Recent Fire Damage Posts

Finding a Restoration Company

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

While your insurance company may recommend restoration businesses, choose one with whom you feel at ease. Before you sign a contract with a restoration business, make sure you:

Check out the company's reviews. For instance, take a look at our SERVPRO restoration services evaluation.
Check with the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification to see if the company is certified. IICRC certification demonstrates that the company has insurance, a written customer complaint procedure, and that its technicians are educated and trained.
Carefully read the contract.
Determine which services are covered by your insurance policy. You are liable for paying for contractual services that are not covered by insurance if you sign the contract.
Make sure the restoration business can get started right away, at the very least by putting up tarps and covering openings.

Wildfire protection for your home

2/12/2022 (Permalink)

No home is fireproof, but you may help prepare it by taking the necessary precautions.

Here are some pointers to help you make your home and property more fire resistant:

Dead vegetation should be removed from plants, and lower branches should be cut from large trees.
Keep leaves and twigs out of gutters, roofs, and other outdoor areas.
Take off all of the window screens and attic vents.
Keep the firewood at least 30 feet from the house.
Roofing materials with a fire rating of Class A should be used (the highest).
Install metal angle flashing along the edge of the roof.
Boxed-in eaves with an open design (i.e., where rafter tails are visible).
Where the wood decking meets the siding, metal flashing should be put (if the siding is combustible).

https://www.farmers.com/catastrophe/wildfire-defense/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Create a “defensible space”

12/13/2021 (Permalink)

The “home ignition zone” encompasses the house itself and everything up to 100 to 200 feet around it. Radiant heat from a severe wildfire can ignite a house from up to 100 feet away, and if there’s enough combustible material in the way, the flames themselves can quickly travel that distance. So if you happen to live in a wildfire-prone area, safeguarding just your home and the five feet surrounding it leaves significant risk on the table.

The area between 30 and 100 feet of a home is a property’s front-line defense against a wildfire. The principle guiding your preparation in this zone should be to create a “defensible space” that can prevent flames from approaching your home, and give firefighters a safe place to combat the blaze. Cal Fire and NFPA have great resources that outline the creation of a defensible space. For instance, once you remove fuel sources from the area immediately surrounding the house, the area between 30 and 100 feet out should be maintained as a “reduced fuel zone.” In this zone, plants should be spaced out, low-hanging tree branches should be pruned, and all vegetation should be watered regularly.

Steinberg notes that some homeowners go overboard when creating a defensible space by clearing the area surrounding their home of all vegetation. It seems counterintuitive, but well-spaced plant life can actually block wind-blown embers from reaching your home. A defensible space completely devoid of vegetation creates a “bowling alley” for embers, warns the California Chaparral Institute

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/5-ways-protect-your-home-wildfires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Keep embers out

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

Keep embers out

Houses are inevitably filled with flammable materials (carpets, shades, furniture) so if embers have the potential to blow inside, virtually no home is safe. Thus, a second axiom to guide your fire-protection measures: Keep embers out. Cover any exterior vent openings with ?-inch hardware cloth. If you have a doggy door, make sure it seals properly, and leave it closed during fire season. Embers often penetrate through rooftop openings, so replace missing shingles or tiles, and caulk any cracks.

Windows are another wildfire weak point. Radiant heat can melt plastic skylights and cause glass windows to crack or even burst, allowing embers into the house. Double-paned and tempered glass do a better job of withstanding high temperatures.

https://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/5-ways-protect-your-home-wildfires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Wildfire Defense To Help Your Home

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

No home is fireproof, but by taking precautions, you can help prepare your home.

Here are some ways to make your home and property more resistant to wildfire:

Remove dead vegetation from plants and lower branches from tall trees.
Keep the gutters, roof and outdoor spaces free of debris like leaves and twigs.
Clear out window screens and attic vents.
Move firewood at least 30 feet from the house.
Use roofing materials with a Class A fire rating (the highest).
Install metal angle flashing at the edge of the roof.
Box-in eaves that have an open construction (i.e., where rafter tails are visible).
Install metal flashing where wood decking meets the siding (if the siding is combustible).
Replace single-pane windows with multi-pane, tempered glass windows with screens.

https://www.farmers.com/catastrophe/wildfire-defense/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Electrical fires

11/3/2021 (Permalink)

Electrical fires include any fire that starts as the result of an electrical failure or malfunction. According to the NFPA, more than 45,000 home structure fires ignite every year due to an electrical failure or malfunction, causing more than $1.4 billion in property damage and accounting for more than 400 deaths and 1,300 injuries. The most common types of equipment to malfunction and start a fire are fans, washers and dryers, space heaters, and air-conditioning units. Most malfunctions that result in deaths are related to wiring, cords and plugs.

How Fire Burns

Fire requires three elements to both ignite and continue burning:

Heat: Common heat sources include a hot stovetop burner, a spark from a worn electrical wire or a burning cigarette.

Fuel: Just about everything in your home can fuel a fire. As a fire burns, the heat created warms nearby items, making it easier for them to start burning.

Oxygen: The oxygen in the air around us fuels a fire.

https://www.thehartford.com/about-us/junior-fire-marshal/the-power-of-fire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

In an Instant

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

In an Instant

A fire can start in an instant and continue to rage until its fuel source is depleted, destroying homes and property, causing injuries and taking lives within a matter of seconds. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire departments respond to over 350,000 home structure fires a year nationwide, causing almost $7 billion in direct damage. Far more tragic than property destruction, is the more than 2,500 civilian fire deaths and 12,300 civilian fire injuries annually. To prevent a devastating fire related loss, it‘s important to have a basic understanding of types of fires, how fires burn, and related dangers to look out for.

https://www.thehartford.com/about-us/junior-fire-marshal/the-power-of-fire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all of your fire restoration needs. Let SERVPRO of North Arlington make you feel “Like it never even happened.”

Living in a House After a Fire

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Many people assume that once a fire has been extinguished and the smoke has cleared that it’s safe to stay in the house. This is a totally incorrect assumption.

Fire Damage

The extreme heat generated by a fire might cause structural damage to your home that you’re not aware of. This might be further exacerbated when high-pressure water hoses are used by firefighters to extinguish the fire.

Even if your home has suffered no structural damage, debris such as broken glass, etc. might also pose a safety risk.

In addition to the above, millions of homes contain asbestos and lead-based paint. It’s not a health hazard if it’s left undisturbed and in good condition. However, a fire might release microscopic asbestos and lead particles into the air which might have serious health implications.

https://www.avnergat.com/is-it-safe-to-live-in-a-house-with-smoke-fire-damage/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Drills: Not Just for School!

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Fire drills are a big part of being safe in school: They prepare you for what you need to do in case of a fire.

But what if there was a fire where you live? Would you know what to do? Talking about fires can be scary because no one likes to think about people getting hurt or their things getting burned. But you can feel less worried if you are prepared.

Home Fire Drills

It's great to talk about emergency plans, but it's even better if you practice them, like the fire drills you have at school. Having a fire drill at home gives everyone a chance to see how they would react in a real emergency. You can see how quickly and safely everyone can get out of the house. Your family should practice this drill twice a year, every year. It's also a good time to remind your parents to change the batteries in the smoke alarms.

