5 Surprising Things that Can Cause a House Fire

In the US, Fire Prevention Week is observed every year during the week of October 9th in remembrance of the devastating Great Chicago Fire which began on October 8, 1871. During this time, school children across the country learn about fire prevention and fire safety and participate in fire drills. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) promotes education with its beloved mascot Sparky the fire dog whose motto includes, "Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere."

We are all aware that cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires in the US with fires sparked by heating equipment coming in second place. Homeowners take steps to avoid the typical fire starters by using caution with candles and holiday decorations, controlling hot grease while cooking, maintaining heaters and not smoking indoors. But Sparky the Fire Dog would agree that fire is unpredictable and there are a few less-commonly-known and somewhat bizarre ways a fire can start. Here are 5 surprising things that can cause a house fire that you should be aware of:

1. Animals

You're probably imagining a cat knocking over a lit candle, but the animals that are more likely to cause a fire in your home are the unwelcome kind. Pests like mice, rats, and squirrels like to snack on the plastic insulation surrounding electrical wires. Without the protective insulation, the heat generated from the electricity traveling through the wires is exposed. It is only a matter of time before the hot wires ignite nearby materials or short circuits causing a spark.

To avoid critter-caused fires, put out traps at the first sign of rodents and keep trash cans covered - both indoors and outside to prevent an invasion of larger pests like raccoons. It is also a good idea to contact a pest control expert to determine the extent of the infestation and let you know if you already have damaged electrical wires that need to be repaired.

2. Glass Objects

We never think twice about the everyday glass objects in our homes, but under the right conditions, a harmless object made of glass can become a fire starter. If the shape of the glass and the angel of the sun are precisely aligned, the refracted beams may get hot enough to start a blaze.

Glass object that has been known to start fires include glass wind chimes, crystal ornaments, vases or empty glass jars and translucent door handles. While it is unlikely that a glass object will cause a house fire, it can't hurt to take precautions like moving glass objects out of direct sunlight.

3. Dishwasher

The fire dangers from an oven or dryer are obvious, but you probably didn't know that dishwashers cause approximately 500 fires in the US every year. While a dishwasher fire doesn't seem likely, the combination of electrical wiring and dripping liquid can be hazardous. Most dishwasher fires occur when liquid leaks from the main compartment and drips onto the wiring.

You can do a visual inspection of your dishwasher's electrical housing to make sure it is dry during and after running and take care of any leaks in the kitchen as soon as possible to avoid the risk of fire or costly water damage. Homeowners should never leave the house with the dishwasher running. It is also a good idea to check consumer reports to see if your dishwasher’s make/model pose a fire hazard.

Utah Flood Cleanup provides emergency smoke, fire and water damage cleanup for homeowners throughout Utah. After a house fire, we will assess the damaged area and work quickly to get your home back to normal and your life back on track. Give us a call today at 801-867-5225 for your free phone consultation.

4. 9-Volt Batteries

Improperly stored 9-volt batteries can cause a house fire! Although it sounds like an urban myth, there have been two documented cases where homeowners have improperly stored or disposed of 9-volt batteries that sparked causing their homes to catch fire. The first verified report came from a Colorado homeowner whose house caught fire from 9-volt batteries jostled together creating a spark that started the fire. The second fire occurred in New Hampshire with the unintentional ignition of 9-volt batteries stored in a junk drawer.

To prevent a tragedy like this in your home, store all loose batteries away from other metals like paper clips or steel wool, flammable liquids or materials that are easily ignited like paper or tissues. Make sure they are secure, not rolling around in a drawer or rubbing against each other. Before disposal, simply place duct tape over the battery terminals to ensure they cannot be sparked by each other or other metals they come into contact with.

5. Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis is thermal decomposition of an object caused by exposure to prolonged elevated temperatures of about 212°F or higher. Indirect heat over a period of time can change the chemical composition of an organic material like a piece of wood, causing it to become combustible and self-ignite. Most commonly, pyrolysis occurs in homes with improperly installed solid-fuel stoves, fireplaces, furnaces or fireplace inserts. Homeowners may go for years without a problem, but once materials begin the process of pyrolysis it is irreversible and will eventually combust.

