The thought of your home catching fire is a frightening possibility. For this reason, homeowners across the United States take a number of steps to protect their families and their belongings from this fate, from teaching their children fire safety and installing fire alarms to purchasing home insurance. In many cases, this can often buy you some peace of mind, but there is an even more chilling prospect to consider: what if your home catches fire because someone intentionally starts the flame?

Arson is an unexpectedly common crime in the U.S. While statistics vary by location, cities like Baton Rouge, LA report that as many as 17% of all fires in the area were caused by arson. This rate is typically determined by fire departments, who often employ trained fire investigators to conduct arson investigations. However, in some cases, licensed private investigators may also be hired by the victim or the department itself to help with the case.

Unfortunately, the crime of arson is typically a difficult case to investigate: for one, the incident may be motivated by a number of factors, including mental illness, compulsion, or revenge. Moreover, the crime is typically carried out at night, when the perpetrator is less likely to be seen. Because of this, the fire investigators and private investigation services that carry out arson investigations recommend that homeowners take a number of preventative steps: firstly, homes should have good outdoor lighting systems that can help detect anyone who may be creeping around the property, or at least reveal some identifying details about the culprit. Secondly, homeowners should make sure that they are paying attention to potential sources of fire and installing various implements, such as water heaters, according to code. This will help prevent accidental fires and make it easier for investigators to identify causes for an arson investigation.

Overall, the chances that your home will burn down due to someone else’s malice are fairly slim. However, a fire can put you, your family and your property at serious risk. For this reason, you should take care to prevent accidental fires, and any suspicious incidents should be reported to the local authorities. To learn more, read this.