COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM

An accidental fire can ignite instantaneously, spread within seconds, and engulf a home within minutes. Fortunately, the
vast majority of fires can be avoided with some education, preparedness, and common sense. Most people understand
the importance of having smoke alarms throughout the home to detect a fire before it starts and alert you of the
impending danger. But beyond that, there may be more you can do to minimize the risk of fire in your home.

Five common causes of fire and how to prevent them:

Kitchen fires – According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking causes 50.2% of residential fires —most o en
attributed to unattended equipment. Multi-tasking is a way of life for many—but cooking deserves your undivided
attention. No matter how busy you are, how many distractions are pulling you away, or how much time youʼre trying
to save, never leave your food on a heat source unattended. Also, be sure to keep napkins, cardboard packaging, and
other flammable materials away from the stove. (That includes your sleeves!) While youʼre at it, keep a watchful eye
on cooking temps. Fun fact: if you cook oil to its flashpoint, it can spontaneously burst into flames.
Home renovations – As many as one-third of residential fires are caused by a third party working in the home.
Whatʼs more, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, structures that are undergoing construction or renovation are
at their most vulnerable or weakest condition. Though some of these factors may be out of your control, there are
some protective measures you can take. To start, require that your worksite is cleaned up at the end of each day with
all flammable materials removed. You might also institute a no-smoking policy for any worker on your property. If fire
alarms are removed during construction, ensure a temporary alarm with heat sensors is installed on each floor.
Grills – According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly 9,000 home fires are started by grills each
year. First and foremost, keep your grill at least 10 feet away from the home or other structures. (That includes tree
branches and shrubs). Clean your grill regularly and avoid cooking with excess fats, sauces, or oily marinades.
(Though delicious, they are highly flammable.) When cooking with higher-fat foods (think: salmon and steak), keep
the lid open.
Fire pits – Even a tiny ember can cause a damaging backyard fire, particularly in highly wooded yards or under dry
conditions. As with your grill, keep your fire pit at a safe distance from your house, low-hanging branches, shrubs, and
other structures. Use the right wood (smaller pieces are best), clean the debris o en, and cover it with a spark guard
to keep loose sparks and embers contained. Donʼt use a fuel accelerant to start your fire, and never leave a fire
unattended.
Curtains – Not only are curtains highly flammable, but they usually take up a large portion of your room, vertically
and horizontally. That means, once it catches fire, it will spread upward, which will accelerate the blaze. If a curtain is
placed anywhere near a fire source, all it takes is a slight breeze or a person walking by for it to ignite. With that in
mind, keep your window dressings away from candles, stoves, appliances, irons, and lamps. For an added layer of
safety, opt for curtains made with flame retardant fabrics.

Be prepared:
Despite the best of intentions, fires happen. We are, a er all, only human. Being prepared for the worst-case scenario can mean the difference between life and devastating loss. Above all else, be sure to have the appropriate fire suppression supplies on hand at all times—and know where they are!

At Firefreeze, weʼve been developing innovative fire suppression and fire safety products that help save lives and property for nearly three decades. Our proprietary Cold Fire® extinguishing agent puts out fires instantly by removing the heat, while our Fire Block product prevents the spread of fire in those highly flammable materials.

For more information about our life-saving products, contact us here.