Common Causes of Fire and How to Prevent Them

Fires can be devastating, causing significant damage to property and human life. They can appear instantly and can be a major source of anguish for property owners.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1.5 million fires. These incidents resulted in 3,790 civilian fatalities and 13,250 injuries. On average, a fire department responded to a fire somewhere in the US every 21 seconds in 2022.

The good news is that most fires can be prevented through awareness and practicing proper fire safety. Therefore, it’s essential to know the most common causes to prevent them from happening.

Cooking

According to the NFPA, cooking is still the leading cause of fires and fire-related injuries in households, resulting in nearly half of all house fires. The kitchen has a number of elements that, if left unattended, can ignite flames in seconds. These include greases, unattended pots, and overheating appliances.

Do the following to prevent kitchen fires:

Keeping your oven, stove, and cookware clean of grease buildup can prevent spontaneous combustions.
Always be present in the kitchen when cooking.
Remember to let items cool completely before putting them away.
And keep flammable items like paper towels and dishcloths away from flames.

Electrical

Electrical fires are a leading cause of fire accidents and are often caused by loose or faulty connections and components. Overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, and poorly installed fixtures are all risk factors.

To prevent electrical fires:

Hire a professional electrician for annual inspections of your property’s electrical systems.
Use surge protectors and properly match appliances and fixtures to the current.
Make sure the smoke detector is properly functioning.

Heating

Fires from heating appliances can happen anytime, especially if left unattended. These include portable heaters, electrical blankets, and many others left near flammable materials like curtains, carpets, or bed sheets.

Always handle heating devices according to their instructions and verify they’re in good working order beforehand.

To prevent heating fires:

Keep flammable materials at least 3 feet away from heating devices.
Regularly clean chimneys and heating systems.
Never leave portable heaters unattended.

Smoking

Smoking has long been a common cause of fires. They can also be fatal, as they often ignite while residents are asleep while smoking in bed or the living room.

Improper disposal of cigarette butts and unattended cigars is a common source of such accidents. Mattresses and sofas are highly flammable, and all it takes is a single stray ember.

How to prevent smoking fires:

Always smoke outside, away from flammable materials.
Fully extinguish cigarette butts in a sturdy ashtray and dispose of them responsibly.
Never smoke when feeling drowsy or in your bed.

Intentional Fires

Acts of arson, when fires are set deliberately, can cause significant damage to your property. Arson may happen for different reasons, such as personal disputes, vandalism, or even attempts at insurance fraud.

How to prevent arson:

Participate in neighborhood watch programs.
Encourage community awareness.
Report any suspicious behavior to authorities.

Hoarding

Hoarding clutter, like paper bags, cardboard boxes, plastics, and other flammable materials, can significantly increase the risk of fire by providing additional fuel for the flames.

These items can also block doorways, windows, and escape routes, making it difficult to plan your escape or for firefighters to rescue you in the case of an emergency.

To reduce the risk of fire from hoarding:

Regularly declutter your home, disposing of them correctly.
Store and organize items properly, away from heat sources.
Ensure pathways around your home remain clear and accessible at all times.

Human negligence

Human error through careless actions, ignoring fire safety, or failing to follow regulations can unintentionally lead to a fire.

Some common examples of this include disregarding safety protocols and misusing electrical equipment.

To minimize the impact of negligence:

Teach proper fire safety measures to the people in your home or business.
Raise awareness of common fire hazard sources.
Ensure proper fire safety standards are followed.

Wildfires and Natural Causes

Although they are not considered a common cause of house fires like electrical issues or heating equipment, wildfires can still lead to fires if your home is situated near areas prone to dry, hot, and windy conditions.

Even if a wildfire is happening far away, winds can still carry embers over long distances, igniting homes and vegetation. Your property is at a higher risk if there is a lot of vegetation, forests, or grasslands nearby.

To prevent wildfire-related house fires:

Create a space around your home clear of vegetation and flammable materials.
Use fire-resistant building materials like metal roofs or tempered glass.
Regularly clean gutters and roofs to remove debris that can catch fire.
Follow local fire safety evacuation orders during a wildfire.

Rely on ServiceMaster for fire damage restoration

ServiceMaster Professional Restoration has more than 25 years of experience when it comes to restoring fire damage. Our IICRC-certified technicians are experts in restoring your home and business to their original condition.

When the unforeseen happens, call 732-800-6262 or contact us to make an appointment ASAP. Our emergency call center is ready 24/7.