Commercial Fire Safety Tips

6/4/2024 (Permalink)

Fires can be absolutely devastating on commercial properties. According to the National Fire Protection Agency, non-residential structure fires accounted for almost $3.5 BILLION in property loss in 2020.

Are you prepared for a fire on your business’s property? Here’s a few common fire safety violations that can help keep your business, and more importantly your employees and customers safe.

Blocked Passageways and Exits – Hallways, doors, stairs, and any other paths to the outside of the building should never be obstructed. Even things like small packages left outside an office door in the hallway can become a life-threatening hazard should a fire evacuation take place.

Untested Smoke Detectors and Fire Alarms – These systems must be tested annually by a licensed professional. Be sure that all pull stations for the fire alarms are unobstructed and that smoke detectors have fresh batteries. When it comes to fires every second counts, and if your fire alert systems are malfunctioning it can be the cause of even more severe damage to your property or harm to your employees.

Damaged or Too Few Fire Extinguishers – Inspection and maintenance on fire extinguishers is easily overlooked when large commercial buildings can have so many to keep track of. ALL fire extinguishers should be FULL, classified for each area they are in, and inspected regularly to ensure they will function properly if needed. Without a functional fire extinguisher, a small containable fire can easily turn into a catastrophic large loss fire because no one was able to put it out before it spread.

These are just a few of the common violations that can happen in your business, so be on the lookout and make sure that you keep fire safety at the front of your mind for your business to help prevent dangers and costly repairs. 

As always, if your business does suffer from a fire, your local SERVPRO® has a team of highly trained technicians with the knowledge needed to help you recover your business. We’re equipped to handle losses of all sizes and can take care of all aspects of the project, from clean up to reconstruction. Give us a call so we can help make it “Like it never even happened.”

How Smoke Odors Affect Your Home

9/11/2023 (Permalink)

Now that the fire is out, how do you get rid of the order?

If you’ve ever sat around a campfire, you know that the smoke odor clings to everything. Your clothes, belongings, and even your hair, can smell like campfire smoke for days afterward. The same is true in the unfortunate event that your home or business experiences a fire. These particles coat your walls and belongings and everything else the smoke touches leaving a residue and foul odor behind that’s difficult to get rid of. In order to understand these odors and how to fix them, it’s important to first understand what smoke really is and how it’s created during a fire.

All of the items in your home are made up of various compounds, some are flammable, and some are not. For example, in a piece of wood, you’ll find water, cellulose, carbon, and other minerals, and volatile organic compounds or hydrocarbons (a compound is “volatile” if it evaporates when heated). Smoke happens when there is incomplete combustion of a fuel source. When there is complete combustion, everything is burned and these hydrocarbons are converted into water and carbon dioxide, but in incomplete combustion, not all of the particles are burned. Visible smoke is a collection of these unburned particles in various forms. Ash is also another by-product of fires and consists of non-flammable minerals that do not burn.

When these hydrocarbons in the items in your home are evaporating and turning into a gas (smoke) these microscopic particles are spread all over the house through the air. This smoke can also carry tiny solid (carbon/soot) and liquid particles from the burning materials as well. As it travels through your home these particles are left behind on your belongings and everything else the smoke comes in contact with. Some of these compounds left behind include the nasty odor-causing particles that we perceive as smells.

Depending on the fuel sources (wood, protein, plastic, etc.) the compounds that make up these smoke particles will be different and will change what’s left behind, how it needs to be cleaned up, and how it smells. For example, wood fires often create a powdery dry smoke that’s easier to clean up visually, but the particles are small and can easily settle into porous materials making the smells linger even after the house “looks” clean. Plastic fires often create a “wet” smoke that carries extremely sticky particles that are very difficult to clean.

Getting rid of smoke odors can often be a whole separate task on its own from cleaning up the smoke damage like soot and stains, which often requires special cleaners or equipment like ozone or hydroxyl generators. This equipment releases radicals in the air that can bond to the odor particles causing them to fall from the air due to the added weight where they can be cleaned easier or help decompose them and neutralize the smells.

