According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) the number one cause of house fires is cooking equipment with heating equipment following as the number two cause.
Here’s the complete list:
Cooking equipment
Heating equipment
Intentional
Electrical distribution and lighting equipment
Smoking materials
Clothes dryer or washer
Exposure
Candles
Playing with heat source
Smoke detectors are by far the best thing you can have.
To prevent house fires there are some simple and seemingly obvious things you can do and avoid. Something as easy and setting a timer when you cook so you don’t accidentally leave the oven on for too long is an effective way to keep yourself safe. Make sure anything flammable is away from the stove top as well. Often overlooked is the need to clean the lint trap in your clothes dryer. Not only does this reduce the risk of fire but it also helps your dryer run more efficiently. However probably the the most important thing you can do to protect your home is to have smoke detectors and regularly check that they are working. Most house fire deaths occur when smoke detectors are either non existent or not working properly.
