| House fires are anyone's worst nightmare. Most | | | | radiators, can easily burn down a house all by |
| people who've had their houses affected by fire | | | | themselves. Heaters should never be within one |
| can barely believe the amount of damage they | | | | metre of any flammable material. They should |
| can do. Taking extra steps to prevent them | | | | also never be covered by anything, or left running |
| happening is on any sane person's To Do list. Here | | | | unattended. |
| are the most common causes of house fires. | | | | 5. Electrical wiring and appliances. Electrical |
| 1. Cooking and hot oil. These are truly dangerous | | | | appliances contain a lot of safeguards these days, |
| sources of serious fires. They occur mainly in | | | | but like house wiring, they can deteriorate and |
| kitchens, barbecues and other areas where there | | | | become risks. |
| are a lot of additional flammable materials or | | | | The basic rules are: |
| electrical fittings around. It's important to have | | | | - Do not use any old or suspect electrical |
| these areas clear of obvious danger points, | | | | appliances. If an appliance is difficult to turn on or |
| preferably with easily accessible cutoffs for the | | | | off, or is on when it should be off, either the |
| gas or electricity. | | | | switch or the wiring is deteriorating. Get these |
| Very important: Kids and hot cooking materials. | | | | appliances unplugged and out of the house |
| The most horrifying, tragic and much too | | | | immediately. |
| common causes of fire involve children getting | | | | - Frayed cords, exposed plugs or wires are |
| terribly burned while handling flammable cooking | | | | dangerous. Exposed wires are very common |
| materials. The materials spill, ignite on hot surfaces | | | | causes of fires. Do not use any appliance in this |
| like cooking elements and create major fires. The | | | | condition. Throw out the appliance, or get it |
| only way to avoid these situations is to make | | | | properly repaired. |
| sure they never happen. Keep kids away from | | | | - Any sign of malfunction in an electrical appliance |
| any cookery situation where there are clear | | | | is dangerous. Sparks, noises or smells are the |
| risks. | | | | warnings. Don't even think about using the |
| | | | | appliance, because they're also often electrocution |
| 2. Matches and lighters around children. Matches, | | | | hazards. Replace it, ASAP. |
| lighters and things like pilot lighters and firelighters | | | | - Never ignore any unusual behavior related to |
| have to be off limits for kids. They should be | | | | mains power. Any flicker, fuse blowout, or sudden |
| kept inaccessible to children at all times, and a | | | | circuit breaker effect should be investigated. A |
| clear, no-arguments set of rules must be | | | | simple leaky roof can cause a house fire by |
| enforced. | | | | getting water onto internal wiring. Be suspicious, |
| 3. Cigarettes. Cigarettes burn for periods of | | | | and call an electrician immediately. It's a bit |
| time, and can provide enough heat to start | | | | cheaper than buying a new house. |
| serious fires. Smoke outside, or only in places | | | | Home insurance, home and contents insurance |
| where there are no flammable surfaces or | | | | and fire |
| materials around. | | | | There's one thing you can always do to avoid the |
| 4. Electric heaters near combustible | | | | effects of a house fire. Make sure you've got |
| objects. Electrical heaters, particularly bar | | | | good comprehensive all-in-one house insurance. |