As you can see, there’s a lot more going on in smoke and the odors it creates than meets the eye. Here at SERVPRO, our technicians are constantly trained to use the latest techniques and equipment in fire and smoke damage restoration to help ensure that we can get your home or business back in order in the most efficient and effective way possible. Remember that the longer the longer these smoke particles sit on your belongings the harder it will be to fully get rid of them and the more damage they can cause! We’re available for emergency services 24/, 365 days a year so please give us a call and let us know what we can do for you.

Types of Smoke and Soot Damage

8/12/2022 (Permalink)

Structural damage and charred walls are unfortunately not the only problems that come following a fire in your home. Smoke and soot travel through the air and can leave an awful smell and damaging residue behind. Since smoke travels through the air, it can easily travel throughout the entire home even to places where the fire may not have affected including behind walls, inside your HVAC system, and other cavities in your home.

While the smell that smoke causes is definitely a huge issue, the biggest problem that soot causes is because of its acidic nature. If left unaddressed the particles of soot can start to break down structural components of your home and damage your belongings, drastically increasing the costs of your home’s restoration.

Facts about smoke and soot:

• Hot smoke rises into cooler areas of the home, getting into the upper levels even if they aren’t affected by the fire itself.
• Smoke and soot particles are actually made up of bits of carbon and unburned materials that were consumed by the fire.
• There are different kinds of soot particles depending on the fuel of the fire, and these differences can drastically change the restoration process.

Kinds of smoke:

• Wet Smoke – This kind of smoke is from low heat, smoldering fires. Typically fueled by plastics, rubber, or oils. The soot particles left behind by this kind of smoke are typically sticky, and difficult to clean, with a very pungent odor.
• Dry Smoke – This smoke is usually fueled by fast burning materials like wood and paper that burns at high temperatures. This smoke tends to spread more because of the high temperatures but is usually a bit easier to clean up because it is less sticky and prone to smearing.

Regardless of the kind of smoke that has affected your home, clean up after a fire is no easy task. SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities, Plus can help you to decide the best course of action, take care of cleaning your items, and even rebuild your home after cleaning up the damage. We specialize in turnkey service, meaning that we can be your “one stop shop” to getting your life back on track after a fire without having to deal with multiple contractors and companies. We’ll even work directly with your insurance company to help make the process as easy as possible for you.  Remember that when it comes to fire, smoke, and soot damage, the longer you wait to clean it up the more damage that can be caused. That’s why our teams are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened.”

What to Do if Your Business Has a Fire

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial building fires are a serious disruption to any business. While product damage or service disruptions are inevitable, proper emergency preparation and response after the event can help to lower the impact a fire has on your business.

Preparation

First and foremost, your best protection from the effects of a fire in your business is making sure that you take the proper safety precautions as well as have a plan for what should happen after the fact.

• Regularly inspect your smoke detectors and fire suppression systems
  • These systems are your first line of defense when it comes to keeping your business safe for employees and customers, as well as helping to prevent even more damage to your property.

• Have a plan in place in case of emergency and make sure that it is communicated to and understood by all of your employees
  • Consider having a safety meeting with your staff to discuss emergency preparedness. Your plan is only helpful if everyone knows what to do.
  • SERVPRO offers a free program for businesses called the Emergency Ready Profile that documents and puts all of the important contact information and need to know items such as your gas shut off and water main shut off locations in a single place for ease of access. If you would like to take advantage of this service, please reach out to us!

• Take record via photo or video of your business’s assets for insurance purposes
  • The more detail you have in your documentation the easier it will be to make sure you get proper reimbursement for your insurance claims
  • It’s also important to keep accurate and regularly updated records of your product inventory

• Regularly back up your important computer data
  • Having backups of your data offsite or in cloud backups can significantly decrease the amount of time it takes for your business to become operational again

Response

• After you’ve evacuated and the fire department has arrived, it’s important to make sure that no one enters the scene until firefighters have deemed it safe to do so.
  • Fires can cause significant damage to your businesses structure that can create unsafe conditions that may be hidden or otherwise unapparent.
  • On top of the safety issues, you should not move or touch anything inside until you’ve spoken with your insurance. It’s possible that disturbing the scene before consulting with your insurance can lead to you voiding parts of your claim or making it difficult to receive the full amount of the claim that is needed for the damage.

