5 House Fire Myths Debunked

Being misinformed when it comes to safety in the event of a fire is a position nobody wants to be in. This is why we put together a list of five common fire myths you may have heard about, and the truth behind them:

Myth 1: Smoke alarms are enough to protect homes from a fire.

Truth: Although smoke alarms are very useful for detecting fires, they only help you know when to quickly escape the home or extinguish the fire if it’s not too late. On the other hand, a fire sprinkler system is usually enough to extinguish accidental fires.

Myth 2: You have a few minutes to escape a fire.

Truth: In reality, a small fire can spread to the whole house in just seconds. That’s why it is essential to get out of the house immediately in case of a fire. Take a look at these tips for making a fire escape plan to be prepared if a fire occurs in your home.

Myth 3: Newer houses are less likely to be affected by a fire than older houses.

Truth: Homes built in recent years contain more synthetic furnishings, engineered lumber and lightweight wood than older homes, making them more prone to fires. Even though in older homes the electrical wiring is outdated, the materials they were built with are usually more resistant to fires than those of a newer home.

Myth 4: The sprinkler system will activate in the entire home if a fire starts in one room.

Truth: If this happened, water would cause considerable damage to your home. In reality, though, only the sprinkler closest to the fire activates. Other sprinklers activate only if a fire is close enough to them. Find out more facts about fire sprinklers here.

Myth 5: In a fire, flames pose the biggest threat to one’s life.

Truth: Flames destroy buildings, but smoke is actually the main culprit responsible for fire-related deaths. Smoke contains a large number of toxic chemicals, such as carbon monoxide, and being trapped in it causes unconsciousness and death.

Most home fires are related to cooking, so it’s important to know how to prevent kitchen fires. Tips for using the stove top and oven safely are available here. For professional fire, water and mold restoration services, contact your local PuroClean office.