A good rule of thumb during a home fire drill is to see if your family can safely get out the house using the escape routes and meet outside at the same place within 3 minutes. For an extra challenge, you might try variations, like pretending that the front door was blocked and you couldn't get out that way.

Different families will have different plans. Some kids live in one-story houses and other kids live in tall buildings. You'll want to talk about escape plans and escape routes, so let's start there.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fire-safety.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What if You Can't Get Out Right Away?

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

If you can't get out fast, because fire or smoke is blocking an escape route, you'll want to yell for help. You can do this from an open window or call 911 if you have a phone with you.

Even if you're scared, never hide under the bed or in a closet. Then, firefighters will have a hard time finding you. Know that firefighters or other adults will be looking for you to help you out safely. The sooner they find you, the sooner you both can get out.

In the meanwhile, keep heat and smoke from getting through the door by blocking the cracks around the door with sheets, blankets, and/or clothing. If there is a window in the room that is not possible to escape from, open it wide and stand in front of it. If you can grab a piece of clothing or a towel, place it over your mouth to keep from breathing in the smoke. This works even better if you wet the cloth first.

If Your Clothes Catch Fire

A person's clothes could catch fire during a fire or by accident, like if you step too close to a candle. If this happens, don't run! Instead, stop, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands, and roll. This will cut off the air and put out the flames. An easy way to remember this is: Stop, Drop, and Roll!

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fire-safety.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What to do in a fire

10/5/2021 (Permalink)

Knowing what to do in a fire can save your life.

If you can extinguish the fire, do so thoroughly.
If not, run for safety and call for help. To make your way through a fire, crawl beneath the smoke and be sure to avoid going through doors that are hot.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, house fires are responsible for more than 2,600 fatalities per year.¹ But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are fire protection steps you can take to keep your family safe in the event of a home fire.

Of course, prevention is the best step toward fire safety, but in case of a fire in your home, you’ll need to know exactly what to do.

https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/house-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

House Fire Recovery Steps

9/10/2021 (Permalink)

Contact Insurance Company

As soon as possible after the fire, contact your insurance company. Don't attempt to do any kind of cleanup until an insurance representative has evaluated the site. Take pictures of the damage, and take steps to prevent further damage, such as covering a hole in the roof with a tarp. But don't set foot on the site until the fire department has cleared the area as safe. Your insurance policy may include a provision to provide living expenses while your home is being rebuilt or repaired.

Assess the Damage

With your insurance company appraiser, walk through the property and assess the damage. Note repairs that must be made and items that can be salvaged. If the home is a total loss, discuss your insurer's process for helping you rebuild the home. Most companies will remit payment jointly to you and your mortgage company. You'll need to negotiate with the mortgage company to receive payment.

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/house-fire-recovery-steps-52922.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Removing smoke damage from the kitchen

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most challenging cleaning tasks in a house is cleaning after smoke damage. Whether it is accumulated smoke or soot from candles or a result of a kitchen fire, smoke damage manages to stick to kitchen surfaces like counters, walls, and even ceilings.

It is very difficult to remove. If you do manage to remove some of the visible soot stains, there remains a lingering and distinct odor of something just got burned. This could be very irritating to breathe.

Nevertheless, there are practical home remedies that can be used to repair smoke damage and remove the irritating odor associated with smoke.

https://creativehomemaking.com/cleaning/kitchen/kitchen-smoke-damage/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all of your Fire restoration needs

Plan Your Escape

9/9/2021 (Permalink)

A home fire escape plan is essential because when a fire breaks out, every second counts. Remember, a fire can turn life-threatening in 30 seconds. And the majority of fires break out late at night or early in the morning when everyone is asleep, so your family needs to know what to do before an emergency happens. Before the worst happens, make sure everyone in your family knows how to get out and that there’s nothing to stop that from happening.

Create a Fire Escape Plan

To make a home fire escape plan, start by drawing your home’s floor plan using the NFPA's escape grid. Find at least two escape routes out of every room in your home, and map them on the grid.

Talk with your family, including young children, about how they can escape each room of the house. Showing them your home’s floor plan can help children better visualize where they should go in case of fire. Designate a meeting place outside your home where everyone will gather. It can be a tree well away from your home’s structure or a neighbor’s front porch.

Next, practice escaping each room with your family with a fire drill. Follow these steps from the Burn Institute’s Fire safe kid program to teach your family how to exit a fire safely.

https://www.moneycrashers.com/home-fire-safety-protection-tips-house-fire-insurance/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Never leave burning candles unattended

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Never leave burning candles unattended

Candles cause an estimated 15,600 fires in residential structures, 150 deaths, 1,270 injuries and $539 million in estimated direct property damage each year¹. In many cases, candles were being used as a light source because power had been shut off or was temporarily out of service. Keep a flashlight and batteries on hand for emergencies to prevent the need to use candles for emergency lighting.

If you do burn candles, always:

Use sturdy holders. Keep candles away from children and pets.
Extinguish candles before going to bed.
Burn candles on even surfaces.
Keep candles away from upholstery or window coverings.

https://www.nationwide.com/lc/resources/home/articles/home-fire-safety

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for all of your restoration needs.

Preparedness Tips

8/19/2021 (Permalink)

Preparedness Tips

Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of the reach of children, and only use lighters with child-resistant features.

Practice your home fire escape plan with your children several times a year. Also practice stop, drop and roll and low crawling.

Familiarize children with the sound of your smoke alarm and what to do when they hear it.

Teach your children not to be scared of firefighters. Take them to your local fire department to meet them and learn about fire safety.

Teach your children to tell you or a responsible adult when they find matches or lighters at home or school.

Smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year. Having a working smoke alarm reduces the risk of dying in a home fire by nearly half.

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Home_Fire/FireChildrenFactSheet.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What to Do During a Fire

8/19/2021 (Permalink)

It’s your worst nightmare: Your home is on fire, and you must safely get your family out. What do you need to do to survive?

Remember Your Escape Plan. Stay low and figure out the safest way to escape. If fire or smoke is blocking your primary escape plan route, make your way out using your secondary exit plan. Don’t forget about door and doorknob checking, the risk of backdraft, closing doors behind you, and getting others out if it’s your responsibility.
Call 911. Your priority is to get everyone out of the home safely. As soon as you’re out, call 911.
Cover Vents. If you can’t get out, keep the door closed and cover vents and door cracks with a cloth or blanket. Call 911 and tell the operator where you are. Signal for help outside a window using a cloth or sheet.
Protect Your Lungs. Cover your mouth and nose with a towel or bandana and do the same for your children to reduce smoke inhalation.
Stay Out. Once everyone is safely out of the house, stay out. Don’t go back inside for valuables. They’re not worth your life.

https://www.moneycrashers.com/home-fire-safety-protection-tips-house-fire-insurance/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

CHILDREN AND HOME FIRES

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

CHILDREN AND HOME FIRES

Fast Facts Children under the age of five are twice as likely to die in a home fire than the rest of the population, and child-playing fires are the leading cause of fire deaths among preschoolers.

