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

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to keep in mind. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can happen in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated 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 more than 350,000 documented fires. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to stay clear of them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Bellingham.

What causes residential fires in Bellingham?

Fires can start anywhere and without notice, whether caused by a discarded cigarette in a garbage can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread kinds of residential fires in Bellingham and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the primary cause, so always pay attention to that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also essential to note that throwing water on a grease fire will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Running them for too long can cause inner components to break down and ignite. Damaged cords and putting heaters near flammable objects like blankets or drapes can also lead to disaster. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and need to be checked frequently.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are several of the ways electrical issues cause fires. Whenever you discern flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it checked out promptly.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still commonplace and typically result from people being careless. Situating them within a pet’s domain or too close to ignitable objects will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Bellingham is to eliminate reckless behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning unattended, and dispose of cigarettes properly. If you must run a space heater, do so in short intervals and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in the event it tips over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Bellingham

You should have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to sleeping areas. But you can take your safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only detect smoke but can also trigger due to elevated heat levels. In addition, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring representatives whenever a disaster occurs. This is a worthwhile feature, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department.

Safeguard your home against known dangers with a Vivint smart home in Bellingham

Upgrade the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant updates to your mobile device and the peace of mind that you get with professional monitoring. Contact (360) 968-8970 to get started.