18 Times Innocent-Looking Things Almost Caused Disastrous Fires

It’s incredible how often accidental fires happen in our homes. According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 350,000 home fires each year in the US, leading to more than 2,500 deaths. The same report concluded that most home fires and fire casualties result from these five sources: cooking, heating, electrical distribution and lighting equipment, intentional fire setting, and smoking materials.

Home fires can either be caused by heat igniting combustible materials, or chemical reactions. And even though you probably aren’t aware of it, your house is full of items, materials, and surfaces that can cause fire given the right conditions. In order to prevent fire accidents, you’ll have to look around your home.

First step is the kitchen. According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are among the most common types of house fires, making up about 49 percent of all residential fires.

These are often caused by overheated grease left on a stove or in an oven. What makes it particularly dangerous is its high flammability when it reaches about 600 degrees Fahrenheit. At that point, it can combust instantaneously.

For this reason, make sure to never leave your kitchen unattended when cooking in oil, whether it's a stove, an oven, or if you’re deep frying. Barbecue grills and toasters can also cause fire hazards.

Second, you may wanna check your living room or the bedroom where heating appliances are placed. This is especially important during winter time when many of us use home space heaters and baseboard heaters to warm up our freezing homes.

But heaters that require kerosene or another fuel are especially dangerous as they can ignite spontaneously or even blow up. Electrical heaters also often become the sources for accidental fire, especially if the electrical wiring is faulty. They also often overheat fabrics if they come in contact or if they’re put close enough.

Make sure to never leave the house with a heater on, whatever type of appliance it is. Unsupervised heaters become huge fire hazards if left running while homeowners are away.