• Contact your insurance company
  • Once everyone is safe you should call your insurance agency as soon as possible. They’ll be able to help you along and explain the steps you should take to protect your business in line with your policy. The faster you can get the claims process started the faster you’ll be able to get back to business as usual.

• Contact a professional restoration company
  • Fire cleanup is no easy task. From structural damage to soot and smoke covered items, dealing with the after-effects of a fire requires professional help. We offer turn-key service from cleanup to repairs SERVPRO will be by your side every step of the way.
  • A restoration company will be able to help you decide which items are salvageable and what needs to be disposed of. You may be surprised as to what can potentially be saved, including important documents!
  • SERVPRO also offers professional board up services. Boarding up windows or tarping holes in the roof are crucial to preventing additional property damage whether it’s from theft/vandalism or protection from the weather.

• Keep accurate records
  • It’s important to make sure that you keep accurate records of the entire process from start to finish. Not only is it important for your general record keeping, but also for your insurance claims, and other parties that may have been affected. Make note of all estimates, receipts, claims, and any other relevant written communications.

• Notify any relevant third parties
  • Make sure that anyone affected by the fire or disruption in business is notified. This includes any employees, customers, investors, and even making sure the post office has the correct mail forwarding information for you until your property is back in business.

While sometimes a fire in your business can’t be prevented, taking these steps can help reduce the damage the fire does, and get your business up and running again faster. Here at SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities, Plus we respond faster to any size disaster and our team is ready to take on anything you throw our way. Give us a call or fill out an online form and let us know what we can do for you!

What Are the Different Types of Smoke Detectors?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

There are two main types of smoke detectors used in homes today, ionization and photoelectric. There is also a third kind called a “dual sensor” that uses both technologies.

Ionization smoke detectors contain a small amount of radioactive material between to electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber it disrupts the flow of ions, reducing the flow of current which triggers the alarm. These alarms generally respond faster to fast flaming fires.

Photoelectric smoke detectors aim a light source into a sensing chamber away from the sensor. When smoke enters the chamber, it causes the light to reflect onto the sensor which triggers the alarm. These detectors are generally more responsive to smoldering fires.

There is a lot of debate on which detector is best to use in your home, but the reality is that ever fire is different and it’s impossible to predict which kind it will be in the event of a fire in your home. Using a dual sensor alarm or using both kinds of devices in your home will help to eliminate the uncertainty but the most important thing you can do to increase the effectiveness of your home’s smoke detectors is to place them properly in your home and have the correct amount to properly keep you safe. There should be at least one smoke detector on every level of your home and should also be installed in every bedroom and sleeping area.

Smoke detectors are meant to help keep you and your family safe in the event of a fire by notifying you quickly enough that you can get to safety. A quick response in the event of a fire can also help to lessen the amount of damage that the fire causes, however in the event of any fire, you’ll likely need the help of a professional service to clean and repair the damage that’s been caused. SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities, Plus is available 24/7, 365 days a year for emergency services should your home experience a fire. Please give us a call or fill out a form online and let us know how we can help get your life back to “Like it never even happened.”

Kitchen Fire Prevention

11/15/2021 (Permalink)

While everyone enjoys a home cooked meal, nobody likes dealing with fire damage in their kitchen. While accidents happen and sometimes there’s just nothing you can do about it, there are some things that you CAN do that can help prevent dangerous kitchen fires from damaging your home.

