Three of the Most Common
Causes of House Fires
By: Jeff Tanski

Three of the Most Common Causes of House Fires
A member of the National Association of Fire Investigators, Jeff Tanski is the owner of the
Peachtree City, Georgia-based Veritas Fire Consulting. Jeff Tanski founded the company in 2009
and leverages more than two decades of experience to determine the origin and cause of fires and
explosions involving vehicles and heavy machinery, as well as commercial and residential
buildings.

Three of the Most Common Causes of House Fires
There are an excess of 350,000 house fires in the US every year and knowing the most common
sources of these accidental fires can help with prevention efforts. Listed below are three of the
most common causes.

Three of the Most Common Causes of House Fires
1. Cooking - Nearly 48 percent of all house fires occur during cooking and are most often caused
when grease overheats in an oven or on a stove. Grease becomes flammable at around 600
degrees Fahrenheit, at which point it can spontaneously combust. Regularly clean stovetops and
ovens and never leave the kitchen unattended to help prevent this disaster from occurring.

Three of the Most Common Causes of House Fires
2. Heating appliances - All baseboard heaters should be kept at least one meter away from
furniture or fabrics, such as curtains and clothes. Space heaters, meanwhile, should never run
without supervision. Moreover, all heating appliances should be subject to regular inspection.

Three of the Most Common Causes of House Fires
3. Candles - If left unsupervised or around children, candles can present a major fire threat.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, they are responsible for around 8,200 house
fires and 80 deaths per year. Keep all candle flames at least one foot away from combustible
materials or consider safer alternatives like battery-powered flameless luminaries.