Are These 3 Fire Hazards Lurking Around Your Home?

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, in 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,240,000 fires. These fires resulted in 3,240 civilian fire fatalities, 15,925 civilian fire injuries and an estimated $11.5 billion in direct property loss. Stated another way, there was a civilian fire death every 2 hours and 42 minutes and a civilian fire injury every 33 minutes in 2013.

Many of the fires that occur are 100% preventable. Yes, 100% preventable.

While there are numerous causes of household fires, the following 3  causes are among the easiest to check and address if present:

1.  Overloaded Outlets

In general, electrical appliances should be plugged directly into electrical outlets.  Extension cords should only be used on a temporary basis. Similarly, you should never remove the grounding plug from a cord so it can be used in a two-prong electrical outlet.  Removing the third prong can cause a fire. The reason that some appliances have the extra prong is so they can be only used in outlets that can handle the additional electrical requirements. If your outlets can not sufficiently accommodate the electrical requirements of your appliances, have an electrician make the necessary changes for you. 

2.  Frayed Electrical Cords

Never use appliances with frayed or worn cords.  Doing so can send heat to combustible surfaces, which can cause a fire. If the cord is worn, it should be replaced or you can simply replace the appliance altogether. 

3.  Poorly Maintained Dryers

Poorly maintained dryer vents and  improper venting can cause dryer related fires. Lint should be cleaned from all around the dryer on a regular basis. By all around it, I mean under it, on top of it, behind it, and beside it.  This overall lint cleaning should be performed at least twice per year.  Simply cleaning the lint trap on the dryer after each load of laundry is not enough.  Also, the dryer vent should be routed to the exterior of the home.  Otherwise, it is also a potential fire hazard.  If you are uncertain whether your dryer vent is routed properly, have a professional inspector evaluate it for you.   

Don't forget the Smoke Detectors and Fire Extinguishers

Many fire safety experts suggest having a smoke detector in every bedroom, hallway, vaulted ceiling, and on every level of your home.  Smoke detectors that are far away from the living quarters are more difficult to hear and respond to. When there's a fire, every second counts.  You don't want to lose precious time, because you don't hear the smoke alarm immediately.

Be sure to confirm that your smoke detectors are working properly at least twice a year. A good rule of thumb is to check all of your smoke detectors when you set your clocks foward in the spring and backward in the fall for Daylight savings time. 

Don't forget the fire extinguishers. Fire safety experts also recommend having an extinguisher at both the entrance, the exit, in the main hallway and at least one on each level of your home.If for some reason you are limited to only one fire extingusiher,  place it in or near the kitchen.  Most house fires occur in the kitchen. 

These measures are simple enough to put in place.  However, when they're not adequately addressed, your family's safety could be at stake.

Carlos Ward is a Home Inspector at 4Ward Property Inspections in the greater Atlanta area.  www.4WardInspections.com| cward@4WardInspections.com