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

There are a plethora of hazards you need to think about as a property owner. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in various places and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 noted fires. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Lakeland.

What causes residential fires in Lakeland?

Fires can begin in any location and without warning, whether caused by a burning cigarette in a waste container or an ignored stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most common types of residential fires in Lakeland and all other areas. Unattended stovetops are the main origin, so always pay attention to that scorching skillet when cooking. It’s also important to note that dumping water on a grease fire will only make things worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Running them for lengthy amounts of time can cause internal components to wear out and spark. Damaged cords and putting heaters next to flammable objects like blankets or window coverings may also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as furnaces and fireplaces, may cause fires and ought to be inspected frequently.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are some ways electrical problems cause fires. Don’t run an appliance with a frayed cord, and make sure combustible substances like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it checked out promptly.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still all too common and often result from people being careless. Putting them within an area reachable by pets or near combustible materials will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking nationwide, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette still burning or disposing of smoldering ashes too soon can give rise to destructive results.

The best way to prevent house fires in Lakeland is to steer clear of negligent behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, never leave a candle unattended, and discard cigarettes properly. If you must use a space heater, do so sparingly and get one that offers an automatic shut-off switch in the event it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Lakeland

You should have smoke detectors on all floors and more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety components will not only recognize smoke but can also be triggered due to rising heat. Furthermore, considering they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile perk, particularly when you’re not home to hear the alarm and contact the fire department.

Protect against various dangers with a Vivint smart home in Lakeland

Enhance the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design 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 you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (863) 591-5048 to talk with a Vivint representative.