• Always watch your cooking – it can be tempting to step away from the stove, especially when you’re missing your favorite TV show but make sure that you never leave your stove unattended while the heating elements are on
• Set a timer – Set timers so that you don’t forget that an appliance is turned on and being used or so your food doesn’t start to burn
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen – Make sure you have a fire extinguisher near your cooking area and also that it is accessible quickly in the event of an emergency
• Clean appliances -Be sure to wipe down appliances when you’re done cooking to prevent any grease or food buildup that could catch on fire
• Dust your kitchen – Dust buildup around electrical wiring is a big fire hazard
• Smoke alarms – Make sure that you have a smoke alarm in your kitchen and most importantly that it is functioning properly
• If something does catch on fire in a pot or pan, if possible, cover the fire with a lid to smother the flames and immediately turn off the burner
• If you have a grease fire DO NOT use water to put it out, instead use baking soda to absorb the grease and smother the flames. Water can actually make a grease fire worse.

Follow these tips to help make sure your home is safe from kitchen fires but remember when accidents happen SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities, Plus is here to help.

Do You Know How To Use a Fire Extinguisher?

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

In today’s busy world it can be easy to forget about the little things. Most of us have been told the process of using a fire extinguisher properly at least once, but in an emergency do you know well enough to not panic? There is a handy mnemonic that makes the steps easier to remember: PASS

1. Pull– Pull the pin from the top of the fire extinguisher near the handle. This pin is in place to prevent the handle from being depressed when the extinguisher is not in use. You should also immediately test the extinguisher after this to ensure that it works and get an idea of how far the stream goes.
2. Aim – Approach the fire while remaining safely as far as way as the extinguisher’s stream will allow you to and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
3. Squeeze- Squeeze the handles of the extinguisher together to begin discharging the extinguishing agent.
4. Sweep – Sweep the nozzle side to side as you approach closer to the fire making sure that the extinguishing agent is consistently aimed at the base of the flames.

Hopefully you will never be in a situation where you will need it, but it is important to understand the proper techniques for fire extinguisher use in order to keep your home safe and be able to respond in case of emergency.

Fire Prevention Week - Smoke Alarms

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

This week is National Fire Prevention Week. Our SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities team wants you and your family to take the proper precautions in preventing a fire in your home. First, get the facts:

• According to the National Fire Protection Association, a closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire
• Around 3 out of 5 deaths from fire happen in homes with no working smoke alarms, or no alarms at all.
• Smoke alarms should be placed inside every bedroom, outside each sleeping room, and on every level of the home. For a greater level of protection, make sure every alarm in the home is synced so when one goes off, they all go off.

The NFPA has some great tips involving the importance of smoke alarms and their safety.

• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
•  People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.

Smoke Alarms In Homes Save Lives

8/10/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms literally save lives.

When installed and properly maintained, smoke alarms can dramatically reduce the risk of injuries caused by fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

Compared to reported home fires with no smoke alarms or automatic extinguishing systems (AES) present, the death rate per 1,000 reported fires was as follows: 

• 35 percent lower when battery-powered smoke alarms were present, but AES was not, 
• 51 percent lower when smoke alarms with any power source were present but AES was not, 
• 69 percent lower when hardwired smoke alarms were present but AES was not, and 
• 91 percent lower when hardwired smoke alarms and sprinklers were present

The National Fire Protection Association also recommends the following:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and in every bedroom. Do not install the smoke alarm where it could be blocked or damaged.
  
• Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen and shower to prevent false alarms. They should be at least around 10 feet from a cooking appliance.
  Test smoke alarms at least once a month using a test button. 
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year, though twice would be best. Daylight savings times in March and November can be good dates to set for this.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old. Newer alarms on the market also offer carbon monoxide detection as well as voice alarms, which have shown to be more effective in waking children up.

International Firefighter's Day

5/4/2021 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO Flying Squirrels Box Suite at The Diamond

Today and every day we send our thanks and appreciation to the frontliners who run towards the fire.

Thank you to all of the brave firefighters who put their lives on the line each and every day to keep our communities safe.

Our SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities, Plus team will always stand up and show our respect and appreciation for the firefighters working on our community. As proud sponsors of the local minor league baseball team, The Richmond flying Squirrels, SERVPRO of Chesterfield and Tri-Cities, Plus has offered our suite at The Diamond for some local firefighters in our community to enjoy the home opener game with their colleagues and families.

