{"id":51994,"date":"2026-06-15T01:15:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T06:15:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nelson.wisc.edu\/the-commons\/?p=51994"},"modified":"2026-06-15T07:21:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T12:21:14","slug":"how-to-not-start-a-fire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nelson.wisc.edu\/the-commons\/how-to-not-start-a-fire\/","title":{"rendered":"How to NOT Start a Fire"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

FIRE ALARM! WEE-WOO WEE-WOO! THIS IS NOT A DRILL!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Okay, actually it is a drill \u2026 sorry to scare you like that. We\u2019re talking fire safety today \u2014 something that often fades into the background of daily life. Whether it\u2019s a fire extinguisher in the hallway or a smoke detector on the ceiling, these safety precautions are, thankfully, rarely used, but critically important when it matters most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from arson and spontaneous combustion, many fires are often caused by simple human error. No matter where you live \u2014 a house, apartment, condo, bungalow, or yurt \u2014 here are some of the most common ways fires start in the home and<\/em> how to prevent them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Let Them Cook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Fire Taming Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You don\u2019t need to unplug every<\/em> countertop appliance \u2014 though your toaster might be the exception. Most modern appliances are designed with safety features, but mechanical components can still fail and potentially cause fires. As always, follow the manufacturer\u2019s safety instructions for each appliance.<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Not so fun fact: kitchen fires are the leading cause for home fires in the United States. The cause? Unattended cooking. Whether you\u2019re making a five course meal or just heating up a frozen pizza, don\u2019t let distractions pull you away from what you\u2019re doing. \u201cWhen you’re cooking, that should be your only job. That should be the only thing you’re doing,\u201d says Don Dishno, Watertown Fire Department\u2019s fire marshal. \u201cYou shouldn’t be doing several things while you’re cooking. You should just be cooking and paying attention to that.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Batteries Included \u2014 Risks, Too<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The garage is the second most common place for a fire to start, and it\u2019s increasingly becoming the fault of lithium-ion batteries. \u201cIt\u2019s a great technology, but it’s delicate,\u201d says Dishno. \u201cIf the battery gets damaged, it creates a chemical reaction that’s volatile, and there’s not usually any warning.\u201d A good rule of thumb is to not leave lithium-ion batteries charging for long periods of time. Once fully charged, disconnect them from the charger, then store them in a fire-resistant place, such as a metal cabinet. \u201cAnd if you’re not going to be using it for a while, it’s best to drain the power out of it first and then store it,\u201d adds Dishno. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fire Taming Tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Care for your e-bikes and e-scooters properly! Keep batteries clean, dry, and away from exits when possible. That means you, college students. Don\u2019t leave your dirty, wet e-scooter next to your shoebox-sized apartment\u2019s only exit.<\/figcaption>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

A Little Too Plugged In<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Raise your hand if you have an extension cord doing some heavy lifting in your living room or bedroom. Is your television, Wi-Fi, gaming system, lamp, and foot massager all plugged into the same extension cord? It\u2019s okay. You can admit it. The first step to change is acceptance of a problem. \u201cExtension cords are only meant to be used temporarily. They’re not meant to take the place of permanent wiring,\u201d says Dishno. \u201cAnd you never want to run cords under a rug. Constant movement causes damage to the cord which increases the likelihood of a fire starting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n