Fire Prevention: Avoid the Root Causes of Fire

Firefighting is a very important job. But if you think about it, fire prevention is even more crucial. Why fight something that you can prevent in the first place, right? We always think aboutfire protection equipment and the use of fire fighting tools but sometimes we neglect the importance of practicing fire preventive measures to prevent an actual fire accident from happening.

Before you learn how to fight fire, you must first learn how to prevent one. To help you get to the root cause of this problem, you must be knowledgeable about the common causes of fire accidents so that you can do everything to avoid the detrimental effects of these factors:

1) Smoking

Smoking is one of the most common causes of fire outbreaks in homes, offices and even in public areas. Discarded cigarettes that are not properly extinguished can easily re-ignite and result in a disastrous fire accident.

It is bad enough that you are endangering your health with smoking but it is even worse that this activity can cause a fire tragedy that can result in deaths, injuries, and damages to properties. This is why, quitting is your best bet to avoid fires caused by smoking.

Now, if you do not have any plans on doing so, you should at least avoid smoking in bed or before sleeping because you can fall asleep and your sheets can instantly turn into flames. You should also make sure that you douse your cigarettes in water before disposal so that they will not re-ignite.

2) Kitchen cooking

The kitchen is one of the parts of the house where a fire usually starts. This is because cooking involves the use of flames and flammable materials such as oil and gas. Because of this, it is necessary to always practice caution whenever you are inside the kitchen.

For one, you should avoid wearing loose-fitting clothing as this can easily catch fire. Aside from that, never leave cooking pots and pans unattended even for a short while. If you need to leave the room to answer the phone or get the door, turn off the stove first.

3) Hazardous materials

Materials that can be considered as fire hazards include flammable liquids and gases, paints, adhesives and most types of chemicals. Because of this, it is necessary that you store these materials in safe places. Children should never be able to reach these hazardous goods.

It is also good to remember what types of fire extinguisher are suitable for fires that involve these materials. For example, for overheated flammable gases such as methane, butane or propane, it is appropriate to use dry powder fire extinguisher. Foam fire extinguishers meanwhile are suitable for overheated flammable liquids such as petrol, oil or paints.

4) Candles

Candles especially scented ones are usually used around the house as decorative elements. However, they can also be a cause of fire accidents. This is why, it is imperative to be careful when lighting up candles. Never leave burning candles unattended. Avoid placing them near air vents, windows or drafts.

Put them in places that are out of children’s and pet’s reach. Children should never be allowed to play with candles, matches, lighters or anything that can start a fire. Candles can be a beautiful addition to one’s home but improper use of these decors can do more harm than good to your house.

5) Electrical fire

Unsafe electrical conditions that can be fire hazards include damaged electrical conductors, overloaded sockets and extension cords, faulty wirings, blown fuses, low quality electrical equipment, malfunction of electrical devices, loose electrical connections, and lack of clearance between electrical heating devices and combustible materials.

To avoid electrical fires, use only high quality electrical equipment. Check appliances regularly to see if there are any damaged parts or cords. Never overload electrical sockets or extension cords. Use electrical heating equipment a good distance away from combustibles.

It is also necessary to note that electrical fires can only be extinguished by a CO2 fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can result in disastrous consequences. For instance, using a water fire extinguisher can cause electrocution.

6) Heating devices and fire places

Careless use of heating devices such as clothes iron, space heater, water heater, hair iron and others can result in a fire outbreak. When using any appliance that has a heating element, it is essential that you never leave it unattended. You should also never forget to turn it off and unplug it after use. Moreover, avoid placing these appliances near sources of heat like the stove, fireplace, or furnace.

Nonelectric space heaters such as those that utilize gas or kerosene can also cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Installing a carbon monoxide alarmin your home can be your best defense against this possible incident.

7) Rubbish

Accumulation of rubbish in the attic, basement or garage is also a fire waiting to happen. If possible, dispose of those that you do not need anymore. The better thing to do is to bring your junk to the local recycling center. Not only are you decreasing fire risk in your home, you are also doing something good for the environment.

After you become familiar with the common causes of fire, it would be easier for you to avoid them. In addition to that, you should also share your knowledge with your family, friends, and other people you know so that they can do the same thing.

Moreover, once you have made it a habit to practice fire safety precautions, the next step is to familiarize yourself with fire protection knowledge. For one, you should know the different types of fire extinguishers such as automatic fire extinguisher, water fire extinguisher, dry powder fire extinguisher, wet chemical fire extinguisher and so many more.

As they say, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure so make sure that you practice fire preventive measures and you try to avoid fire accidents as much as you can.