Most house fires start somewhere ordinary: a wire that has been failing for years, a pan left on the heat, a space heater running overnight. The good news is that the same ordinary places are all inspectable in an afternoon. Walk your house with this list. Do you know what in your own house is most likely to start the fire?
Start with the wiring
Faulty wiring is one of the leading causes of house fires. Look for exposed, cracked or frayed wire and replace it immediately. Do not overload outlets and circuits with too many appliances on one line. If the house is older, have a licensed electrician inspect the wiring and bring it up to current standards, because old wiring does not announce itself before it fails.
Smoke detectors on every level
Alarms go on every floor and near sleeping areas. Test them monthly, replace the batteries at least once a year, and replace the units themselves when they are due. An alarm with a flat battery is decoration.
Cooking habits
Stay in the kitchen while food is cooking, especially on high heat. Keep towels, potholders and paper away from the stove. Clean grease off appliances regularly, because built-up grease ignites.
Heating devices
Space heaters are a common ignition source. Keep a clear radius around them, well away from anything that can burn, and turn them off when you leave the room or go to bed. Nothing should be running unattended overnight.
Flammable storage
Gasoline, paints and cleaning products belong in a well-ventilated storage area, away from heat sources and away from the furnace and the water heater.
Appliances and cords
Replace worn or frayed cords and plugs instead of taping them up. Unplug appliances that are not in use. Do not daisy-chain power strips or overload outlets.
What this buys you
Checking wiring, keeping the alarms live, watching the stove and treating heaters with respect cuts the risk in your house sharply. It is an hour of attention now versus a restoration you never wanted to need.
If something does get past you, JP Maguire restores Connecticut homes after fire and smoke damage, 24 hours a day. Call 877-576-2484.
Where to go from here
If this is happening in your house right now, these are the pages Connecticut homeowners reach for, each one saying what the work involves and how to get a crew rolling: water damage restoration. Water extraction, drying, then the rebuild. fire damage restoration. Soot, smoke odour, and putting the rooms back. mold remediation. Finding it, containing it, and removing it properly. storm damage restoration. Wind damage, fallen trees, emergency tarping. burst pipe repair. Stopping the leak, then repairing what it reached. 24/7 emergency restoration. A person on the phone, any hour of the night.
Also from the blog: Candles, Not Just Trees, the Overlooked Cause of December House Fires, Fire Safety After a House Fire, What to Do in the First 24 Hours and More on fire damage restoration.