A new study shows that the most preventable cause of house fires in Texas is unattended cooking.

The study, conducted by the Allstate Insurance Company, surveyed 50 fire departments across the state and asked Texas fire chiefs and marshals for the most common everyday activities leading to house fires.

According to the survey, the top three home fire-starters in Texas are leaving food cooking, burning candles unattended, overloading electrical outlets, misusing extension cords, and discarding cigarettes improperly.

The survey also revealed that other frequent causes of house fires are incorrect light bulb wattage in lamps, dirty lint filters in dryers, and keeping matches and lighters within reach of children.

The number of Allstate-insured Texas homes damaged by non-weather related fires has jumped seven percent so far this year when compared to the same period last year.

According to the survey, stoves, candles, and space heaters are household items that are the most common sources of fires. The study also found that the kitchen is the room where the most fires start, and the bathroom is number two.

“While kitchen fires are the most common, fires in the bedroom tend to be the most deadly,” said Tom Keith, an Allstate agent and Captain with the Judson Metro Volunteer Fire Department.

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