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

When you own a home, there are numerous hazards to think about. Fire is chief among them, as it can happen anywhere and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated 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 fires. Luckily, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Utica.

What starts residential fires in Utica?

Fires can start anywhere and without notice, whether sparked by a discarded 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 sorts of residential fires in Utica and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the main origin, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that drenching a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long can cause internal components to degrade and spark. Situating heaters near flammable textiles like bedding and drapes or using damaged cords may also lead to disastrous results. Other heating devices, such as furnaces and fireplaces, may cause fires and need to be inspected periodically.
• Electrical: Old wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems lead to fires. Whenever you discern flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it checked out immediately.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires from candles are still all too common and typically result from people being careless. Placing candles in close proximity to flammable objects like curtains or having them within the reach of an inquisitive pet will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Dozing off while holding a cigarette or discarding smoldering ashes prematurely can bring about catastrophic results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Utica is to be diligent at all times. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and properly discard cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so infrequently and get one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Utica

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and more by sleeping areas. But you can take your protection to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be tripped due to elevated heat levels. Additionally, because they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster strikes. This is a notable perk, specifically when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Protect against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Utica

Elevate the protection of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You may personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll be thankful for the instant notifications to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (315) 819-0721 to get started.