House fires start in a number of different ways and are actually quite common, but that does not mean that you have to be a victim of one as long as you are aware of the most frequent causes. Most house fires occur due to negligence and accidents, both of which are typically completely preventable.

The most typical area in the home for a fire to start is the kitchen, since one of the main heat sources in the home is the kitchen stove. The oven can also be a source of fire, but not nearly as often as the burners on top of the stove. One of the worst things that you can do is leave something that you are cooking unattended on the kitchen stove. If you do have to leave the house or leave something on the stove to finish cooking, make sure there is someone there to watch it while you are away. Never leave anything on the stove unattended if you have to leave the house.

Smoking can also be a source of fires in the house, especially if you like to smoke before going to bed at night. Falling asleep with a cigarette in your hand or in your mouth can be disastrous, so if you are sleepy, refrain from smoking and just go to bed. One thing that you should never do is smoke while you are in bed, whether you are sleepy or not.

Any kind of flammable chemicals should be kept outside and well away from your house and preferably in a separate building if possible. If they catch on fire, at least they will not be close to the main structure of your house and you will have an opportunity to put it out before it spreads.

Electric blankets can be wonderful, but turning their temperature up too high often results in a fire, especially if they are left unattended. You should only use electric blankets to warm up your bed before you get in it and never sleep with them on high heat.

Space heaters can also be quite dangerous during the winter if you do not use them properly. These devices should never be placed on carpet if you can place them on a hard floor and should never be left unattended. If at all possible, do not leave them on at night, especially in the rooms of children.