About 300 people per year are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed in fires attributed to children playing with fire.

Just over half of child-playing fires in the home start in a bedroom, and bedding material is most often the first item ignited.

About two out of every three child-playing fires – and three out of every four associated deaths and injuries – involve matches or lighters

Children also start fires by playing with candles, fireworks, stoves, and cigarettes.

Only twenty-six percent of families have actually developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.

https://www.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/atg/PDF_s/Preparedness___Disaster_Recovery/Disaster_Preparedness/Home_Fire/FireChildrenFactSheet.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

8/18/2021 (Permalink)

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Purchase smoke alarms here.

Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.

Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

During a Fire

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

During a Fire

Crawl low under any smoke to your exit. Heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the home and call 911 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located.
If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.
If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 911 or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel. Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for three to five minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away by calling 911 or the fire department.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Cleaning household textiles

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

After deodorizing household textiles, the items can be cleaned. Dry cleanable clothing and draperies should be taken to a professional dry cleaner. Some professional fire restorers will clean draperies and upholstered furniture in the home.

Carpets should be cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner. Sometimes the carpet will need to be cleaned twice. The first cleaning will be done before repairs begin, and another cleaning will be done after the house has been cleaned. If the carpet is wet after the fire, it will need to be dried before any cleaning can be done. In some cases it may be necessary to remove the carpet for complete drying. After the house is cleaned, the dried carpet can be replaced. Most professional fire restorers can clean draperies carpets, upholstered furniture and other textile items.

https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/gh145

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Kitchens

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

The heart of the home, kitchens are also the most common spot in the house for fires to start. Specifically, unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires and fire-related injuries.

These man-made fires are also easily preventable: Keep an eye on the stove, oven, and other appliances like toaster ovens, and move combustible items away from the stove. Never leave the kitchen when you’re working with high heat during preparations like frying, boiling, or broiling—fires need only seconds to go from a small flame to an out-of-control blaze.

A few more tips for safe cooking:

If someone else can’t watch things while you step away for a bathroom break or to help the kids, turn off the cooking appliance while you’re in the other room.
Turn off the stove and all appliances once you’re done cooking.
Keep everything off hot surfaces. Pay close attention to where you set dish towels or hot pads. Designate a spot, like a hook, to practice putting them back between each use.
Roll up baggy sleeves or wear a securely fastened apron over billowy shirts or bottoms to prevent singeing.
Do not heat your home with your oven.
Keep a Class B fire extinguisher or baking soda handy in case of fire. Water will only spread oil or grease and feed the flames.

https://www.safewise.com/blog/the-most-common-places-that-fires-occur-in-the-home/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

House Fire Recovery steps

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire can hit you hard, both physically and emotionally. In addition to your home, you could lose valuable possessions and irreplaceable personal items. You'll need to take steps to protect your property, recover your loss and heal from the damage. After a traumatic event such as a fire, it's a good idea to ask family and friends to help you with some of the tasks you'll need to complete as part of your recovery. Their help and support will lighten your work load and lift your spirits.

Contact Insurance Company

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/house-fire-recovery-steps-52922.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Home Fires

4/8/2021 (Permalink)

In just two minutes a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can, be engulfed in flames.

Learn About Fires

Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.
Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a 3-to-1 ratio.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

After the Fire is out

2/10/2021 (Permalink)

Fires cause considerable damage to homes and their contents; however, "after the fire" activities can cause more damage. It is important to take immediate, appropriate action. Carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture and clothing usually can be refurbished after a fire, except for scorched or severely water damaged items.

Fire creates two types of smoke damage — the visible soot and the invisible odor. Because each fire is different, it is not possible to provide one set of guidelines for removing soot and odor. For example, smoke odor from wood could react differently to certain cleaning products than smoke odor from plastics. It usually is difficult for inexperienced home owners to remove soot and smoke odors without professional assistance or advice.

https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/gh145

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire damage cleanup

2/9/2021 (Permalink)

Soot, smoke, and water damage caused by fire can be pervasive, even if the fire was contained and quickly extinguished. It’s likely that every item in the affected rooms will need to be cleaned at a minimum. That includes walls, ceilings, flooring, furniture, and personal items.

Soot removal. Soot is an oily substance and can easily stain items it lands on. Don’t touch any items covered with soot, such as upholstered furniture, curtains, or carpeting, because you could rub stains in. A restoration service will use a heavy-duty vacuum to remove soot. If you try to do it yourself, hold the vacuum nozzle above the surface of the items to suck up soot, but don’t use the brush attachment because you might rub the soot in.
Ozone treatment for odors.The odor of smoke will permeate all textile items in the room, and they must be deodorized. The restoration service will use an ozone generator to produce an oxidizing agent to remove the odor. Often, the service will place the items under a tent while the ozone generator is operating. Don’t clean clothing and other fabric items before they’ve been deodorized because you might set the odor into the fabric.
Thermal fogging for odors. The structural elements in your home can also soak up the odor of smoke during a fire. That’s because the heat of the fire causes pores in wallboard to open and fill with smoke. As the house cools, the smoke gets trapped in the wallboard. Restoration companies use a process called thermal fogging to reopen the pores and neutralize odors. However, smoke odor can also get into the insulation in your attic, and there is no way to neutralize that odor. The insulation will have to be replaced if it smells smoky.

After the soot has been removed and odors have been neutralized, items need to be cleaned. Draperies and upholstered furniture should be dry-cleaned, and some restoration companies can do that in your house. The carpets also need to be cleaned professionally.

https://housemethod.com/maintenance/fire-damage-restoration/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What effects can smoke damage have on a home?

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Furnace Soot Spreads through Air Ducts

Furnace soot occurs from a malfunctioning gas-fired and oil furnaces. The ventilation system sends soot sediment everywhere, covering bedding, drapes, walls, cabinets, rugs, and furniture. The soot bonds to its targets, making cleaning difficult.

Be sure to maintain your furnace to avoid soot and smoke damages. If you detect the following, or if you already have furnace soot damage, call a professional maintenance company.

a lot of soot
Excessive sound
Cycling, whether short or frequent
The blower is always on.
The flame is irregular.
The furnace does not turn on or stay on due to a lack of heat.
Soot from Candles
Candle soot, sometimes known as "dirty house syndrome," is a visual condition induced by decorative scented candles. The particles are so fine that they cling to items, requiring you to deconstruct them in order to restore them.
Water damage is very likely if there is any fire or smoke damage. Whatever the type of smoke damage, it is unpleasant at best and will almost certainly necessitate professional cleaning and remediation. You may require damage removal, odor removal, fire damage restoration, smoke damage removal, newly painted walls, and so on.

https://www.youngalfred.com/homeowners-insurance/smoke-damage

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What to do right after a fire

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Watching your home burn is an emotionally wrenching experience. Despite the trauma, you have to act quickly after the fire is out to prevent further damage to your house. Delays can lead to further damage—such as rainwater entering your home or mold growing—that could drive up the repair costs.

As soon as possible, contact your insurance company to report the fire and to see what steps they want you to take next. These could include protecting the property, making an inventory of the damage, and contacting a company that specializes in fire damage restoration.

