Every day 944 house fires occur in the United States. Fires in the home are common and can spread quickly once they start, causing substantial structural, physical and emotional damage.

Venkatesh Kodur is a University Distinguished Professor in the College of Engineering at Michigan State University and the director of the Center on Structural Fire Engineering and Diagnostics, or CSFED. The CSFED is a first-of-its-kind research center in the country that focuses on designing fire-resistant structures.

Here, Kodur explains how people can reduce the risk of fires in their home and keep their families safe.

What are the most common causes of house fires?

Most residential fires are caused by cooking and heating equipment or appliances, electric short circuits, smoking inside the home, and flammable liquids and open flames such as candles.

How quickly can a fire grow from a minor fire that most people can put out to a major fire?

It takes approximately three to eight minutes for a fire to grow. It varies based on the combustibles or things in the home that can catch fire and burn. Another factor is the architecture or size of the rooms. For example, smaller rooms have a limited number of combustibles and air supply to fuel the fire.

What can people do to reduce their risk of house fires?

The simplest and most effective measures that people can take to reduce the probability of fire in their homes are:

• remaining vigilant while cooking and taking precautions with heat sources to prevent unwanted ignition/fire spread;
• regularly cleaning the lint trap in dryer vents (as restricted airflow can cause overheating leading to ignition fire growth);
• avoiding overloading electric circuits by ensuring proper wiring and surge protection, as well as regularly inspecting cords and outlets for signs of wear or damage;
• keeping space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible materials and always shutting them off when no one is present in that room;
• cleaning the chimneys regularly;
• scheduling regular maintenance of furnaces to minimize overheating or mechanical failure, which, in turn, can lead to ignition sparks and fires;
• Refraining from smoking inside the house;
• Educating everyone in the home, including children, about fire safety measures.

Fires represent severe hazards and threats to homes and can lead to devastating consequences, including property damage, personal injury and even deaths. Many residential fires are preventable if adequate fire prevention and safety measures are implemented.