In 2022, local fire departments across the United States responded to around 1.5 million fires. Cooking was identified as the leading cause of household fires, but electrical fires brought the most damage.
While EV fires are not as common as gas-powered vehicle fires, they are more difficult to extinguish, due to how the batteries are protected from the elements. Batteries take a long time to cool, creating a risk of reignition, so EVs that have caught on fire must be handled differently.
Cooking. Unattended cooking is listed as the number one cause of residential fires.
Electric stoves are 2.5 times more likely than gas stoves to have a fire, and the losses associated with those fires are higher as well. The NFPA reported that fires started by electric ranges had almost four times the dollar amount loss than fires with gas ranges.
Ranges and Stoves. With cooking as the most common cause of house fires in the US, ranges and stoves are at the top of the list for fire-starting appliances. These essential appliances can become hazards mainly due to unattended use.
One of the most common causes of electrical fires is faulty wiring. This can happen when wires are not properly installed or maintained, and they can start to overheat and catch fire.
Safety: Electric stoves are safer as there is no risk of gas leaks or fires. 4. Easy to clean: Electric stovetops are usually smoother and easier to clean than gas stovetops.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of most kitchen fires. Walking away while cooking, even for a moment, can easily become a hazardous situation. It is never a good idea to multi-task or walk around your house when cooking with an open flame or when the stove is set to a high temperature.
Gas flames have long been the preferred cooking method for professional restaurateurs and serious cooks. Just imagine the opening credits of Top Chef without that signature click and whoosh of a flame burner.
Whilst they can start naturally, see Information note - Wildfire, it is estimated that 90% of all wildfires across the globe are caused by humans. About 30% of those are started as a deliberate act of arson, whilst 70% are started accidentally or as a direct result of human carelessness.
Cooking Fires
The #1 cause of house fires, accounting for 42% of reported incidents, is cooking.
House fires usually occur during the evening hours when people are asleep. The main cause of house fires is electrical malfunctions.
COOKING, HEATING BIGGEST CULPRITS Cooking is the number one cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in your home, and leaving your cooking unattended causes most kitchen fires.
Electric furnaces are generally safer.
There's still a risk of fire with electric furnaces, but you don't have to worry about CO poisoning.
If a fire is 100% efficient, all of the energy you use translates into heat for your room. So, which is more efficient when it comes to gas and electric fires? Without a doubt, electric fires beat gas fires on efficiency. As they don't burn solid fuel, they don't require a chimney or any other ventilation.
Households that use electric ranges have a higher risk of cooking fires and associated losses than those using gas ranges. Although 60 percent of households cook with electricity four out of five (80 percent) ranges or cooktops involved in reported cooking fires were powered by electricity.
Grease is one of the most dangerous fire hazards in kitchens because of how quickly it can build up from a day's use and how flammable it is if a fire were to break out.
Naturally occurring wildfires are most frequently caused by lightning. There are also volcanic, meteor, and coal-seam fires, depending on the circumstances.
Are natural gas appliances being phased out? While gas appliances are not yet being phased out nationwide, some states such as California have pledged to reduce reliance on gas-fuel appliances such as stoves, heaters, and water heaters by 2030 to help improve air quality.
Since electric cooking does not directly burn fossil fuels, it contributes to improved indoor air quality. And with no open flames, lower risk of fire, and no risk of gas leaks, electric stoves are generally safer options for your kitchen.
An electric fireplace offers better safety for your home
Almost all of the heat generated by an electric fireplace comes from an electric heater built into the fireplace. Your house is never at risk of catching on fire the way there is with a traditional fireplace.
Cooking Fires
By far, the most common reason for a house fire is cooking. In fact, the NFPA states that 48% of house fires start in the kitchen. Pots and pans most often catch fire when the person using them leaves the room. If you have a gas stove, you need to be extra careful about having that open flame.
Faulty Sockets & Outlets
Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets or worn out sockets that aren't properly grounded.
Any electrical appliance that is left plugged in to the mains could cause a fire. Some appliances like fridges and freezers are designed to be left on, but even these can cause fires if they are not used properly.