More than one-quarter of fires reported in the United States between 2015 and 2019 occurred in the home. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, three-quarters of those fires resulted in civilian death and 72% of all injuries nationwide were caused by home fires. Although the number of Florida residents killed by a home fire has steadily decreased since 1985, there were still 134 deaths reported between 2015 and 2019. Through awareness and the adoption of a few safety tips, Florida residents may ensure that a fire does not occur in their home, thereby keeping themselves and others safe.
Three Most Common Causes of Residential Fires
Unattended cooking is the most common cause of a house fire according to the NFPA. When an individual is preparing a meal using the stove, oven, or other kitchen appliance, they should be in the same room as the heating source. If the cook is not able to remain in the room, they should enlist the help of another adult to watch over the meal. Cooks may also use timers to ensure they do not lose track of time. A fire extinguisher should also be within reach in the event something catches fire during the preparation of a meal.
Although Florida is not known for its frigid temperatures, some residents may choose to use a space heater during the few cool winter months. Heating equipment, such as space heaters, is a common cause of house fires. If an individual chooses to operate a space heater in their home, the device should be kept away from anything that could catch fire such as curtains, clothing, and furniture. Other types of heating equipment like furnaces should be properly maintained and inspected by a professional at least once a year. Heating equipment and other devices which burn fuel may also emit carbon dioxide. For this reason, carbon dioxide alarms should be installed throughout the home, especially in and outside sleeping areas such as bedrooms.
The third most common cause of house fires is faulty wiring. This is perhaps the most insidious as most homeowners do not think much about the unseen wiring in their homes. However, some clues let individuals know if their home’s wiring is not working properly. For instance, if an individual is using another home appliance and the lights dim that may be because of faulty wiring.
Preventing House Fires
The first line of defense in any home is a functioning fire detector. Fire detectors should be placed in every level of a home inside bedrooms and around sleeping areas. Smoke alarms should be tested every month to ensure that they are working properly. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, fire alarms should be replaced every ten years.
Safety Tips in the Event of a Fire
In the case of a house fire, residents should be equipped with a fire escape plan. The escape plan should include two ways to escape each room and a location where family members will meet once they have exited the home. This assembly point should be a safe distance away from the fire, about 500 feet. If residents are evacuating a multi-family building, they should use the stairs and never an elevator. A family’s fire evacuation plan should be practiced at least twice a year.
When a house is on fire, the sooner individuals evacuate, the better their chances of survival. An individual should exit a burning room or building immediately, keeping low to the ground to keep from inhaling smoke. Once a resident is a safe distance away from the fire, they should immediately dial 9-1-1.
Call An Experienced House Fire Attorney
If your home or your belongings have been damaged as a result of a fire, you have a right to be compensated for those damages as detailed in your homeowner’s insurance policy. Unfortunately, many insurance companies are reluctant to cooperate and pay the insured what they deserve. This is when an experienced house fire attorney may step in to ensure an individual receives proper restitution.
At Panter, Panter, and Sampedro our experienced personal injury attorneys have been working one-on-one with Florida families for over thirty years, to successfully get them the justice, recovery, and compensation they deserve. If you have been injured or lost property in a house fire, give us a call for a free consultation with an attorney at (305) 662-6178.
Sources:
https://www.firstalert.com/on/demandware.store/Sites-firstalert-Site/default/Content-Show?cid=reasons-fires-start-in-your-home#:~:text=Cooking,to%20watch%20over%20your%20food.
https://www.safekids.org/checklist/fire-safety-checklist
