Top causes of residential fires in South Bend and how to prevent them

There are a plethora of perils you have to think about as a property owner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can occur anywhere and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were over 350,000 recorded incidents. Thankfully, there are things you can do to stay clear of them. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in South Bend.

What starts residential fires in South Bend?

Fires can start in any spot and without warning, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a trash can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the top causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most widespread types of residential fires in South Bend and everywhere else. Unattended stovetops are the chief origin, so always watch that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also worth nothing that drenching a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Using them for too long may cause internal pieces to degrade and ignite. Putting heaters by combustible objects like bed sheets and drapery or using worn cords may also lead to disaster. Other heating devices, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and need to be examined regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are several of the ways electrical issues lead to fires. Don’t ever run an appliance with a tattered cord, and make certain ignitable objects like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it checked out right away.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still frequently reported and typically result from careless behavior. Situating them within an area reachable by pets or next to flammable items will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Despite the overall reduction in smoking across the country, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or throwing out smoldering ashes carelessly can give rise to destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in South Bend is to be careful at all times. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning, and properly discard cigarettes. If you must run a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that includes an automatic shut-off feature in case it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in South Bend

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more next to sleeping quarters. But you can take your safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only detect smoke but can also trigger due to rising heat. Additionally, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile benefit, specifically when you’re not home to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Defend against various risks with a Vivint smart home in South Bend

Enhance the safety of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You may custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant notifications to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (574) 601-4641 to talk with a Vivint representative.