To avoid pyrolysis in your home, make sure your heating equipment is properly installed and kept a safe distance away from walls, furniture and other material that is not heat-resistant or fireproof. For those with a fireplace, contact a professional chimney sweep annually for a full sweep and inspection before you begin using your fireplace for the season.

Call Utah Flood Cleanup for Professional Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration in Utah

Utah Flood Cleanup understands that even families who use every precaution and follow fire safety rules can be affected by a devastating house fire. Our expert technicians have been providing homeowners with professional fire, smoke and water cleanup & restoration services in the Beehive State for over 25 years. We strictly adhere to the IICRC S-500 and S-520 guidelines set forth in our industry. We are available for emergencies 24/7, Contact Us today for your free phone consultation and ask about our affordable financing options and a 5-year guarantee.

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I had the chance to meet and work with Chris today. He was exceptional. He stopped to take the time to talk through all my concerns. And even gave me the pep talk I needed that everything was going to be okay, even with my insurance not being quick to communicate. Couldn't be happier with the quality of Utah Flood Company's team. They are all top notch!
Cindy Yearley
Cindy Yearley
22:13 18 Jul 24
Memo, Isaac, and Manny are amazing. They came out assessed the damage and started the tear out immediately. They are great at communicating what's steps are needed and how we need to proceed on our end.
Barbara Hake
Barbara Hake
04:38 28 Jun 24
Manni and Memo came out to our home for a flood we had in the basement. They were incredible gentleman who helped us with everything and walked us through DIY steps for us to do in order to save money. I will absolutely recommend this company to anyone!
Lee Lasrich
Lee Lasrich
22:48 30 Apr 24
I was corrected and they are still in business. Talked to Daryl and he’s a great guy. Would definitely send work his way if I ever need it.
Robert Mixon
Robert Mixon
22:36 07 Mar 23
We had a leak in our roof while we were out of town. Daryl was so helpful and responded quickly so we were able to get our wood floor dried out to avoid damage to the floor. He was very professional and knew exactly what needed to be done.
Gary Hatch
Gary Hatch
22:52 07 Jun 22
I contact Daryl about wanting to have a mold inspection done in my crawl space. He was incredibly nice and immediately booked at time with me. When he arrived at the house, he carefully did his work, showed me the results of the tests. Thankfully there was no mold. But, even better, he took the time to show me and explain a few areas of concern for the future. Really incredible service. I wish everyone was so professional. I couldn't recommend someone more highly. 5 star!
rhayesparton
rhayesparton
23:22 13 May 22
Daryl with Utah Flood Clean Up, came to inspect a previous roof leak that had left some moisture in our walls. He was very honest about his findings and detailed with the information for removing it! I am a General Contractor and I won’t use anyone else!
Garry Naccarato
Garry Naccarato
14:11 23 Apr 22
My experience with this company is that they are honest and great to work with. Very refreshing to have someone you can trust.
Trevor Heaton
Trevor Heaton
19:44 06 May 20
Called for some detailed information about mold/removal. Daryl was busy, but called back just a few minutes later and spent time answering ALL my questions. He was very knowledgable and patient. Thank you Daryl.
Diane G
Diane G
18:00 17 Apr 20
Sadly, I've had to use Utah Flood Cleanup 4 times in the last year! I really appreciate how quickly they responded to each casualty. They were there right away! Daryl, the owner, gave me a price that was half of the other quote I got, and his men are professionals... not kids who don't have a clue. Plus, he included more "fixes" in his quote for less money. He is very knowledgeable and I felt very confident in his recommendations. He also worked directly with our insurance adjuster so that I didn't have to! I highly recommend this company.
Ashton Carrington
Ashton Carrington
16:09 16 Apr 20
I called Utah Flood Cleanup when I had a leak in the kitchen that drained down into the basement. Daryl came out shortly after speaking to me on the phone! He was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He quickly and thoroughly assessed the situation, explaining everything he did as he went along. I was very impressed with how thorough he was in his examination of the damage. He let me know up front what I was looking at and I felt he was very honest and reasonable. I've had other companies out who seem to know very little and just want to start ripping everything out at once! Daryl explained and showed me why he recommended what he did and I felt very comfortable and confident in his recommendations. I highly recommend this company!! You won't be sorry.
