Residential Fires in the US: Top 4 Causes

Jul 14, 2022 | Blog

Fire

According to a report by the National Fire Protection Association or NFPA, the US fire departments have responded to an average of 346,800 home structure fires every year from 2015 to 2019. Such disasters have caused an annual average of 11,070 civilian fire injuries, 2,620 civilian deaths, and more than seven billion in direct property damage.

With such a large number of fire-related incidents, you should be cautious when dealing with an open fire. Listed below are the four most common causes of home structure fires, according to the NFPA.

    • Cooking
      According to the Home Structure Fires 2019 report by the NFPA, cooking is the number one cause of residential fire injuries in the country. So, never leave a stove unattended or place flammable materials near the flame, such as oven mitts and rags.
    • Heating
      Although most fires caused by heating equipment occur during the winter, it is still the second leading cause of home structure fires and injuries in the country. That said, you should ensure not to leave any flammable items like clothes near your heater.You shouldn’t ignore the spatial requirements of your portable heaters as well. And if you’re using your fireplace, always utilize a screen to prevent sparks from flying into your room.
    • Smoking
      Thousands of home structure fires are caused by smoking cigars, cigarettes, or pipes. So, always make sure to use deep ashtrays, and put out and dispose of cigarette butts properly.
    • Malfunctioning Electrical Outlets
      According to Electrical Safety Foundation International or ESFI, each year, 51,000 house fires and more than 500 fire-related deaths are caused by faulty wiring or malfunctioning electrical outlets. That said, always plug your major appliances directly into the wall socket. It’s also best to contact a professional right away if you believe there’s something wrong with your outlets.

When a Fire Strikes, Contact Royal Plus Immediately!

No one wants fires to strike, especially at their own homes. However, sometimes, no matter how careful we are, accidents do happen. So, if a fire occurs on your property, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Royal Plus right away. We provide a 24/7 emergency service so that you can contact us anytime. Expect that our team of professionals is expert in fire damage cleanup and restoration. Call us now!