Recent Fire Damage Posts

How to avoid fire damage during the holidays

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

Christmas tree Happy Holidays!

SERVPRO cares about you, so here is some information you should remember. We are here to help, and we hope all this information is helpful to you during this holiday.

  • CHRISTMAS TREES

One of the most common reasons to start a fire this month is the Christmas trees. They must be correctly watered and put in a spot that may help not put you at risk of your property. 

If you leave the three dry out and live in a zone with a lot of natural lighting, it can cause an immediate disaster, going up in flames in a matter of seconds.

To avoid Christmas tree fires, SERVPRO has some tips for you and the safety of your commercial or residential property: Watered correctly, be careful with the lightning, and always make sure to turn off at night and remove heat sources close to the tree.

  • CANDLES

Candles are something to worry about every day. If you like to have a lot on your property, you must never forget to turn them off. Especially in November and December, families use to turn it on to make the space feel cozier and warm, but let's remember safety first, okay? 

Make sure at the end of your event and keep them away from flammable things, like ovens or Christmas trees. 

  • ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS 

Before putting all your Christmas lights on, ensure they are in good shape and usable for this holiday; also, provide all the extension cords and other electrical wires that are explicitly labeled for outdoor use. 

  • UNATTENDED STOVES

We know it's the season to put out the most extensive effort in the kitchen, also the most risked season, since it's a cause of lots of fires in the process. 

Double-check when you have something in the oven. Then, when you finish, turn it off, and never leave any equipment unattended it may sound like a silly thing and tiny detail, but it could have more significant repercussions. 

In case of any emergency, SERVPRO is 24/7, every day, even on holidays!

We are here to help, and we hope all this information is helpful to you.

Fire extinguishers

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Extinguishers Damage caused by fire

Keep fire safety in mind by following a few simple safety tips. Enjoy time with your loved ones, and keep yourself and your family safe from fire.
Here is a significant fact that we should consider in our spaces.

How many fire extinguishers should I have?
Every home needs at least one fire extinguisher, and most should have at least two or three. The number of fire extinguishers you should have in your home depends on the size of your house, if you have a garage or workshop, and if your household is multi-level or not.
The minimum recommendation is to have a single extinguisher rated 2-A:10-B: C or higher in your kitchen, garage, or workshops, near doors used as an escape route, and on every level of your home.

Flames need fuel, oxygen, and heat to burn. Fire extinguishers are designed to remove one of these elements by applying an agent that either cools the burning fuel or releases or displaces the surrounding oxygen. Fire extinguishers contain either water or a smothering material, such as CO@; by pulling out the safety pin and depressing the lever at the top of the cylinder, the fire extinguishing material is released under high pressure.

Don't hesitate to call us; we would love to take care of you! SERVPRO of Southwest Irving is always at your service.

Cooking

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

Burned house Caution while cooking

Did you know that commonly fires start in the kitchen?
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and related injuries due to burning.

Remember to keep children away from hot foods, liquids, matches, utility lighters, and Sharp utensils. Cover your pot or pan with a lid and turn off the burner if you have a cooking tire. Think cooking safety - use safety tools such as kitchen gloves and an apron to protect skin and clothing.

Cook with care.
Remaining in the kitchen while food is cooking, don't leave cooking food unattended. Have a fire extinguisher readily available for use. Remember, Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep. Ensure you test your smoke detectors before cooking; never throw water on a cooking fire; this will only spread the flames.

Please take the following into account to prevent a fire from starting, do not hesitate to contact us at SERVPRO of Southwest Irving.

Handling fire tips

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fire tips Fire tips

After a fire emergency, you do not know how to act. It is essential to keep in mind that specific residues of what may remain are dangerous to health, but no worries, We got you! Below, we will provide you with tips that will help you manage the situation; take a look at them:

-Have a professional examine your home to make sure it’s ready and safe.
-Send text messages or use social media to reach out to your family and friends.
-Proceed with caution: maintain a “fire watch” and check your home and surrounding areas for tiny, lingering embers.
-Do not drink, prepare food or wash with water until officials deem the water source safe.
-Photograph any damages for your records and contact your insurance agency.
-Outline clear pathways to exit doors.
-Conduct regular fire drills.
-Use flame-retardant materials in interiors.

