House fires are far too common, with around 369,500 in 2013 resulting in calls to fire departments. Over 12,000 people were injured as a result of these fires, and 2,775 lost their lives.

Sometimes the cause of fires isn’t as obvious as you may think. The following are five fire hazards that are often overlooked:

1. The dryer

You probably know to clean your dryer’s lint screen, which is good advice. But that may not be enough to keep your home safe from fire. Make sure your dryer ducts are made of metal rather than foil or plastic, which can sag and become clogged with lint. Lint can also build up inside, behind, and underneath the dryer, so these areas should be cleaned regularly.

2. Loose electrical outlets

Over time, the blades in electric outlets can become loose. A telltale sign of this problem occurs when you plug in an appliance and find that the cord falls out easily. This situation is more than just a nuisance – it can cause a spark that ignites a fire behind your wall. Loose outlets should be replaced as soon as you realize that you can’t plug your appliances in snugly.

3. Over-use of extension cords

Extension cords are meant to be used temporarily. If you’re using them to permanently plug in appliances, you need to ask an electrician to install more receptacle outlets in your home to more safely accommodate your electrical needs. In addition, you should never string several extension cords together or run them through doorways or windows.

4. Dust bunnies lurking by outlets and heaters

Dry dust bunnies can collect near electrical outlets and floor heaters, and if you have a spark from these sources, a fire could easily ignite the dust. Make sure to vacuum regularly, taking care to thoroughly clean behind doors and entertainment centers and on surge protectors.

5. Loose batteries

Nine-volt batteries aren’t as common as many other varieties, but they’re frequently used with smoke detectors. Chances are good that you have a few stashed in your junk drawer. Keep them in their original packaging, because when left open, the posts of metal on the top can cause heat and possibly fire when combined with other metal such as batteries or loose change.

For more tips on home maintenance such as water heater maintenance, drywall repair and more, visit First Quality Roofing & Insulation's blog.