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

When you own a home, there are a wide range of hazards to keep in mind. Fire is foremost among them, as it can happen anywhere and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States due to residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 noted occurrences. Luckily, there are actions you can take to keep them from arising|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Mansfield.

What causes residential fires in Mansfield?

Fires can sprout up anywhere 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 Mansfield and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the chief cause, so always watch that smoking skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dumping water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long might cause inner pieces to wear out and catch fire. Placing heaters near combustible materials like bedding and drapes or using damaged cords can also lead to disaster. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and ought to be checked regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues cause fires. Don’t operate an appliance with a damaged cord, and ensure ignitable substances like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and usually result from carelessness. Placing them within reach of pets or too close to combustible items will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Despite the overall reduction in smoking across the country, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette in hand or discarding smoldering ashes prematurely can cause catastrophic results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Mansfield is to avoid negligent behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and dispose of cigarettes properly. If you must run a space heater, do so infrequently and use one that has an automatic shut-off switch in case it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Mansfield

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more near bedrooms. But you can take your safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only recognize smoke but can also trigger due to rising heat. In addition, since they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile feature, especially when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Defend against common threats with a Vivint smart home in Mansfield

Enhance the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant updates to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you get with professional monitoring. Dial (419) 614-6093 to talk with a Vivint representative.