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

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to consider. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur anywhere and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were over 350,000 documented occurrences. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to keep them from taking place|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Wichita.

What causes residential fires in Wichita?

Fires can sprout up in any spot and without warning, whether sparked by a discarded cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in Wichita and all other areas. Neglected stovetops are the primary source, so always pay attention to that hot skillet when making a meal. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Using them for too long can result in internal components degrading and catching fire. Damaged cords and placing heaters near flammable materials like blankets or drapes will also lead to disastrous results. Other heating devices, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, may cause fires and should be inspected periodically.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are some ways electrical problems cause fires. If you notice sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it investigated immediately.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires from candles are still frequently reported and usually result from careless behavior. Putting them within an area reachable by pets or next to ignitable items will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall reduction in smoking across the country, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or discarding smoldering ashes carelessly can give rise to catastrophic results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Wichita is to eliminate careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and properly discard cigarettes. If you need to run a space heater, do so in short intervals and invest in one that includes an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it tips over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Wichita

You need to have smoke detectors on each floor and more by bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. Furthermore, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring specialists whenever an emergency occurs. This is a nice feature, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various threats with a Vivint smart home in Wichita

Upgrade the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant notifications to your mobile device and the reassurance that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (316) 844-6283 to get started.