Top 10 Causes of House Fires (and How to Prevent Them)

Most house fires are preventable — and they start in surprisingly predictable ways. Understanding the leading causes is the first step to protecting your home and family. Here are the most common causes of house fires, ranked, along with how to prevent each one.

SECTION 01The Leading Causes of House Fires

Year after year, home fires cluster around the same causes. Here are the most common, roughly in order of frequency:

1. Cooking — the number one cause. Unattended cooking, grease fires, and flammable items near the stove account for the largest share of home fires.
2. Heating equipment — space heaters, furnaces, and fireplaces, especially in colder months. Space heaters placed too close to flammable materials are a leading culprit.
3. Electrical systems — faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, damaged cords, and aging electrical systems, common in older Bay Area homes.
4. Smoking — cigarettes and smoking materials, particularly when smoking indoors or in bed.
5. Candles — open flames left unattended or placed near curtains, bedding, or decorations.
6. Electrical appliances — malfunctioning or misused appliances, from dryers with clogged lint traps to faulty wiring.
7. Children playing with fire — matches, lighters, and curiosity.
8. Flammable liquids — improper storage of gasoline, solvents, and other flammables.
9. Holiday decorations — string lights, dry Christmas trees, and seasonal electrical loads.
10. Barbecues and outdoor fires — grills too close to structures, and fire pits.

SECTION 02The Two Biggest: Cooking and Heating

Cooking and heating together account for a large majority of home fires. The good news is both are highly preventable with simple habits: never leave cooking unattended, keep flammced items away from heat sources, maintain three feet of clearance around space heaters, and have heating systems professionally serviced. Awareness during these two activities alone dramatically reduces your fire risk.

SECTION 03Prevention Checklist

• Never leave cooking, candles, or space heaters unattended
• Keep flammable items at least three feet from any heat source
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries regularly
• Have heating systems and chimneys serviced annually
• Avoid overloading circuits; replace damaged cords
• Store flammable liquids properly, away from heat
• Keep a fire extinguisher accessible in the kitchen and on each floor
• In older homes, have aging electrical systems inspected

SECTION 04When Prevention Fails

Even with precautions, fires happen. If one does: get everyone out, stay out, and call 911 — property is replaceable, people are not. Once the fire is out and everyone is safe, act fast on restoration. Smoke and soot are acidic and begin damaging surfaces within hours, so the sooner professional fire damage cleanup begins, the more of your home can be saved.