Our study of mobile home fires found that the number one cause of accidental mobile home fire is inadequate maintenance of the home's mechanical system. Other frequent causes are carelessness and accidents.
Proper
maintenance can prevent fires
There are several mechanical systems in a house that require maintenance. These systems include heating equipment such as furnaces, flues, fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves, water heaters, kitchen stoves, as well as electrical systems and electrical appliances. The bad news: if these systems aren't properly maintained, the potential for fire increases. The good news: fires in all these systems are preventable. The information here will help you decrease the chance of having a fire in your home.
Carelessness
Storing all matches and lighters out of the reach of children can prevent a tragedy. Fires caused by a homeowner's carelessness, such as a grease fire or a fire that started because flammable liquids were stored inside the home, are also preventable.
An
ounce of prevention could be worth a life
Fire drills. It's important to hold family fire drills at least two times a year. If you have very young or elderly people in your mobile home, assign someone to help them. If there's a fire, get everyone out of the home, then call the fire department.
Exit windows. Make sure at least one window in every bedroom can be used for easy and fast escape in case of fire. Don't attempt to reach the front or rear door during a fire – always use a window as your exit.
Fire extinguishers. Keep one fire extinguisher in the kitchen and another near the furnace. Small home fire extinguishers operate for only five to ten seconds, so be sure of your aim.
Smoke detectors. Mobile homes built since 1976 come equipped with smoke detectors. If your home doesn't have smoke detectors, you need one high on the wall or ceiling adjacent to bedroom areas. Place another in the kitchen. Check your smoke detectors once a month by pressing the test button. Replace the battery in each smoke detector at least once a year. Never remove the battery except when replacing it. If your smoke detector is a photo unit, replace the bulbs every three years. Keep the grill of the detector free of dirt by dusting and vacuuming it regularly.
Be careful not to overload electrical circuits. Lights that flicker or dim indicate trouble that must be corrected. When replacing fuses, install only recommended fuses. Use fuses and breakers that are the proper size for the wire. A ground monitor is a valuable tool for locating any shorts or other problems in the electrical system. If you are inexperienced in working with electricity, don't try to correct electrical problems yourself. Call a qualified electrician.
Don't overextend an electrical outlet with extension cords. Replace frayed or broken electrical cords. Make sure all appliances are properly installed. Buy electrical appliances and equipment approved by a certified testing laboratory. Never run cords under rugs. Keep dust from accumulating on televisions, electrical equipment and appliances.
Additional
tips
Store flammable liquids in approved containers outside the mobile home.
Never place combustible material under your home – that includes bales of hay or straw.
Check for worn spots on any heat tape that covers water pipes.
Ground your television antenna to prevent damage from a lightning strike.
There are several mechanical systems in a house that require maintenance. These systems include heating equipment such as