Common causes of residential fires in Rockford and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to keep in mind. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 reported occurrences. Luckily, there are actions you can take to keep them from happening|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Rockford.

What sparks residential fires in Rockford?

Fires can start anywhere and without warning, whether caused by a burning cigarette in a waste container or a neglected stovetop. Here are the top causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in Rockford and everywhere else. Ignored stovetops are the main origin, so always watch that smoking skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dumping water on a grease fire will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Running them for long time periods can result in internal components wearing down and catching fire. Situating heaters by combustible textiles like blankets and drapery or using worn cords will also lead to devastating results. Other heating elements, such as fireplaces and furnaces, could cause fires and ought to be checked periodically.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, defective outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems cause fires. If you detect flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it checked out immediately.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still frequently reported and typically result from people being careless. Placing them within an area reachable by pets or next to combustible materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep while holding a cigarette or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Rockford is to be careful at all times. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle unattended, and properly discard cigarettes. If you have to run a space heater, do so in short intervals and invest in one that includes an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Rockford

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and more by bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety components will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. Additionally, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring professionals whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile benefit, specifically when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against common dangers with a Vivint smart home in Rockford

Upgrade the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You may personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll appreciate the instant updates to your cell phone and the peace of mind that you get with professional monitoring. Contact (815) 362-1830 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.