Leading causes of residential fires in Myrtle Beach and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are numerous hazards to keep in mind. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in various places and at any moment. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated a stunning $8.9 billion in property damage throughout the United States because of residential fires in 2021. That same year, there were over 350,000 noted incidents. Thankfully, there are actions you can take to keep them from arising|. Investigate the causes and how to prevent house fires in Myrtle Beach.

What sparks residential fires in Myrtle Beach?

Fires can begin in any location and without warning, whether sparked by a smoldering cigarette in a waste container or an ignored stovetop. Here are the most common causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Kitchen flare-ups are the most common kinds of residential fires in Myrtle Beach and elsewhere. Ignored stovetops are the main cause, so always pay attention to that hot skillet when cooking. It’s also essential to note that soaking a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well known for causing residential fires. Running them for too long can cause internal parts to degrade and catch fire. Putting heaters near flammable fabrics like bedding and drapery or using frayed cords can also lead to disastrous results. Other types of heating, such as fireplaces and furnaces, may cause fires and need to be inspected regularly.
• Electrical: Worn out wiring, defective outlets, and overwhelmed extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues lead to fires. Whenever you detect sparking, flickering lights, or strange odors, get it checked out immediately.
• Candles: Whenever there's a flame, there's the potential for fire. Residential fires due to candles are still frequently reported and usually result from careless behavior. Placing candles next to flammable objects like drapes or keeping them within the domain of an inquisitive pet will often produce disastrous results.
• Smoking: Even with the overall reduction in smoking across the nation, it’s still an undeniable fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration announced that 7,800 residential fires were started by smoking in 2021. Nodding off while holding a cigarette or disposing of smoldering ashes carelessly can give rise to destructive results.

The primary way to prevent house fires in Myrtle Beach is to steer clear of reckless behavior. Always keep an eye on things when cooking, never leave a candle unattended, and get rid of cigarettes properly. If you must operate a space heater, do so infrequently and use one that offers an automatic shut-off feature in the event it is knocked over.

Get help quickly with a monitored fire alarm in Myrtle Beach

You ought to have smoke detectors on every floor and think about installing more next to sleeping areas. But you can take your protection to a new level with a monitored fire alarm. These innovative safety features will not only discern smoke but can also be triggered due to extreme heat. In addition, since they integrate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever an emergency occurs. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly when you’re not around to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Safeguard your home against known threats with a Vivint smart home in Myrtle Beach

Enhance the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You can personalize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll be appreciative of the instant updates to your smartphone and the 24-hour support that you enjoy with professional monitoring. Contact (843) 483-5033 to talk with a Vivint representative.