Experts in fire prevention agree that the home is the most likely place for a fire to start. Many areas of the house can be potential fire hazards.

Candles 

Candles are fast becoming a major cause of house fires.  Never place candles next to curtains or combustibles.  Extinguish candles before leaving home.  Never let the candle burn for long periods of time. 

Smoking in Bed

Most deaths in home fires result from careless cigarette smoking. Do not smoke in bed or when drowsy. Make sure to extinguish matches and cigarette butts. Never rest a burning cigarette on the edge of a counter or table, where it could be forgotten and cause a fire. Do not flick cigarette butts into dry grass or leaves in the yard.                 

Electrical Systems

Electricity is an important cause of both home fires and electrocution. Ideally, the electrical system in your home should comply with the current National Electrical Code, which sets standards for safe wiring. New electrical work should be done by a licensed electrician, comply with the current code, and be inspected by local building code officials. If your house has a fuse box, use only the correct size fuses. If a fuse blows out repeatedly, do not replace it with a larger fuse. Call an electrician to fix the problem. Never plug more than one large appliance into an electrical outlet. Some appliances, such as space heaters, may need their own circuit. To avoid electrocution, do not touch electric devices when your hands are wet or when standing in water. If you feel a tingle when touching an electric device, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. The tingle means that current is leaking. Consider having ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) installed in kitchens and bathrooms. GFCIs can sense leakage of current from appliances or other equipment and instantly shut off the flow, preventing a serious shock.

Heating Systems

Most home fires are caused by heating equipment that is improperly installed or maintained. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that space heaters should be placed at least 36 inches (91 centimeters) from walls, bedding, clothing, or anything else that is flammable. Check the wires of electric space heaters for deterioration, and replace frayed wires. At the start of each heating season, fireplace chimneys should be inspected for a build-up of creosote, a highly flammable, oily substance produced by tars during the burning of wood. Never burn flammable liquids, which may explode, in a fireplace. Wood or coal stoves and fireplace inserts should bear the label of a recognized testing laboratory, be installed according to the manufacturer's directions, and meet all local fire codes.                

Storing flammable liquids near a furnace can cause escaping fumes to catch fire.

The Kitchen

Most fires in the kitchen result from stoves and other cooking equipment. Always keep a fire extinguisher handy in the kitchen, and make sure that it is fully charged. (An unused fire extinguisher loses its charge over a four to six year period.) Remember that throwing water on a grease fire can send the hot grease flying, possibly resulting in burns and spreading the fire

Dish towels and other combustible items can be set ablaze if placed too near a stove.

Home Entertainment Center

A major offender in many American homes is the living room home entertainment center, where wires by the dozen interconnect television, videocassette recorder, stereo, compact disc player, and speakers. Powering all these devices from a single or, at best, a double outlet creates the classic accident waiting to happen.  Have an electrician install additional outlets to handle appliances and home electronics. Also keep in mind that the electric circuits in most houses built before World War II (1939-1945) were not designed to carry the load of today's gadgetry.

Fireplaces 

Fireplaces are often a potential source of house fires. Equip them with spark screens, and clean chimney flues periodically. Spark catchers installed on a chimney top can prevent fires on the roof. Many modern fireplaces consist of pre-made metal fireboxes called inserts. To be safe, fireplace inserts, such as wood stoves, must be properly installed and operated along guidelines supplied by the manufacturer.

Other Danger Spots

Other danger spots in the house include anywhere that cigarettes may be left unattended, storage areas for gasoline or other flammable liquids, and attics, basements, or closets where clutter can accumulate. In homes and schools, trash, old clothes, drapes, and furniture should be discarded, not stored in attics, basements, or closets. They could quickly catch fire in those places. Such liquids as gasoline furniture polish, and paint burn easily and should be stored in tightly closed cans, away from heat. Gasoline should not be stored indoors, and it must never be used to start a barbecue fire or bonfire.  Keep such items away from the stove, fireplace, and other sources of heat. Put a screen in front of the fireplace to prevent sparks from flying out.

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