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

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to keep in mind. Fire is foremost among them, as it can happen in any place and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were in excess of 350,000 documented occurrences. Luckily, there are actions you can take to stay clear of them. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Spokane.

What causes residential fires in Spokane?

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

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent types of residential fires in Spokane and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the primary origin, so always pay attention to that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Operating them for extended amounts of time can result in inner elements degrading and catching fire. Worn cords and situating heaters next to flammable materials like bed sheets or window coverings can also lead to disastrous results. Other heating elements, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and need to be checked regularly.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are several of the ways electrical complications lead to fires. Don’t ever operate an appliance with a tattered cord, and make certain ignitable objects like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it checked out right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still frequently reported and usually result from people being careless. Situating them within an area reachable by pets or next to ignitable materials will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking across the nation, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette still burning or disposing of smoldering ashes carelessly can cause destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Spokane is to steer clear of reckless behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you need to run a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that has an automatic shut-off switch in case it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Spokane

You need to have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more by sleeping areas. But you can take your safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety components will not only recognize smoke but can also be tripped due to rising heat. Additionally, because they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis occurs. This is a notable benefit, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and phone the fire department yourself.

Defend against known risks with a Vivint smart home in Spokane

Upgrade the protection of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant alerts to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Dial (509) 794-3440 to get started.