Fire Safety for Mobile Homes

↩ BACK

Hey readers and followers, welcome back to Southern Builders Perma-Roof Blog. Fires in residential buildings, including mobile homes, lead to thousands of deaths and injuries each year, and cause billions in property damage. According to research from the National Fire Protection Association and the National Safety Council, residential fires are primarily caused by careless smoking, cooking incidents, and heating or electrical equipment malfunctions. While mobile homes are more vulnerable to fire hazards, understanding the risks and taking the right precautions can help protect your home and loved ones.

In this blog, we’ll explore the leading causes of fires and provide practical tips on how to reduce your fire risk.

Understanding the Leading Causes of Fires

Research has found that the three leading causes of fires in residential homes are:

Heating equipment
Cooking incidents
Electrical failures

Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to these causes due to factors like aging electrical systems or improper use of heating devices. Here’s how to minimize fire risks in your home:

1. Careless Smoking

The leading cause of fire-related deaths is careless smoking. To prevent this hazard, eliminate or strictly limit indoor smoking, and ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished before disposing of them.

2. Children Playing with Matches

The fastest-growing cause of fire-related deaths is children playing with matches or lighters. Store these items out of reach, and educate children on the dangers of fire.

3. Cooking Fires

Cooking-related fires are the leading cause of fire injuries. Never leave cooking food unattended, and keep a container of baking soda nearby to extinguish small grease fires quickly. Additionally, installing a smoke detector in the kitchen area can provide an early warning—just be sure it’s positioned far enough from the stove to avoid false alarms.

Electrical Safety: Avoiding Overloads and Malfunctions

Many fires in mobile homes stem from electrical issues like overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or unsafe space heaters. To avoid electrical fires:

Don’t overload circuits. Plugging too many appliances into one outlet can cause overheating.
Use appropriate extension cords. Avoid lightweight cords for high-wattage devices like space heaters or irons.
Inspect heat tape regularly. If your pipes require heat tape to prevent freezing, replace any old or brittle tape, and opt for newer tape with built-in thermostats for added safety.

Heating Equipment Safety

Heating appliances, such as space heaters and furnaces, are essential during cold weather but can also pose serious fire risks. To minimize these risks:

Inspect heating appliances. Regularly check for signs of damage or wear.
Keep flammable materials away. Don’t store paper, cloth, or other combustibles near heating units or furnaces.

Fire Escape Planning: Be Prepared

Even with the best precautions, fires can still happen. Every mobile home needs a solid fire escape plan that ensures everyone in the home knows how to get out safely in case of an emergency.

1. Plan Multiple Escape Routes

Every bedroom should have at least two exits: the door and an emergency window. Practice using these windows as escape routes with your family, making sure everyone knows how to open them quickly during a fire.

2. Designate a Meeting Place

Establish a safe location outside the home where everyone can gather after escaping. This helps account for everyone and reduces panic in the heat of the moment.

3. Stay Low During a Fire

If you need to pass through smoke to escape, remember to crawl along the floor where the air is cooler and less toxic.

Smoke Alarms and Fire Extinguishers: Essential Fire Safety Tools

Installing and maintaining smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are two of the most important steps you can take to protect your mobile home from fire.

1. Install Smoke Alarms

Every mobile home should have at least one smoke detector near the bedrooms. Test the alarms regularly and ensure they’re functional, as many detectors fail simply because of worn-out batteries. A properly functioning smoke alarm can wake sleeping occupants and give them enough time to escape a fire.

2. Keep Fire Extinguishers Handy

Mobile homes should have a fire extinguisher located near an exterior door for easy access. For general safety, consider having both:

A 2.5-gallon pressurized fire extinguisher for wood and building material fires
A 5-pound ABC extinguisher for grease, wood, and electrical fires

Conclusion: Stay Safe, Stay Prepared

At Southern Builders, we’re dedicated to protecting your mobile home investment. Our Perma-Roof system offers reliable, durable roofing for mobile homes, designed to protect against leaks and the elements.

The Perma-Roof is just one part of keeping your mobile home protected. By following fire safety practices, regularly inspecting heating and electrical systems, and preparing your family with a fire escape plan, you can reduce the risk of a fire and protect your loved ones.

And with Southern Builders' Perma-Roof system, you’ll have the peace of mind that your home is built to last. For more information on how to protect your mobile home or to learn more about the Perma-Roof, feel free to reach out to us at 1-800-633-8969, text us at 870-724-1079, or visit our website at www.roofover.com.

For more tips on fire safety and protecting your mobile home, check out our other blogs, or refer to John Krigger’s Your Mobile Home for additional guidance on maintaining a safe and healthy home environment.

Reference: Krigger, John. Your Mobile Home: Energy and Repair Guide for Manufactured Housing.