What Causes House Fires In McAllen
As a homeowner, one of the biggest threats to your house and family members is the risk of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration projected in 2019 that American homeowners took on about $1.6 billion in losses as the result of unintentional or negligent fires. Sadly, fires are unexpected and are often avoidable -- if you know where to act. And, fortunately, you are equipped with a monitored fire alarm that sends you aid immediately if you experience an outbreak.
What Causes House Fires In McAllen?
Fires can happen anywhere at any time on the premises. However, you can lower the threat of a blaze by taking safety measures around the following objects:
- Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is the leading cause, by a huge margin, of a house fire in McAllen. Kitchen-related blazes typically start when the kitchen is left neglected during meal preparation. Water thrown on a grease fire can quickly expand a flame that would otherwise die out.
- Candles: Going to sleep in a room with a burning candle is dangerous, even if you’re using a high-sided candle holder. The flame is more than capable of catching a curtain ablaze if left near a window, and animals can knock candles over. The National Fire Protection Association projects that just over 7,600 homes were damaged due to candle-related fires between 2014-2018.
- Electrical wires: Faulty electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, degrading or improperly set up lighting, and cut lamp cords are all prone to sparks. Be careful not to overwhelm your outlets or plug anything in with uncovered wires. If for any reason you hear crackling or smell smoke from the outlet, flip the breaker off prior to investigating.
- Space Heaters: Skip over coiled space heaters because debris, like dust, paper, or blankets can accidentally make contact and spark up. However, you should also check on fan and ceramic space heaters at all times when in usage.
- Cigarettes: Just in 2014, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 17,000 residence fires caused by cigars, pipes, or cigarettes. If you enjoy tobacco in the house, be certain they never take a nap with a cigarette or lay in bed with one. And fully put out your cigarette before you toss it into a garbage can.
A Monitored Smoke Detector Will Help When There’s A Fire
If a fire happens to break out, you will need to have an early detection system to notify your family members before it gets serious. A common smoke alarm could suffice but can only alert you if smoke is abundant. A state-of-the-art fire alarm -- a security device that's connected to your home security system -- can detect both smoke and rising temperatures and is better equipped to make sure everyone’s safety.
A monitored fire alarm has several means it can warn you of rising heat. Your alarms can alert your family with an ear-piercing alarm and a message to your cell phone. That’s when your 24/7 monitoring experts gets a hold of the fire department. And should you be somewhere where you can't race back in time when a fire blazes, you can have peace of mind that your monitoring agent will facilitate contact between you and the fire department.
Get Your Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems
The odds of house fires in McAllen should never be written off, but you can rest assured if you use a monitored fire alarm in your home. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you get all the safety alarms you need with a cutting-edge home security system. Call (956) 291-4643 or send in the form below to get started.