10 Fire Hazards in the Home That Could Cause Claims

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that a home structure fire occurred in the U.S. every 88 seconds in 2022. While the extent of damage in every fire varies, these incidents tend to be costly, with the average homeowner’s fire and lightning claim settlement between 2017 and 2021 costing over $83,000.

As an adjuster, you may wonder – what is causing these home fires? The NFPA broke down most home fire causes into five categories: “cooking, heating equipment, electrical distributions and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.” But fire investigators pinpoint more specific origins and causes of residential fires. Let’s take a closer look at 10 fire hazards in the home you may see in your claims.

A small fire hazard in the home can turn into major losses for a policyholder, like this dining room where fire investigators used fire patterns and other evidence to determine the origin and cause.

Why Adjusters Should Be Familiar With Fire Hazards in the Home

Adjusters should be savvy about specific common household items or practices that pose a fire risk to better understand why it’s critical to have an investigator who can identify a fire’s origin and cause. They can also pose the right questions and preserve necessary evidence. The following home fire hazards are all risks an investigator should be familiar with.

1. Cooking

It’s likely not surprising that cooking was the number one cause of reported home fires in the U.S. in 2022. In this one room, policyholders use heat and electricity regularly and sometimes leave their cooking unattended. Cluttered stovetops with flammable materials make the kitchen an even more dangerous place. Because so many potential factors may be at play in cooking fires, a fire investigator is crucial for determining the heat source, first material ignited, and ignition sequence of the fire.

2. Wiring

Policyholders frequently overlook the concealed fire hazard posed by outdated wiring nestled within walls, obscured by furniture, or tucked away in attics. Loose connections or frayed and exposed wiring can also cause electrical arcing in which electricity jumps connections and can ignite nearby flammable material. After an incident, insureds may recall signs that suggest wiring could have been to blame, such as flickering lights, intermittent power outages, appliances or devices feeling unusually hot, experiencing shocks or seeing sparks from appliances or outlets, and smelling a mysterious odor.

3. Lighting

Another electrical home fire hazard to be aware of is lighting. The U.S. Fire Administration advises that lamps, light fixtures, and lightbulbs be kept from coming into contact with anything that could catch fire. This includes items like curtains, clothes, and carpets.

4. Fireplaces and Chimneys

Accumulation of creosote, a residue produced by wood-burning fires, may result in house fires. Policyholders who don’t maintain their chimneys may cause this substance to build up. The size of the fire in the fireplace, the type of wood used, frequency of use, and any restriction of airflow are all factors that affect creosote buildup.

5. Space Heaters

Though helpful for heating a drafty room in the winter, space heaters are also the source of some house fires. When left too close to flammable objects, like cardboard, bedding, curtains, or carpet, the fire risk may increase. Some policyholders may also make the mistake of leaving space heaters on while they sleep or are away.

6. Dehumidifiers

According to Consumer Reports, 42 dehumidifier models sold under multiple brand names and manufactured between January 2011 and February 2014 were recalled in 2023 because of their fire risk. That’s why it’s important to investigate the make and model of any dehumidifier linked to the most plausible origin and cause of a house fire and to explore expert product failure testing to determine if there is subrogation potential.

7. Clothes Dryers

Lint accumulation is the foremost cause of household dryer fires. These tiny cloth fibers are highly flammable and build up in lint traps and vents, limiting airflow. Improper use, chemical stains, and electrical or mechanical malfunctions are also causes of dryer fires. A fire that starts because of an electrical or mechanical dryer malfunction may warrant further component testing to determine whether there is a case for subrogation. Like dehumidifiers, certain clothes dryers have been recalled over the years, further supporting a potential case for subrogation in these instances. 

8. Smoking

Smoking materials such as cigarettes or cigars are a significant home fire hazard. An unstable ashtray and a cigarette butt that hasn’t been properly put out can be a recipe for disaster. E-cigarettes can be dangerous too; the lithium-ion batteries used to power these devices can sometimes overheat and explode if damaged or used, stored, or charged incorrectly.

9. Candles

Another of the more obvious house fire hazards is candles. Often lit in homes for their pleasant scent or cozy aesthetic, candles present an open flame that can spread if placed too close to flammable material, turned over by mistake, or left unattended.

 

10. Christmas Trees and Decorations

We couldn’t leave out this seasonal home fire hazard. Every year, U.S. fire departments respond to home structure fires started by Christmas trees or holiday decorations. Three big causes of Christmas tree fires are faulty electric lights and wiring, overloaded or damaged electrical equipment, and proximity of the tree to a heat source. Failure to water natural trees can also cause them to dry out and become especially susceptible to igniting when placed too close to a heat source, even the heat from Christmas tree lights. 

Always Conduct a House Fire Investigation

The reality is that we’ve just scratched the surface of fire hazards in the home. While we’ve provided some valuable background knowledge, it’s important not to jump to conclusions when handling house fire claims. There is no replacement for a good fire investigator who follows a systematic approach to identify the most plausible origin and cause of a fire.

With hundreds of years of combined experience, National Fire Experts (NFE) investigators adhere to the NFPA’s guidelines and standards to evaluate the evidence from any fire scene to provide an actionable, top-of-class report. Get the advantage of an expert fire investigator by submitting an assignment to NFE, part of Alpine Intel’s suite of services.

Alpine Intel’s content is meant to inform and educate readers using general terms and descriptions. They do not replace expert evaluations that determine facts and details related to each unique claim.