When the insurance adjusters inspect your home for fire damage, make sure they perform a thorough inspection. You want all the damage to be discovered and covered by your initial claim for fire damage. Areas to be inspected should include the:

Roof.Burning embers could have caused damage, or the wood underlying the shingles could have gotten moldy.
Siding and stucco. The heat from the fire could cause the siding to melt or the stucco to crack.
Windows. Heat can cause window frames to melt or blister. It can also cause glass to warp or discolor.
Plumbing and heating. Fire can damage pipes, ducts, and soldering or connectors.
Interior walls and framing. The inspector may need to remove some wallboard to check the framing or look for mold.

https://housemethod.com/maintenance/fire-damage-restoration/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire prevention tips

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

While fires can be started by lightning, wildfire, and other natural causes, you can take many steps to prevent fires from starting in your home.

Stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking on the stovetop or using the broiler.
Keep grills at least 10 feet away from the siding or deck of your house.
Replace any frayed or worn appliance cords.
Use portable space heaters cautiously. Keep combustible items at least 3 feet away from a space heater, and purchase heaters that have a thermostat control mechanism that will switch the heater off automatically if it falls over.
Store matches and lighters too high for children to reach or in a locked cabinet.
Remain in the room while you’re burning a candle, and don’t leave children unattended in a room with a burning candle.
Clean and inspect wood stove pipes and chimneys each year.
Make sure a fire in the fireplace is completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.

https://housemethod.com/maintenance/fire-damage-restoration/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

WHAT TO DO AFTER THE FIRE

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Claims for Insurance

Contact the insurance claims manager directly.
If circumstances have compelled you to leave the damaged fire building, notify the claims manager and provide a forwarding address and phone number.
The sooner the insurance company is notified, the faster the insurance claim can be completed, because the firm must notify the insurance assessor in order to do the inspection.
Make an inventory of household objects that have been damaged by fire as soon as feasible, either within or outside the affected premises. When the loss assessor contacts you, the inventory of damaged objects will help to expedite the claim. Do not throw away any damaged goods until the insurance assessor has completed an inventory.

https://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=312

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Claiming and Cleaning Smoke Damage

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Claiming and Cleaning Smoke Damage

There is a saying that where there's smoke, there's fire. But that is not precisely true; sometimes, smoke damage can occur without visible flames.

Smoke causes various types of residue, dirt, and bad smells. It is a homeowners nightmare, and even at its mildest, it is a big headache to clean. Then you must learn how your homeowners insurance will cover a smoke claim. What Is Considered Smoke Damage?

Smoke damage includes both odor and physical residue left behind from burnt materials and includes different types of dirt, smoke odors, and even toxic particles. Some of the common smoke damage properties that require cleaning, repair, or replacement include walls, ceilings, window treatments, clothing, bedding, furniture, jewelry, art, books, and photographs.

Your home insurance covers smoke damage and professional cleaning. The most important thing for you to do, other than file an insurance smoke claim, is to pick the best public adjuster to assess your damages and a smoke remediation company to remove the smoke damages.

https://www.youngalfred.com/homeowners-insurance/smoke-damage

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Smoke and ash damage from a wild fire

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and ash damage from a wild fire

If your home was exposed to wildfire smoke and ash, you want to make sure it and its contents get properly inspected, tested, cleaned/treated and restored to pre-exposure condition. Damage to your home and possessions by smoke and ash is covered in your home policy. Payment for smoke damage to the structure of your home (walls, studs, wall-to-wall carpeting etc.) comes out of your dwelling coverage. Payment for smoke damage to area rugs, clothing, curtains, furniture, etc.) comes out of your contents coverage. No special dollar limit cap (such as you may find for mold) should apply, other than your overall dwelling and contents insurance limits.

https://www.uphelp.org/pubs/smoke-and-ash-damage-wildfire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Be thorough when documenting damage

12/3/2020 (Permalink)

Be thorough when documenting damage

Your insurance policy will likely cover losses you experienced in the fire. With that in mind, your first job after experiencing smoke damage in a fire is to thoroughly document your losses and damages.

Make a list of information that includes all of the following about your property:

-Date of Loss

-Type of Loss or Damage

-Location of Damage

-Any Related Injuries

-Others Involved

-Condition of the Home

-Description of Damaged Contents

-Whether or Not Temporary Repairs or Complete Replacements Are Necessary

-A Police and Fire Department Report

Remember: your insurance company likely requires you to contact them within a certain amount of time after a loss has occurred. Make sure you know that amount of time and file your insurance damage claims on-time.

During the insurance claims process, you’re likely going to exchange hundreds of emails and documents with your insurance company over the next few months. Make sure you document everything. Get a binder or good storage system, to start and keep things as organized as possible.

https://claimsmate.com/4-things-you-need-to-know-about-smoke-damage-insurance-claims/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Other Cleaning Tips

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Other Cleaning Tips

Consult a professional about replacing drywall and insulation that has been soaked by water from fire hoses. It cannot be dried out and maintain structural integrity or resistance to mold and mildew.

Pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water, rinsed and then polished.

Stuff purses and shoes with newspapers to retain shape. Leave suitcases open.

Wear protective clothing, including work gloves and heavy soled shoes.

Learn more about how to clean up after a home fire, including the supplies you’ll need, how to deal with contaminated food and water, and how to repair smoke and water damage.

Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks.

Wet debris down to minimize breathing dust particles.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/cleaning-up-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Checking your Home after a Fire

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

Checking your Home after a Fire

Do not cut or walk past colored tape that was placed over doors or windows to mark damaged areas unless local authorities advise that it is safe to do so. If a building inspector has placed a color-coded sign on the home, do not enter it until you get more information, advice and instructions about what the sign means and whether it is safe to enter your home.

If you have children, leave them with a relative or friend while you conduct your first inspection of your home after the fire. The site may be unsafe for children, and seeing the damage firsthand may upset them and cause long-term effects, including nightmares.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/checking-home-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Systems

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Systems

If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.

If there is a pool of water on the floor between you and the fuse box or circuit breaker panel, use a dry wooden stick to try to reach to turn off the main fuse or breaker, but do not step or stand in water to do that. If you cannot reach the fuse box or breaker panel, call a qualified electrician for assistance.

Inspect the panel box for any breakers that may have tripped. A tripped breaker may indicate damaged wiring inside your home. Do not turn them on. Call an electrician.

Use a flashlight to inspect fuses. Replace broken fuses with exactly the same amperage rating and never use an object such as a coin or strip of metal to bypass the protection that fuses provide.

If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using sinks, showers or toilets and call a plumber.

If water pipes are damaged, turn off the water at the main valve. Call a plumber for assistance.

If you have a heating oil tank system, turn off all valves and contact a professional specializing in maintenance of such equipment before using it again.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/checking-home-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

How to clean up Smoke and Soot from a fire

11/4/2020 (Permalink)

How to clean up Smoke and Soot from a fire

Cleaning Techniques for Specific Types of Damage for Damage Due to High-Oxygen Fires: Use dry sponges to remove initial deposits and follow with a low-alkali detergent, then rinse. For Damage Due to Low-Oxygen Fires: Do not use a dry sponge as this may create smears and cause the soot to spread. High-alkali detergents are recommended with warm water and wash down. Remember to rinse thoroughly, as residue may affect subsequent paint applications. For Damage Due to Kitchen Fires: Thorough cleaning is required, as residue may not be readily visible. Remember that usually kitchen cabinets and drawer contents will need to be removed to allow access to hidden areas.

