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August 02, 2021

What Causes House Fires In Portland

As a homeowner, one of the biggest threats to your home and loved ones is the risk of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration estimated in 2019 that American homeowners underwent approximately $1.6 billion in damages as the result of unforeseen or negligent fires. The terrible truth is fires are unpredictable and are frequently avoidable -- if you know where to start. And, luckily, you are equipped with a monitored fire alarm that sends you emergency responders ASAP should you experience an incident.

What Causes House Fires In Portland?

Fires can happen in any spot with no warning on the premises. However, you can lessen the risk of fire by taking countermeasures around the following household objects:

  • Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is the leading cause, by a huge margin, of a house fire in Portland. Kitchen-related fires commonly start when the kitchen is left ignored during meal preparation. Water tossed on a grease fire can quickly spread a flame that would on the other hand be easily handled.

  • Candles: Nodding off in a space with a burning candle is risky, even when you use a deep candle holder. The flame is more than capable of catching a curtain ablaze if left on a window sill, and pets can bump into candles while exploring. The National Fire Protection Association projects that more than 7,600 properties were damaged because of candle-related incidents between 2014-2018.

  • Electrical wires: Faulty electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, degrading or poorly installed lighting, and frayed lamp cords are all prone to sparks. Be sure not to overwhelm your outlets or plug anything in with exposed wiring. And if you hear a pop or catch a whiff of smoke from the outlet, power down the breaker off prior to checking it out.
  • Space Heaters: Skip over coiled space heaters because junk, like pet fur, old papers, or bed sheets can accidentally make contact and spark up. However, you need to make sure to check on fan and ceramic space heaters for the entire duration of usage.
  • Cigarettes: In 2014 alone, U.S. fire departments fought blazes in more than 17,000 house fires caused by cigars, pipes, or cigarettes. If you have tobacco products who partakes inside, be certain they never fall asleep with a cigarette or lay in bed with one. And fully extinguish your paraphernalia before you toss it into a trash can.

A Monitored Smoke Detector Will Can Helps When There’s A Fire

If a fire happens to spark, you have to have an effective warning system to alert your family members before it gets serious. A traditional smoke alarm is adequate but is limited to alerting you if smoke is really billowing. A cutting-edge fire alarm -- a piece of equipment that's connected to your home security system -- is able to discover both smoke and excess heat and can do more to ensure everyone is safe.

A monitored fire alarm has several methods by which it can warn you of a fire. Your alarms will notify you with an incredibly loud alarm and a message to your smartphone. All the while, your always-on monitoring experts reaches out to the fire department. And if you're ever somewhere in which you can't speed home when a fire breaks out, you can rest assured that your monitoring agent will facilitate contact between you and the fire department.

Utilize Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems

The odds of house fires in Portland should never be underestimated, but you can rest easier if you use a monitored fire alarm on the premises. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you install all the fire detectors you need with a comprehensive home security system. Call (503) 300-4377 or send in the form below to begin.