House fires in Sioux Falls are more dangerous than ever before.
Thirty years ago, you would have had about 17 minutes to escape a house fire. Today, you have only three or four minutes.
Why are houses burning so much faster? Experts say it’s all about our furniture.
Why Do New Homes Burn Faster than Older Homes?
Researchers say new homes burn five times faster than older homes. And it’s not just the foundation’s fault.
According to research by TODAY national investigative correspondent Jeff Rossen, modern furniture is much more flammable than older furniture. That’s because the synthetic fibers used to make the curtains, couches, and even coffee tables of today burn hotter and faster than the natural fibers and real wood used in the ’70s and ’80s.
To demonstrate this phenomenon, Rossen conducted an experiment in which two rooms — one “older” and one “newer” — were set on fire. While the modern room was ablaze within three minutes, the traditional room wasn’t engulfed in flames for nearly a half hour.
Watch the experiment below:
How to Prevent House Fires in Sioux Falls
While we can’t all control the materials used to make our furniture, there are a few things we can do to help prevent house fires in Sioux Falls.
First and foremost, make a fire safety plan if you haven’t already. The American Red Cross has an excellent blueprint you can follow if you need one. Whatever plan you use, make sure all residents of your home are well aware of your chosen escape routes and where you will meet once you get outside. And don’t dawdle — as you now know, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
Second, buy furniture with lower flammability. The American Home Furnishings Alliance supports a federal flammability standard for upholstered furniture, as long as product changes are “safe, effective and affordable.” Join them in their efforts, or simply purchase furniture with natural materials instead of synthetic fibers.
And finally, practice smart fire safety tips. Our blog at INTEK offers lots of good advice for avoiding fire damage in Sioux Falls, such as:
- “Bonfire Safety Tips to Prevent Fire Damage in Sioux Falls”
- “Fire Restoration Sioux Falls: Take Care To Avoid Grill Fires”
- “Careful with Candles: Beware of House Fires”
It might also be a good idea to familiarize yourself with fire restoration services in Sioux Falls. We hope you never have to use them, but it’s important to be prepared in case an emergency does occur.