Cleaning of Heavy Residue: This may require assistance from professionals and mechanical cleaning. Cleaning methods include the following: · Low-pressure sandblasting · Sodium bicarbonate blasting · Dry ice blasting · Power washing with steam · Chemical application and agitation · Non-destructive rubber blasting.

http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/eh/docs/emergunit/cleanFireDamage.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Escape Planning for Older Adults and People with Access or Functional Needs

11/2/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Escape Planning for Older Adults and People with Access or Functional Needs

Live near an exit. You'll be safest on the ground floor if you live in an apartment building. If you live in a multi-story home, arrange to sleep on the ground floor and near an exit.
If you use a walker or wheelchair, check all exits to be sure you get through the doorways.
Make any necessary accommodations – such as providing exit ramps and widening doorways – to facilitate an emergency escape.
Speak to your family members, building manager or neighbors about your fire safety plan and practice it with them.
Contact your local fire department's non-emergency line and explain your special needs. Ask emergency providers to keep your special needs information on file.
Keep a phone near your bed and be ready to call 9-1-1 or your local emergency number if a fire occurs.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Before a Fire

10/12/2020 (Permalink)

Before a Fire

Create and Practice a Fire Escape Plan

In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts. Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
A secondary route might be a window onto a neighboring roof or a collapsible ladder for escape from upper story windows.
Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened.
Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

The first days of recovery

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

The first days of recovery

The value of your home and personal belongings. Talk with your insurance company about how to learn the value of your home and property. Replacing valuable documents and records. You may want to replace many of the following documents if they were destroyed or lost in the fire: Driver’s license. Auto registration. Titles and deeds. Insurance policies. Military discharge papers. Passports. Birth, death and marriage certificates. Divorce papers. Social security or Medicare cards. Credit cards. Stocks and bonds. Wills. Medical records. Warranties. Income tax records. Citizenship papers.

Replacing money. Handle burnt money as little as possible. Try to place each bill or part of a bill in plastic wrap to help preserve it. If money is only partly burnt — if half or more is still OK — you can take it to your regional Federal Reserve Bank to get it replaced. Ask your bank for the one nearest you. You can also send the burnt money to the Treasury. For personal delivery and nonpostal couriers, e.g. FedEx/UPS, send to: Bureau of Engraving and Printing MCD/OFM, Room 344A 14th and C Streets SW Washington, DC 20228

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Insurance Claim Tips for Partial Loss Fires

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

Insurance Claim Tips for Partial Loss Fires

Q: A fire damaged my home. What do I need to know?

A: Fires that damage but do not completely destroy a home create special insurance claim issues. These claims are often called “partial losses” because the home has only been partially destroyed. Things to watch out for with partial losses include:

Hidden damage (water, smoke, ash, mold, air quality, ducts)
Inadequate or improper cleaning and repair methods
Delays: Particularly after disasters, partial losses can be low priority for overworked insurance adjusters
Disputes over “matching” and line of sight: Repairs should return your property to a “uniform and consistent appearance” even if that means replacing undamaged items such as roof tiles or carpeting.

In any property loss situation, there are basic steps to follow to make the insurance recovery process go more smoothly. Document everything that was damaged or destroyed, file a timely claim, learn and assert your rights to full and fair payment, and get help if and when you need it.

https://www.uphelp.org/pubs/insurance-claim-tips-partial-loss-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

After the Fire

9/22/2020 (Permalink)

After the Fire

What to expect A fire in your home can cause serious damage. Your home and many of the things in your home may be badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water. You will find things not damaged by the fire may still be ruined by smoke and may be soggy with water used to put out the fire. Anything you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned. To fight the fire, firefighters may have broken windows and cut holes in the roof. This slows the fire’s growth and gets rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see. They may have cut holes in your walls to make sure that the fire is completely out and not hidden in the walls

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Is it safe to stay in a house with smoke damage?

9/1/2020 (Permalink)

Is it safe to stay in a house with smoke damage?

The first step after a fire is calling emergency services. Once the fire is out and you can enter your property, call your insurance company. They’ll assess what happened, and see if you need temporary housing while the extent of the damage is determined. Your homeowners policy could reimburse you for additional expenses while your home is uninhabitable, remember that loss of use category? Here’s when that kicks in.

The next step is to find a reputable cleanup company that specializes in fire damage. Check for companies in your neighborhood that have a high customer satisfaction rating on sites like Google, Yelp, Angie’s List, or the Better Business Bureau. These specialized smoke damage mitigation companies clean and restore furniture, electronics, clothing, and textile items after they’re damaged by smoke or water.

Just because the fire is out and you’re allowed to enter your home, doesn’t mean it’s safe to move back in. Smoke and soot can stick to the walls, furniture, and floors – which is not only smelly and unattractive but also potentially damaging.

https://www.lemonade.com/blog/fire-damage/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What is the best way to keep my family safe from a home fire?

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

What is the best way to keep my family safe from a home fire?

One of the most important steps you can take to protect your family against fire is to install smoke alarms and keep them in good working order. You can buy smoke alarms at most home and hardware stores, and they often cost $10 or less. Check with your fire department to see if they give out and install free smoke alarms.

Install smoke alarms outside every bedroom or any area where someone sleeps. Also install them in furnace areas. Be sure there is at least 1 alarm on every level of your home, including the basement, or at each end of a mobile home.
Place smoke alarms away from the kitchen and bathroom. False alarms can occur while cooking or even showering.
Test smoke alarms every month by pushing the test button. It is best to use smoke alarms that have long-life batteries, but if you do not, change the batteries at least once a year, such as when you change your clocks in the fall.
Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
Never paint a smoke alarm.
Clean (dust or vacuum) smoke alarms once a month.
Use smoke alarms equipped with a flashing light and an alarm in homes with children or adults who are hard of hearing or deaf.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Fire-Safety.aspx

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

What is the best way to keep my family safe from a home fire?

8/20/2020 (Permalink)

What is the best way to keep my family safe from a home fire?

For Your Sitters

When you are away from home and someone else cares for your children, make sure that your children and the sitter will be just as safe as when you are there.

Let your sitter know about your family's escape plan.
Remind sitters never to leave the children alone.
Remind sitters that you do not allow smoking in or around your home.

Leave emergency information near the phone. Include the local fire department phone number, your full home address and phone number, and a neighbor's name and phone number.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Fire-Safety.aspx

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year waiting to serve you with all of your restoration needs.

