House fires kill more than 50 people every year. The worst part is that these fires – and deaths – are easily preventable. Just having simple fire safety knowledge and keeping your smoke alarms working and up to date can prevent such a disaster and save a life. Learn more about our top fire safety tips to keep your home and family safe. In this article we discuss the top causes of house fires in Australia and how lives can be saved with professional smoke alarm installation.
What are the leading causes of house fires?
A house fire can start in an instant and spread quickly, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home and putting you and your loved ones at risk. Once you are aware what the most common causes for house fires are, you can put fire safety steps in place to avoid fire hazards and keep your Brisbane home safe.
The leading causes of house fires include:
- Electrical – Electrical fires can occur due to faulty wiring, loose connections or circuits that have been overloaded. While electrical fires are responsible for only about 10% of house fires, they are often the most deadly. This is likely because electrical fires can start in the night or in areas of the home that are not visible or obviously detectable, like in the walls and ceilings. It is absolutely crucial to keep up to date with smoke alarm compliance so that you and your loved ones are given the opportunity to escape when the fire first ignites.
- Heating appliances – Where there is heat, there is risk of fire hazards. Whether it be heaters, electric blankets, hair straighteners, or fireplaces, heating equipment must be kept away from furniture, bedding and other flammable materials. Leaving heating appliances on is also a common cause of house fires that is easily prevented – a good tip is to always turn them off at the power point or unplug all heating appliances after use.
- Lighting – A lot of lights emit a certain amount of heat, which can build up and pose a fire risk for lamp shades and fittings. Many people don’t realise that Christmas lights are another common cause of house fires! Wrapping so many little light bulbs around a Christmas tree or draping ‘fairy lights’ across curtains can create a fire hazard. If you want to be on the safe side, we recommend choosing LED lights which do not emit heat.
- Smoking inside – The fact that smoking inside is one of the biggest fire hazards should go without saying, but it is still one of the top causes of house fires. Cigarettes that have not been put out properly can stay alight for hours, so they can easily ignite carpet, clothing, bedding and a range of other flammable materials commonly found in the home.
- Cooking equipment – Cooking often involves oil, grease, heat and sometimes also gas and flames. Grease is extremely flammable and can spontaneously combust when it reaches a certain temperature (usually around 310 degrees celsius). Gas stoves left on too long and then ignited can also create immediate fire hazards. Whether you use a gas, electric or induction stove, barbecue, microwave, toaster, oven or airfryer, the most important thing is to never leave them unattended whilst in use. Most cooking related fires usually happen because the homeowner has stepped away from the kitchen while food is cooking. This accounts for almost half of all house fires.
Professional smoke alarm installation services can help to prevent house fires from being fatal
It is imperative to understand fire safety in order to prevent unnecessary damage and safety risks. However, even those who practice fire safety measures every day can make mistakes or perhaps be affected by faulty wiring. In the event of a fire outbreak, your first line of defence is your smoke alarm.
Have you had your smoke alarms checked recently?
Call Smoke Alarm Installers on 0477 257 599 or contact us online for professional smoke alarm services to ensure you and your home are protected.
