Why do fires keep starting in The Sims 4? Can I prevent them?

If your Sim keeps on setting things on fire, or they often get engulfed in flames, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explore why these dangerous events occur in the first place and what you can do to prevent them.

Why does my Sim keep on starting fires?

If your Sim keeps on starting random fires, they probably have a low Cooking skill level and are using cheap stoves. Sims with negative buffs tend to accidentally set things on fire more frequently than happy Sims.

Entry-level stoves tend to break down and catch on fire quite often.

Additionally, things tend to frequently break down on lots that have the Gremlins or Cursed Lot traits potentially leading to spontaneous fires.

Why does my Sim keep catching on fire?

Sims that get near objects that are burning with an open flame will get engulfed in flames. They’ll also get the “I’m on Fire!” buff. If you fail to extinguish them quickly, they’ll die.

The ghost of a Sim that died by fire can start a fire at will and the flames will forever haunt them.

By the way, Sims that successfully put out a fire by themselves will get the Confident buff.

---

How can I prevent random fires in The Sims 4?

The best way to prevent random fires in The Sims 4 is to ensure they don’t have the slightest chance to start. Avoid any situations and activities that could potentially trigger random or spontaneous fires.

Upgrade cheap stoves

The number one cause of cooking fires in The Sims 4 is cheap stoves. Make sure to upgrade your stove to prevent it from setting the house on fire.

Work on your Sim’s Handiness skill, get the necessary upgrade parts, and get a better stove.

Alternatively, enter Build Mode and buy a better stove.

Level up your Sim’s cooking skill

Fires are very common at low-level cooking. If your Sim has a negative buff, this is a recipe for disaster.

To level up your Sim’s Cooking skill, read Cooking skill books. Use the fridge, stove, and outdoor grill, and try out new recipes.

The fastest way to level up the Cooking skill in The Sims 4 is through cheats. Open the Cheat Console and enter the stats. set_skill_level major_homestylecooking cheat followed by the cooking level you want to unlock.

For example, if you want your Sim to be a Level 9 cook, run the stats. set_skill_level major_homestylecooking 9 cheat.

Get rid of negative emotions

Sims that have negative buffs such as Tense, Uncomfortable, and so on tend to cause fires more frequently than happy Sims. Negative emotions prevent Sims from properly focusing on the task at hand.

Ensure your Sim is in a good mood before engaging in activities that may potentially cause random fires.

Get the Naturalist trait

You can use cheats and give your Sim the Naturalist trait. Sims who have this trait are not afraid of fire and never catch on fire.

Clumsy Sims struggle through life and behave in a strange manner. It’s not uncommon for them to break objects and accidentally start fires.

Move out to a different lot

If you’re tired of random fires and other annoying events, maybe it’s time to move out to a new residence and lot.

Just make sure the new lot doesn’t have the Gremlins or Cursed traits.

Avoid situations and activities that can cause random fires

Here’s a list of situations and activities that can cause random fires in The Sims 4:

Experimenting with the science table for hours on end.

Having a Sim with a low Mixology skill level try the bottle fireball trick.

Placing flammable or combustible objects near a campfire or lit incense holder.

Using compost toilets without building an insect farm (Eco LifeStyle).

Consuming the Rose Perfume serum.

Smashing a Jack-o’-lantern before it’s been fully extinguished.

Using a DJ booth for too long. Things can overheat.

Lighting fireworks indoors can set combustible items on fire.

Leaving the Best Friend Forever Space Heater on for too long in Snowy Escape.

Failing to clean out the dirty lint tray in the dryer can lead to random fires breaking out. Upgrade your dryer to eliminate the need for cleaning the lint tray again.

Getting too close to a fireplace.

Not cleaning dust for a very long time can trigger rooftop fires.

---

What is the fastest way to extinguish a fire in The Sims 4?

The fastest way to extinguish a fire in The Sims 4 is to purchase a fire sprinkler panel and place it on your lot. The sprinkler will automatically appear and extinguish the fire provided there is a ceiling above the fire.

Rest assured, it won’t leave any puddles behind.

If you don’t have a fire sprinkler, use a fire extinguisher. However, this method doesn’t always work.

Sims may get too panicked to even try to extinguish the fire. Sometimes, they may get too close to the flames and catch on fire.

Sims that wear the firefighter uniform can extinguish fire faster. You can get the uniform in CAS. Sims that have the Naturalist trait don’t fear fire and can extinguish fires with ease.

If you have Get to Work, you can invent a SimRay that automatically extinguishes fires.

Can you disable fires in The Sims 4?

There is no in-game option to disable fires or instantly extinguish them in The Sims 4. But you can use the No More House Fires mod to prevent random house fires that can be triggered by normal in-game activities.

With the help of this mod, your Sim can light incense, start a campfire, or use an old stove without worrying about random house fires.

Can you call the fire department in The Sims 4?

You can call the fire department in The Sims 4 by clicking on the flames. Two firefighters will show up in every Sims 4 world, except Sulani. If there’s no fire, your Sim will get a hefty fine for calling the fire department for nothing.

Two firefighters will automatically get to your door if the smoke alarm goes off anyway.

Have you ever experienced random fires in The Sims 4 that you could never find an explanation for? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy Simming!

Updated in August 2023.