When purchasing a home, it is undoubtedly prudent to know about all the possible risks in your area, like flooding and theft. However, the threat of house fires is one all homeowners face, irrespective of their location. Sadly, house fires are quite common in America, with the National Fire Protection Association estimating that a fatal house fire happened every 3 hours and 24 minutes in 2020 alone. There are many obvious fire hazards like smoking in the home and unattended candles. However, some are not so noticeable and can take you by surprise even if you are extremely careful. Below are some of the most unexpected causes of house fires.
- Animals
Americans undoubtedly love pets, as evidenced by the American Pet Product Association’s recent survey, which revealed that 70% of U.S households own a pet. Your furry friend is a great companion indoors, but they may become an unintentional arsonist if you don’t put the best measures in place. For instance, your cat can accidentally switch on an electric stove with touch-sensitive buttons by jumping and hitting the controls with their tiny paws. Similarly, an overly enthusiastic pet can knock over space heaters and candles, causing a fire outbreak. Pets are somewhat unpredictable, but there are still many things you can do to prevent them from starting fires.
For example, you can invest in flameless candles that use bulbs instead of flames to enjoy ambient lighting. This way, cats and dogs will not cause fires when they knock your candles over. Furthermore, protect your stove knobs with covers when not in use to prevent cats from fiddling with them. Furry friends are not the only animals to be concerned about when it comes to house fires. Rodents can gnaw through your electrical wires and create deadly fire hazards. Additionally, these rodents and birds can make nests in warm hiding places with combustible items. Fires can start if these nests block vents or are close to anything that can get hot or spark. Fortunately, pest control services can help you eliminate these uninvited guests immediately after you notice their presence.
- Dishwashers
Household appliances like ovens and dryers are among the most popular causes of house fires. However, your dishwasher can also start a fire, although it doesn’t look like a fire hazard. Dishwashers generate heat and are a blend of fluid dynamics and electrical engineering, so they can cause house fires. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, faulty dishwashers are responsible for 500 fires yearly. Therefore, ensure that your device is operating correctly and don’t leave it running when leaving your home.
- Glass Objects
Although quite rare, glass jars and other objects can cause home fires. Glass reflects and refracts any sunlight that passes through it, and this light beam can be strong enough to cause a fire. Therefore, you could be in real trouble if the sun’s rays hit your glass jars at a very precise angle. In 2015, an empty Nutella jar successfully refracted solar rays and caused a massive fire that destroyed a West London family’s house and killed their dog. The guilty jar was reportedly placed on a window sill and set the blinds ablaze after refracting sunlight. Therefore, keep glassware in shaded areas so it cannot refract sunlight and ignite flammable plants, curtains, and paper.
