Top causes of residential fires in Sacramento and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of hazards to keep in mind. Fire is chief among them, as it can happen 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 as a result of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were more than 350,000 recorded incidents. Luckily, there are things you can do to keep them from happening|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Sacramento.

What causes residential fires in Sacramento?

Fires can sprout up in any location and without notice, whether sparked 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 widespread types of residential fires in Sacramento and elsewhere. Unattended stovetops are the chief cause, so always keep an eye on that hot skillet when making a meal. It’s also important to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Operating them for long time periods may result in internal components wearing down and sparking. Frayed cords and situating heaters next to combustible objects like bedding or window coverings will also lead to devastating results. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and should be inspected regularly.
• Electrical: Old wiring, defective outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are some ways electrical problems cause fires. Never run an appliance with a frayed cord, and make sure combustible materials like paper aren’t placed on a lampshade, get it investigated promptly.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still commonplace and usually result from carelessness. Putting them within a pet’s domain or next to combustible items will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Despite the overall decrease in smoking nationwide, it’s still a primary 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 throwing out smoldering ashes too soon can cause destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Sacramento is to avoid negligent behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, never leave a candle burning, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so sparingly and use one that offers an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Sacramento

You need to have smoke detectors on every floor and consider using more next to sleeping areas. But you can take your safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety devices will not only discern smoke but can also be tripped due to extreme heat. In addition, considering they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever a disaster strikes. This is a worthwhile perk, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and call the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against various threats with a Vivint smart home in Sacramento

Upgrade the protection of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications to your smartphone and the reassurance that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (916) 914-8674 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.