A home fire is a catastrophic event that can upend your life and leave you picking up the pieces. There are several hot zones when it comes to fire risk in your home. Some items to pay close attention to include your kitchen appliances, electrical work and wiring, and heating equipment.  

Following some fire safety best practices will improve your odds of avoiding a fire in your home. And while you can do everything in your power to prevent a house fire, it’s still important to have the right homeowners insurance coverage to protect you from the unexpected.  

How to reduce the risk of kitchen fires 

As you might expect, the leading source of fires in U.S. homes is the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), ranges and cooktops account for 53% of home cooking fire incidents, and unattended equipment is a factor in 29% of cooking-related fires. The organization provides several fire prevention tips to consider while cooking in the kitchen. 

• Avoid cooking while sleepy or if you have been consuming alcohol. 

• If you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling something, stay in the kitchen until the process is complete.  

• Check on your food regularly and use a timer as a reminder. 

• Keep oven mitts, food packaging, towels and anything else that might catch fire away from the stovetop while cooking.  

• Keep a lid close by in case you experience a small grease fire. If you do experience a small grease fire, cover the pan with the lid, turn off the burner and keep the pan covered until it is completely cool. 

• For oven fires, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.  

• Find additional kitchen fire safety tips on the NFPA website.  

How to reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home

According to the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI), outdated wiring, faulty appliances and circuit overloads pose major fire risks in homes. According to ESFI, in the U.S., there are more than 50,000 electrical fires each year that cause an estimated $1.3 billion in property damage. There are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of electrical fires in your home. 

• Have a qualified electrician thoroughly inspect your home’s electrical system to ensure it meets safety standards.  

• Install lightbulbs that match the wattage of each fixture.  

• Perform routine assessments of the cords, extension cords and the outlets in the home. 

• Look and listen for signs of electrical issues like flickering lights, buzzing sounds and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly. 

• Find additional electrical fire safety tips on the ESFI website. 

How to reduce the risk of heating equipment fires in your home 

In the winter, improper use of heating equipment can result in a fire. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), heating fires are the second leading cause of home fires in the U.S. While the number of heating fires per year is in decline, there were still more than 30,000 of them in 2021. Keep track of the following tips to reduce the risk of heating fires.  

• Keep all flammable materials three feet from fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.  

• Turn off your space heater when you leave a room and when you go to bed.  

• Do not try to heat your home with your oven. 

• Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned annually.  

• For more information, handouts and helpful videos, visit the USFA website.  

In addition to preparing for these specific home fire hazards, it’s also a good idea to have a general fire safety plan. The American Red Cross provides detailed fire safety plans for homes occupied by children, older adults, people with disabilities and pets.  

Some at-home best practices for fire safety include: 

• Installing smoke alarms on each level of your home. You should include smoke alarms in each room and directly outside of sleeping areas. 

• Testing your smoke alarms every month and replacing batteries as needed. 

• Developing a fire escape plan with your family and practicing it at least twice a year. 

Understanding the common causes of house fires will help reduce the chances of your investment and belongings going up in smoke. However, it is impossible to completely eliminate the risk of home fires. So, make sure you have the proper coverage for your home. If you are unsure about your coverage or want to learn more about protecting your home, connect with your Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance agent today. 

*The information in this article was compiled from a variety of sources and is intended to provide helpful tips only.