Unlikely Causes

4/9/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire strikes a home, the very first priority is to extinguish the flames and make sure that everyone is safe. However, once the fire is put out and everyone is accounted for, you could be left with a heavily damaged home that is unfit for living.  

Fire damage restoration is the act of cleaning and restoring property as well as personal belongings that have sustained smoke or fire damage. The goal of fire damage restoration services is to salvage damaged items and restore your home so that it can once again be inhabited.

No one plans to experience a house fire. Fires are among the most dangerous and destructive disasters that can happen to a home. Homeowners can reduce their risk of experiencing a fire with responsible behavior.  Cooking, candles, bad electronics, and malfunctioning appliances that generate heat such as dryers and furnaces are among the most common causes of house fires. Many homeowners take precautions to avoid home fires when cooking or using these objects. However, your fire prevention effort should not stop there. Here are five other causes of fire that are less likely but still deserve your attention.

Glass and Sunlight

Did you ever burn ants with a magnifying glass as a child? If so, you know that the heat from  sunlight intensifies as it passes through the glass. This same effect can occur in your home as sunlight passes through your windows. If sunlight passing through a window or glass object hits some flammable material on the other side such as paper or fabric, there is a possibility that this could lead to a fire. The best way to prevent fires from glass is to put glass objects in shaded areas and make sure that sunlight coming through your window does not hit anything flammable.

Dishwashers

Many homeowners are already aware of the potential for their appliances to start a fire. One appliance that may be overlooked is the dishwasher. The dishwasher does not generate heat like a furnace or hot water heater, but it does use water that can cause an electrical fire if it drips onto your internal components. You can prevent fires caused by the dishwasher by keeping it well maintained.

9-Volt Batteries

When you think of common causes of house fires, batteries are probably not the first thing that comes to your mind. However, 9-volt batteries in particular pose a fire hazard because the battery can become conductive if its posts touch a metal object. If a 9-volt battery comes into contact with something metal and then touches something flammable, this could result in a fire. Simply cover the battery posts with a piece of tape before disposing of them to reduce the risk of a fire.

Laptops

Laptops are another possible cause of house fires. Laptops generate a good amount of heat when operating. This heat can cause a fire if the laptop  cooling fan is smothered by a soft surface or if the laptop is resting on something flammable such as a couch or bed for an extended period of time. You can reduce the risk of a fire by keeping your laptop on a safe, flat and cool surface.

Dust

Dust is an unwelcome presence because it makes homes dirty and contributes to allergies and other health issues. Too much dust in certain areas is also a fire hazard. The heat from electrical outlets, electronics, and appliances can cause dust to start on fire, especially if there are sparks. You can decrease the risk of a fire from dust by cleaning your home and removing dust from areas near outlets and electronics on a regular basis.

Homeowners should always make fire prevention a point of emphasis and knowing these unlikely causes of house fires can help you better protect your home. It is very rare for these factors to trigger a house fire but because the possibility is there, you must take the right actions to reduce the risk of a fire. If you do experience any amount of fire damage in your home, you must call a fire damage restoration professional immediately. The professionals at SERVPRO of Franklin, Vance & Granville Counties have the right tools and equipment to stop the damage from spreading and restore your home.

Call us immediately to help limit the damage and salvage your home! We're always here to help - 252-433-0005 or 919-339-4848.