You too can honor them today by proudly wearing blue and red ribbons pinned together. The ribbons' colors are symbolic of the elements firefighters work with – red for fire and blue for water.

Thank you to all the firefighters out there doing amazing work!

Fire Safety Facts and Tips

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

Our team at SERVPRO of Chesterfield and Tri-Cities, Plus wants you and your family to be in the know about fire safety and to always take precautions to avoid a fire in your home. According to the Red Cross, if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape.

Tips for Fire Safety:

• Have a discussion with the entire family about a fire escape plan and practice the plan annually.
• install smoke alarms on every level of the home and especially inside bedrooms
• Make sure you test the smoke alarms every month and always have batteries on deck when they run out.
• If a fire occurs in your home, get out and call for help. Never go back inside to grab anything.

American Red Cross Fire Facts:

• The American Red Cross responded to more than 74,000 disasters in communities across the United States last year and 93 percent of these were fire-related.
• Sprinklers and smoke alarms together cut your risk of dying in a home fire 82% in relation to having neither.
• Smoking is the leading cause of home fire deaths.
• Fires kill more Americans each year than all natural disasters combined, and affect people from all backgrounds and geographic locations.
• Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. And, two out of three cooking fires start with the range or stove

Thanksgiving Fire Safety

11/17/2020 (Permalink)

This time of year it's more important than ever to pay attention to fire safety while home for the holidays. Check out these Thanksgiving Fire Facts from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, the day before Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Eve.
• In 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,630 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking caused almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths in 2014-2018.

Please follow these safety tips while cooking in the kitchen and staying home during the holidays:

• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.

If you experience a fire or smoke damage this holiday season, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus at 804-378-2323.

Fire Prevention Week 2020

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

This year's Fire Prevention Week theme is: Serve Up Fire Safety In The Kitchen!

Every year the National Fire Protection Agency practices this safety week to inform and bring awareness to the potentials of fires occurring while living your ordinary, every day life.

According to the NFPA, cooking is the #1 cause of home fire and home fire injuries. They also mentioned that unattended cooking is the leading cause of fires in the kitchen. The NFPA came up with some easy to remember tips to protect you, your family and your home, while in the kitchen:

• STAY - focused on the food. never leave the kitchen when boiling, grilling or frying
• PUT - a lid on it. Keep a lid nearby when cooking.
• KEEP - cooking areas clear of oven mits, wooden utensils, towels, and food wrappers
• PREVENT - scalds and burns by turning pot handles away from the stove's edge and keeping hot foods and liquids away from counter edges.

The Importance of Smoke Alarms

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms not only alert you when there may be a fire in the home, but they can also save your life. During a fire, smoke spreads fast and the smoke alarm will  give you early warning to get out safely.

Follow these safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Replace your smoke alarm at least every 10 years
• Install a smoke alarm in every bedroom, on every level of the home, and in the basement
• It is recommended to use interconnected smoke alarms so when one sounds, they all sound
• At least once a month, test your smoke alarm by pressing the test button to ensure it's working
• Install your smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms and they should be placed on the ceiling or high up on walls

Check out these Smoke Alarm Facts:

• About 3 out of 5 fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working alarms
• Closed doors may slow the spread of the fire, smoke and heat
• Most homes do not have the appropriate amount of smoke alarms for the number of bedrooms in the home

If you experience a fire or smoke damage in your home, please call the professionals at SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus at 804-378-2323.

Equipment Used For Fire Damage

6/29/2020 (Permalink)

We believe at SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus that the right tools for the job is vital to timely mitigation and restoration, but perhaps more important, SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus' fire damage professionals are thoroughly trained in fire cleanup and restoration. For instance, knowing the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.

• Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, nonsmeary residues.
• Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs.
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

Deodorization Equipment

Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to apply fungicides and disinfectants.

Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fogs suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.

