House fire prevention is an ongoing process and being able to recognize the three components will provide a basic idea of how one can get started. This means that heat, fuel, and oxygen all must be available in order for a fire to start.
It is vital to know where each of these components exists in a house. Heat is probably the biggest culprit here. Living in the city makes it critically important to conduct an audit of the house to find all of the heat sources. These can be candles, ovens, gas stoves, barbecue fires, light bulbs, electric ovens, trash refuse that is burned and more. It is usually hotter in the city, so hot weather can also be a problem.
A typical kitchen will contain either a gas or electric stove. Normally these are very safe appliances. But when certain things happen such as the constant spilling of food, the appliance can become clogged with food residue over time. This can lead to a dangerous build up — especially with the gas appliances as they have a more delicate method of producing heat. The supply sources can become restricted due to build up. Carbon deposits can also become another fuel source. This is addition to the natural gas itself. This type of fire can get started very quickly.
A kitchen that is under constant use is especially at risk for fires. Food particulates and oils can assist in the breakdown of supply hoses. Since cooking oil is always around the kitchen, it can create a fine layer of oil on a supply line over time, causing leaks. Anytime there is a gas leak, the whole house is in danger. Gas fires are almost uncontrollable. However these can be easily prevented with proper maintenance and service to the stove.
The wiring for any major appliance requires a special set up, and typically has a dedicated circuit as well. These can cause problems if there are loose contacts or broken wires in the circuit. Problems of this nature can be identified early and corrected so the danger is eliminated. Sometimes the insulation will become worn away, or even worse the jackets get coated with carbon materials, becoming electrical conductors. This can lead to short circuiting and a potential overheating issue. Wiring can melt or decompose in the worst case scenario, leading to a potential fire. And this can cause the whole house to be in danger along with everyone in it.
Again, this problem can be eliminated with the proper maintenance and a regular inspection of the wiring by an electrician.
Improper use of an appliance is one of the biggest causes of house fires. This is typically due to some modifications being done incorrectly by the homeowner that essentially eliminates the safety checks that are built in by the maker. This can cause an appliance to overheat and become dangerous. It is never to a good idea to make any changes to any appliance period.
Never, ever eliminate the safety items that have been built-in.
Another source of heat that is commonly overlooked is open flames from candles, barbecue grills, and other related items. A heat source that is derived from an open burning method should be clear of any combustible materials. This will eliminate the chance of a house fire. There is also the chance that an open burn can get out of control. It is wise to have a contingency plan to extinguish it in case of trouble.
It takes heat, fuel and oxygen for a fire to start and endure for any length of time. Once the sources of heat have been identified, combustible materials should be stored in a separate area whenever possible. Although the range of temperatures necessary to get some of these materials burn will vary, it is still prudent to store them in a safe place away from heat. This will minimize the chance of fire.
There are many items in a house that will burn easily. These should be placed into a cool place preferably away from the house whenever possible. By eliminating the ways that a fire can get started, it lessens the chance that one will occur. Homeowners can sleep easily at night, knowing that their home is safe.