What Causes House Fires In Brownsville And Methods To Avoid Them

When you’re a homeowner, one of the biggest perils to your home and loved ones is the chance of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration calculated in 2019 that American homeowners underwent nearly $1.6 billion in costs by means of accidental or careless fires. The terrible truth is fires are unpredictable and are often avoidable -- if you know where to start. And hopefully you are equipped with a monitored fire alarm that sends you emergency responders ASAP if you undergo an outbreak.

What Causes House Fires In Brownsville?

Fires may start anywhere with no warning in the house. However, you can lessen the risk of a blaze by taking countermeasures around the following household objects:

• Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is overwhelmingly the number 1 cause of a house fire in Brownsville. Cooking-related flames typically start when the kitchen goes neglected during meal preparation. Water thrown on a grease fire will escalate a flame that would otherwise be easily handled.
  
  
• Candles: Going to sleep in an area with a burning candle is risky, even if you’re using a high-sided candle holder. The flame can easily catch a curtain on fire if left near a window, and a dog or cat can bump into candles while exploring. The National Fire Protection Association approximates that greater than 7,600 houses were damaged due to candle-related accidents between 2014-2018.
  
  
• Electrical wires: Corroded electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, malfunctioning or improperly installed lighting, and frayed lamp cords is a big risk. Be sure not to overburden your outlets or plug any object in with exposed wiring. And if you hear crackling or smell smoke from the outlet, flip the breaker off prior to checking it out.

• Space Heaters: Look past coiled space heaters because junk, like pet fur, paper or plastic scraps, or bed sheets can find their way in and spark up. However, you should also check on fan and ceramic space heaters at all times when in use.

• Cigarettes: In 2014 alone, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 17,000 house fires started by cigars, pipes, or cigarettes. So if you have a smoker that smokes indoors, be certain they never pass out with a cigarette or smoke in bed. And fully snuff out your paraphernalia before you throw it into a trash can.

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

If a fire should spark, you have to have an early detection system to notify your spouse and children as soon as possible. A common smoke alarm might be sufficient but can only alert you if smoke is really billowing. An advanced fire alarm -- a piece of equipment that's tied to your home security network -- is powerful enough to detect both smoke and rising temperatures and has more features to ensure everyone’s safety.

A monitored fire alarm has multiple methods by which it can inform you of rising heat. Your alarms will notify you with a high-decibel alarm and a notification to your cell phone. All the while, your always-on monitoring experts gets a hold of the fire department. And if you find yourself somewhere in which you can't race back in time when a fire breaks out, you can rest assured that your monitoring agent can help coordinate contact between you and first responders.

Protect Your Home With Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems

The chance of house fires in Brownsville should never be discounted, but you can have peace of mind if you use a monitored fire alarm in your home. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you install all the smoke alarms you need with a state-of-the-art home security system. Call (956) 291-4473 or submit the form below to begin.