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Top causes of residential fires in Napa and how to prevent them

September 25, 2023
Man surprised by smoke pouring out of oven

When you own a home, there are a wide range of threats to keep in mind. Fire is chief among them, as it can arise in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were in excess of 350,000 documented occurrences. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep them from happening|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Napa.

What causes residential fires in Napa?

Fires can begin in any location and without notice, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a garbage can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

  • Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in Napa and elsewhere. Neglected stovetops are the chief culprit, so always pay attention to that scorching skillet when cooking. It’s also worth nothing that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
  • Heating: Portable heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long may result in internal components breaking down and catching fire. Frayed cords and situating heaters by combustible items like bed sheets or drapes will also lead to devastating results. Other types of heating, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, may cause fires and should be checked frequently.
  • Electrical: Worn out wiring, faulty outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical complications lead to fires. Don’t use an appliance with a damaged cord, and make certain combustible materials like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it investigated right away.
  • Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still frequently reported and typically result from people being careless. Using candles next to ignitable items like curtains or leaving them within the reach of a curious pet will often produce disastrous results.
  • Smoking: Even with the overall reduction in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Dozing off with a cigarette in hand or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can cause destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Napa is to avoid careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning, and discard cigarettes properly. If you have to use a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off switch in the event it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Napa

You ought to have smoke detectors on each floor and more near sleeping quarters. But you can take your safety to another level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be tripped due to extreme heat. Additionally, because they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever a disaster takes place. This is a worthwhile feature, specifically when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department.

Protect against common dangers with a Vivint smart home in Napa

Enhance the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant updates to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Place a call to (707) 895-5704 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.