What Are the Most Common Causes of House Fires in the UK?
House fires account for 80% of deaths caused by fire in the UK, this number is steadily declining, but it could always be better. One of the most difficult aspects to deal with, with regards to house fires, is that a huge number of them are preventable, and are typically caused by simple accidents.
Intentional fires account for 15% of total house fires, which means that 85% are typically through some kind of accident.
Below, is a list of some of the most common causes of house fires, and a few simple steps of how you can stop them happening to you.
Cooking Appliances
The appliances in our kitchens are by far the biggest cause of house fires in the UK. To avoid any accidents you could:
- Take pans off the heat or lower the temperature when you leave the room
- Keep a close eye on children when you are cooking
- Make sure a fire blanket or extinguisher is nearby in case the worst does happen
Smoking and smokers materials
Smoking still accounts for a huge number of fires in the UK. In 2014, 80 people died from house fires which were caused by smoking and smoking materials. To minimise the risk of fires you could:
- Never smoke in bed, or when you are tired
- Install smoking detectors in your house in case you fall asleep
- Use a fire-resistant ashtray
Candles
Though fires resulting from candles are becoming less common, they still account for a number of house fires. Scented candles can often be the culprit because they are left unattended as their scent fills a room. Here are some tips to stay safe:
Don’t leave candles burning unattended and always put out a candle when you leave the room
Use a snuffer to put out a candle rather than blowing it out
There are also steps you can take to limit the damage a fire can do to your home, and also massively reduce the risk of coming to harm yourself. One of the most effective is the installation of fire seals and smoke seals. These seals prevent the spread of fire and smoke by plugging the gaps around doors and windows.
In doing so you can buy whoever is in the house valuable time until the emergency services arrive, and also limit the damage that is caused by fire and smoke.
Noberne Seals specialise in fire and smoke seals, if you need any advice, whether it is for commercial or domestic application then contact us today.
