| No home fire just happens. There is always a | | | | None of this probably comes as a huge surprise, |
| cause, and causes can be prevented. That is the | | | | but it certainly points out the need to be extra |
| major focus of home security and safety | | | | safe in the kitchen and when grilling in the |
| experts when speaking on the issue of fires in | | | | backyard. Clothing is flammable and it doesn't take |
| the home. Home security alarm systems are an | | | | but an inattentive second to catch a sleeve, apron |
| excellent way of detecting a fire after it's under | | | | or oven mitt on fire when working with gas |
| way, but they're not designed to actually prevent | | | | ranges. |
| a fire from happening. That's where you come | | | | During the cold winter months, heating equipment |
| into the equation. Human intervention and | | | | is another leading cause of home fires. Some |
| preparedness will continue to prevent countless | | | | easy-to-follow safety tips can help prevent fires |
| fires that might otherwise have started. | | | | of this type in your home and in the homes of |
| So, what are some of the leading causes of | | | | your loved ones. Consider these: |
| home fires? Cooking and cooking-related incidents | | | | When buying heaters for your house or |
| account for more than half of the home fires in | | | | apartment, look for devices with automatic |
| America. According to the National Fire Prevention | | | | shutoff features. |
| Association (NFPA), 55% of home cooking fires | | | | Any gas-fueled devices in your home must be |
| start with the ignition of food or other cooking | | | | installed with particular attention toward ventilation. |
| materials. Did you know: | | | | Don't ever put unvented gas space heaters in |
| Fire departments in the United States respond to | | | | bedrooms or bathrooms. |
| an average of 6,600 home fires per year in which | | | | Never leave space heaters on when you leave |
| a microwave oven is involved in ignition. These | | | | the room for any extended period of time. Space |
| fires cause an annual average of three civilian | | | | heaters should be kept at least three feet away |
| deaths, 110 civilian injuries, and more than $22 | | | | from anything that can burn, and should contain |
| million in direct property damage. | | | | an automatic shut-off mechanism should the |
| Cooking equipment fires are the leading cause of | | | | heater ever tip over or otherwise become unlevel. |
| home fires and associated civilian injuries. These | | | | Never use extension cords with space heaters. |
| fires accounted for 40% of all reported home | | | | These types of heaters often demand a large |
| fires and 36% of home civilian injuries. Burns from | | | | amount of electricity, and the current they draw |
| cooking oil and extremely hot cooking equipment | | | | could melt the cords and start a fire. |
| lead the way. | | | | Professionally installed home security burglar and |
| Twelve percent of the fires occur when | | | | fire alarm systems like the ones monitored by |
| something that could catch fire was too close to | | | | ADT home security, are worth the investment |
| the cooking equipment, often an open flame on a | | | | countless times over. However, they can easily |
| gas stove or BBQ grill. | | | | be defeated by lack of attention to safety around |
| 57% of reported home cooking fire injuries occur | | | | your house. Be conscientious of home security |
| when victims tried to fight the fire themselves. | | | | and safety and gain the peace of mind you and |
| Thanksgiving is the peak day of the entire year | | | | your family deserve. |
| for home cooking fires. | | | | |
