Leading causes of residential fires in New Orleans and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of hazards to keep in mind. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can occur in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were in excess of 350,000 documented occurrences. Thankfully, there are things you can do to keep them from happening|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in New Orleans.

What starts residential fires in New Orleans?

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

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most widespread sorts of residential fires in New Orleans and everywhere else. Ignored stovetops are the primary source, so always keep an eye on that smoking skillet when making a meal. It’s also important to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Space heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long might result in inner parts degrading and igniting. Worn cords and placing heaters by combustible materials like blankets or window coverings can also lead to disaster. Other types of heating, such as furnaces and fireplaces, may cause fires and ought to be inspected regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, faulty outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are several of the ways electrical complications lead to fires. Don’t ever run an appliance with a frayed cord, and ensure combustible substances like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still frequently reported and typically result from people being careless. Using candles next to flammable objects like drapes or having them within the domain of a rambunctious pet will often result in disaster.
• 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. Dozing off with a cigarette in hand or prematurely disposing of smoldering ashes can bring about devastating results.

The best way to prevent house fires in New Orleans is to be careful at all times. Always pay attention when cooking, never leave a candle burning unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you need to operate a space heater, do so infrequently and get one that has an automatic shut-off safety precaution in the event it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in New Orleans

You need to have smoke detectors on each floor and think about installing more by bedrooms. But you can take your safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety components will not only detect smoke but can also be tripped due to rising heat. Furthermore, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency strikes. This is a worthwhile perk, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department.

Protect against various risks with a Vivint smart home in New Orleans

Elevate the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can custom design our systems with monitored fire alarms, CO detectors, and flood sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant updates to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (504) 285-9448 to talk with a Vivint representative.