Jo Carrington
Jo Carrington
03:09 08 Jun 19
Call these guys for the best knowledge and serve for water damage or mold.
Daryl Olsen
Daryl Olsen
18:58 26 Jan 19
We wanted our house checked for mold due to a moderately high mold count in the air sample. They were very thorough and found only one small spot in the bathroom that needed attention. They advised on our options for dealing with it and did not propose expensive and unnecessary repairs.
Heather Steed
Heather Steed
02:09 16 Aug 18
We absolutely love Utah Flood Cleanup, they come in and take all the problems over. The headache of insurance companies, they pack your items up, the clean up and restoration, and they even move all the items back in. All of there staff are professional and very knowledgeable, they layout a reasonable budget and fight against the insurance to get your house to the best finished state. All of there sub contractors are fast and experts in their fields, this company only uses professional tradesman. We really appreciate all that the Utah Flood Cleanup guys have done for us.
Kit Cc
Kit Cc
03:27 15 Aug 16
Josh and Sam came to inspect the mold we found. They were on time, considerate and knowledgeable about our situation. They presented our options and recommendations to treat the issue. I will recommend Utah Disaster to my friends and family.
Connie Pinnell
Connie Pinnell
18:16 08 Jun 16
Jaxon came and assessed water damage in our basement. They were very helpful and went out of their way to make the experience as painless as possible. Very responsive when questions came up and they were never pushy, which I appreciate.
Aimee Hollingsworth
Aimee Hollingsworth
19:48 01 Jun 16
Jaxon was great, he answered his phone at 6:30 am and was out in an hour and got my basement cleaned up
neil norton
neil norton
14:55 31 May 16
Within the last year we had a major flood in the basement, and just today had another water issue that flooded a smaller portion of the basement. I called The Flood Company immediately and they were on-site within an hour or so. I'm extremely pleased with The Flood Co. The professionalism and expertise demonstrate by Jackson and Sam put my mind at ease, knowing we would be taken care of well. I would recommend The Flood Company to anyone in need of these services. They get a five star rating from us!
William Hansen
William Hansen
03:03 26 May 16
My main water line broke and our crawl space was flooding. I called my insurance company and they recommended these guys. Sam and Jesus showed up and got things taken care of. They stopped the water line and put fans to dry the area. The insurance process was super smooth I'm glad I called them!
Karla Maquin
Karla Maquin
04:11 06 May 16
Utah Flood Cleanup is amazing! Josh and Jesus stopped by after their shift and were kind enough to give us a free inspection of our flood problem. Our little 4 year old thought he'd make a sauna in the bathroom. He flipped the shower on and walked away. We never heard the water running and came upstairs to put my daughter to bed. Sure enough, the shower was pointed into the bathroom and flooded the whole thing. Josh and Jesus came out got the whole place inspected, pulled out themal meters and moisture meters and confirmed there was water damage (and old mold growth from previous spills). They grabbed their tools and began demolishing the floor themselves, right then and there so we could get fans on it to prevent future mold growth. I hope I never have another flood but if I do, I'm definitely calling them again! They're the best!!~~~
Jessica Means
Jessica Means
01:49 22 Apr 16
These guys are great to work with and really go above and beyond to serve their customers.
Zack Adams
Zack Adams
17:36 16 Dec 15
I called in the morning and they came that afternoon. Chris and Jesus came. They were professional, polite, knowledgeable and they quickly got the place all cleaned up and prepped for the repair. Then they recommended some handymen to do the repair. I hired Hank and he was great too. Did the whole job in one day.
Alan Green
Alan Green
20:37 16 Oct 15
You showed up to our house based upon little information. When you got here you went right to work looking to see what was going on. With being a family of 7, it can be a scramble being out of a bathroom and no shower. You were excellent and so kind on letting us know what our options are and what you can do to resolve the problem in our basement bathroom. With being in our new home, not even making a second mortgage payment yet, it is hard to discover there is mold and a water leak through out the basement bathroom and laundry room. I really appreciate the time you took out of your day to come to our house. My brother in law referred us to you, and it was the best referral, so thank you very much.
Ashley Metz
Ashley Metz
22:39 30 Sep 15

