What Causes House Fires In Washington, DC And Ways To Avert Them

When you’re a homeowner, one of the scariest dangers to your home and loved ones is the risk of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration projected in 2019 that American homeowners underwent nearly $1.6 billion in losses due to accidental or unattended fires. Sadly, fires are unexpected and many times preventable -- if you know where to act. And hopefully you have a monitored fire alarm that sends you emergency responders ASAP if you experience an outbreak.

What Causes House Fires In Washington, DC?

Fires can happen anywhere at any time in the home. However, you may reduce the danger of fire by taking countermeasures around the following items:

• Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is far and away the leading cause of a house fire in Washington, DC. Kitchen-related fires commonly result when the kitchen is left neglected while cooking food. Water tossed on a grease fire only works to spread a flame that would otherwise die out.
  
  
• Candles: Passing out in a room with a going candle is problematic, even when you use a deep candle holder. The flame can easily catch a curtain ablaze if left near a window, and pets can knock candles over. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that just over 7,600 properties were damaged because of candle-related incidents between 2014-2018.
  
  
• Electrical wires: Old electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, aging or incorrectly set up lighting, and frayed lamp cords is a big risk. Be careful not to overburden your outlets or plug anything in with uncovered wires. On the off chance you hear a pop or smell smoke from the outlet, power down the breaker off before investigating.

• Space Heaters: Skip over coiled space heaters because debris, like dust, paper or plastic scraps, or bed sheets can end up in and spark up. However, you need to make sure to check on fan and ceramic space heaters for the entire duration of operation.

• Cigarettes: In 2014 alone, U.S. fire departments fought blazes in more than 17,000 house fires triggered by smoking paraphernalia. If you enjoy tobacco that smokes indoors, ensure they never fall asleep with a cigarette or lay in bed with one. And fully extinguish your paraphernalia before you toss it into a trash can.

A Monitored Smoke Detector Can Help When You Have A Fire

If a fire does spark, you have to have an early detection system to inform your spouse and children as soon as possible. A common smoke alarm is adequate but is limited to alerting you if smoke is in thick clouds. A cutting-edge fire alarm -- a security device that's tied to your home security devices -- can sense both smoke and rising temperatures and is better equipped to ensure everyone’s safety.

A monitored fire alarm has many ways it can inform you of rising heat. Your alarms can alert your loved ones with an ear-piercing siren and an alert to your cell phone. Then your always-on monitoring experts gets a hold of the fire department. And should you be somewhere where you aren’t able to get back in time when a fire starts, you can rest assured that your monitoring agent can help coordinate communication between you and emergency personnel.

Get Your Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems

The odds of house fires in Washington, DC should never be discounted, but you can have peace of mind if you use a monitored fire alarm in your home. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you install all the safety detectors you need with a comprehensive home security system. Call (202) 221-4066 or send in the form below to get your home security system.