5 Most Common Causes of House Fires (and how to prevent them)
According to statistical data from The Home Office, in the financial year 2021/22, a total of 26,959 residential fire incidents occurred in England alone, with 73% of the incidents occurring in houses, bungalows, converted flats, and other properties, while purpose-built flats or maisonettes accounted for the remaining 27%. Based on these reports, house fires are one of the most devastating disasters that can occur in a residential setting. Apart from causing serious property damage, house fires can also damage one’s personal belongings, and even cause fatalities. Even though insurance companies may come to the rescue during house fire incidents, it is a situation no one desires to experience or handle the burden of filing an insurance claim. So why not take proactive measures to prevent it from happening in the first place? Below, we'll delve into the most common causes of house fires in the UK and suggest strategies for prevention and mitigation to decrease the chances of fire damage in your property.
5 Common Causes of Fire Damage to Properties
Below are 5 common causes of house fire in the UK, including prevention and mitigation strategies to reduce the risk of fire damage:
1. Cooking appliances
Cooking appliances have become an essential part of our daily lives. However, they also pose a significant risk of fire hazards, and this is particularly true in the UK. According to statistics, cooking appliances are one of the leading causes of fire in the UK, with almost 50% of domestic fires originating in the kitchen.
With that in mind, it is crucial to understand the reasons for these fires and the measures that can be taken to prevent them.
Reasons for Cooking Appliance Fires:
Cooking appliance fires are caused by a range of factors, including:
- Unattended Cooking: Unattended cooking is one of the primary causes of kitchen fires. Leaving a stove or oven unattended can cause food to burn and trigger a fire.
- Grease Build-up: Cooking appliances accumulate grease over time, and if not cleaned regularly, this grease can ignite and cause a fire.
- Combustible Items: Placing combustible items such as paper towels, oven mitts, or wooden utensils near the stove or oven can ignite and cause a fire.
- Faulty Appliances: Faulty appliances can cause a fire, and this is more likely to happen if the appliances are old, damaged, or not used properly.
Prevention Strategies:
- Stay in the kitchen: It is essential to stay in the kitchen when cooking food on the stove. This will ensure that you are alert and can quickly take action if anything goes wrong.
- Keep the area around the stove or oven clear: Make sure that the area around the stove or oven is clear of combustible items such as paper towels, dishcloths, or wooden utensils.
- Clean the cooking appliances regularly: Clean the stove and oven regularly to avoid a grease build-up, which can ignite and cause a fire.
- Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen: Having a fire extinguisher in the kitchen can be a lifesaver in case of a fire. Make sure that you know how to use it correctly.
- Check the smoke detectors: Smoke detectors are essential in alerting you in case of a fire. Make sure that your smoke detectors are working correctly, and replace the batteries regularly.
- Use appliances correctly: Read the instruction manual for your cooking appliances and use them correctly. This will reduce the risk of a fire caused by a faulty appliance.
2. Electrical Fires
Electrical fires are another leading cause of house fires in the UK. Electrical fires can start from a variety of sources, including faulty electrical appliances, overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, and poor electrical maintenance.
Causes of Electrical Fires:
- Faulty Electrical Appliances: Electrical appliances can become faulty over time due to wear and tear or poor maintenance. This can cause them to overheat and ignite nearby materials, leading to a fire outbreak.
- Overloaded Circuits: Overloading circuits by plugging in too many appliances into a single socket or outlet can cause overheating, leading to a fire outbreak. Older homes with outdated wiring systems are particularly susceptible to this.
- Faulty Wiring: Poorly installed or outdated wiring can also cause electrical fires. Old wiring can wear out and crack, leading to exposed wires that can ignite nearby materials.
Prevention Strategies:
- Regular Electrical Maintenance: It is crucial to have a qualified electrician inspect your electrical system regularly, especially if your property is an older one. Regular maintenance can identify potential hazards and allow for timely repairs, preventing electrical fires.
- Use High-Quality Electrical Appliances: When purchasing electrical appliances, always choose high-quality products that have been tested and certified by reputable agencies. Look for the CE or British Standard mark as a sign of quality assurance.
- Avoid Overloading Circuits: Avoid plugging too many appliances into a single socket or outlet. Consider using surge protectors or extension cords with built-in circuit breakers to avoid overloading.
- Replace Outdated Wiring: If your property has old or outdated wiring, consider having it replaced with newer, safer wiring. This can help prevent electrical fires caused by worn out or damaged wiring.
- Be Mindful of Electrical Usage: Turn off appliances and unplug them when not in use. This can help prevent overheating and overloading circuits, which can lead to electrical fires.
