What to Know Should Fire or Explosion Claim Your Home

The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that in 2023 there were almost 345,000 residential fires in the United States resulting in more than $11 billion in losses, more than 10,000 injuries, and 2,890 deaths. Causes of these fires range from kitchen fires to electrical fires related to both home wiring and other sources such as defective appliances. While we can all hope these incidents are rare and take steps to try and protect ourselves and our families, there are many questions we still have. What causes these fires? What should I do if this tragedy happens to me? Who is potentially liable for damages and is it helpful to get a lawyer?

What causes home fires/explosions?

These types of disasters have many causes. Among the many potential hazards that could affect your home are:

• Defective appliances: An appliance may have defective wiring or may overheat during operation. Defects may be identified and recalls issued or they could be as yet undisclosed.
• Faulty lithium batteries: These batteries, particularly the ones used in vehicles such as lower cost golf carts, can overheat and lead to fires in the home. Charging the battery for too long can be a risk factor. Never leave golf carts or other battery-operated tools plugged in overnight or when not at home.
• Propane tanks (specifically non NFPA compliant tanks for the home): A number of NFPA codes have been implemented over the years pertaining to specific safety requirements such as underground propane tanks and relief valves. Older homes may not be compliant if work hasn’t been done recently or if work was done without appropriate permits. 

What if a home fire/explosion happens to me or my family?

Should something happen to your home such as a fire or explosion, there are certain things to remember and steps to take.

Step 1 – Consider talking to a lawyer

When dealing with a situation such as a destructive home fire or explosion, it’s important that you consider securing legal counsel for yourself and your family. While state and local fire inspectors may be on site exploring arson and other possible causes, an attorney who represents you can advocate on your behalf by determining who could be held accountable in civil court for the damage to your home. 

Step 2 – Document the scene

When an incident like this happens, it is important to document what you can. We live in a world filled with cameras. Our phones, our doorbells, security cameras around our homes, and even seemingly unrelated devices like trail cams can all yield important information. 

Crucial information may disappear within a few hours of the incident if not preserved. Reaching out to your neighbors or businesses in the area for these images, as well as gathering your own, could reveal important pieces of the puzzle as an investigation proceeds.

Step 3 - Preserve the evidence

Your attorney will most likely bring in experts to help gather evidence and preserve the scene of the incident. This is vital and its importance cannot be overstated. You shouldn’t try to do this yourself. Evidence needs to be preserved or else the elements can erase important information as to the cause and who/what is responsible for the fire/explosion. Proper handling, preservation, and investigation needs to be handled by qualified professionals so the clearest picture of what happened can be revealed.

Who is liable for home fires/explosions?

Determining liability in matters such as these depends upon the findings of a properly conducted investigation. A fire in the home could be the result of anything from a defective appliance or an improperly installed propane tank. It could be negligence on the part of a contractor or a defect in a product that may or may not have been identified. This is precisely why getting representation early and a proper investigation underway is vital should an event like this occur in your life.

Is there anything I can do to protect myself and my family?

While it’s virtually impossible to be perfectly safe from a given disaster, there are a few things you can do to help reduce the risk of a home fire or explosion.

• Unplug unused appliances in the house and garage.
• Make sure you have proper safety equipment like smoke detectors placed around the house to help provide early warning should the worst happen.
• Ensure any work done to your home involving propane tanks or gas lines is compliant with the latest safety requirements.
• Do not store any flammable fuels under the home or in close proximity of electrical or charging devices. 

Home fires and explosions are terrible tragedies. If the worst happens, knowing how to properly respond and put yourself and your loved ones in a position to seek justice can be vital in order to move forward from such a tragic event.