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No. 1 Threat To Homes Is Preventable

National Fire Prevention Week is Oct. 7-13

National Fire Prevention Week reminds us that house fires are the No. 1 disaster threat to homeowners. Between 350,000 and 400,000 house fires occur each year in the United States, and the average house fire in North Carolina causes $22,852 of damage. Unlike natural disasters such as tornadoes and floods, house fires are often preventable.

Five ways to prevent a house fire:

1. Avoid the sun. Flammable products such as paint thinner and lacquer can be ignited by heat sources around your home – even by sunlight streaming through a window. Always keep flammable products in a cool, dark place and in their original containers.
2. Control candles. Keep lit candles away from materials that could easily catch fire, such as curtains. Never light candles when you’re feeling drowsy – accidentally falling asleep plays a role in 12 percent of all candle fires. Opt for battery-operated candles if you want a little bedtime glow.
3. Enjoy your fireplace safely. The National Fire Protection Association recommends making sure your fireplace has a sturdy screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Also, allow fireplace and wood/pellet/coal stove ashes to cool before disposing in a metal container.
4. Keep your stove company. Never leave the kitchen when you have food cooking on the stove. If you must leave the kitchen for any reason, remove the pan from the heat and turn the burner off.
5. Care for your cords. Electrical cords can produce heat, so make sure they have room to "breathe." Never trap them tightly between a piece of furniture and the wall or run them under a rug. Check the condition of cords regularly. Frayed wires or those damaged by pets are potential fire starters.

View more statistics and tips on Flickr.

HomeIndex^® is a new home inventory tool that takes the hard work out of the equation. State Farm customers can inventory, value, and track the items in their home with photos and item details by room and category. All the data is securely stored in the cloud for easy access and safekeeping.

A home inventory is an excellent way to expedite the insurance claims process after theft, damage, or loss. This record of your insurable assets will not only help you in the settlement of a covered loss or claim, but will also help verify tax-deductible property losses and determine the right amount of insurance coverage you need.

For more information about HomeIndex, visit www.statefarmhomeindex.com.

Contact

Amy Preddy, State Farm Public Affairs, (434) 872-5211

About State Farm^®

State Farm and its affiliates are the largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. and is a leading insurer in Canada. In addition to providing auto insurance quotes, their 17,800 agents and more than 65,000 employees serve 81 million policies and accounts more than 79 million auto, home, life and health policies in the United States and Canada, and nearly 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is also available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 43 on the Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com or in Canada http://www.statefarm.ca.