House fires are far too common in the United States. In fact, there are over 350,000 house fires in the U.S. each year.

These fires cause devastating property damage. The annual bill for home damages is in excess of $5.5 billion per year.

Most importantly, home fires can result in the loss of human life. Each year, over 2,700 civilians lose their life due to situations that are entirely preventable.

Read on to learn more about these preventable disasters. Explore 5 common causes of house fires.

1. Cooking Is the Most Common Cause of Home Fires

The most common cause of house fires is easily preventable. The majority of home fires in the U.S. are caused by unattended cooking instances.

Nearly 60 percent of the fires are started by an unattended range. There are a number of easy steps you can take to prevent cooking fires.

The easiest and cheapest recommendation is to never leave cooking devices unattended. Another easy action is to relocate flammable materials that surround your cooking devices. Lastly, utilize cooking timers with a loud, audible sound to remind you to shut off these devices.

2. Blow Out Those Candles

Candles cause roughly 5 percent of all house fires in the United States. Many homeowners forget to blow out candles and either leave the house or fall asleep.

Unfortunately, 5 percent of home fire deaths are at the hands of an unattended candle. Candle fires are so common that 35 fires attributed to it are reported each day.

Like cooking fires, these are easy to prevent. Do not leave candles unattended or switch to an electric candle if you are forgetful.

3. Electrical Fires

In the 21st century, Americans are so dependent on electrically powered devices. This means more items than ever before are plugged into an outlet.

This can cause a power overload and result in an electrical fire. You can act on the side of caution by unplugging devices that are not in use.

All of the electrical devices in your home need occasional inspection. Check the cords to make sure they are not frayed or faulty. Unsafe devices should be packed up and removed from the house promptly.

4. Avoid Smoking in Your Home

Stunningly, 73 percent of house fires start in the bedroom or living room. Many of these fires are caused by cigarette butts that are not properly extinguished.

An easy way to reduce the likelihood of a fire is by disallowing smoking in the house. Not only will it reduce fire risk, but also promote a healthier lifestyle for inhabitants of the house.

5. Space Heaters

Ironically, cold weather can actually increase the likelihood of a fire. This is especially true for homeowners that use space heaters or other heating equipment.

To reduce the risk of a fire, do not leave space heaters running in an unattended room. In addition, keep it away from flammable material like curtains or furniture.

Common Causes of House Fires – Wrapping It Up

Most house fires are preventable. The easiest way to promote fire safety is to remain vigilant and avoid leaving cooking or heating equipment unattended.

Occasional inspections of electrical equipment are also helpful. If you enjoyed this article about the common causes of house fires, check out our blog for other great pieces.