Home fires pose a significant safety risk and can result in injuries, loss of life, and property damage. Understanding the most common causes of home fires allows homeowners to take preventative measures to protect their families and homes. The leading causes of home fires include cooking, heating equipment, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fires, smoking materials, and open flames. Identifying and addressing these common fire starters is key to fire prevention.
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Cooking Equipment
Cooking equipment, including stoves, ovens, and microwaves, is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Cooking fires account for almost half (49%) of all reported home fires and half (49%) of all reported home fire injuries. Ranges or cooktops account for the majority (59%) of cooking fire incidents. Ovens follow at 16%.
Several factors contribute to cooking being the number one source of home fires:
Unattended Cooking
The most common contributing factor in cooking fires is unattended cooking. It’s easy to get distracted when cooking and wander off, get occupied with another task, or even fall asleep. Unattended cooking equipment can overheat or ignite food and surrounding items. Always stay in the kitchen when frying, boiling, broiling, or grilling food. Set a timer as a reminder if needed. If you have to leave the room even for a minute, turn off the stove.
Combustible Materials
Having combustible materials too close to the cooking surface or oven can lead to fires. Dishtowels, food packaging, wooden utensils, potholders, curtains, and paper towels are all combustible. Keep the area around your stove, oven, and other cooking appliances clear of anything that can burn.
Loose Clothing
Loose fitting clothing with billowing sleeves is hazardous while cooking. Fabric can easily catch fire if it comes into contact with a gas flame or electric coil. Wear short or tight sleeves while cooking. An apron is ideal to protect your clothing.
Grease Fires
Grease and oil can easily ignite, especially when left unattended. Always stay by the stove when cooking with oil or high-fat foods. Have a lid or a fire extinguisher on hand. If a pan of grease or oil catches fire, carefully slide the lid over the pan to smother the flames. Never throw water on a grease fire.
Heating Equipment
Heating equipment is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire deaths. It accounts for 15% of all home fires. However, it accounts for the highest home fire death rate at 36%. Heating fires are more likely to be fatal because they often occur when people are sleeping.
Portable Space Heaters
Portable space heaters, including electric and kerosene heaters, make up two-thirds (66%) of home heating fires and 73% of home heating fire deaths. Space heaters should always be kept at least 3 feet (1 meter) away from anything that can burn, including people. Never leave a space heater unattended or sleep with one running. Turn heaters off when leaving a room or going to bed. Make sure portable space heaters have an automatic shut-off in case they tip over.
Fixed Heating Equipment
Fixed or stationary heating equipment is linked to one-third (31%) of home heating fires and one-quarter (27%) of home heating fire deaths. This includes furnaces, boilers, and wood-burning stoves. The leading factor in fires involving fixed heaters is having combustible materials too close to the equipment. Anything that can burn should be kept at least 3 feet (1 meter) away. Regularly clean and inspect fixed heaters according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Chimneys and Chimney Connectors
Creosote buildup in chimneys and chimney connectors is the leading cause of fires in wood-burning fireplaces and stoves. Creosote is highly flammable. To prevent chimney fires, have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional. Burn only seasoned wood (dried at least 6 months). Allow ashes to cool before disposing in metal containers. Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
Electrical Distribution and Lighting Equipment
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment fires account for 8% of home fires and 5% of home fire deaths. However, electrical distribution and lighting equipment are involved in over 40% of home electrical fires. There are several common causes behind electrical fires:
Electrical Wiring and Outlets
Outdated wiring and overburdened electrical circuits are hazards. Frequently tripped breakers, flickering lights, and cracked outlets can indicate an outdated system in need of repair. Use a qualified electrician to update wiring and circuit breakers. Never replace a fuse with a higher amp version. Use only surge protectors, not extension cords, for added outlets. Extension cords should only be temporary. Replace any cracked, damaged, or warm-to-touch outlets.
Appliances and Equipment
Electrical appliances and equipment can malfunction and cause fire hazards. Do not leave appliances like stoves, irons, and TVs plugged in when not in use. Follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines and check Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) warnings on any recalls of electrical equipment you own. If an appliance smells odd, overheats, shorts, or sparks, immediately unplug it and have it repaired or replaced.
