Celebrate the 4th of July with Safety in Mind

6/7/2024 (Permalink)

Celebrating the 4th of July can be a blast – literally.

Celebrating the 4th of July can be a blast – literally. When getting ready to celebrate the long weekend, it’s important to take note of the proper safety precautions to avoid series injury or potential fire hazards when grilling or setting off fireworks to celebrate Independence Day. 

Tips for Grilling Safely 

• Keep your grill at least 10 ft. away from the walls of your home, garage, etc.  
• Never leave a lit grill unattended.  
• Never add starter fluid to ignited coals. 
• Use long-handed grilling equipment to avoid getting burned. 

Safely Setting Off Fireworks 

• Stay at lease 500 ft. away from a public, live firework show. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher or a supply of water nearby in case any fireworks do cause a fire. 
• Never hold any part of your body directly over a firework as you light them to avoid burning your hands, face, chest, etc. 
• Keep fireworks out of the reach of children. Always keep children within your sight if they are playing with sparklers. 
• If a firework does not go off, do not attempt to light it again. 

If an unavoidable fire disaster does occur to your property, know that SERVPRO® is available 24/7/365 to help you with every step of the fire restoration process. 

Bonfire Season Is Coming

6/7/2024 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to have fun and safe summer nights!

Surrounding a campfire with loved ones creates special memories that you can cherish forever. Putting forth safety measures when having a bonfire can lessen the chances of having fire related injuries and property damage. Follow these tips to have fun and safe summer nights! 

Starting the Fire 

• Make sure your fire pit is enclosed and there is enough room for a seating area. 
• Make sure that your bonfire is 10 feet away from your home or any structures. 
• Do not use gasoline or lighter fluid to start or light the bonfire. 

Bonfire Safety 

• Keep a bucket of water or hose handy in case of emergencies. 
• Do not leave the bonfire unattended. 
• Keep children and pets away from the bonfire. 
• Do not throw fireworks into the bonfire. 
• Do not burn aerosols or anything that may produce toxic fumes or explode. 

Putting Out the Fire 

• Slowly pour water over the ashes and check to be sure that the fire is completely out. 
• Use a shovel to spread out the ashes to let them cool down. 

Fire Restoration Process

6/5/2024 (Permalink)

Professional fire restoration companies like SERVPRO® are available for emergency service

1. Emergency Service - Professional fire restoration companies like SERVPRO® are available for emergency service. In some instances, a fire may cause damage such as burn holes in the roof. In these cases, a restoration company can quickly come out to the property and secure the building from further damage. 
2. Damage Assessment - The next step is to assess the damage caused by the fire. During this step, the fire damage restoration company, like SERVPRO®, will look to see the length the fire, smoke and soot traveled as well as the effect the fire had on the furniture and walls. The company can make an action plan and provide an accurate quote and time estimate. 
3. Tarp and Sealing - Once restoration is underway, the company's main concern is to prevent further damage from happening, such as leaks due to holes in the wall or a burnt roof or a burst water tank or pipe. The company will quickly stop the source of the leak before water spreads to additional parts of the building. 
4. Clean Up - After stopping any leaks, the restoration company will clear away dust, soot and smoke from surfaces as well as begin saving the property from water damage. The company will use submersible pumps to remove standing water. Then the area will be dried and sanitized. Carpets will be cleaned, and other measures taken to remove the odors caused by smoke. Finally, items that are beyond repair will be removed and replaced. 
5. Renovation and Repairs - During the renovation and repair stage, the fire restoration company, like SERVPRO®, will repair or replace cabinets, install new carpet, repaint walls, replace wallpaper and fix other damage in order to restore the property back to its original appearance. The company can also use this opportunity to improve the property, allowing it to look better than it did before the fire occurred. 
6. Fire Prevention Debriefing - After the restoration process is complete, the company will offer ideas on preventing fires from happening in the future. If the fire were avoidable, the company could provide design advice and fire alert tools such as smoke detectors.