What Causes Fire & What to do Next
Follow these guidelines on fire damage safety, what causes it, and what to do next.
When a Home Fire Happens
Suffering from a home fire can be a devastating and emotional
experience. Taking note of each burned possession while questioning how this
happened to you is not something anyone wants to have to do. On top of all
that, there is the added question, “What do I do now?”
In this blog, we will discuss the most common causes of
house fires and what to do next after a fire has already hit your home.
Seasonal Fires
In the summertime, fires are very
common, especially in southern California. Wildfires tend to start
so often that the state has an unofficial season for it from May to November.
Be sure to not use fireworks around local neighborhoods and steer clear of
starting fires altogether. If you are on a camping trip, be sure to follow
safety guidelines when starting and putting the fire out for the night. Above
all, be sure to maintain the fire at a manageable size.
In the winter months, be sure to
keep blankets and quilts away from heaters. This is also a very common thing that
causes the start of fires. Make sure to always keep heaters away from blankets.
Fold blankets and quilts in a separate storage area when finished using them.
Common Causes of a Fire
According to the National
Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the most common lost home fires and
fire deaths resulted from one of five causes: cooking (49 percent of fires and
20 percent of deaths), heating equipment (13 percent of fires and 19 percent of
deaths), electrical distribution and lighting equipment (9 percent of fires and
16 percent of deaths), intentional fire setting (7 percent of fires and 15
percent of deaths) and smoking materials (5 percent of fires and 23 percent of
deaths).
The truth is fires can happen
anywhere at any time. In fact, they usually come at the most inconvenient times
(but then again, when is it ever convenient?). Please know you are not alone in
this, and Live Green Restoration is here to help – every step of the way.
Contact Your Important Resources
The important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Family,
friends, your local firefighters, police and disaster relief organizations are
important resources that are here to help. Friends and family may provide
emotional and financial support. Firefighters let you know if, and when, your
home is safe to enter again. Police help protect your property from squatters
while it is vacant. The Salvation Army and the American Red Cross among other
organizations, help you find food, fresh clothes and a place to stay. Lastly, we are here to restore your home
back to the way it was.
We recommend creating a list of emergency contacts where
everyone in the household can find it. In case there is no Wi-Fi around, at least
everyone will know where it is. This list of important resources can help you
find a place to find shelter for you and pets, hospitals, fire fighters, and
even more.
Repairing Damages
Call your landlord or mortgage lender and tell them about
the fire. As a tenant, you have rights. If you or your guests did not cause the
fire, you should not have to pay a dime. While you are getting back on your
feet, most homeowner’s insurance policies will cover your mortgage payment,
provide a temporary place to stay, and cover the cost of repairs.
Health hazards associated with fire damage are extensive and
you must be extremely careful. Your home may have structural damage to walls
and floors that jeopardize the integrity of your home, pooling water that
carries bacteria and disease, and mold—it is imperative you hire professional
restoration services.
Smoke
The smell and staining associated with smoke damage are
obvious, but the effects on your home and health can go much further. Homes are
built with a variety of materials that each react differently once exposed to
fire. Reactions during the fire may leave behind hazardous chemical byproducts.
Soot deposits can be extremely damaging to your lungs and can cause many forms of
cancer. Most of what we do here at Live Green Restoration, is clean and
disinfect your home to rid it of dangerous contaminants left behind by the
fire.
Smoke
damage can be a major aftermath of a house fire. It can saturate curtains,
drapes, blankets, clothing, and anything with a nonporous base. Smoke can also
get on the walls, floors and ceiling of the home as well, where it needs to be
removed with specialty fire retardant equipment. It is even possible for smoke
to find its way into the vents and A/C system. Even if a fire is burning 20
miles away from your home, it can easily be carried by the wind. Since the wind
can shift and there is no way to know which direction it will go, any home can
be affected with smoke damage.
Water
Even though water is one of the best tools to fight fires,
it can cause damage in the process. Additionally, pipes may burst during a fire
causing further water damage to your property. Fire and water restoration go
hand in hand. Walking through water puddles in a burned house can be a serious
health hazard, as water picks up the dangerous chemical byproducts of the fire
and concentrates them.
Water-soaked floors, walls, and ceilings need to be dried
out to avoid future mold growth
and may need to be replaced if the damage is irreparable. Our expert fire damage technicians
here at Live Green Restoration have encountered these issues plenty of times
and are highly trained in mold removal. Additionally, water can damage seals
and caulking around your water appliances, as well as electrical components.
Call the Fire Damage Experts of Southern California
After a home fire, feelings of uncertainty or doubt are
normal. It is an overwhelming experience however, taking fire and water
restoration step by step makes it more manageable.
If you or a loved one are ever affected by a fire in the Palmdale,
Lancaster or surrounding areas, call Live Green Restoration at 661-390-8255.
