Fire is the one element that can bring us life in the cold outdoors or it can take our life while we sleep in our house.  This post is focused on why some fires start. 

Ready.gov reports that:  “Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States, with direct property loss due to home fires estimated at $7.3 billion annually.” 

Not only do house fires take lives, but our physical memories as well.  I have about 90% of very thing in own in this world is in my house. 

What are some common causes of house fires? 

• Cooking:  “According to the NFPA, 40 percent of house fires and 36 percent of fire-related injuries are caused by cooking fires.”  

Most of are guilty of cooking something on low, and then having to run to the store.  Or leaving the oven on and believing that it is safe.  IT IS NEVER SAFE TO LEAVE THEM ON.  This is a reminder to me as well.  If I leave, the cooking stops!

• Smoking:  “Smoking is the leading cause of fire deaths. The NFPA estimates that nearly one in four people killed in fires in the United States were killed in smoking-related fires.”   

I find his one strange, because everyone I know goes outside to smoke.  I am not going to go on a soap box about smoking.  The stats speak for themselves. If you smoke, go outside, and dispose of it in the safest manner possible. You endanger your family by smoking indoors.  Continue reading →