Capitol News

Every day, 944 house fires occur in the United States, posing a significant risk to homes and causing substantial damage. Venkatesh Kodur, a University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University and director of the Center on Structural Fire Engineering and Diagnostics (CSFED), provides insights into how individuals can mitigate the risk of house fires.

Kodur highlights that most residential fires are caused by cooking and heating equipment, electric short circuits, smoking inside the home, flammable liquids, and open flames such as candles. He notes that a fire can grow from minor to major within three to eight minutes, depending on combustibles present and room size.

To reduce fire risks, Kodur advises remaining vigilant while cooking, cleaning dryer vents regularly, avoiding overloading electric circuits, keeping space heaters away from combustibles, cleaning chimneys regularly, maintaining furnaces properly, refraining from smoking indoors, and educating household members about fire safety.

Kodur emphasizes that many residential fires are preventable with proper safety measures in place. "Fires represent severe hazards and threats to homes and can lead to devastating consequences," he warns.