On average, fire departments in the U.S. respond to an average of 471 cooking-related fires every day, according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Let's look at the possible causes of fire in the kitchen and how they can be prevented.
Cooking Fires
The #1 cause of house fires, accounting for 42% of reported incidents, is cooking.
In 2021, fire departments in the United States responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires. These fires caused an estimated 135 deaths, 3,000 injuries and over $494 million in property loss.
Every year, fire departments respond to more than 170,000 home fires caused by cooking. The top reason for these fires is someone leaving the stove unattended while cooking.
These fires accounted for 14 percent of all reported home fires. The Unites States Fire Administration estimates that wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fires every year.
Doubtless a modern well maintained stove causes less indoor air pollution than older models, and both, less than an open fire. The risk with a new stove, burning only very dry wood, may therefore be presumed to be significantly less than identified here.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Agency, 8 states experienced more than 100% growth and 7 states experience between 50 and 100% growth from 2005 to 2012. Vermont and Maine have long been ranked #1 and #2 for per capita primary wood heating with 9% and 13% of homes as of 2019.
The No. 1 cause of all cooking fires is leaving the stove unattended. Because cooking is something that is done daily, it's easy to forget how dangerous it is to heat grease or oil at a high temperature. People oftentimes walk away from a hot stove “just for a minute” — and that “minute” can turn deadly.
By a long shot, not everyone reports that they have had a chimney fire, yet there are more than 25,000 chimney fires reported in the U.S. annually. It's good to know the common causes of chimney fires and how to avoid them.
But in case you did not, it's helpful to know how long an oven can safely be on. There is no specific amount of time that would cause an oven to catch on fire; however, you should not risk leaving it on and unattended for extended periods.
Where are home fires most likely to start? Home fires are more likely to start in the kitchen than any other room in the home. The second leading cause of home fires are heating sources like wood stoves, and fireplaces. Fires caused by smoking are the leading cause of deaths.
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.
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.
Why do house fires happen at night? House fires usually occur during the evening hours when people are asleep. The main cause of house fires is electrical malfunctions.
Unattended cooking is listed as the number one cause of residential fires. Here are a few proven tips to help reduce the risk of starting a fire while cooking: Never leave your stove unattended when cooking. Clean up clutter and other combustible materials from your cooking area.
According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, Creosote can ignite at temperatures as low as 451 degrees F (for context, a fire in your fireplace can burn in excess of 450 degrees F), and even just a 1/8” buildup of creosote is considered high enough to cause a chimney fire.
The NFPA recommends that all chimneys be cleaned and inspected annually because if the system is compromised, it creates a fire hazard. It's best not to merely assume that a chimney system is in good working condition, no matter the circumstances.
A: While there's no one new trending look for fireplaces — it's a timeless home feature, after all — statement surrounds with bold tiling, room-divider fireplaces that help create a sense of separation in an open-concept living space, and fireplaces with organic shapes or curved features are all fireplace trends for ...
Two-thirds (66 percent) of kitchen fires occurred after cooking oil, fat, grease, butter, and other cooking substances were ignited. Oil can make the fire spread faster and can still cause a fire the next time someone cooks if there's any residue left on the stovetops.
Causes of Stove Fires
When cooking, wearing clothes such as scarves, and bathrobes or tops with long, loose-fitting sleeves that can easily catch fire. Keeping flammable items (oven mitts, curtains, dish towels, wooden utensils, etc.) near the stovetop. Cooking while under the influence of alcohol.
3. What states have implemented bans on woodburning fireplaces? States like California, Oregon, and Washington have restrictions on woodburning fireplaces to reduce air pollution and protect public health. These states encourage the use of more environmentally friendly heating options.
In most cases, these standards satisfy local building codes and insurance companies. The ideal location for a wood stove is close to the center of the area to be heated. This gives the best heat distribution.
With the right information and approach, a log burner can be used to heat not just the room it sits within, but an entire home. Each fine detail, from the way you stack the logs to the placement of your stove, can change the efficiency with which your fire burns.