Leading causes of residential fires in Bozeman and how to avoid them

When you own a home, there are numerous risks to consider. Fire is chief among them, as it can occur in various places and at any time. The U.S. Fire Administration approximated an incredible $8.9 billion in property damage in the United States due to residential fires in 2021. Also during this year, there were over 350,000 reported occurrences. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent them. Learn more about the causes and how to prevent house fires in Bozeman.

What starts residential fires in Bozeman?

Fires can begin in any location and without notice, whether sparked by a burning cigarette in a garbage can or an ignored stovetop. Here are the leading causes of residential fires.

• Cooking: Incidents in the kitchen are the most widespread kinds of residential fires in Bozeman and elsewhere. Unattended stovetops are the primary cause, so always keep an eye on that smoking skillet when making dinner. It’s also important to note that dousing a grease fire with water will only make things worse.
• Heating: Portable heaters are well established as a cause of residential fires. Using them for long amounts of time can result in internal parts degrading and igniting. Frayed cords and situating heaters near combustible items like bedding or window coverings can also lead to devastating results. Other heating devices, such as furnaces and fireplaces, might cause fires and ought to be examined regularly.
• Electrical: Outdated wiring, malfunctioning outlets, and overburdened extension cords are a few of the ways electrical issues cause fires. If you discern burning smells, sparking, or flickering lights, get it investigated right away.
• Candles: When there's a flame, there's a chance of fire. Residential fires due to candles are still all too common and typically result from careless behavior. Putting them within an area reachable by pets or too close to combustible items will often result in disaster.
• Smoking: Even with the overall decrease in smoking across the country, it’s still a primary fire hazard. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated that 7,800 residential fires were a result of smoking in 2021. Falling asleep with a cigarette still burning or disposing of smoldering ashes prematurely can give rise to destructive results.

The most effective way to prevent house fires in Bozeman is to eliminate negligent behavior. Always pay attention when cooking, don’t ever leave a candle burning, and properly dispose of cigarettes. If you need to operate a space heater, do so sparingly and invest in one that has an automatic shut-off safety precaution in case it is knocked over.

Protect your family with a monitored fire alarm in Bozeman

You ought to have smoke detectors on every floor and think about installing more by bedrooms. But you can take your protection a step further with a monitored fire alarm. These modern safety features will not only detect smoke but can also be tripped due to elevated heat levels. Furthermore, considering they incorporate into your modern smart home, they’ll notify you and your monitoring specialists whenever a crisis takes place. This is a worthwhile benefit, particularly when you’re not there to hear the alarm and contact the fire department yourself.

Defend against various risks with a Vivint smart home in Bozeman

Enhance the safety of your household today with a Vivint smart home. You may customize our systems with monitored fire alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and water sensors. You’ll appreciate the instant notifications to your smartphone and the reassurance that comes with professional monitoring. Dial (406) 926-0255 to speak with a skilled Vivint professional.