Fire Safety Tips

8/14/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety Tips

Safety Tips · Complete a home fire safety checklist and identify fire risks in your home. · Test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change the batteries at least once a year. · Place smoke alarms on each floor of your home and in each bedroom. · Make sure that everyone in the home can hear the smoke alarm from their bedrooms. · Make a family fire escape plan and practice it once a month. · Make sure that everyone in the house understands the family fire escape plan. · Place fire extinguishers throughout your home and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use them. · Never leave food unattended on the stove, keep all matches and lighters out of the reach of children, and don’t place portable heaters near flammable materials. Community Linkages · Know the number for the local fire department. · Attend events offered by the local fire department. · Learn how to use a fire extinguisher through your local fire department.

https://www.nsc.org/Portals/0/Documents/NSCDocuments_Advocacy/Fact%20Sheets/Family-Fire-Safety-Plan.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

How to prevent home fires

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

How to prevent home fires

U.S. fire departments respond to a home fire every 86 seconds. That’s over 1,000 fires a day. Home fires can occur for a variety of reasons, but many are preventable. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires, accounting for over half of home fires in 2015, followed by heating equipment, electrical malfunction, intentional fires and smoking materials. Home fires are not 100 percent preventable. Though, you can take necessary steps today to reduce your risk of home fires. Here’s how:

Install and maintain smoke alarms on every floor of your home and within every bedroom. Roughly 50% of home fire deathsoccur during the night while people are sleeping.
Never leave food cooking unattended, especially deep fryers and other frying equipment.
Avoid using portable and fixed space heaters, as heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Have a fire plan that gets you out of your home in less than two minutes and practice it.
Avoid smoking in the house.

https://www.safety.com/fire-safety/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your mitigation needs

How to use a fire extinguisher

8/7/2020 (Permalink)

How to use a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are helpful for putting out small fires. You can contact your local fire department for fire extinguisher training. Or, follow these simple recommendations from the U.S. Fire Administration. To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word “PASS:”

Pull the pin. Hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and remove the pin to unlock it.
Aim low. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Fire extinguishers should be checked regularly and tested by a professional every few years.

https://www.safety.com/fire-safety/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year for all of your mitigation needs.

Working Smoke Alarms Are a Must

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

Working Smoke Alarms Are a Must

About three out of five fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan providing early warning reducing your risk of dying in a fire. The National Fire Protection Association recommends you:

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas on the ceiling or high on the wall
Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen, at least 10 feet from the stove, to reduce false alarms
Use special alarms with strobe lights and bed shakers for people who are hard of hearing or deaf
Test smoke alarms monthly
Replace batteries annually, and change the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector at the same time
Replace smoke alarms that are 10 or more years old

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/fire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

When and How to Use Fire Extinguisher

7/10/2020 (Permalink)

When and How to Use Fire Extinguisher

Always put your safety first; if you are not confident in your ability to use a fire extinguisher, get out and call 9-1-1. The American Red Cross cautions you to evaluate the situation and ensure:

Everyone has left or is leaving the home
The fire department has been called
The fire is small, not spreading, and there is not much smoke
Your back is to an exit you can use quickly

Learn about the different types of fire extinguishers; not all will work on every fire. For home use, the National Fire Protection Association recommends a multi-purpose device large enough to put out a small fire but not so heavy that it will be difficult to handle.

Review the instructions once a year. If you need to use a fire extinguisher, there won’t be time to learn how to do it.

To use a fire extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS:

Pull the pin.
Aim low at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle slowly.
Sweep the nozzle side to side.

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/safety-topics/emergency-preparedness/fire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Safety

7/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Safety

If you’re not able to invest in fire extinguishers, a box of baking soda works in a pinch for grease fires. Generously shake the baking soda over the grease fire to smother it.

Close bedroom doors.

House fires spread quickly when there are no barriers. Something as simple as closing bedroom doors at night can create passive fire protection that buys precious seconds when it counts.

Know your location.

Few people realize that emergency operators can’t always trace your location if you call from a cell phone. They can estimate your location based on signals bouncing off cell towers, but firefighters still need an exact address. It’s important for every member of the household to understand how fire response works and to know your address.

Fire damage can be devastating, but learning how to prevent fire can minimize the risk of fire in your home. Make these practices part of your fire safety plan and review them regularly.

https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/prevent-house-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your mitigation needs.

Prevent House Fires

6/10/2020 (Permalink)

Know your shutoffs.

Know the locations of your power shutoffs for all utilities, including gas lines, circuit breakers, appliances, and fuses. Post clear shutoff directions next to each one. Keep a non-sparking tool handy for turning off gas.

Store flammable products properly.

Many household cleaners and cosmetic products like shaving cream and hair spray are flammable. Keep flammable products away from heat, including exposure to sunlight. Designate a cool, dark cupboard for flammable products and make sure all family members know where they go.

Keep combustible materials like paint and gasoline in their original containers. Store tightly-closed paint containers upside down so the paint creates a seal. Gasoline should be stored in containers designed for gasoline. If a container develops a crack or leak, transfer its contents into a new container made of the same material as the original.

https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/prevent-house-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Prevent House Fires

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Prevent House Fires

Test your smoke detectors.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. It’s easy to forget such regular maintenance, but it’s worth setting a reminder in your smartphone’s calendar to help you get it done. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Change furnace filters regularly to avoid a buildup of dust and lint that can easily catch fire. If you use space heaters, carefully inspect them before and after each use, and place them at least three feet away from anything combustible, such as fabric or paper. Check water heaters as well, especially those that run off gas and have a pilot light. Make sure nothing is close to the heating element.

https://www.safewise.com/home-security-faq/prevent-house-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Safety Equipment

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Extinguishers

Consider having one or more working fire extinguishers in your home. An extinguisher rated “A-B-C” is recommended for home use. Many fire extinguisher models are designed for one-time use and cannot be recharged.
Get training from the fire department or a fire extinguisher manufacturer.Fire extinguishers from various manufacturers operate in different ways and there is no time to read directions during an emergency. Only adults should handle and use extinguishers.
Install extinguishers high on the wall, near an exit, and away from heat sources. Extinguishers should be easily accessible to adults trained to use them, and kept away from children's curious hands. Heat may make the contents less effective or cause the extinguisher to lose its charge more quickly.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-equipment.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Safety Equipment

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

SMOKE ALARMS

If you have a fire, smoke alarms can cut nearly in half your risk of dying in a fire.Smoke alarms sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air. They can detect both smoldering and flaming fires.

