Leading causes of residential fires in St. Petersburg and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are a wide range of risks to keep in mind. Fire is at the top of the list, as it can happen in any place and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States because of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were over 350,000 reported occurrences. Fortunately, there are actions you can take to prevent them. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in St. Petersburg.

What sparks residential fires in St. Petersburg?

Fires can sprout up anywhere and without warning, whether ignited by a burning cigarette in a garbage can or an unattended stovetop. Here are the top causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Flare-ups in the kitchen are the most widespread sorts of residential fires in St. Petersburg and all other areas. Ignored stovetops are the primary cause, so always keep an eye on that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Area heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for too long might cause internal pieces to wear out and catch fire. Damaged cords and putting heaters by combustible objects like bedding or window coverings will also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as furnaces and fireplaces, could cause fires and ought to be inspected periodically.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are several of the ways electrical complications result in fires. Don’t use an appliance with a tattered cord, and make sure flammable objects like paper aren’t layed on top of a lampshade, get it inspected promptly.
• Candles: Wherever there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still commonplace and typically result from carelessness. Situating them within an area reachable by pets or near combustible objects will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: In spite of the overall reduction in smoking nationwide, it’s still an unquestionable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were caused by smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or prematurely throwing out smoldering ashes can give rise to catastrophic results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in St. Petersburg is to avoid reckless behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, never leave a candle unattended, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so sparingly and get one that includes an automatic shut-off feature in the event it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in St. Petersburg

You should have smoke detectors on each floor and more next to sleeping areas. But you can take your safety to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These beneficial safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. In addition, considering they are part of your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring professionals whenever an emergency takes place. This is a worthwhile perk, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and phone the fire department yourself.

Protect against common risks with a Vivint smart home in St. Petersburg

Upgrade the protection of your residence today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant updates to your cell phone and the 24-hour support that comes with professional monitoring. Place a call to (727) 353-8318 to talk with a Vivint representative.