Can Smoking Indoors Lead to a House Fire?

12/28/2018 (Permalink)

For regular cigarette users, smoking inside of your home may be a common occurrence. Unfortunately, this practice leads to thousands of home fire incidents each year. Mistakenly starting a cigarette fire may be easier that you think. See if you are following these basic practices to prevent a fire in your home:

Smoking Outdoors

As obvious as it may seem, choosing to smoke outdoors when possible can greatly reduce your likelihood of starting a fire in your home. Smoking outside cuts back the risk of igniting household items. These are some of the most commonplace objects sparked by cigarettes:

• Trash
• Bedding
• Furniture upholstery

As a rule, never smoke indoors where medical oxygen is in use. While medical oxygen itself is not flammable, the high supply of oxygen can quickly fuel a fire if one begins. 

Using Proper Ashtrays

To prevent a cigarette fire, fully extinguish your cigarette before disposing of it in a proper ashtray. Look for a tray that is wide and deep enough to safely contain cigarette butts. Always place your ashtray on a solid, non-flammable surface. It is a good practice to keep ashtrays outdoors and away from your residence. Never place an ashtray near these or other easily ignitable objects:

• House plants
• Books
• Drapes and upholstery

If smoking has occurred in your home, always check the area for loose cigarette butts. Look between couch cushions or under chairs for stray cigarette butts that may have fallen out of view. Be sure they are fully extinguished and properly disposed of. Following these simple guidelines may prevent an ashtray fire in your home.

Cleaning Up Indoor Smoke Odors

Whether a cigarette fire has occurred in your residence and you want help with fire cleanup, or you are seeking aid for the removal of indoor smoke odors, it can be smart to turn to a fire restoration service in your area. A restoration crew should have the tools and training to penetrate lasting smoke smells and restore your home to a clean and odor-free state.