Top causes of residential fires in Oklahoma City and how to prevent them

There are many perils you must keep in mind as a homeowner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can occur in various places and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were more than 350,000 noted fires. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep them from taking place|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Oklahoma City.

What causes residential fires in Oklahoma City?

Fires can start anywhere and without warning, whether ignited by a smoldering cigarette in a garbage can or a neglected stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most frequent types of residential fires in Oklahoma City and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the main origin, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Running them for extended time periods can cause inner components to break down and ignite. Situating heaters by combustible objects like bedding and drapery or using worn cords will also lead to disaster. Other types of heating, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, may cause fires and ought to be checked frequently.
• Electrical: Old wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems cause fires. Never run an appliance with a tattered cord, and make sure ignitable objects like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it checked out promptly.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still all too common and often result from people being careless. Situating them within reach of pets or too close to ignitable materials will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep while holding a cigarette or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Oklahoma City is to steer clear of careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you need to operate a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that includes an automatic shut-off switch in case it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Oklahoma City

You ought to have smoke detectors on each floor and consider using more by bedrooms. But you can take your safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only detect smoke but can also trigger due to extreme heat. Furthermore, because they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll warn you and your monitoring professionals whenever a crisis strikes. This is a worthwhile perk, specifically when you’re not there to hear the alarm and phone the fire department.

Protect against common dangers with a Vivint smart home in Oklahoma City

Enhance the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant alerts to your smartphone and the reassurance that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (405) 777-7501 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.