevent them

There are many perils you must consider as a property owner. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in any place and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States due to residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 documented fires. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep them from taking place|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Tuscaloosa.

What starts residential fires in Tuscaloosa?

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

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread sorts of residential fires in Tuscaloosa and everywhere else. Neglected stovetops are the primary culprit, so always pay attention to that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long may cause internal components to break down and ignite. Placing heaters next to combustible objects like bed sheets and curtains or using worn cords will also lead to disaster. Other heating elements, such as fireplaces and furnaces, might cause fires and should be examined frequently.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are several of the ways electrical issues cause fires. Whenever you discern flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it inspected right away.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires from candles are still all too common and often result from careless behavior. Using candles next to flammable items like drapery or keeping them within the domain of a curious pet will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking nationwide, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette still burning or prematurely discarding smoldering ashes can bring about destructive results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Tuscaloosa is to steer clear of careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle unattended, and properly get rid of cigarettes. If you have to operate a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that has an automatic shut-off feature in the event it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Tuscaloosa

You need to have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more near sleeping quarters. But you can take your protection to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. Additionally, because they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster strikes. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and phone the fire department yourself.

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

Elevate the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You may personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant notifications to your mobile device and the peace of mind that you get with professional monitoring. Dial (205) 964-9849 to get started.