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

There are numerous dangers you need to keep in mind as a homeowner. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated 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 over 350,000 reported incidents. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to keep them from happening|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Peoria.

What causes residential fires in Peoria?

Fires can sprout up in any spot and without warning, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a waste container or an ignored stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most common kinds of residential fires in Peoria and elsewhere. Unattended stovetops are the primary origin, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when making a meal. It’s also essential to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Area heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Using them for too long can result in inner components breaking down and igniting. Damaged cords and putting heaters near flammable materials like blankets or drapes may also lead to devastating results. Other types of heating, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, might cause fires and ought to be checked periodically.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overloaded extension cords are several of the ways electrical issues cause fires. Never run an appliance with a damaged cord, and ensure flammable materials like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it investigated immediately.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and often result from careless behavior. Placing candles in close proximity to flammable objects like curtains or leaving them within range of an inquisitive pet will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Despite the overall reduction in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette still burning or discarding smoldering ashes too soon can bring about catastrophic results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Peoria is to be diligent at all times. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and discard cigarettes properly. If you need to operate a space heater, do so in short intervals and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off switch in case it overturns.

Safeguard your home with a monitored fire alarm in Peoria

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety devices will not only recognize smoke but can also trigger due to elevated heat levels. Furthermore, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring representatives whenever a disaster strikes. This is a nice benefit, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department.

Protect against known threats with a Vivint smart home in Peoria

Enhance the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant updates to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (309) 332-1063 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.