Leading causes of residential fires in Louisville and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are numerous threats to consider. Fire is foremost among them, as it can arise in any place and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were over 350,000 recorded fires. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep them from taking place|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Louisville.

What sparks residential fires in Louisville?

Fires can begin in any location and without notice, whether sparked by a burning cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the top causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in Louisville and everywhere else. Neglected stovetops are the main culprit, so always watch that smoking skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that putting water on a grease fire will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long may cause internal pieces to break down and ignite. Frayed cords and putting heaters by combustible objects like blankets or curtains will also lead to devastating results. Other heating elements, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, could cause fires and ought to be examined regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are several of the ways electrical complications result in fires. Don’t ever use an appliance with a damaged cord, and ensure ignitable materials like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires from candles are still all too common and often result from people being careless. Putting them within reach of pets or next to ignitable objects will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Despite the overall decrease in smoking across the country, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette still burning or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Louisville is to be attentive at all times. Always pay attention when cooking, never leave a candle unattended, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it overturns.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Louisville

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and think about installing more near sleeping quarters. But you can take your safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only recognize smoke but can also be triggered due to rising heat. Furthermore, since they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis takes place. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Protect against common dangers with a Vivint smart home in Louisville

Elevate the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant alerts to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (502) 483-0778 to get started.