Did you know that there’s a fire alert in the United States every 24 seconds? While we all sincerely hope we’ll never be a part of this statistic, the reality is that accidents, unforeseen natural events, and criminal actions happen all the time.
For this reason, understanding how smoke and fire damage restoration works is absolutely crucial in order to protect your belongings and get your life back on track after a fire. Needless to say, this is especially important if you live in a wildfire-prone area like San Diego County.
In this article, we’ll list some of the common sources of residential fires in America that can cause serious fire and smoke damage to your home. We’ll also give you some pointers on what to do after your house has suffered a fire. Keep reading to learn more.
What damage can fire cause?
Fire can ignite and spread with terrifying speed, completely destroying a home in a matter of minutes and causing grievous harm to people and animals. Even a small fire that’s immediately put out can result in costly repairs, some of which your insurer may refuse to cover.
Knowing how a fire can occur and taking the necessary steps to prevent it is vital in order to keep yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings safe.
Watch out for these 4 common causes of household fires:
1. Heaters
Baseboard and space heaters can cause nearby fabrics to catch fire. Kerosene and other fuel-powered heaters are especially risky. Keep flammable materials away from these devices and never leave them running when you go out.
2. Careless smoking
Dropped or improperly extinguished cigarettes can easily damage nearby materials (especially fabrics) and cause them to catch fire. Use deep, bulky ashtrays and never put them near highly flammable items such as curtains, clothes, or books.
3. Electrical fires
According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, electrical malfunctions cause 51,000 fires and kill almost 500 people every year. Making sure your electrical systems are properly installed and updating old wiring systems is critical in order to protect yourself and your property.
4. Cooking fires
About 49% of all household fires stem from cooking-related activities, usually as a result of overheated grease combusting in an oven or on a stove. Keep a close eye on the kitchen while cooking greasy or oily foods, and make sure to unplug toasters, electric griddles, and other small appliances when you’re not using them.
Can you live in a house after a fire?
It depends. If the damage is truly catastrophic, the home may be rendered unlivable (or even completely leveled) until extensive restoration work has been done. Even if the damage was localized, there’s still the risk that the smoke from the fire has entered the ventilation system and filled the ducts and vents with fine particles.
Breathing in these particles can cause the occupants to develop serious lung problems such as chemical bronchitis, asthma, and even emphysema. To ensure there’s no risk, you should have your ventilation system checked by reputable fire remediation specialists.
Who should I call when I need extensive fire damage restoration in San Diego?
Have you recently had a fire in your Cortez Hill home and you’re looking for someone who can fix the damage? Or perhaps you’re dealing with a mold problem or need an emergency plumbing service in San Diego that can be at your place within the hour?
Here at Risk Free Serv, we say: no problem! We specialize in providing San Diego homeowners with professional-grade fire, smoke, water, and mold remediation and restoration services. Feel free to call us at any hour.