Six Hidden Fire Hazards That Have the Potential to Cause Fire Damage in Fort Worth, TX, Homes

8/8/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth brings attention to hidden fire hazards that could cause a fire damage disaster in the home.

When a fire damage disaster occurs, SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth springs into action 24/7, 365 days a year, including holidays, to provide customers with a rapid fire damage cleanup and restoration process. To help homeowners avoid a fire damage disaster, the team at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth exposes hidden fire risks that could cause a fire damage disaster.

Hidden Fire Hazards around the House

A quick, high-level inspection of the home may yield the conclusion that the house is safe from the risk of fire. However, fire risks can be found on kitchen counters, behind walls, and around the workbench in the garage or shop out back.

Most people are aware of common fire risks such as an overloaded electrical outlet or an unattended lit candle and take steps to avoid the unsafe practices. Yet, first responders still are called out to an average of over 1000 home fires a day. Here is a list of surprising fire hazards and instructions on how to avoid fire hazards in the home.

1. Clutter in the Kitchen

The kitchen is a hub of activity. The sink bustles with activity as pots, pans, dishes, and utensils are rinsed and re-used while cooking. Food prep on the counters is a whir of chopping, dicing, slicing, and mixing. Paper towels are used and then pushed to the side to be used again to prevent waste. Recipe cards dangle precariously above the stove as the meal preparation progresses. Potholders pile up next to the stove.

Four out of ten residential fires originate in the kitchen. To reduce the fire risk, keep combustible materials at least three feet away from hot burners. Avoid the temptation to leave meals cooking unattended on the stove or in a countertop oven, toaster, or air fryer. Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case a fire breaks out. Ring in the new year and celebrate Independence Day by putting fresh batteries in the home smoke alarms.

2. Overworked Wiring

Electrical wiring winds its way throughout a home hidden out of sight behind walls. On average, this hidden and unnoticed fire hazard is responsible for almost 1,000 housefires a week. Home electrical fires cause $1.5 billion in property damage each year. Activities such as hanging the family portrait, plugging a power strip into a power strip, or running an extension cord under a rug can burn the house down. Replace aging circuit breakers with arc-fault circuit interrupters to avoid electrical fires from overworked circuits. Any licensed, bonded, and insured electrician can handle this upgrade.

3. Sawdust

A day in the woodworking shop in the garage can produce mounds of sawdust on the floor and a fine coat of imperceptible dust on everything. The gritty sawdust and especially the fine, powdery dust are highly combustible, even more so than typical dust.

Install a dust-removal system, or remove excess dust with a shop vacuum designed to handle combustible dust. Vacuum up the dust several times during the day. Avoid disturbing the dust with an air hose or leaf blower since these methods send the dust airborne where ignition is much easier.

4. The Clothes Dryer

The lint tray captures highly combustible fibers from clothes tumbling in the dryer. Fibers that escape collect inside the dryer cabinet. The heating element can ignite the fibers if the buildup is excessive. Minimize the danger by hiring a professional to clean the dryer cabinet every two years.

5. Loose Outlets

When an outlet begins to wear out, blades hidden from view inside the electrical outlet lose their ability to snugly grip plugs from appliances and electronic devices. The loose connection can result in intense heat buildup that can cause a fire. When plugs fail to stay in an outlet, replace the faulty outlet immediately.

6. Antique Appliances

Vintage appliances make excellent décor pieces that add character to a home. However, the dated appliances were manufactured to less stringent codes, and the electrical components may have degraded over the decades. By rewiring the appliances, fire hazards can be greatly reduced. The best practice is to use modern appliances and machinery with a UL mark, indicating that the device has met or exceeded tight quality controls and is safe for consumer use.

An awareness of the hidden risks of an electrical fire in the home can lead to prevention strategies that make and keep the home safe. In case of a fire damage disaster, reach out to the cleanup and restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth. After providing fire damage restoration services, the SERVPRO team can handle the insurance claims process from beginning to end, allowing the homeowner to focus on recovering from the disaster and moving on with life.

To learn more details about Fort Worth, TX, fire damage restoration, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Fort Worth at (817) 741-5737 or email office@SERVPROnortheastftworth.com