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What Our Clients are Saying

Customer Testimonials

I had the chance to meet and work with Chris today. He was exceptional. He stopped to take the time to talk through all my concerns. And even gave me the pep talk I needed that everything was going to be okay, even with my insurance not being quick to communicate. Couldn't be happier with the quality of Utah Flood Company's team. They are all top notch!
Cindy Yearley
Cindy Yearley
22:13 18 Jul 24
Memo, Isaac, and Manny are amazing. They came out assessed the damage and started the tear out immediately. They are great at communicating what's steps are needed and how we need to proceed on our end.
Barbara Hake
Barbara Hake
04:38 28 Jun 24
Manni and Memo came out to our home for a flood we had in the basement. They were incredible gentleman who helped us with everything and walked us through DIY steps for us to do in order to save money. I will absolutely recommend this company to anyone!
Lee Lasrich
Lee Lasrich
22:48 30 Apr 24
I was corrected and they are still in business. Talked to Daryl and he’s a great guy. Would definitely send work his way if I ever need it.
Robert Mixon
Robert Mixon
22:36 07 Mar 23
We had a leak in our roof while we were out of town. Daryl was so helpful and responded quickly so we were able to get our wood floor dried out to avoid damage to the floor. He was very professional and knew exactly what needed to be done.
Gary Hatch
Gary Hatch
22:52 07 Jun 22
I contact Daryl about wanting to have a mold inspection done in my crawl space. He was incredibly nice and immediately booked at time with me. When he arrived at the house, he carefully did his work, showed me the results of the tests. Thankfully there was no mold. But, even better, he took the time to show me and explain a few areas of concern for the future. Really incredible service. I wish everyone was so professional. I couldn't recommend someone more highly. 5 star!
rhayesparton
rhayesparton
23:22 13 May 22
Daryl with Utah Flood Clean Up, came to inspect a previous roof leak that had left some moisture in our walls. He was very honest about his findings and detailed with the information for removing it! I am a General Contractor and I won’t use anyone else!
Garry Naccarato
Garry Naccarato
14:11 23 Apr 22
My experience with this company is that they are honest and great to work with. Very refreshing to have someone you can trust.
Trevor Heaton
Trevor Heaton
19:44 06 May 20
Called for some detailed information about mold/removal. Daryl was busy, but called back just a few minutes later and spent time answering ALL my questions. He was very knowledgable and patient. Thank you Daryl.
Diane G
Diane G
18:00 17 Apr 20
Sadly, I've had to use Utah Flood Cleanup 4 times in the last year! I really appreciate how quickly they responded to each casualty. They were there right away! Daryl, the owner, gave me a price that was half of the other quote I got, and his men are professionals... not kids who don't have a clue. Plus, he included more "fixes" in his quote for less money. He is very knowledgeable and I felt very confident in his recommendations. He also worked directly with our insurance adjuster so that I didn't have to! I highly recommend this company.
Ashton Carrington
Ashton Carrington
16:09 16 Apr 20
I called Utah Flood Cleanup when I had a leak in the kitchen that drained down into the basement. Daryl came out shortly after speaking to me on the phone! He was friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. He quickly and thoroughly assessed the situation, explaining everything he did as he went along. I was very impressed with how thorough he was in his examination of the damage. He let me know up front what I was looking at and I felt he was very honest and reasonable. I've had other companies out who seem to know very little and just want to start ripping everything out at once! Daryl explained and showed me why he recommended what he did and I felt very comfortable and confident in his recommendations. I highly recommend this company!! You won't be sorry.
Jo Carrington
Jo Carrington
03:09 08 Jun 19
Call these guys for the best knowledge and serve for water damage or mold.
Daryl Olsen
Daryl Olsen
18:58 26 Jan 19
We wanted our house checked for mold due to a moderately high mold count in the air sample. They were very thorough and found only one small spot in the bathroom that needed attention. They advised on our options for dealing with it and did not propose expensive and unnecessary repairs.
