Insidious Igniters: The Less Famous Fire Starters in Your Home

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

This mattress and pillow caught fire as the result of a laptop left charging while not properly ventilated. Photo from the Falmouth MA Patch.

When you think about the cause of a house fire requiring fire restoration service, you might imagine an open, unattended flame, like a candle or even a lit cigarette. Items left too long on the stove -- like hotdogs -- can be another common culprit, similar to faulty electrical wiring. 

However, there are other lesser known, but equally dangerous, fire threats that you should know about.

Here are three to take seriously:

1. Dishwashers

1. Most of us don’t like to think about life without a dishwasher. While we might associate kitchen fires with cooking left on the stove or oven for too long, the fact is your dishwasher can also cause a fire, if it’s in poor condition. Older dishwashers have the potential to leak water onto the mechanism’s wiring, which could spark a fire. If this happens when you’re not home, you can imagine how quickly something as seemingly insignificant as a small leak can suddenly result in disaster. 

2. Dust bunnies

1. Such a cute name for something that is actually rather gross, dust that collects around electronics or power outlets can actually ignite if they encounter a spark. Just another reason to get your kids to clean under their beds!

3. Laptops and personal devices

1. Speaking of kids, with the amount of time so many spend on screens -- especially with remote learning still in full swing across the country -- it’s fair to say that laptops and other electronic devices like iPads and Kindles are working overtime. When that happens, the machines heat up and can cause a fire if left on a bed or couch, especially while still plugged in. Best to leave a laptop on a desk or countertop after use so that it cools properly before possibly encountering any flammable surface. 

Even the best fire prevention doesn’t necessarily guarantee total protection from fire. Like any other accident, fire happens. In that case, our team of fire damage recovery experts at SERVPRO Haverhill/Newburyport is standing by to handle any cleaning, remediation or restoration required to return your home to its former glory.