In new homes: The National Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72) requires hard-wired, interconnected smoke alarms with battery back-up on every level of the home, outside each sleeping area, and inside each bedroom. Alarms must be wired together so that if one sounds, they all sound.
In existing homes: If smoke alarms are not already in place, at a minimum install them on every level of the home and outside each sleeping area. If a fire occurs inside a bedroom, dangerous gases can cause heavier sleep. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms in each bedroom and throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
To prevent nuisance alarms, vacuum cobwebs and dust from your smoke alarms monthly. Never disable a smoke alarm, even if you experience nuisance alarms while cooking or showering. Instead, use the alarm’s “hush” button. If nuisance alarms are a persistent problem, look for a different type of smoke alarm and ensure they are installed in correct areas in the home.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-equipment.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Checking Utilities and Major Systems

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

Checking Utilities and Major Systems

Electrical, Plumbing and Heating Systems

If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker.
If there is a pool of water on the floor between you and the fuse box or circuit breaker panel, use a dry wooden stick to try to reach to turn off the main fuse or breaker, but do not step or stand in water to do that. If you cannot reach the fuse box or breaker panel, call a qualified electrician for assistance.
Inspect the panel box for any breakers that may have tripped. A tripped breaker may indicate damaged wiring inside your home. Do not turn them on. Call an electrician.
Use a flashlight to inspect fuses. Replace broken fuses with exactly the same amperage rating and never use an object such as a coin or strip of metal to bypass the protection that fuses provide.
If you suspect sewage lines are damaged, avoid using sinks, showers or toilets and call a plumber.
If water pipes are damaged, turn off the water at the main valve. Call a plumber for assistance.
If you have a heating oil tank system, turn off all valves and contact a professional specializing in maintenance of such equipment before using it again.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/checking-home-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Checking Your Home after a Fire

2/4/2020 (Permalink)

Check for Structural Damage

Check the outside of your home before you enter. Look for loose power lines, broken or damaged gas lines, foundation cracks, missing support beams or other damage. Damage on the outside can indicate a serious problem inside. Ask a building inspector or contractor to check the structure before you enter.
If the door is jammed, don’t force it open – it may be providing support to the rest of your home. Find another way to get inside.
Damaged locks should be taken apart and wiped with oil. If locks can’t be removed, squirt machine oil through a bolt opening or keyhole, and work the knob to distribute the oil. Hinges should also be thoroughly cleaned and oiled.
Sniff for gas. If you detect natural or propane gas, or hear a hissing noise, leave the property immediately and get well away from it. Call the fire department after you reach safety.
If you have a propane tank system, turn off all valves and contact a propane supplier to check the system out before you use it again.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/checking-home-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Take precautions

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

A home fire is a devastating event, and one that you never count on happening. Your children are most at risk when this disaster occurs. In fact, children under five are twice as likely as other people to die in a home fire. Tragically, many home fires are started by children playing with dangerous household items – especially lighters and matches. Taking sensible precautions in the home and teaching your child how to escape from a fire can help your family avoid this type of heartbreak.

Prevent Your Child from Starting Fires

The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that 300 people are killed and $280 million in property is destroyed each year as the result of children playing with fire.

Keep matches, lighters and other ignitable substances in a secured location out of your child’s reach. Only use lighters with child-resistant features.
Invest in flameless candles. These candles contain a light bulb rather than an open flame, and take the danger out of your child knocking over a candle.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/fire-safety-for-kids.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

Did you know?

2/1/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

Top Tips for Fire Safety

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Reduce fire risks in your home

2/1/2020 (Permalink)

Reduce fire risks in your home

Make sure your home heating sourcesare clean and in working order. Many home fires are started by poorly maintained furnaces or stoves, cracked or rusted furnace parts, or chimneys with creosote buildup.
Use kerosene heaters only if permitted by law. Refuel kerosene heaters only outdoors and after they have cooled.
Check electrical wiring in your home.
Fix or replace frayed extension cords, exposed wires, or loose plugs.
Make sure wiring is not under rugs, attached by nails, or in high traffic areas.
Make sure electrical outlets have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
Avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.
Purchase only appliances and electrical devices (including space heaters) that bear the label of an independent testing laboratory.
Store combustible materials in open areas away from heat sources.
Place rags used to apply flammable household chemicals in metal containers with tight-fitting lids.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Safety Steps

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Safety Steps

If you're in a room with the door closed when the fire breaks out, you need to take a few extra steps:

Check to see if there's heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door. (You're checking to see if there's fire on the other side.)
If you see smoke coming under the door — don't open the door!
If you don't see smoke — touch the door. If the door is hot or very warm — don't open the door!
If you don't see smoke — and the door is not hot — then use your fingers to lightly touch the doorknob. If the doorknob is hot or very warm — don't open the door!

If the doorknob feels cool, and you can't see any smoke around the door, open the door very carefully and slowly. When you open the door, if you feel a burst of heat or smoke pours into the room, quickly shut the door and make sure it is really closed. If there's no smoke or heat when you open the door, go toward your escape route exit.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fire-safety.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

If you can't get out right away

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

What if You Can't Get Out Right Away?

If you can't get out fast, because fire or smoke is blocking an escape route, you'll want to yell for help. You can do this from an open window or call 911 if you have a phone with you.

Even if you're scared, never hide under the bed or in a closet. Then, firefighters will have a hard time finding you. Know that firefighters or other adults will be looking for you to help you out safely. The sooner they find you, the sooner you both can get out.

https://kidshealth.org/en/kids/fire-safety.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Checklist

12/16/2019 (Permalink)

Checklist for next steps after a fire Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross. They will help you find food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay. If you have insurance, contact your insurance company. Ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired. Ask who you should talk to about cleaning up your home. If you are not insured, try contacting community groups for aid and assistance. Check with the fire department to make sure that your home is safe to enter. Be very careful when you go inside. Floors and walls may not be as safe as they look. Contact your landlord or mortgage company to report the fire. Try to find valuable documents and records. If you leave your home, call the local police department to let them know the site will be vacant. Begin saving receipts for any money that you spend related to the fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and to prove any losses claimed on your income tax. Check with an accountant or the IRS about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Prevent Home Fires

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Children

Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.

More Prevention Tips

Never use stove range or oven to heat your home.
Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.
Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors or in well ventilated areas.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Learn about Fires

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

Learn About Fires

Fire is FAST!In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.
Fire is HOT!Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
Fire is DARK!Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Fire is DEADLY!Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

During a Fire

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

During a Fire

Crawl low under any smoke to your exit - heavy smoke and poisonous gases collect first along the ceiling.
Before opening a door, feel the doorknob and door. If either is hot, or if there is smoke coming around the door, leave the door closed and use your second way out.
If you open a door, open it slowly. Be ready to shut it quickly if heavy smoke or fire is present.
If you can’t get to someone needing assistance, leave the home and call 9-1-1 or the fire department. Tell the emergency operator where the person is located.
If pets are trapped inside your home, tell firefighters right away.
If you can’t get out, close the door and cover vents and cracks around doors with cloth or tape to keep smoke out. Call 9-1-1 or your fire department. Say where you are and signal for help at the window with a light-colored cloth or a flashlight.
If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop, and roll – stop immediately, drop to the ground, and cover your face with your hands. Roll over and over or back and forth until the fire is out. If you or someone else cannot stop, drop, and roll, smother the flames with a blanket or towel. Use cool water to treat the burn immediately for 3 to 5 minutes. Cover with a clean, dry cloth. Get medical help right away by calling 9-1-1 or the fire department.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

After a Fire

11/11/2019 (Permalink)

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.
The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.
Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Cleaning up and removing smoke odor

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

Cleaning up and removing smoke odor

Products containing tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) can reduce odors in fabrics. TSP is caustic so be careful! Read the label for directions and safety instructions.
Test garments before using any treatment, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing that can be bleached. Measure 4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate and 1 cup 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 tablespoon of pure vanilla extract.
To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a mild soap or detergent or mix together 4 to 6 tbsp. tri-sodium phosphate and 1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach to every gallon of warm water. Wear rubber gloves. Be sure to rinse surfaces with clear warm water and dry thoroughly.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/cleaning-up-after-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

What to expect after a fire

10/8/2019 (Permalink)

What to expect after a fire

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

Fire Safety Tips

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Check your Smoke Alarms

Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. They are a critical first step for staying safe, but in order to be effective, they have to be working properly.
For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in each bedroom.
Use Daylight Savings Time as a reminder to check your smoke alarms. Replace conventional batteries at least once a year, even if alarms are wired directly into your home’s electrical system.
Consider installing a smoke alarm that has a 10-year battery.
Smoke alarms expire after 10 years. So if your alarm is more than 10 years old, you should install a new one.

