Common causes of residential fires in West Palm Beach and how to prevent them

There are many dangers you have to keep in mind as a homeowner. Fire is chief among them, as it can happen in various places and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 reported occurrences. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep them from arising|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in West Palm Beach.

What sparks residential fires in West Palm Beach?

Fires can begin in any location and without warning, whether caused by a smoldering 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 widespread sorts of residential fires in West Palm Beach and all other areas. Neglected stovetops are the main culprit, so always keep an eye on that scorching skillet when cooking. It’s also important to note that drenching a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Space heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Running them for extended time periods might cause inner parts to degrade and ignite. Frayed cords and placing heaters by flammable materials like blankets or curtains can also lead to disastrous results. Other heating devices, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, may cause fires and ought to be inspected frequently.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overburdened extension cords are some ways electrical complications result in fires. Never operate an appliance with a tattered cord, and make certain combustible substances like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires from candles are still commonplace and often result from people being careless. Putting them within a pet’s domain or next to flammable materials will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Despite the overall reduction in smoking nationwide, it’s still a primary 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 disposing of smoldering ashes can give rise to catastrophic results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in West Palm Beach is to eliminate negligent behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, never leave a candle burning, and dispose of cigarettes properly. If you need to use a space heater, do so sparingly and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in West Palm Beach

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and more by bedrooms. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only discern smoke but can also trigger due to rising heat. In addition, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster occurs. This is a nice perk, specifically when you’re not home to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Defend against common threats with a Vivint smart home in West Palm Beach

Upgrade 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 appreciate the instant updates to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (561) 556-7696 to talk with a Vivint representative.