3. Smoking
Another common cause of house fires in the UK is smoking. Cigarettes, cigars, and other smoking materials are capable of starting fires, resulting in significant damage and even loss of life. It is essential to understand the hazards of smoking and to implement preventative measures to ensure the safety of house occupants and their surroundings.
Hazards of Smoking:
Smoking materials, such as cigarettes, can start fires in a variety of ways. The heat from a lit cigarette, when not put out properly, can ignite nearby combustible materials such as curtains, furniture, and bedding. When people smoke in bed, the risk of a fire outbreak increases significantly. Falling asleep while smoking can also lead to the uncontrolled spread of fire.
Prevention Strategies:
The following prevention strategies can help reduce the risk of smoking-related fires:
- Smoke Outside: Smoking outside is the safest way to smoke, especially when there are other individuals in the home or business. Outdoor smoking helps prevent fires from starting inside due to smoking materials.
- Use a Deep, Sturdy Ashtray: It is crucial to use an ashtray that is deep and sturdy when smoking inside. The ashtray should be made of non-combustible material, such as glass or ceramic, to prevent fires from starting. Additionally, the ashtray should be placed on a stable surface that is not easily tipped over.
- Put Out Cigarettes Properly: It is essential to put out smoking materials such as cigarettes or cigars completely. Failing to do so can result in an uncontrolled fire. Ashes should be discarded in a non-combustible container and not in the trash.
- Avoid Smoking in Bed: Smoking in bed is one of the most hazardous smoking habits. If a person falls asleep with a cigarette, it can easily ignite bedding and other combustible materials.
- Install Smoke Detectors: Smoke detectors should be installed on every floor of a home or business, including in sleeping areas. This ensures that individuals are notified in case of a fire outbreak and can take immediate action.
4. Heaters
While heaters are a common source of warmth during the chilly months, they can also be a source of fire hazards, particularly space heaters. Improper use of space heaters can lead to devastating fires, resulting in significant property damage and even loss of life.
Hazards of Heaters:
Heaters, particularly space heaters, can start fires in a variety of ways. Space heaters can overheat, ignite nearby combustible materials, and cause fire outbreaks. Improper use of heaters, such as placing them too close to flammable materials or leaving them unattended, can also lead to fires.
Prevention Strategies:
The following prevention strategies can be implemented to reduce the risk of heater-related fires:
- Keep Heaters at a Safe Distance: Heaters should be kept at a safe distance from any combustible materials, such as curtains, bedding, or furniture. The recommended distance between a heater and any combustible material is at least 1 meter.
- Use Heaters with Automatic Shut-Off: It is essential to use heaters with an automatic shut-off feature. This ensures that the heater turns off if it overheats, reducing the risk of fire outbreaks.
- Avoid Leaving Heaters Unattended: It is important never to leave a heater unattended, especially if there are children or pets in the area. If leaving the room, turn off the heater and unplug it.
- Keep Heaters on a Stable Surface: Heaters should be placed on a stable surface that is not easily tipped over. This reduces the risk of a heater falling and starting a fire.
- Regularly Maintain Heaters: Regular maintenance of heaters is essential to reduce the risk of fire outbreaks. Heaters should be inspected and cleaned regularly, and any faulty components should be repaired or replaced immediately.
- Install smoke detectors to notify the occupants in case of a fire outbreak.
5. Candles
Candles are a common and popular way to create ambiance and add warmth to a room. However, candles can also be a source of fire hazards, resulting in devastating consequences.
Hazards of Candles:
Candles can start fires in a variety of ways. Candles can ignite nearby combustible materials, such as curtains, bedding, or furniture. Improper use of candles, such as leaving them unattended or placing them too close to flammable materials, can also lead to fires. Additionally, candles can produce hot wax, which can spill or overflow, causing a fire outbreak.
Prevention Strategies:
The following prevention strategies can be implemented to reduce the risk of candle-related fires:
- Keep candles away from flammable materials such as curtains, bedding, or furniture. The recommended distance between a candle and any combustible material is at least 1 meter.
- Use candle holders: Candles should be placed in sturdy and heat-resistant candle holders. This ensures that the candle is stable and reduces the risk of the holder tipping over and causing a fire.
- Avoid leaving candles unattended especially if there are children or pets in the area. If leaving the room, blow out the candle and ensure that it is completely extinguished.
- Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. This ensures that they cannot accidentally knock over the candle and cause a fire outbreak.
- Avoid burning candles to the end: Candles should not be burned all the way to the bottom, as this can cause the wick to fall over and ignite the surrounding wax. Candles should be extinguished when they have burned to about two-thirds of their original size.
Install smoke detectors so that the house occupants are notified in case of a fire outbreak and can take immediate action.