House fires are one of the most devastating events that can occur in the home. They can cause severe property damage, destroy cherished belongings, and, worst of all, put lives at risk. While the aftermath of a fire can be catastrophic, many fires are preventable with the right precautions.
In Australia, where bushfire seasons already pose a significant challenge for firefighters, it’s even more crucial to reduce the number of avoidable house fires. Let’s identify some common causes of house fires and explore some practical tips to prevent them from happening.
Identifying & Managing Common Causes
Fires require three key elements to ignite and spread: heat, oxygen, and fuel – commonly known as the “Fire Triangle.” When these elements combine, a fire can easily start.
In most homes, heat sources like electrical appliances, candles, and stovetops, paired with fuel sources such as furniture, curtains, and other flammable materials, create the ideal conditions for a fire. By carefully managing these risks, you can significantly reduce the chance of a fire taking hold and keep your home safe.
Electrical Sources
Overloaded power circuits are one of the most common causes of electrical fires, especially during the winter when heating systems and electric blankets see heavy use. To prevent this:
- Avoid plugging in too many devices. Plugging too many devices into a single socket or extension cord can cause circuits to overheat and spark a fire.
- Check appliance cords regularly. If you notice frayed wires or exposed metal, or hear sparking when you plug an appliance in, stop using the appliance and have it repaired or replaced by a professional.
- Turn off and unplug devices when they’re not in use, especially at night or when leaving the house.
- Store electric blankets properly by rolling them up, not folding them, to avoid damaging the wiring. Never leave them on overnight or unattended.
Open Fires and Heaters
Heaters and open fires can make your home feel warm and cosy, but they can also pose significant risks if not managed carefully. Always have the following safety measures in place:
- Always use a fireguard with open fires to prevent sparks from escaping and igniting flammable materials like carpets.
- Keep flammable objects such as curtains, furniture, and clothes at least one metre away from heaters or open fires.
- Have your chimney cleaned regularly to prevent soot buildup, which can cause chimney fires.
- Ensure heaters are installed and serviced by professionals to avoid malfunctioning that could lead to a fire.
- Supervise children around fires and heaters to ensure they stay a safe distance away.
- Install photoelectric smoke alarms, such as PSA smoke alarms, throughout your home for early fire detection.
Candles
Candles are popular for creating ambience or repelling insects but can be fire hazards in certain situations. As such, it is important to:
- Never leave candles unattended, especially near flammable materials like curtains.
- Place candles on stable surfaces and keep them away from anything that could catch fire.
- Extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Even if they’re in a safe holder, they should not burn while you sleep.
Cigarettes
In 2020-21, 17 people tragically lost their lives in preventable house fires, with smoking being a contributing factor in seven of those cases. That year also saw firefighters respond to over 200 fires across Victoria that were triggered by smoking materials.
Although indoor smoking is less common today, it does still happen. If someone in your home smokes, some precautions they can take include the following:
- Dispose of cigarette ends safely by using a metal container, dousing them with water, and ensuring they are fully extinguished.
- Never smoke in bed, especially near flammable surfaces like beds or couches.
- Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children to prevent accidental fires.
- Smoke outdoors when possible, using a non-combustible ashtray for added safety.
- Follow the “Stick it, don’t flick it” rule to prevent fires caused by discarded cigarette butts.
Kitchens
The kitchen is one of the most common areas for fires, especially when cooking with oils or fats. Here’s how to prevent kitchen fires:
- Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying, as oils can quickly overheat and catch fire.
- Keep flammable items away from the stove, including dish towels, wooden utensils, and oven mitts.
- Install heat and smoke alarms in your home to detect fires early.
- If a fire starts in a pan, turn off the heat and cover it with a lid to smother the flames. Never pour water on an oil fire.
- Keep a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in the kitchen to quickly handle small fires.
Other Tips to Improve Fire Safety
Beyond being aware of the common fire culprits and practicing the fire safety tips that we have provided, you can also improve your household fire safety by:
- Maintain your smoke alarms. These are your early warning system against house fires, so they need to be kept in good working order to prevent false alarms and malfunctions. They should also be tested monthly and replaced every 10 years.
- Teaching children fire safety tips. One accident is all it takes, so it is crucial to teach your children how to prevent fires and what to do if a fire starts. If the worst happens, it can make a world of difference in keeping them safe.
- Create a fire escape plan. Prevention is always better than cure, but if a fire does break out, you need to ensure that your loved ones know what to do and where to go.
Invest in Fire Safety Today
Early detection gives you time to act before a fire becomes uncontrollable. To ensure you’re fully prepared, explore PSA Products’ range of high-quality smoke alarms and fire safety products.
With options like heat alarms and wireless interconnected smoke alarms, we make it easy to safeguard your home and loved ones. Take the first step toward better fire safety by choosing PSA Products today.
