Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts
10 Tips to Prevent House Fires
5/3/2024 (Permalink)
House fires are a scary thought, but with a few simple precautions, you can greatly reduce the risk. Here are 10 easy tips to keep your home safe:
Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and test them monthly to ensure they're working.
Have a Fire Escape Plan: Make a plan with your family for what to do in case of a fire, and practice it twice a year.
Watch Out for Heat: Keep flammable items like curtains and towels away from heaters, stoves, and candles.
Store Flammables Safely: Store things like gasoline and paint in well-ventilated areas away from heat sources.
Keep an Eye on the Kitchen: Never leave cooking unattended, and keep flammable objects away from the stove.
Get Heating Systems Checked: Have a professional inspect your furnace, fireplace, and space heaters yearly.
Use Electricity Safely: Don't overload outlets, replace frayed wires, and unplug appliances when not in use.
Candle Caution: Place candles on stable surfaces away from anything flammable and never leave them burning unattended.
Keep Matches and Lighters Away: Store them out of reach of children and teach them about fire safety.
Be Smart with Dryers: Clean the lint trap after every use and ensure the dryer vent is clear to prevent lint buildup.
By following these simple steps, you can protect your home and loved ones from the dangers of house fires. Stay safe!
Why SERVPRO is your first line of defense in a house fire and how to act fast
9/14/2023 (Permalink)
When a house fire strikes, it can be one of the most devastating and frightening experiences. Acting quickly is key to minimizing the damage, and SERVPRO is your first line of defense. Their certified technicians are available 24/7 and have the resources and expertise to provide fast and effective damage remediation services. They specialize in fire damage restoration, and they have the tools and experience to help you get back to normal faster. With their knowledge and quick response, SERVPRO can help you recover from a house fire faster and with less stress.
Mitigation Services from SERVPRO are an essential part of the fire damage restoration process. Once the fire has been extinguished and it is safe to enter your home, SERVPRO's certified technicians will begin their mitigation services to minimize further damage and ensure a smooth recovery.
First, they will assess the extent of the fire damage, inspecting both the affected areas and surrounding spaces. This helps them develop a comprehensive plan for the restoration process. They will identify any structural damage, smoke residue, and water damage caused by firefighting efforts.
Next, SERVPRO will take immediate action to mitigate the damage. This includes removing debris, securing the structure, and boarding up any broken windows or doors. They will also address any water damage by extracting standing water and implementing drying techniques to prevent mold growth.
SERVPRO utilizes advanced equipment and techniques to clean and restore your belongings and property. They will use specialized equipment to remove soot, smoke, and odor from surfaces, furniture, and fabrics. Their expert team will carefully clean and sanitize affected areas, ensuring a safe and healthy living environment.
Throughout the process, SERVPRO will communicate with you, keeping you informed about the progress and answering any questions you may have. They understand the emotional toll a house fire can have, and they will work diligently to restore your home to its pre-fire condition as quickly as possible.
In addition to their mitigation services, SERVPRO can also assist with insurance claims. They will document the damage and provide you with detailed reports and estimates to streamline the claims process. Their experience working with insurance companies ensures a smooth and efficient resolution.
When it comes to fire damage restoration, SERVPRO is your trusted partner. With their mitigation services and expertise, you can have peace of mind knowing that your home is in capable hands. They will work tirelessly to restore your home, helping you get back to normal faster and with less stress.
Types of Smoke
8/6/2022 (Permalink)
Many people don't know this but there are different types of smoke.
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
- Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
- Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Fire Hazards
8/1/2022 (Permalink)
Here is a photo from a kitchen fire!
Every year SERVPRO of Brighton/ Howell and is called out to address fires that begin in the garage and that is why we try to educate homeowners on possible fire hazards. Most of these fires are caused by electrical shortages/ malfunctions or by improperly stored flammable liquids. This fire was caused when a charging station was placed on top of an appliance with flammable liquid inside, the heat from the charger ignited the liquid.
Follow these simple tips to keep your family and home safe.
· Store oil, gasoline, paints, propane, and varnishes in a shed away from your home.
· Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances.
· Plug only one charging appliance into an outlet and don’t use an extension cord when charging an appliance.
