Common Causes of House Fires | Tampa Bay Fire

Extinguisher & Fire System Inspection |

AtoZFire.com

House fires are almost always avoidable. It only takes one

mistake to destroy a family, and with Christmas around the
corner, the chances of a house fire are generally much higher
than usual. This is because the most common causes of house
fires are typically done around this time of year. And so we
begin our list:

1) Heating Systems – During the cold winter many people turn to their heater
to keep them warm. While this is generally safer than using a fire place, it
can be very dangerous to use a heater without getting it inspected every
year. This is because when the heating system sits for an extended period
of time then parts can malfunction (just like a car), and this can be
catastrophic.

2) Electrical Issues – Wiring in a house is very complex and it is easier than you
may think for something to go wrong. As you may know, an open wire can
easily spark a fire. What makes this issue even worse is that wiring inside
your walls and attic are out of sight and a fire can grow quickly before you
even know it is there.

3) Candles – During the holidays many people enjoy candlelight and this is
understandable. If properly managed, candles are a great alternative to
lighting. If left unattended, candles can become a nightmare. Just because a
candle is in a candle holder or off of any wooden surface does not mean
that it is safe to leave. There are many things that could happen such as a
pet knocking it down, a tossed object knocking it over, etc.
 4) Cooking – The holidays are particularly great because you get to have an
excuse to eat like a king (among other things), but one must always be
responsible when cooking. The danger with cooking during the winter is
that many people cook meals that take a long time, and they leave their
work unattended. This can be terrible because anything could happen, an
electrical, grease, or gas fire. If you don’t know what type of fire it is then
you could easily do the wrong thing and make the fire worse.

5) Christmas Trees – That’s right, Christmas trees are one of the most
common causes of house fires. It makes complete sense too, when you
think about it. Taking a dried out tree and covering it in electrical wires that
are left running all day and night is just a catastrophe waiting to happen.
This is why many people opt for artificial trees or don’t leave the Christmas
lights on unless they are near the tree.

Hopefully this made you aware of the potential risks for fire sitting around your
home. We don’t wish to scare you, only to help you protect your family and
home. Stay up to date on your fire inspections and keep several fire extinguishers
in your home so that if there is a fire, you are prepared. A to Z Fire is a fire safety
company in the Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg FL area.