The Reality of Appliance Fires: What to Do and How to Stay Safe

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO today for fire restoration services!

Appliance fires account for many home and business fires a year.

The use of household appliances is a regular part of most people's daily lives and plays an essential role in our day-to-day routines. Look around; you can find appliances in your home, office, and other buildings that you visit regularly.

Since appliances are regularly used, the professionals at SERVPRO of South Cobb have received numerous calls from property owners that have property damage after one of their appliances malfunctions and catches fire. The most common appliances we have seen malfunction are ovens, stoves, microwaves, toaster ovens, dishwashers, and clothes dryers.

We created the following blog post for a property owner who currently has appliance fire damage and is looking for fire restoration services. We understand that appliance fires can be hazardous and challenging to navigate for those involved. Read on to learn what to do and what not to do during an appliance fire situation, so you know how to stay safe!

How to avoid appliance fire damage

Appliance fires are more common than you might think. Appliances fires account for many home structure fires - and the number one appliance to cause fire damage is a stove or oven. As professionals who have seen appliance fire damage firsthand, we know many structural damages will occur during a property fire.

No matter what type of appliances you have in your home, it's essential that you're aware of the risks they pose - and how to avoid appliance fire damage altogether.

The number one reason that appliance fires occur is commonly due to an appliance being faulty or outdated. The best way to ensure that an appliance fire does not happen to your property is by checking the date of the appliance and ensuring that your appliances are properly maintained. Avoid using appliances in properties that have not been updated or serviced in at least ten years because the older an appliance is, the more likely an appliance fire will start.

What to do when there is an appliance fire? 

An appliance fire will come without warning. If you find yourself with an appliance on fire, it's essential not to use water to put it out; avoid using water because water conducts electricity, and the use of water increases the probability of electrocution.

The best way to put out an appliance fire is to unplug the appliance and then use a fire extinguisher. If there is no fire extinguisher present, you should use a chemical compound that will not conduct electricity. The two best chemical compounds suited for extinguishing an appliance fire are baking soda or salt.

After the fire is put out and cleared by the local fire department, you will want to contact a professional fire restoration company, like SERVPRO, which can help mitigate the damage done to the property. In addition, the right restoration company will work with your property's insurance company to ensure that you are compensated correctly for the damages.  

Wrapping up

We hope you enjoyed learning about appliance fires and the best ways to extinguish them. Appliance fires can occur at any time without notice, so always be proactive when preventing an appliance fire incident from happening in the first place.

Please remember to never use water in the case that you do have an appliance fire! As you can see, the SERVPRO fire restoration professionals always prioritize the safety of those who reside at a property damaged by fire first.

SERVPRO of South Cobb is available 24/7, 365 days a year, for any size fire damage emergency. Please contact us today if you have any further questions regarding appliance fire damage or need emergency assistance.