Leading causes of residential fires in St. Paul and how to avoid them

There are a plethora of dangers you must think about as a homeowner. Fire is foremost among them, as it can arise in various places and anytime. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an astounding $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were in excess of 350,000 noted occurrences. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep them from taking place|. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in St. Paul.

What starts residential fires in St. Paul?

Fires can sprout up in any spot and without warning, whether caused by a discarded cigarette in a garbage can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most frequent sorts of residential fires in St. Paul and everywhere else. Ignored stovetops are the chief origin, so always watch that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that putting water on a grease fire will only make matters worse.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for lengthy time periods can result in internal components breaking down and igniting. Placing heaters next to flammable materials like bed sheets and curtains or using frayed cords may also lead to disastrous results. Other heating elements, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, might cause fires and need to be checked frequently.
• Electrical: Old wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are some ways electrical complications cause fires. Don’t ever run an appliance with a tattered cord, and make certain flammable substances like paper aren’t put on top of a lampshade, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and often result from carelessness. Putting them within reach of pets or next to combustible materials will lead to disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall decline in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Nodding off with a cigarette in hand or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can cause catastrophic results.

The best way to prevent house fires in St. Paul is to be attentive at all times. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you must run a space heater, do so infrequently and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it overturns.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in St. Paul

You should have smoke detectors on all floors and think about installing more near sleeping areas. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only recognize smoke but can also be triggered due to rising heat. Additionally, since they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever a disaster takes place. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department.

Safeguard your home against known threats with a Vivint smart home in St. Paul

Upgrade the safety of your property today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll be thankful for the instant alerts to your cell phone and the reassurance that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (651) 240-6686 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.