Strange But True: 5 Weird Causes of House Fires

Each year, there are over 1.3 million fires in the United States.

No-one wants their home to be included in that statistic. But unless you know what can cause a fire, you won’t be able to effectively prevent them.

Read on for 5 weird causes of house fires that you should be aware of.

1. Glass Jars

When sunlight is refracted though glass, the beam of light can be strong enough to start a fire!

This isn’t an everyday occurrence, but when the shape of the glass and the angle of the sun are just right, you can be in real trouble. A fire has even been started by a jar of Nutella. The empty jar was placed on a window sill, and the refracted light managed to ignite the curtains.

So, be careful with the placement of any crystal ornaments – keep them in the shade!

2. Animals

There are more fires traced to a pets or animals than you would think.

Whether it is a hungry cat jumping onto your kitchen side and turning on the toaster, or mice chewing though your electrical wires, animals can be real fire starters!

Pets are always unpredictable, so you might want to invest in a video fire detection system. But you also need to tackle pests. If you have a rodent problem, be sure to place traps. Always cover your trash cans so you don’t attract raccoons or other larger animals.

3. Dishwashers

As you probably know, one of the most common culprits for house fires are appliances. Dryers and ovens are obvious. But did you know the dishwasher can be just as bad? There are reportedly 500 dishwasher fires each year.

Not only do dishwashers create a fair amount of heat, the combination of electrics and water is always risky. If water leaks onto your dishwasher’s wiring, a fire is likely. Always keep an eye to make sure your dishwasher is working properly.

4. Bathroom Chemicals

They may seem relatively innocuous on their own, but bathroom and kitchen chemicals can be a fire risk.

Many of these chemicals are flammable in their own right. Although they are unlikely to start a fire, they will make an existing one much worse!

Ammonia, bleach and acids are common in cleaning products. If mixed they will produce a flammable vapor. If this combusts then you will have a nasty fire on your hands.

Always make sure you only have chemicals you actually need, and that they are stored safely.

5. Loose outlets

You have probably heard about electrical fires caused by frayed or damaged electrical wires. But a loose connection in the outlet is just as dangerous.

If your plugs fall out of any of your outlets easily, then you could be in danger.

As time passes, the blades inside your outlets will naturally loosen. The poor connection can cause an electrical discharge. This produces heat and can easily start a fire. Always replace or repair any loose outlets.

Weird Causes of House Fires

As you can see, there are plenty of weird causes of house fires. The best way to protect your home is to be aware of the risks so you can actively avoid them.

If you found this article useful, check out our weird tips on home security to keep your home doubly safe.

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