Natural disasters are a common cause of floods and fire damage. Although you can’t control the forces of nature, there are a few measures that you can take to help you avoid potential property damage. One of the most important ways you can keep your family, employees, and property safe is to prepare for the unexpected causes of potential hazards.
Although there are many different fire causes, most of them have one thing in common: preventability. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that nearly all damage incurred from 360,000 house fires annually can be avoided. Many have basic knowledge of the common causes of fire. However, robust fire damage prevention measures are also possible if we understand other possible causes. It’s time to shed some light on seemingly harmless objects that could start a fire under the right conditions.
Fire damage holds devastating consequences for your family and your home. Overlooking these small things could also result in more catastrophic consequences like water damage.
To raise awareness on potential fire starters, we’ll lay out some uncommon causes of fire and water damage.
Uncommon Causes of Fire Damage:
1. Faulty Dishwasher Wiring
While dishwashers are efficient helpers in the kitchen, these electrical appliances pose a slight fire risk. If the machine becomes faulty, water will drip on its internal wires and eventually spark a fire. To prevent any random fires from starting, make sure you have all at-home electrical devices undergo regular maintenance.
2. Dust Balls In Contact With Electricity
This may come as a surprise for some, but dust bunnies found in hard-to-reach areas like under the bed and furniture can cause a fire if they are close to electronics, heating appliances, and wall sockets.
Dust balls can ignite if sparks of electricity come in contact with them. The contact causes fire to spread towards nearby furniture or flammable items. To lessen the risk of this unusual fire hazard, make sure to vacuum under your furniture and beds regularly.
3. Concentrated Light Refracted By Glass Items
It’s all about solar ignition. When light passes through a magnifying glass, the concentration of hot light on a flammable object starts a fire. Though this may sound unlikely, the same light that passes through an empty glass jar or crystal item are potential fire starters. That’s because the light refracted by these items towards flammable objects like curtains or paper is enough to ignite a fire. To avoid this, make sure that you store your glass items properly.
4. Improper Disposal of 9-Volt Batteries
Although infrequent, the improper disposal of 9-volt batteries can also lead to fire damage. If the battery’s post touches a piece of metal, and the same metal comes in contact with a flammable object like a piece of paper, a fire will likely start. To avoid this hazard, store these batteries separately from metals and place a strip of tape on top of its posts before safely disposing them for recycling.
5. Overheating Computers or Laptops Placed on Inflammable Objects
Laptops often emit heat when used for several hours. Also, a lot of desktop computers and gaming equipment are prone to overheating. These devices can start a fire if placed close to flammable objects or on soft surfaces like beds or couches because of the extreme heat they create. To prevent laptop fires, place them on inflammable surfaces or use laptop stands and cooling pads when using them.
Uncommon Causes of Water Damage
1. Clogged Gutters
A lot of people tend to overlook the importance of maintaining their gutter’s condition. For this reason, preventing clogs often seems impossible. In worst cases, faulty gutters lead to severe water damage, causing water to pool your building’s interior and exterior. Hire periodic gutter maintenance routine services to avoid this potential hazard.
2. Soot From Water-Extinguished Fire
Using water to put out fires is a common practice. However, this can cause a significant amount of property damage. Water damage found in the combination of soot and water is devastating to your property and furnishings. The extent of damage can be as worse as mold growth.
Natural Causes of Fire and Water Damage
1. Earthquakes
You must wonder, “why do earthquakes often cause damaging fires?” – Fires are the second most common hazard of earthquakes. They occur when gas and electrical lines become dislodged due to the shaking motion. Gas that comes out from broken gas lines can ignite, causing a firestorm.
2. Flood
Flood and water damage restoration is a typical combination when it comes to natural causes or damage. Extreme weather conditions wreak havoc on your commercial and residential properties. It causes destructive flood, which typically leaves rotten wood, warped floorboards, and crumbled drywall in your home structure. Also, flood damage affects your valuables, posing risks of mold accumulation.
3. Forest Fires
The damage caused by forest fires can be devastating to wildlife and their habitats. These types of fires are either caused by natural forces or human activities. Natural causes include lightning and low humidity, while human-made fires — which cause almost 85% of wildland fires — result from situations like equipment malfunctions, discarded cigarettes, and unattended campfires.
Hire Professionals for Fire and Water Damage Restoration
Restoring your property’s overall condition from fire and water damage is not an ideal DIY experiment, but we’re here to help!
Deep Water Emergency Services offers a reliable fire and water damage restoration service in Dallas, TX. Our well-trained technicians are available 24/7 to deliver the best emergency restoration services with the most advanced technology and customer service. No matter what your needs may be for water and fire damage restoration, contact our team today!