Chesterfield Smoke Damage

4/9/2020 (Permalink)

After a fire, smoke can linger and damage the items throughout your home. If your home has a smoke odor, you should take steps to eliminate it effectively and quickly. Removing the smell of smoke is challenging because it can affect everything! Removing the scent requires specialized cleaning equipment. 

It is important to trust a fire restoration company like SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus to remove fire damage and smoke odor from your Portsmouth home. Our professional experts can assess the situation and select the most appropriate remediation method while ensuring safety. We use state-of-the-art equipment like ozone generators to eradicate smoke smells. These machines generate ozone, which consists of three oxygen atoms. Ozone reacts with odor-causing molecules to oxidize residues and eliminate the scents. 

After the deodorization process, ozone returns to the normal oxygen molecule quickly, without leaving residues. We also use high-velocity fans to ventilate the area until the smell of ozone is gone. 

Another option is for our technicians use hydroxyl generators. These generators use ultraviolet light to produce hydroxyl, which is useful for removing fire damage odors. Hydroxyl generators do not affect the health of plants, pets, and humans. We can also seal porous surfaces that have absorbed smoke such as unfinished, raw wood. At times, odor remains in confined areas after the deodorization process is complete. In such a situation, our technicians can ventilate the confined space, place an activated unit in it overnight or thermal-fog the whole structure if necessary.

If your home has fire damage odor, SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus can assist you in eliminating it with 30+ years experience in the industry.

Common Types of Fires in Your Home

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

It’s important to be aware of the most common fires that can erupt in your home. More awareness can help keep you and your family safe by being more vigilant and aware of the risks. These are the 4 most common types of fires:

1. Kitchen Fires – this is the most common place in the home for a fire to occur because it’s where electricity, water, heat, and grease come together.
2. Electrical Fires – these types of fires can be caused from a number of different factors including faulty appliances, improper use of electrical outlets, worn or faulty electrical wiring, and worn out breaker boxes.
3. Heater Fires – especially during the colder winter months, this type of fire can cause serious damage if not properly used. Portable heaters that do not have automatic shut offs can overheat and catch nearby items on fire. It is best practice to keep heaters 3 feet away from flammable objects including beds, curtains, couches, and furniture.
4. Smoking-Related Fires – Cigarette fires are responsible for about 1,000 deaths in the U.S. every year. These fires are started by embers from the cigarette falling onto flammable materials

If you experience a fire in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus at 804.378.2323.

Holiday Cooking Safety

11/18/2019 (Permalink)

The holidays are approaching and cooking in the kitchen will begin to ramp up. It's important to be aware that Thanksgiving is the prime time for home cooking fires and the dangerous that come with it. According the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2017 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving day.

Follow these NFPA safety tips to ensure you are taking all precautions this Thanksgiving holiday:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey, and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay three feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

If you experience a fire in your home, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Chesterfieldand SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus to immediately respond and get your home back to pre-fire condition.

Fire Prevention Week 2019

10/7/2019 (Permalink)

Every year the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) announces a new theme for Fire Prevention week. This year's theme is " Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!"

This theme is focused on highlighting and recognizing the everyday people who encourage their households to plan, develop, and practice a home fire escape. This includes young people who learn about fire safety and escape plans in school to parents who teach their families and take steps to making their house safe from a potential fire.

Before you develop your escape plan, you must make sure you have working smoke alarms in the home. Smoke alarms are to be installed in every level of the home and in every bedroom.

According to NFPA, In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. You also need to identify two exits in each room, with a clear path to an outdoor meeting place like a tree or light pole that is a good distance from the house.

Escape planning and practice can help you make the most of the time you have,giving everyone enough time to get out.

If you experience a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus to quickly and professionally restore your home back to pre-fire conditions.

Summer Grilling Safety

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Summer time means grilling outside with friends and family and July is the peak month for grilling! However, according to the National Fire Protection Association this fun summer time activity has a heavy potential for home fires.

According to the NFPA, "in 2013-2017, fire departments went to an annual average of 10,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 4,500 structure fires and 5,700 outside or unclassified fires. These fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $123 million in direct property damage."

