What Causes House Fires In Grand Rapids
When you own a home, one of the biggest perils to your property and family members is the potential for a fire. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated in 2019 that American homeowners took on about $1.6 billion in damages due to accidental or unattended fires. Sadly, fires are unpredictable and are frequently stoppable -- if you know where to act. And hopefully you are equipped with a monitored fire alarm that gets you aid immediately if you undergo an incident.
What Causes House Fires In Grand Rapids?
Fires may start anywhere at any time in the home. However, you can lessen the risk of fire by taking precautions around the following objects:
- Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is overwhelmingly the number 1 cause of a house fire in Grand Rapids. Cooking-related fires typically begin when the kitchen is left unattended while making the meal. Water tossed on a grease fire can quickly expand a flame that would otherwise be contained.
- Candles: Nodding off in a room with a burning candle is problematic, even if you’re using a high-sided candle holder. The flame can blow and catch a curtain on fire if left on a window sill, and pets can knock candles over. The National Fire Protection Association projects that just over 7,600 houses were damaged because of candle-related fires between 2014-2018.
- Electrical wires: Corroded electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, malfunctioning or improperly installed lighting, and cut lamp cords is a big risk. Be careful not to overload your outlets or plug an item in with exposed electrical components. And if you hear popping or detect smoke from the outlet, flip the breaker off ahead of investigating.
- Space Heaters: Look past coiled space heaters because debris, like pet fur, old papers, or bed sheets can accidentally make contact and spark up. However, you should also oversee fan and ceramic space heaters at all times when in operation.
- Cigarettes: Just in 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 17,000 home fires caused by cigars, pipes, or cigarettes. So if you have a smoker that smokes indoors, make sure they never pass out with a cigarette or smoke in bed. And fully put out your paraphernalia prior to placing it into a trash can.
A Monitored Smoke Detector Can Can Helps When There’s A Fire
If a fire happens to break out, you have to have an early detection system to alert your loved ones as soon as possible. A common smoke alarm might be sufficient but is limited to alerting you if smoke is abundant. A state-of-the-art fire alarm -- a security device that's connected to your home security devices -- can detect both smoke and climbing heat and has more features to make sure your family is safe.
A monitored fire alarm has many ways it can warn you of a fire. Your alarms can inform your family with an incredibly loud tone and an alert to your mobile device. Then your 24/7 monitoring experts reaches out to the fire department. And if you find yourself somewhere in which you aren’t able to race home when a fire starts, you can have peace of mind that your monitoring agent will maintain communication between you and emergency personnel.
Utilize Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems
The possibility of house fires in Grand Rapids should never be written off, but you can rest easier if you have a monitored fire alarm on the premises. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you install all the safety sensors you need with a state-of-the-art home security system. Call (616) 207-3771 or fill out the form below to get started.