Defective Products Create Fire Hazards in the Home
While South Carolina is known for its blue skies and moderate temperatures year round, winter weather in the Upstate and cold breezes off the ocean leave most of us reaching for bulky sweaters and turning up the thermostat. If you live in an older home or one of the many manufactured housing communities in our area, you may end up looking at space heaters and other products to keep warm over the next few months. Unfortunately, some of these products pose a significant fire hazard, which could destroy your home and leave you and your family with serious and potentially life threatening personal injuries. The following outlines information about potential fire hazards in the home and your legal recourse in the event of a fire.
Common Causes Of Home Fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more than 350,000 home fires which occur each year throughout the United States, resulting in nearly 11,000 injuries and close to 3,000 deaths. These fires tend to occur more regularly over the winter months, and among the most common causes are home appliances and other types of household equipment. Common fire hazards in the home include:
- Cooking equipment, such as stovetops and ovens, deep fryers, electric toasters,
and broilers - Heating equipment, include space heaters, portable radiators, and log burning,
gas, or electric fireplaces - Air conditioning units and ceiling fans
- Computers and other office equipment
- Electrical devices and gadgets
- Clothes dryers and washing machines
- Home wiring, insulation, and household tools
- Outdoor grills and firepits
For a free legal consultation, call 803-222-2222
Product Liability For Home Fires
Despite the prevalence of home smoke alarms and rapid response times from local fire departments, the NFPA reports that an average of seven people die in home fires each day. Home fires end up costing nearly $7 million in damage costs each year, and in many cases, it is product manufactures that may be to blame.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) lists more than a dozen products on its recall list that have been taken off the market due to fire hazards in the last three months of 2017 alone. Some of the products currently under recall include the following:
- Portable generators
- Power adaptors
- Dishwashers
- Power Converters
- Scooters and hoverboards
- Baby equipment and children’s gear
In addition to causing fires, there are numerous other items meant to protect children and adults by reducing flammability on the recall list. These include children’s pajamas and bedding materials, which are required by law to be flame retardant. To make sure products you own are not dangerous or subject to recall, visit the CPSC recall list.
Have You Been Injured? Get Help Today
If you or loved ones have suffered injuries and losses as the result of dangerous or defective products, call or contact Anastopoulo Law Firm online today. We can arrange a free consultation with our South Carolina personal injury attorney, who can advise you on your rights in filing a claim. We have offices in Charleston and throughout the Lowcountry and Upstate to serve you, so contact us to request your consultation today.
Call or text 803-222-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
