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Every day, we protect our homes by locking our doors. But some of the biggest dangers are fire hazards hidden in plain sight. If left unchecked, they can cause major devastation. An average of 328,000 house fires occurred annually between 2019 and 2023, according to a report by the National Fire Protection Association. The impact of these fires was destructive. During the time period, an average of 2,600 deaths occurred annually; 10,000 civilians were injured; and fires caused $9 billion in direct property damage, according to the NFPA’s report.Here are simple steps you can take to protect your home, your life and your loved ones.Kitchen fire hazards According to the NFPA, the No. 1 leading cause of home fires was cooking. When was the last time you cleaned your range hood? Cleaning it regularly is critical for preventing grease fires. Heating equipment fire hazards The second leading cause of home fires was from heating equipment. Keep anything flammable three feet away from your radiator, baseboard heater or space heater.Electrical and lighting equipment hazardsThe third leading cause of fires was electrical and lighting equipment, according to the NFPA. Make sure your extension cords aren’t running across doorways or under carpets.If you are still using an old, frayed phone charger, it is time to replace it. Frayed, counterfeit or uncertified chargers are more likely to overheat and cause a fire. Use the original charger or ones that are manufacturer-approved. Look for safety certifications like UL Listed or ETL Certified symbols. Make sure you charge on hard, cool surfaces, not on beds or blankets.Dust bunniesYou know those hard-to-reach areas that you avoid cleaning? Dust bunnies, or the accumulation of dust and lint, can easily ignite when in contact with a heat source and spread to other nearby items. Not only will cleaning up dust bunnies help you breathe better, but your house will be safer. Glass vases Flowers look great against a window but avoid putting a glass vase directly on a windowsill. The glass can magnify the sun’s rays and could spark a fire against something flammable. While these cases are rare, it does happen. BatteriesLoose batteries can also spark a fire if they make contact with something metal like loose change. Keep them in their original packaging or cover the ends with electrical tape when you discard them. Stay Connected With the National Consumer UnitGet clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com
Every day, we protect our homes by locking our doors. But some of the biggest dangers are fire hazards hidden in plain sight. If left unchecked, they can cause major devastation.
An average of 328,000 house fires occurred annually between 2019 and 2023, according to a report by the National Fire Protection Association.
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The impact of these fires was destructive. During the time period, an average of 2,600 deaths occurred annually; 10,000 civilians were injured; and fires caused $9 billion in direct property damage, according to the NFPA’s report.
Here are simple steps you can take to protect your home, your life and your loved ones.
Kitchen fire hazards
According to the NFPA, the No. 1 leading cause of home fires was cooking.
When was the last time you cleaned your range hood? Cleaning it regularly is critical for preventing grease fires.
Heating equipment fire hazards
The second leading cause of home fires was from heating equipment.
Keep anything flammable three feet away from your radiator, baseboard heater or space heater.
Electrical and lighting equipment hazards
The third leading cause of fires was electrical and lighting equipment, according to the NFPA. Make sure your extension cords aren’t running across doorways or under carpets.
If you are still using an old, frayed phone charger, it is time to replace it. Frayed, counterfeit or uncertified chargers are more likely to overheat and cause a fire.
Use the original charger or ones that are manufacturer-approved. Look for safety certifications like UL Listed or ETL Certified symbols.
Make sure you charge on hard, cool surfaces, not on beds or blankets.
Dust bunnies
You know those hard-to-reach areas that you avoid cleaning? Dust bunnies, or the accumulation of dust and lint, can easily ignite when in contact with a heat source and spread to other nearby items.
Not only will cleaning up dust bunnies help you breathe better, but your house will be safer.
Glass vases
Flowers look great against a window but avoid putting a glass vase directly on a windowsill. The glass can magnify the sun’s rays and could spark a fire against something flammable. While these cases are rare, it does happen.
Batteries
Loose batteries can also spark a fire if they make contact with something metal like loose change. Keep them in their original packaging or cover the ends with electrical tape when you discard them.
Stay Connected With the National Consumer Unit
Get clear, actionable consumer reporting delivered across platforms.
Follow National Consumer Correspondent Allie Jasinski for real-time updates, myth-busting videos and behind-the-scenes reporting on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube.
Have a question you’d like us to investigate? Email us at askallie@hearst.com
