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

When you own a home, there are a wide range of hazards to keep in mind. Fire is chief among them, as it can happen anywhere and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 noted fires. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep them from arising|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Lynchburg.

What starts residential fires in Lynchburg?

Fires can begin in any spot and without warning, whether caused by a burning cigarette in a trash can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent kinds of residential fires in Lynchburg and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the main origin, so always watch that scorching skillet when making a meal. It’s also worth nothing that drenching a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Running them for lengthy amounts of time may cause inner parts to wear out and spark. Situating heaters next to flammable objects like bed sheets and drapes or using damaged cords can also lead to disaster. Other heating elements, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, might cause fires and should be inspected regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues result in fires. Don’t ever use an appliance with a frayed cord, and make sure flammable substances like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and typically result from careless behavior. Situating them within reach of pets or too close to combustible materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the country, it’s still an undeniable 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 prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can bring about destructive results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Lynchburg is to be careful at all times. Always pay attention when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you have to operate a space heater, do so in short intervals and use one that offers an automatic shut-off safety precaution in case it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Lynchburg

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and more next to sleeping quarters. But you can take your home’s safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only discern smoke but can also be tripped due to elevated heat levels. In addition, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring professionals whenever a disaster takes place. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Lynchburg

Enhance the protection of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you get with professional monitoring. Contact (434) 300-3689 to get started.