People who live in apartments or residential buildings need to be aware about the causes behind fires and preventive measures. The residents of condominiums, or apartment buildings should be familiar with the fire safety elements and collaborate with their neighbours to evacuate the buildings in the event of fire. Here’s how to minimise the risk of fire in apartments and what to do if any fire hazard occurs. Common Causes of Fires in Apartment and Residential Buildings The most frequent causes of home fires, the damages they inflict, and how to avoid them are listed below. Cooking Cooking or kitchen fires are by far the most common cause of house fires. Among different types of kitchen fires, grease fires are generally the most dangerous. When the temperature of your frying oil rises over 375 degrees Fahrenheit, it will begin to smoke and ultimately cause flames. Read Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards Heating House fires and injuries are often caused by portable heaters. They are responsible for a large number of fires since many homes do not have adequate space. Heaters come with detailed guidelines on how near they may be to other items, furniture, or walls. Electrical Fires A substantial percentage of home fires are caused by defective wiring or malfunctioning electrical outlets. Smoking Smoking materials such as cigarettes, cigars, and pipes are often causes of house fires. Smoking materials that have been lit inside are tiny and easy to overlook. Read School Fire Hazard Safety: Essential preventive measures to minimise risk Ways to Prevent Fires in Apartment and Residential Buildings You may be familiar with fire safety advice for houses, but living in an apartment building poses a unique set of problems that you should be aware of – particularly if you live on the higher floors. Follow the procedures below to help safeguard and prepare yourself in the case of an emergency in your apartment building: -        To keep appliances safe, use surge protectors. -        Circuits should not be overloaded. -        Frayed or fractured cables should not be used. -        Cords should not be routed beneath carpets or between rooms. -        A portable heater should never be left on if there’s no one in the room. -        Make sure youngsters can't get their hands on matches or lighters. -        Keep combustible materials out of your residence. -        Candles should never be left unattended. -        If you're cooking, don't leave it on the burner unattended. Read Car on Fire: Common Causes and Immediate Things to Do