WEHNES GROUP | HOME SAFETY SERIES

Is Your Home a Fire Waiting to Happen?

4 Common Fire Risks — and What You Can Do About Them Today

Over the past few weeks, I found out that two people I know had their homes completely destroyed by fire. Not damaged — destroyed. Both families are now facing the long, exhausting process of rebuilding from scratch.

As I started talking about it with others, something struck me: almost everyone had a story. A close call in the kitchen. A space heater left on too long. A phone charger that got suspiciously hot overnight. Fire risks are more common in our everyday lives than most of us realize — and the scary part is, many of them are completely preventable.

As a real estate broker with over 20 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how much our homes mean to us — not just financially, but emotionally. That’s why I dug into the research and put together this guide. These are the top five fire risks in American homes today, the facts behind them, and — most importantly — simple steps you can take right now to protect your family and your home.

A home fire is reported in the United States approximately every 96 seconds. In 2024 alone, residential fires caused an estimated $11.4 billion in property damage, 2,920 deaths, and 8,920 injuries. (NFPA / Guardian Protection, 2024)

Risk #1: Cooking

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires, responsible for nearly 48% of all residential fires. (FEMA, 2023)

Let’s be honest — most of us have walked away from the stove “just for a minute” and gotten distracted. It happens. But that one minute is all it takes. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires, and stovetops or ranges are involved in more than half of all cooking fires.

Grease fires, overheated oil, and food left in the oven too long are the usual culprits. And if you have an electric range, pay extra attention — homes with electric stoves actually face a higher fire risk than those with gas ranges.

What you can do:

• Never leave cooking unattended — especially when frying, grilling, or broiling.
• Set a timer every time you put something in the oven so you don’t forget.
• Keep dish towels, paper towels, and curtains away from burners.
• Keep a lid nearby when cooking on the stovetop — it can smother a grease fire fast.
• Fire Blanket-order a fire blanket from Amazon and keep it in arms length from your stove. 
• Never use water on a grease fire. Slide a lid over it and turn off the heat.

Risk #2: Heating Equipment

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, accounting for about 9% of all residential fires — and incidents spike sharply during winter months. (FEMA, 2023)

Space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, and furnaces are all wonderful when it’s cold outside. They’re also a serious fire hazard when used carelessly. The most common mistake? Placing a space heater too close to something flammable — a couch, a pile of laundry, curtains, or a rug.

Fireplaces and chimneys that aren’t cleaned regularly can also build up creosote, a highly flammable residue that’s a leading cause of chimney fires.

What you can do:

• Keep a minimum 3-foot clearance around all space heaters.
• Never leave a space heater running while you sleep or leave the room.
• Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
• Use a fireplace screen to keep sparks from jumping onto flooring or nearby furniture.
• Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.

Risk #3: Electrical — Including Chargers and Batteries

Electrical fires account for over 50,000 home fires per year, costing Americans $1.3 billion in property damage annually. And phone charger fires alone account for an estimated 25,000 fires each year — with 60% occurring overnight. (Vivint / ZipDo, 2024)

Faulty wiring, overloaded circuits, and aging appliances are the traditional electrical fire culprits — but there’s a newer threat that most homeowners are completely unprepared for: lithium-ion batteries and phone chargers.

Think about how many devices in your home charge overnight. Your phone. Your tablet. Your earbuds. Your laptop. Using the wrong charger — or a cheap knockoff — dramatically increases your fire risk. In fact, using a third-party charger is linked to 30% more fire hazards than using your manufacturer’s original. And these fires can turn deadly fast. Lithium-ion batteries can enter what’s called “thermal runaway” — a chain reaction of heat and toxic gases that water and standard fire extinguishers struggle to put out.

Don’t overlook your smoke detector batteries either. A smoke alarm with a dead battery is the same as no smoke alarm at all — and studies show the death rate in home fires is 60% lower in homes with working smoke alarms.

What you can do:

• Always use the charger that came with your device — avoid cheap knockoffs this includes other appliances as well.
• Charge devices on hard, flat surfaces — never on beds, couches, or pillows.
• Unplug devices once they’re fully charged. Don’t leave them plugged in overnight.
• If a battery feels unusually hot, swells, or smells strange — stop using it immediately.
• Don’t overload outlets or daisy-chain extension cords.
• Replace smoke detector batteries at least once a year — or switch to 10-year sealed batteries.
• Have an electrician inspect older homes for outdated wiring.

Risk #4: Candles

Candles are responsible for approximately 7% of all residential fires. Most candle fires start because the candle was left too close to something flammable or left burning unattended. (NFPA)

Candles create a cozy atmosphere — but they’re an open flame sitting in your living room. The risks are highest when candles are placed near curtains, bedding, or holiday decorations, or when they’re simply forgotten about. December is the peak month for candle fires, largely because of holiday ambiance.

What you can do:

• Never leave a candle burning in an empty room or go to sleep with one lit.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable.
• Place candles on stable, heat-resistant surfaces.
• Consider switching to battery-powered flameless candles — they look great and carry zero fire risk.
• Keep candles away from children and pets.

Don’t Wait for a Wake-Up Call

I’m sharing this because I’ve seen what happens when families lose their homes. It’s devastating in ways that go far beyond money — the photos, the heirlooms, the sense of safety. No one thinks it will happen to them, until it does.

The good news? Most home fires are preventable. You don’t need to overhaul your entire life — just take a few small steps today. Walk through your home. Check your smoke detector batteries. Look at where your chargers are plugged in. Make sure that space heater has some breathing room.

Small changes can make a life-saving difference.

Share This With Someone You Care About

If this article made you think of a family member, neighbor, or friend whose home could be at risk — please share it with them. Sometimes the most important thing we can do for the people we love is pass along information that could protect them.

And if you ever need recommendations for trusted local vendors — whether it’s an electrician, HVAC technician, chimney sweep, or another home professional — don’t hesitate to reach out to me. After 20+ years of working with homeowners across Missouri and Illinois, I’ve built a network of reliable people I trust. I’m always happy to connect you with the right resources.

Stay safe, and protect what matters most.

— Laura Wehnes, The Wehnes Group

Real Estate Broker Keller Williams Realty | Serving Missouri & Illinois | 20+ Years Serving Homeowners