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August 02, 2021

What Causes House Fires In St. Petersburg And Ways To Prevent Them

As a homeowner, one of the scariest perils to your home and family members is the chance of fire. The U.S. Fire Administration calculated in 2019 that American homeowners suffered approximately $1.6 billion in losses due to unforeseen or unattended fires. Unfortunately, fires are unexpected and are frequently preventable -- with a little knowledge of where to start. And, luckily, you have a monitored fire alarm that sends you help fast should you experience an outbreak.

What Causes House Fires In St. Petersburg?

Fires can spark in any spot without notice in the home. However, you may reduce the threat of fire if you take safety measures around the following objects:

  • Stoves and Ovens: Cooking is far and away the leading cause of a house fire in St. Petersburg. Kitchen-related blazes most often result when the kitchen goes unattended while making the meal. Water tossed on a grease fire will escalate a flame that would otherwise be easily handled.

  • Candles: Going to sleep in a space with a going candle is risky, even when you use a recessed candle holder. The flame is more than capable of catching a curtain ablaze if left near a window, and a dog or cat can knock candles over. The National Fire Protection Association estimates that just over 7,600 houses were damaged due to candle-related accidents between 2014-2018.

  • Electrical wires: Corroded electrical circuit interrupters, “tamper-resistant” electrical outlets, aging or poorly set up lighting, and frayed lamp cords is a big risk. Don't overload your outlets or plug an item in with uncovered wires. If for any reason you hear popping or detect smoke from the outlet, flip the breaker off prior to your investigation.
  • Space Heaters: Avoid coiled space heaters because junk, like dust bunnies, paper or plastic scraps, or blankets can accidentally make contact and alight. However, you should also oversee fan and ceramic space heaters for the entire duration of usage.
  • Cigarettes: In 2014 alone, U.S. fire departments came to more than 17,000 home fires started by cigarettes, cigars, and pipes. If you enjoy tobacco in the house, ensure they never fall asleep with a cigarette or smoke in bed. And fully put out your paraphernalia before you throw it into a trash can.

A Monitored Smoke Detector Does Brings Help Quickly When It Senses A Fire

If a fire happens to spark, you will need to have an effective detection system to notify your loved ones before it gets serious. An ordinary smoke alarm is adequate but is only able to alert you if smoke is abundant. An advanced fire alarm -- a piece of equipment that's tied to your home security network -- can discover both smoke and climbing heat and is better equipped to make sure everyone is safe.

A monitored fire alarm has several methods by which it can inform you of a fire. Your alarms can inform you with a high-decibel tone and a message to your mobile device. Then your 24/7 monitoring experts reaches out to the fire department. And if you find yourself somewhere where you’re unable to get home when a fire starts, you can have peace of mind that your monitoring agent will maintain communication between you and emergency personnel.

Utilize Monitored Fire Alarms From Secure24 Alarm Systems

The odds of house fires in St. Petersburg should never be written off, but you can rest easier if you install a monitored fire alarm on hand. Contact Secure24 Alarm Systems, and we’ll help you get all the smoke detectors you need with a state-of-the-art home security system. Call (727) 258-2938 or fill out the form below to begin.