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

There are a plethora of dangers you must think about as a homeowner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can occur anywhere and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were in excess of 350,000 noted fires. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Bloomington.

What causes residential fires in Bloomington?

Fires can sprout up anywhere and without notice, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a garbage can or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread kinds of residential fires in Bloomington and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the chief culprit, so always pay attention to that hot skillet when making dinner. It’s also essential to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long may result in internal elements wearing down and igniting. Damaged cords and situating heaters near flammable materials like bed sheets or drapes will also lead to devastating results. Other heating devices, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and ought to be checked frequently.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical complications lead to fires. Never run an appliance with a frayed cord, and make certain flammable materials like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it checked out promptly.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires from candles are still frequently reported and usually result from people being careless. Putting them within reach of pets or too close to ignitable materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary 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 prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Bloomington is to steer clear of reckless behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and discard cigarettes properly. If you must operate a space heater, do so sparingly and invest in one that includes an automatic shut-off feature in the event it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Bloomington

You should have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to rising heat. In addition, because they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster strikes. This is a worthwhile benefit, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Defend against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Bloomington

Elevate the protection of your property 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 updates to your cell phone and the reassurance that comes with professional monitoring. Dial (812) 579-4884 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.