There are a number of different things that can start fires, but some ignition factors are more common than others. Here are just a few to watch out for.
Cooking. – Cooking is one of the main reasons why fires start. Not only is it the leading cause of home fires — with 56% of home fires starting as the result of someone cooking — but it’s also the leading cause of nonresidential fires, as well, accounting for 29.3% of nonresidential blazes. In other words, the main reason why homes catch fire, and why hotels and motels work with commercial fire protection contractors is all because people often burn their dinner.
Electrical Malfunctions. – Another common reason why fires ignite is because of electrical malfunctions. According to Statistics Brain, electrical malfunctions cause about 9% of home fires. If you daisy-chain power strips, or have old wiring you’re putting your home at risk of catching fire, especially if you find that your circuit breakers are constantly tripping, or your fuses are always blowing. Should you find yourself in that situation, you’d be wise to have an electrician come through your house and take care of the problems.
Carelessness. – Sadly, carelessness is another huge reason why there are so many home fires each year. In fact, about 8% of home fires are began unintentionally or accidentally each year. In other words, nearly one in 10 home fires start because someone forgot to blow out their candles, snuff their incense, or weren’t careful smoking. For this reason, it’s best to keep such activities to a minimum, and to always be wary when something is lit. It’s also a good idea to keep them away from anything that’s flammable, too.
These are just a few of the most common reasons why fires start, and what fire protection services can help consumers guard against. If you have any questions about the most common causes of fires, feel free to share in the comments.