Light Bulbs and Fixtures
Incorrect wattage light bulbs and hot fixtures can start fires in lamps and light fixtures. Always use the correct wattage light bulbs for the fixture. Check the instructions on the fixture to determine the right bulb and maximum wattage. Use LED bulbs when possible to reduce fire risk. Check the sockets when changing bulbs and do not use any with cracked or damaged parts.
Intentional Fires
Around 8% of home structure fires and 15% of home fire deaths are intentionally set. Arson is the intentional and unlawful burning of property. Juvenile firesetting is a leading cause of intentionally set blazes. Children playing with fire sources like matches and lighters can accidentally set fires. Secure matches, lighters, and other ignition sources safely out of children’s reach. Teach kids to never touch matches or lighters and to tell a grown-up if they see another child playing with fire.
Smoking Materials
Careless smoking is a leading cause of home fire deaths. Smoking materials, primarily cigarettes, account for 5% of U.S. home fires but 21% of home fire deaths. Smoking indoors is always a fire hazard. If you do smoke inside, use deep, sturdy ashtrays that can’t tip over easily. Douse butts with water before disposal. Before going to bed or leaving home after smoking, check under and around cushions and upholstered furniture for smoldering cigarettes. Never smoke when tired or medicated.
Open Flames
Candles, fireplaces, chimneys, and outdoor heaters or grills all pose fire risks if left unattended or used improperly. Have working smoke alarms on every level and in every bedroom. Always extinguish open flames before going to bed or leaving home. Keep candles in stable holders on flat, uncluttered surfaces. Trim wicks to 1⁄4 inch (0.6 cm) before lighting. Refuel kerosene heaters outdoors, never inside. Keep grills a safe distance from siding, deck rails, and out from under eaves. Watch young children closely around outdoor heaters.
Preventing Home Fires
While any fire poses risks, there are simple yet effective ways to minimize the chances of home fires occurring:
Install Smoke Alarms
Working smoke alarms are vital for alerting people to a fire in time to safely escape. Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly. Replace batteries once a year. Replace any smoke alarms over 10 years old.
Plan and Practice Escapes
Make a home fire escape plan and practice it twice a year with everyone in the household. Determine two exits from every room and an outside meeting place. Make sure windows open easily. Know what to do in case of a fire and get low and go if there is smoke. Never stand and fight fires if an escape is possible.
Clean and Inspect Equipment
Regularly clean and inspect potential fire hazards like fireplaces, chimneys, furnaces, heaters, and dryer vents. Hire a professional chimney sweep annually. Clean the dryer filter and vent hose after each use. Have furnaces and heaters checked yearly by an HVAC technician. Fix or replace any damaged parts immediately.
Use Caution with Smoking, Candles, and Cooking
Never leave burning candles or food cooking unattended. Extinguish candles and smoking materials thoroughly. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from heat sources. Avoid wearing loose clothing around open flames.
Use Electrical Equipment Safely
Don’t overload outlets. Replace worn cords. Follow manufacturer instructions for electrical equipment use. Turn off, unplug, and safely stow appliances when not in use. Use caution when charging devices. Purchase electrical products evaluated by a national recognized testing laboratory.
Keep Matches and Lighters Away from Children
Store matches, lighters, and novelties that spark out of reach and sight of kids. Teach children to tell an adult if they find matches or lighters. Check under beds and in closets if your child shows an interest in fire. Set a good example with safe use of fire and matches yourself.
Fire Safety Tips Based on Location
Certain areas of the home are more prone to specific fire risks. Focus fire prevention efforts in these key locations:
Kitchen Fire Safety
The leading area for home fires is the kitchen. Always stay nearby when cooking. Keep flammable items away from heat sources. Turn pot handles inward. Clean regularly to prevent grease buildup. Heat oil gradually and watch closely when frying. Extinguish stove flames before leaving the kitchen. Have a fire extinguisher designed for grease fires readily available.