Fire Aftermath
7/8/2022 (Permalink)
A house fire can be one of the worst experiences someone could go through. After the flames are put out is when SERVPRO of Brighton/ Howell can step in and help you! One major causes of damage is smoke and soot. Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.
Smoke and soot facts:
- Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
- Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
- The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.
Fire Damage
7/7/2022 (Permalink)
Fires can happen to anyone, at any time. Sometimes our customers are able to identify how the fire got started, other times it is unknown. The was fire depicted is one that SERVPRO of Brighton/ Howell was called out to help with. It is believed that the fire started in the garage, however, the cause and origin was unable to determined.
The house and its contents sustained heavy soot and smoke damage, and the family lost their car as well. Our crew spent several weeks on site helping the family sort through their belongings and helping them restore the items that could be saved. No matter how big, or how the fire is started SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is here to help you and your home!
Soot Damage
12/1/2021 (Permalink)
Here is an example of a wall tested for soot damage. As you can see, this needed additional cleaning.
With house fires, it's important to remove all of the soot which leaves the smell of smoke behind. Our technicians always start by testing a small area on a wall to find the best way to remove the soot off the walls. In this photo, it shows the small area tested. There are many ways for our SERVPRO technicians to clean the walls, but it is important to test and recognize the best way to properly clean without damaging paint, or wallpaper.
It’s always important for SERVPRO to take the best possible care of our customers belongs. Whether it's a child's toy, a family heirloom, or an old dresser. At SERVPRO Brighton/Howell we care, and work to make sure your items are cared for in the best manor.
Fire Clean Up
11/10/2021 (Permalink)
This fire occurred locally while the homeowner was out of town. Luckily SERVPRO was there to board up the home until the owner got home.
With any size fire it is our goal at SERVPRO Brighton/Howell to turn a fire damaged home into a safe, clean living environment. Making as if, "it never even happened!"
To do this, we require our crews to be properly trained, which is why every member on our crews is IICRC Certified! Each crew member attends multiple classes throughout the year, which provides three days of training and testing. It’s important that we take excellent care of your home, making sure that each personal item is cared for and treated properly. Each home is different which makes it important that our crews have the best knowledge for every situation they are put in.
You can trust and rely on SERVPRO Brighton/Howell. We are here to help you!
Fire Damage
7/20/2021 (Permalink)
Fires can happen to anyone, at any time. Sometimes our customers are able to identify how the fire got started, other times it is unknown. The was fire depicted is one that SERVPRO of Brighton/ Howell was called out to help with. It is believed that the fire started in the garage, however, the cause and origin was unable to determined.
The house and its contents sustained heavy soot and smoke damage, and the family lost their car as well. Our crew spent several weeks on site helping the family sort through their belongings and helping them restore the items that could be saved. No matter how big, or how the fire is started SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is here to help you and your home!
Fire Specialists
11/3/2019 (Permalink)
Cleanup of fire damage is not the job for a do-it-yourself property owner. The entire process can be very overwhelming for a homeowner, and SERVPRO is here to help! Its important to remember that while physical damage is obvious, the odor and soot clean up is difficult. Different fire sources require different cleaning procedures to return a residential or commercial property to its preloss condition. Restoration of a property can be very complex and proper smoke and odor removal are tasks that require experienced technicians that are certified in these specific areas. All of our technicians are IICRC certified and have studied the best techniques to restore your home! Don't wait or try to handle this damage on your own, call your fire specials at SERVPRO!
Livingston County Garage Fire Clean-up
11/3/2019 (Permalink)
Every year SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell is called out to address fires in our county. Many of these fires start in the garage. Most of the fires are caused by electrical shortage/malfunctions or by improperly stored flammable liquids. Its important to stay safe! Follow this simple tips to keep your friends and home safe from possible fires:
- Store oil, gasoline paints, propane and varnishes in a shed away from the home.
- Keep items that can burn on shelves away from appliances
- Plug only one charging appliance into an outlet at a time. Don't use an extension cord when charging an appliance.
If you experience a garage fire let SERVPRO of Brighton/Howell help you! Our team is certified, trained and prepared to bring your home back to like, "it never even happened!"
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