Leading causes of residential fires in Fort Myers and how to prevent them

There are numerous dangers you need to keep in mind as a homeowner. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can occur in various places and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States due to residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were in excess of 350,000 documented incidents. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to keep them from happening|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Fort Myers.

What causes residential fires in Fort Myers?

Fires can begin in any location and without warning, whether ignited by a smoldering cigarette in a trash can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most widespread kinds of residential fires in Fort Myers and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the primary culprit, so always watch that scorching skillet when making dinner. It’s also worth nothing that dumping water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Operating them for too long might result in internal components degrading and igniting. Frayed cords and putting heaters near flammable items like bedding or drapes can also lead to devastating results. Other types of heating, such as furnaces and fireplaces, might cause fires and should be checked periodically.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, defective outlets, and overloaded extension cords are a few of the ways electrical complications cause fires. If you detect sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it investigated right away.
• Candles: If there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires from candles are still all too common and often result from people being careless. Using candles next to combustible items like drapery or having them within the domain of a rambunctious pet will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Despite the overall decline in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette in hand or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can cause destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Fort Myers is to be diligent at all times. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle unattended, and properly get rid of cigarettes. If you must run a space heater, do so infrequently and invest in one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it is knocked over.

Safeguard your home with a monitored fire alarm in Fort Myers

You should have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more by bedrooms. But you can take your home’s safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety components will not only recognize smoke but can also be tripped due to extreme heat. Furthermore, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster strikes. This is a notable benefit, specifically when you’re not home to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Protect against known dangers with a Vivint smart home in Fort Myers

Elevate the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that comes with professional monitoring. Contact (239) 326-6141 to get started.