INFORMATION ON STRUCTURE
FIRES
According to
nattybongo.tv structure fires totaled 487,500 in 2013 and caused 2,855 14,075
civilian injuries and $9.5 billion in property damage. Every 65 seconds one
structure fire was reported.
Cooking
Fires
Did you
know that most house fires start in the kitchen? As of today cooking is still
the leading cause of home fires. The smallest spec of grease could cause your
entire home to be engulfed in flames. For those that have an electric stove
please note that this type of stove is involved in more house fires than gas
stoves. Do not leave anything flammable like alcohol or towels near the stove
while cooking. Be sure to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen for
emergencies.
Space
Heaters
The Consumer Product
Safety Commission (CPSC) estimates that more than 25,000 residential fires and
more than 300 deaths are caused each year by space heaters.
Space Heater Tips:
-Keep
space heaters at least 3 feet away from furniture or other combustible
materials. (Curtains, bedding and etc.)
materials. (Curtains, bedding and etc.)
-Avoid
placing space heaters on carpet or rugs.
-Turn
space heaters off if there is no supervision. Even brand new units can
malfunction.
-It is best to purchase a unit with a tip-over safety switch. This will automatically
shut off the unit if it falls over.
-Do not attempt to use unvented combustion heaters inside your home. They will
produce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide which is harmful to your health.
-It is best to purchase a unit with a tip-over safety switch. This will automatically
shut off the unit if it falls over.
-Do not attempt to use unvented combustion heaters inside your home. They will
produce carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide which is harmful to your health.
-Use
a heavy-duty extension cord if one is needed.
Dryer Fires
According to
dundasjafine.com 15,000 dryer fires occur each year. The most common source of
dryer fires is list and household dust. Together they can cause a blockage
causing the dryer to catch fire. To prevent dryer fires detach the dryer from
the air duct that runs through the home. Make sure the passage way is clear. In
some cases you may need a professional to clean out of your dryer vent for you.
Also, be sure to clean the vent trap on the dryer after each load of laundry.
The outside vent trap on the outside of the home should also be maintained to
ensure it is lint free.
Vinyl ducting is no
longer recommended and is more likely to catch fire.
Smoking
Fires
There are about 7,600
smoking-related fires in homes each year says http://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/smoking.html.
Use caution when smoking in the home. There are many combustibles in every room
of the house. Never leave a cigarette unattended.
Electrical Fires
Electrical fires can
sometimes be prevented. If you are not a licensed electrician do not attempt to
wire anything in your home yourself. Hire a professional to avoid potential
issues. Many electrical fires cannot be prevented so make sure your smoke alarm
is in working order to detect and smoke.
Undocumented Student Statistics
|
Data
|
Average number of residential home
fires each year
|
374,000
|
Average number of deaths each year
from home fires
|
2,600
|
Average number of injuries due to
home fires each year
|
12,975
|
Average annual dollar loss to due
to home fires
|
$7.32 billion
|
Cause of Home Fires
|
Percent of Fires
|
Cooking
|
56 %
|
Heating
|
16 %
|
Electrical Malfunction
|
9 %
|
Other Unintentional, Careless
|
8 %
|
Open Flame
|
6 %
|
Intentional
|
5 %
|
Source:
http://www.statisticbrain.com
Have you ever walked through a building after it has caught fire? I have, and it's devastating. The smell lingers in your nostrils even when you are out of the home, you feel wet mushy drywall under your feet, you can not touch anything because smoke damage is everywhere and the sight of ones belongings damaged by soot is a sad one. I will never forget the feeling that overwhelms me when I have walked through a fire. I hope that no one ever has to experience this in their life time but not all fires can be prevented. If you neighbor has a fire and the wind changes it can cause your home to catch fire. Who would you turn to if this happened to you?
There are many things that follow a fire so make sure you have a trustworthy company that is reliable so they can assist you. Rainbow International would like to be that company in your time of need. If you have smoke damage or suffer a fire loss please contact our service line for assistance with your mitigation, contents, textiles and rebuild - 708.460.0911.
