Top causes of residential fires in Santa Fe and how to prevent them

When you own a home, there are many threats to think about. Fire is chief among them, as it can arise anywhere and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States as a result of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were in excess of 350,000 noted occurrences. Luckily, there are steps you can take to keep them from happening|. Take a look at the causes and how to prevent house fires in Santa Fe.

What sparks residential fires in Santa Fe?

Fires can begin in any location and without notice, whether sparked by a smoldering 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 common types of residential fires in Santa Fe and elsewhere. Neglected stovetops are the main source, so always watch that scorching skillet when making a meal. It’s also important to note that dumping water on a grease fire will only worsen the situation.
• Heating: Portable heaters are a well-known cause of residential fires. Using them for long amounts of time might cause inner components to break down and ignite. Frayed cords and situating heaters by flammable items like blankets or drapes may also lead to devastating results. Other heating elements, such as HVAC systems and fireplaces, might cause fires and ought to be examined frequently.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical problems result in fires. Whenever you detect sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it checked out right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's the possibility of fire. Residential fires caused by candles are still all too common and often result from carelessness. Placing them within an area reachable by pets or too close to ignitable materials will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall reduction in smoking across the nation, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Nodding off with a cigarette in hand or prematurely discarding smoldering ashes can give rise to devastating results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Santa Fe is to avoid negligent behavior. Always watch closely when cooking, don’t leave a candle burning unattended, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you must run a space heater, do so in short intervals and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in case it tips over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Santa Fe

You need to have smoke detectors on each floor and more near bedrooms. But you can take your safety a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety components will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to rising heat. In addition, considering they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll alert you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis takes place. This is a worthwhile feature, especially when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department.

Defend against common risks with a Vivint smart home in Santa Fe

Enhance the protection of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, water sensors, and carbon monoxide detectors. You’ll appreciate the instant alerts to your mobile device and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (505) 605-2552 to get started.