Bedroom Fire Safety
Bedrooms present fire risks when sleeping if smokers smoke in bed or fall asleep with candles burning. Install smoke alarms in every bedroom and outside each sleeping area. Close doors at night to slow fire spread. Use safe, cool lighting like flashlights instead of candles in the bedroom. Extinguish all smoking materials before bed.
Living Room Fire Safety
Living rooms contain many potential combustion sources like candles, cigarettes, space heaters, wiring, and fuel-burning appliances. Never leave candles or cigarettes unattended. Provide space heaters a 3-foot “circle of safety.” Inspect electrical wiring. Install guards on fuel-burning equipment. Store ashes in metal containers. Use fire-resistant furniture and drapes.
Basement and Garage Fire Safety
Place hazardous items like paints, solvents, chemicals, and boxes safely in basements and garages. Dispose of rags with oil or chemicals properly. Mount water heaters at least 18 inches off the floor. Have wiring inspected in older homes. Never leave a car running in an attached garage. Close the garage door after driving in to contain any engine fires.
Attic and Crawl Space Fire Safety
Attics and crawl spaces are prone to electrical fires from wiring, rodent damage, and overloaded circuits. Inspect for proper insulation clearance around wiring. Seal attic openings around pipes, ducts and wiring to limit oxygen for fire. Cover insulation to prevent rodents chewing on wiring. Only store noncombustible, seasonal items in attics and crawl spaces.
Fire Safety Devices
Fire protection systems help detect fires early and control fire spread. Recommended safety equipment includes:
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms are essential, low-cost detectors for alerting people to fire conditions. Install ionization or photoelectric smoke alarms. Ionization is better for flaming fires and photoelectric for smoldering fires. Use combination ionization/photoelectric alarms for optimal detection. Interconnect all smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) detectors warn when levels of the deadly, odorless gas rise. Install battery-powered or plug-in CO detectors with digital displays outside bedrooms and on every level of the home. Chirping alarms indicate low batteries. Beeping alarms signal rising CO levels.
Fire Extinguishers
Homes should have at least one multipurpose (ABC type), UL rated fire extinguisher. Check that the extinguisher is charged and know how to use it before an emergency. Mount in an accessible spot like the kitchen. Learn how to use the PASS technique. Get low if there is smoke since heat and toxic gases rise.
Residential Fire Sprinklers
Fire sprinklers control 90% of fires when operating. They are cost-effective and use little water. In new construction, choose home fire sprinklers. In existing homes, consider retrofitting fire sprinklers, especially in high risk areas like kitchens, garages, and attics.
Flame-Resistant Bedding and Pajamas
Flame-resistant bedding and sleepwear provide valuable escape time in case of an accidental bedroom fire. Look for items made from inherently fire-retardant fabrics like wool. Choose bedding and pajamas labeled fire-retardant or flame-resistant. Change outdated products.
Emergency Response When a Fire Starts
If a fire breaks out despite fire prevention efforts, it is vital to know how to respond. Follow these do’s and don’ts in the event of a residential fire emergency:
Do:
- Escape as soon as a fire is discovered, do not try to fight it
- Test doors before opening by feeling for heat at the top and bottom cracks
- Use the back of your hand to feel for heat if you have to open a door
- Close doors as you leave to help contain the fire
- Crawl low under smoke and use an exit away from the fire if possible
- Have a meeting place outside so you know everyone has escaped
- Call 911 as soon as safely outside and give the exact address
Don’t:
- Try to fight a fire once it begins spreading from its source
- Open a hot door, use a secondary escape route if possible
- Stand up in smoke, always crawl low under the smoke
- Hide or go back for pets or valuables, get out immediately
- Break windows, use proper exits instead if no other choice open window and shout for help
Conclusion
Cooking equipment, heating equipment, electrical distribution systems, intentional firesetting, smoking materials, and open flames are the six leading causes of home fires. Cooking and heating accidents are the biggest risks. Strategies like installing smoke alarms, avoiding careless smoking and arson, properly using and maintaining electrical systems and heating and cooking equipment, and executing an escape plan can greatly reduce the occurrence and tragic impacts of residential fires. Fire prevention and preparation makes homes safer for families.