Call SERVPRO Southwest Irving – you need professional services; get the experts before moving to the next step. You must consider the above for better management; we will always be there to take care of your

Cleaning Up and Removing Smoke Odor

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Special cleaning Like it never even happened.

Products containing tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) can reduce odors in fabrics, but we need to read the label for directions and safety instructions.

  • Test clothing before using any treatment, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke odor and soot can be removed from clothing that can get bleached. Measure 4 to 6 tbsp of Tri-Sodium Phosphate and 1 cup of household cleaner or chlorine bleach for every gallon of warm water you will use. Alternatively, consider washing clothes in cold water with your usual household laundry detergent and adding one pure vanilla extract tablespoon.
  • To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a mild soap or detergent or mix 4 to 6 tbsp of tri-sodium phosphate and 1 cup of household cleaner or chlorine bleach to every gallon of warm water. Wear rubber gloves and rinse surfaces with clear warm water and dry thoroughly.
  • Wash walls one small area at a time, working from the floor up to prevent streaking, and rinse with clear water immediately; ceilings should be cleaned up last. Do not repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry. Washable wallpaper can be cleansed like painted walls but refrain from wetting through the paper. You can use a commercial paste to repaste any loose edges or sections.

Other Cleaning Tips

Consult a SERVPRO professional about replacing drywall and insulation that has been soaked by water from fire hoses. As a result, it can not be dried out and maintain structural integrity or resistance to mold and mildew.

Electric Heater Safety

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Door restorarion Door restoration

We know that the winter season is here, and temperatures can be freezing; SERVPRO of SW Irving wants you to be safe while using your Electric Heater. So here are some tips that you can implement to be comfortable and safe:

Keep It Away From Water
This should go without saying, but electricity and water don’t go together like orange juice and toothpaste. So keep your space heater out of the kitchens and bathrooms.

Avoid Flammable Objects
Avoid placing a space heater within three feet of anything flammable. Some manuals list curtains, papers, furniture, pillows, and bedding should also be kept away.

Never Leave the Heater Alone
The best way to prevent a fire is never to leave a space heater running unattended. If you have children or pets that could knock over a heater or drop fabric on it, keep a close eye on its operation.
The instructions with many space heaters also warn not to leave them on while you sleep.

Wall Outlet
Many manufacturers also recommend keeping your space heater a few feet away from the wall where it’s plugged in to avoid overheating the wall itself. Some of them fill an entire room with heat, so you should be able to get adequate performance with the heater at a safe distance.

We are here to help!. SERVPRO of Southwest Irving can assist you 24/7 if you have any damage caused by an electric heater. We have professionals to make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Let’s talk about common causes of fire.

2/15/2022 (Permalink)


These are the most frequent fire causes; take some notes about keeping your place safe!

Cooking equipment
Pots and pans can overheat and cause fire easily; if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended.


Heating
Keep portable heaters at least one meter away from anything that could easily catch fire, such as furniture, curtains, laundry, clothes, and even yourself. If you have a furnace, get it inspected once a year to ensure it is working to safety standards.


Smoking in bedrooms
Bedrooms are best to be kept off-limits for smoking.


Electrical equipment
An electrical appliance, such as a toaster, can start a fire if faulty or has a frayed cord.


Candles
Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended, they can cause a room to burst into flames easily.


Flammable liquids
If you have any flammable liquids in the home or garage, such as petrol, kerosene, or methylated spirits, keep them away from heat sources and check the label before storing them.


We want you to be safe; SERVPRO of Southwest Irving will always be there for you, so don´t hesitate to call us. Check your place to be safe and take care of your loved ones.