Follow these safety tips so you and your family won't be victim to these statistics.

• grills should only be used outside
• place the grill at least 3 feet away from structures and out from under low hanging trees
• keep children and pets away from the grill
• remove grease from that builds up on the grill
• check the propane grills gas tank for leaks or damage before using it
• if you smell gas while cooking, quickly get away and call the fire department

If you experience a fire damage, call SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus at 804.378.2323.

Soot Damage from Fire

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Soot from a fire damage can have a big impact on walls, appliances, and furniture.  Be sure to have your belongings cleaned as soon as possible to limit the potential damage soot can leave behind.  SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus takes the time and diligence necessary to make sure everything is cleaned properly leaving no residue behind to stain. We understand how important it is to save a customer's personal items and return them back looking better than ever. That's why we invest in the best technology in the restoration industry to do just that! Our new ultrasonic content cleaning system is designed to carefully and thoroughly clean items affected from smoke and soot damage. Everything is transported in carrying baskets to cut back on human errors.

Esporta Soft Goods Cleaning

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

Esporta Certified Operator

Sentimental items can't be replaced, but many can be restored. SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus is an Esporta Certified Operator. We utilize the best restoration technology to restore soft contents damaged by water, smoke, soot, mold and biological & chemical contaminants.

Restoration Technology

Items are held stationary and passed though detergent-laden water. The multi-stage computer controlled process utilizes proprietary detergents. The combination of hydraulic action and environmentally friendly detergents restores items to Food Grade Clean by removing 99% of contaminants, while still being gentle on the planet.

What Can Be Restored?

• Leather goods of all kinds
  
  • shoes
  • purses
  • jackets
• Laundry of all kinds
  • wash and fold
  • press and hang
• Household goods of all kinds
  • sleeping bags
  • pillows
  • comforters
  • stuffed animals
• Unique articles such as sports equipment
• A wide variety of other articles

Holiday Fire Safety

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. Sometimes there are multiple people in the kitchen taking part in the preparations of multiple dishes. It can be hectic and dangerous, so keeping fire safety in mind is important!

Look at the Facts:

• According to the NFPA, in 2014, nearly four times as many home cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving as on a typical day.
• And, in the same year U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,730 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving, the peak day for such fires.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking equipment was involved in almost half (48%) of all reported home fires and civilian and tied with heating equipment for the second leading cause of home fire deaths.

Safety Tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

For more information, please visit SERVPROchesterfield.com to see what SERVPRO of Chesterfield and SERVPRO of Tri-Cities Plus can do to help if disaster strikes. We are available for 24-hour emergency fire and water services.

Fire Prevention Week

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

This year’s Fire Prevention Week campaign, “Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere,” works to educate people about three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire––and how to escape safely in the event of one:

LOOK
Look for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

LISTEN
Listen for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.

LEARN
Learn two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

This week is an also an opportunity for local firefighters to visit schools and teach children the importance of fire safety. They want to make sure you’re doing all you can to keep your family safe. Firefighters are also encouraging smokers to make sure they throw out butts and ashes correctly because it only takes something small to spark a fire if the conditions are dry.

For more info please visit: http://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Campaigns/Fire-Prevention-Week

Top 5 Most Common Causes of House Fires

7/24/2018 (Permalink)

Here are top 5 most common causes of house fires as identified by the National Fire Protection Association.

1. Candles

From 2007-2011, the NFPA says there were an average of 10,630 fires in the U.S. that were started by candles, causing 115 deaths, 903 injuries and approximately $418 million in property damage. That is an average of 29 candle fires per day.

Safety tips:

• Never leave a candle burning near flammable items.
• Never leave a candle burning in a child’s room or an unoccupied room.
• Make sure candles fit securing into candle holders so they won’t tip over.
• Blow out any candles before leaving a room or going to sleep

2. Smoking

While the number of fires caused by smoking is trending downward, the NFPA found that there were still an average of 17,600 related fires per year resulting in 490 deaths and more than $516 million in property damage.

