Common causes of residential fires in Asheville and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of threats to consider. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can occur anywhere and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage across the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were over 350,000 reported incidents. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep them from happening|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Asheville.

What sparks residential fires in Asheville?

Fires can start in any location and without notice, whether caused by a smoldering cigarette in a waste container or an ignored stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread types of residential fires in Asheville and everywhere else. Unattended stovetops are the chief culprit, so always pay attention to that scorching skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Running them for long periods may cause inner parts to break down and ignite. Damaged cords and placing heaters next to flammable objects like blankets or drapes will also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and should be checked periodically.
• Electrical: Old wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are some ways electrical complications cause fires. If you notice flickering lights, sparking from an outlet, or odd odors, get it inspected right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and usually result from careless behavior. Putting them within a pet’s domain or near flammable items will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Despite the overall decrease in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep while holding a cigarette or prematurely discarding smoldering ashes can cause devastating results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Asheville is to eliminate careless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning unattended, and properly discard cigarettes. If you must use a space heater, do so sparingly and get one that includes an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it tips over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Asheville

You ought to have smoke detectors on all floors and consider using more next to bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety components will not only discern smoke but can also trigger due to elevated heat levels. In addition, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever a crisis occurs. This is a worthwhile feature, specifically when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Protect against known dangers with a Vivint smart home in Asheville

Enhance the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant updates to your cell phone and the peace of mind that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (828) 571-7175 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.