Leading causes of residential fires in St. Louis and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are many threats to keep in mind. Fire is foremost among them, as it can occur in any place and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States because of residential fires in 2021. In the same year, there were over 350,000 noted occurrences. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to stay clear of them. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in St. Louis.

What sparks residential fires in St. Louis?

Fires can sprout up anywhere and without warning, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a waste container or an unattended stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most common sorts of residential fires in St. Louis and everywhere else. Unattended stovetops are the main culprit, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that putting water on a grease fire will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Space heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Operating them for too long can result in internal parts degrading and sparking. Placing heaters next to flammable materials like bedding and curtains or using damaged cords can also lead to disastrous results. Other heating elements, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, might cause fires and need to be inspected periodically.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues result in fires. Don’t ever use an appliance with a tattered cord, and make sure ignitable substances like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still frequently reported and often result from carelessness. Situating them within reach of pets or next to flammable items will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep while holding a cigarette or prematurely discarding smoldering ashes can cause destructive results.

The best way to prevent house fires in St. Louis is to steer clear of careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you need to run a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that includes an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it overturns.

Safeguard your home with a monitored fire alarm in St. Louis

You need to have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only recognize smoke but can also be tripped due to extreme heat. Furthermore, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile feature, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department.

Protect against known threats with a Vivint smart home in St. Louis

Enhance 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 be thankful for the instant alerts to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (314) 866-4556 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.