Safety tips:

• If you smoke, consider smoking outside.
• Use wide, sturdy ashtrays to catch butts and ashes.
• Look for cigarette butts under furniture and between seat cushions to make sure no lit butts have fallen someplace where they can’t be seen.
• Don’t smoke in bed, when you’re tired or around medical oxygen.

3. Electrical & Lighting

According to the NFPA, in 2011 approximately 47,700 home structure fires were caused by some sort of electrical failure or malfunction. These resulted in 418 deaths, 1,570 injuries and $1.4 billion in property damage.

Safety tips:

• Don’t overload outlets or electrical cords.
• Make sure you have the right cord for the job – inside cords for inside, heavy duty/outside cords for outdoor use.
• Don’t leave Christmas lights, Christmas trees, or halogen lights on overnight or when not at home.
• Consider having an electrician perform an annual checkup of your home’s wiring.

4. Dryers & Washing Machines

Clothes dryer fires happen more often than one might think, accounting for 16,800 home structure fires in 2010 and doing more than $236 million in property damage. 

Safety tips:

• Clean the lint screen frequently and don’t run the dryer without it.
• For gas and propane dryers, make sure there aren’t any leaks in the lines.
• Vent the dryer to the outside of the house and ensure nothing blocks the vent pipe.
• Clean the vent pipe and the area where the screen is housed.
• Keep the area around the dryer free of combustible materials.

5. Lightning

From 2007-2011, NFPA says there were an average of 22,600 fires per year caused by lightning strikes.

Safety tips:

• Stay away from doors and windows during an electrical storm.
• Do not use corded phones, computers, TVs or other electrical equipment during storms.
• Unplug major electronics – TVs, stereo equipment, computers and microwaves to minimize damage if there is a lightning strike close by.
• Avoid plumbing such as sinks, baths and faucets during a thunderstorm.

You experience a fire in your home, don't hesitate to call SERVPRO of Chesterfield at 804.378.2323.

Burn Awareness Week February 5th- 10th 2017

2/9/2017 (Permalink)

Every year, the first full week of February is dedicated to Burn Awareness. According to the American Burn Association, “this is designed to provide an opportunity for burn, fire and life safety educators to unity in sharing a common burn awareness and prevention message in our communities.”

Here are the facts provided by the ABA:

• Burn injuries continue to be one of the leading causes of accidental death and injury in the United States.
• Between 2010 and 2014, approximately 486,000 people were seen in Emergency Departments for treatment of non-fatal burn injuries.
• In 2014 alone, there were 3,275 deaths from fires, which includes 2,795 deaths from residential fires, 345 from vehicle crash fires, and 135 from other sources.
• One civilian fire death occurs every 2 hours and 41 minutes.
• The odds of a U.S. resident dying from exposure to fire, flames or smoke are 1 in 1442.
• The primary causes of injury include fire-flame, scalds, electrical and chemicals.
• Men are more likely to be burned than women (68% males and 32% females were seen at a burn unit).
• Most of the injuries occur in the home (73%) followed by work (8%)
• Tragically, children, the elderly, and the disabled are especially vulnerable to burn injuries, and almost one- third of all burn injuries occur in children under the age of 15.
• Children under five are 2.4 times as likely as the general population to suffer burn injuries that require emergency medical treatment.
• Young adults ages 20-29 have a probability of burn injury that is roughly 1.5 times the risk of the general population.
• Today, 96.8% of those who suffer burn injuries will survive. Unfortunately, many of those survivors will sustain serious scarring, life-long physical disabilities, and adjustment difficulties.

With these facts and statistics, it is easy to see why it is so important for the community to understand the dangers that come from burns. Especially when it comes to fire prevention, it is important to take precaution and the necessary steps to prevent possible disasters and injuries.

If you experience and fire in your home or business, call the trusted professionals who have been fighting fire damage for over 30 years. SERVPRO of Chesterfield is fast to any size disaster and can handle your fire damage with professionalism and precision.