Heather Steed
Heather Steed
02:09 16 Aug 18
We absolutely love Utah Flood Cleanup, they come in and take all the problems over. The headache of insurance companies, they pack your items up, the clean up and restoration, and they even move all the items back in. All of there staff are professional and very knowledgeable, they layout a reasonable budget and fight against the insurance to get your house to the best finished state. All of there sub contractors are fast and experts in their fields, this company only uses professional tradesman. We really appreciate all that the Utah Flood Cleanup guys have done for us.
Kit Cc
Kit Cc
03:27 15 Aug 16
Josh and Sam came to inspect the mold we found. They were on time, considerate and knowledgeable about our situation. They presented our options and recommendations to treat the issue. I will recommend Utah Disaster to my friends and family.
Connie Pinnell
Connie Pinnell
18:16 08 Jun 16
Jaxon came and assessed water damage in our basement. They were very helpful and went out of their way to make the experience as painless as possible. Very responsive when questions came up and they were never pushy, which I appreciate.
Aimee Hollingsworth
Aimee Hollingsworth
19:48 01 Jun 16
Jaxon was great, he answered his phone at 6:30 am and was out in an hour and got my basement cleaned up
neil norton
neil norton
14:55 31 May 16
Within the last year we had a major flood in the basement, and just today had another water issue that flooded a smaller portion of the basement. I called The Flood Company immediately and they were on-site within an hour or so. I'm extremely pleased with The Flood Co. The professionalism and expertise demonstrate by Jackson and Sam put my mind at ease, knowing we would be taken care of well. I would recommend The Flood Company to anyone in need of these services. They get a five star rating from us!
William Hansen
William Hansen
03:03 26 May 16
My main water line broke and our crawl space was flooding. I called my insurance company and they recommended these guys. Sam and Jesus showed up and got things taken care of. They stopped the water line and put fans to dry the area. The insurance process was super smooth I'm glad I called them!
Karla Maquin
Karla Maquin
04:11 06 May 16
Utah Flood Cleanup is amazing! Josh and Jesus stopped by after their shift and were kind enough to give us a free inspection of our flood problem. Our little 4 year old thought he'd make a sauna in the bathroom. He flipped the shower on and walked away. We never heard the water running and came upstairs to put my daughter to bed. Sure enough, the shower was pointed into the bathroom and flooded the whole thing. Josh and Jesus came out got the whole place inspected, pulled out themal meters and moisture meters and confirmed there was water damage (and old mold growth from previous spills). They grabbed their tools and began demolishing the floor themselves, right then and there so we could get fans on it to prevent future mold growth. I hope I never have another flood but if I do, I'm definitely calling them again! They're the best!!~~~
Jessica Means
Jessica Means
01:49 22 Apr 16
These guys are great to work with and really go above and beyond to serve their customers.
Zack Adams
Zack Adams
17:36 16 Dec 15
I called in the morning and they came that afternoon. Chris and Jesus came. They were professional, polite, knowledgeable and they quickly got the place all cleaned up and prepped for the repair. Then they recommended some handymen to do the repair. I hired Hank and he was great too. Did the whole job in one day.
Alan Green
Alan Green
20:37 16 Oct 15
You showed up to our house based upon little information. When you got here you went right to work looking to see what was going on. With being a family of 7, it can be a scramble being out of a bathroom and no shower. You were excellent and so kind on letting us know what our options are and what you can do to resolve the problem in our basement bathroom. With being in our new home, not even making a second mortgage payment yet, it is hard to discover there is mold and a water leak through out the basement bathroom and laundry room. I really appreciate the time you took out of your day to come to our house. My brother in law referred us to you, and it was the best referral, so thank you very much.
Ashley Metz
Ashley Metz
22:39 30 Sep 15

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