Causes of House Fires in Arizona
With help from the Phoenix Fire Department and the U.S. Fire Administration, we have tracked down the top six causes of house fires in Arizona. Some may surprise you and nearly all are preventable!
Cigarettes
Phoenix’s bravest say that cigarettes are a leading cause of house fires, not just in Arizona, but nationwide. A carelessly dropped lit cigarette can start a smoldering fire in upholstery or a mattress and hot ashes can set a carpet afire. If you cannot quit, at least smoke outside.
Candles
Second for the Phoenix Fire Department are candles, which will catch drapes or paper on fire quickly. Do not use improvised candle holders, keep candles away from combustible materials, and consider battery-operated or flameless candles instead.
Overworked Electrical Cords
Overloaded circuits, frayed wires, and misused extension cords are the third most common cause of Arizona house fires. All of these issues have simple remedies:
1. Discard, repair, or replace appliances with frayed wires.
2. Read warning labels on extension cords, and never gang them together.
3. Use power strips to help control loads.
Clogged Dryer Vents
Nationally, the U.S. Fire Administration reports 2,900 clothes dryer fires annually, causing approximately $35 million in property losses, 100 injuries, and five deaths. What is the most common cause for dryer fires? Failure to clean dryer vents! Air duct cleaning companies are also equipped to provide dryer vent cleaning. For superior dryer vent cleaning, Phoenix residents should turn to A-Z Air Duct Cleaning.
Cooking
The U.S. Fire Administration ranks cooking as the nation’s leading cause of house fires resulting in injuries, at 37.2 percent of all fires. Remember three ways to prevent cooking fires:
- Smother grease fires with a lid; never pour water on them.
- Install smoke detectors and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen, but away from the stove.
- Never leave food to cook on a stove unattended.
- Monitor children in the kitchen.
Heating
Arizona does not compare well to the nation as a whole; 83.3 percent of fire deaths were from residential fires, far higher than the national average of 74.7 percent. Part of the reason is heating (not including candles), which nationally was the cause of more than 12 percent of house fires.
Call A-Z Air Duct to prevent Dryer Fires near Phoenix, AZ
A-Z Air Duct can help with preventing dryer fires. The same technology we apply to air conditioning duct cleaning can save you from the anguish and terror of a dryer fire. Contact us today to learn more.