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year ready to serve you!

https://www.safekids.org/tip/fire-safety-tips

Fire Safety Tips

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Keep Flammable Materials in Safe Areas

Remember to keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that can burn, and always closely supervise children and pets when the heater is turned on.
Make sure you turn space heaters off when you leave the room.
If using gasoline-powered devices, store gasoline in a locked location where children cannot access it. Keep only small quantities in an approved container that has child safety features.

Don’t Over Plug

To prevent possible fires, avoid plugging several appliance cords into the same electrical socket.

Stay Focused Around the Kitchen

Use common sense in the kitchen. Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended.
Keep anything that can catch fire, such as dish towels or wooden spoons, away from your stovetop.
Have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen in case of emergency, and make sure you know how it works. You might be surprised that most people don’t know how to use one.

https://www.safekids.org/tip/fire-safety-tips

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Fire Drills- Be Prepared

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Even young children (3 and older) can begin to learn what to do in case of a fire.

Install at least 1 smoke alarm on every level of your home.
Have an escape plan and practice it with your family. This will help you and your family reach safety when it counts. When a fire occurs, there will be no time for planning an escape.
Draw a floor plan of your home. Discuss with your family 2 ways to exit every room. Make sure everyone knows how to get out and that doors and windows can be easily opened to permit escape. If you live in an apartment building, never use an elevator during a fire. Use the stairs!
Agree on a meeting place. Choose a spot outside your home near a tree, street corner, or fence where everyone can meet after escaping. Teach your children that the sound of a smoke alarm means to go outside right away to the chosen place.
Know how to call the fire department. The fire department should be called from outside using a portable phone or from a neighbor's home. Whether the number is 911 or a regular phone number, everyone in the family should know it by heart. Make sure your children know your home address, too. Teach your children that firefighters are friends and never to hide from them.
Practice, practice, practice. Practice your exit drill at least twice a year. Remember that fire drills are not a race. Get out quickly, but calmly and carefully. Try practicing realistic situations. Pretend that some exits or doorways are blocked or that the lights are out. The more prepared your family is, the better your chances of surviving a fire.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Fire-Safety.aspx

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365 for all of your restoration needs.

Kitchen fires

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Cooking brings family and friends together, provides an outlet for creativity and can be relaxing. But did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries? By following a few safety tips, you can prevent these fires.

“Cook with Caution” • Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop. • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. • Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire... • On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire… • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. • Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/CookingSafety.ashx?la=en

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Plan ahead

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Plan Ahead! If a fire breaks out in your home, you may have only a few minutes to get out safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Everyone needs to know what to do and where to go if there is a fire.

Safety Tips:

Make a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all doors and windows. Discuss the plan with everyone in your home.
Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible. Make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily.
Have an outside meeting place (like a tree, light pole or mailbox) a safe distance from the home where everyone should meet.
Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day with everyone in your home, twice a year.
Practice using different ways out.
Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.
Close doors behind you as you leave.

IF THE ALARM SOUNDS:

If the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people or pets.
If you have to escape through smoke, get low and go under the smoke to your way out.
Call the fire department from outside your home

https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/EscapePlanningTips.ashx?la=en

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your mitigation needs.

How to prevent home fires

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Home fires are not 100 percent preventable. Though, you can take necessary steps today to reduce your risk of home fires. Here’s how:

Install and maintain smoke alarms on every floor of your home and within every bedroom. Roughly 50% of home fire deaths occur during the night while people are sleeping.
Never leave food cooking unattended, especially deep fryers and other frying equipment.
Avoid using portable and fixed space heaters, as heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fire deaths.
Have a fire plan that gets you out of your home in less than two minutes and practice it.
Avoid smoking in the house.

https://www.safety.com/fire-safety/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

How to use a fire extinguisher

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Pull the pin. Hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and remove the pin to unlock it.
Aim low. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

Fire extinguishers should be checked regularly and tested by a professional every few years.

It’s also useful to know that there are five different types of fire extinguishers for putting out different kinds of fires.

Class A extinguishers: for use on materials like cloth, wood, and paper.
Class B extinguishers: for use on combustible and flammable liquids like oil, gasoline, and grease.
Class C extinguishers: best for electrical equipment and appliances like stoves, televisions, and computers.
Class D extinguishers: for use with flammable metals.
Class K extinguishers: best for cooking oils commonly found in commercial kitchens, including vegetable oil.

Most dwellings have a multipurpose extinguisher that covers Classes A, B, and C. You can purchase these types of fire extinguishers at any home improvement store.

https://www.safety.com/fire-safety/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Prevent Home Fires

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Home fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.

Cooking:

Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of 3 feet around the stove.
Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Smoking

Smoke outside and completely stub out butts in an ashtray or a can filled with sand.
Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
Be alert - don’t smoke in bed! If you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out first.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Home fires

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

Before a fire

Smoke Alarms

A working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire.

Install both ionization AND photoelectric smoke alarms, OR dual sensor smoke alarms, which contain both ionization and photoelectric smoke sensors.
Test batteries monthly
Replace batteries in battery-powered and hard-wired smoke alarms at least once a year (except non replaceable 10-year lithium batteries).
Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 8-10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking-it can be a deadly mistake.

Smoke alarm safety for people with access or functional needs

Audible alarms for visually impaired people
Smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired.
Smoke alarms with a strobe light outside the home to catch the attention of neighbors, and emergency call systems for summoning help., are also available.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

After a fire

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.
The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.
Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

https://www.ready.gov/home-fires

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

How to prevent a house fire

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

How to prevent a house fire

Fire prevention is more important than many realize and these general fire prevention practices help to keep your home safe:

Clear your home’s surroundings of debris and combustible materials.
Maintain your lawn and keep bushes and trees trimmed.
Use fire-resistant materials when building or updating your home.
Make sure your home has a fully functioning fire alarm system.
Keep a shovel and fire extinguisher in an easily accessible place.
Practice appropriate fire safety measures with campfires.
Prepare a fire safety plan.

Many people think about the safety and security of their family, but they often overlook the dangers posed by fires. Fire safety can make all the difference in fire-prone areas and can help to prevent wildfires from spreading in dry, hot locations. Rather than letting a normal fire get out of hand, keep it contained by arming your home with the appropriate fire protections.

https://www.protectyourhome.com/blog/fire-detection-and-safety/how-to-prevent-a-house-fire

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs.

Home Fire Preparedness

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

The 7 Ways to Prepare for a Home Fire

Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year. Purchase smoke alarms here.

Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.

Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.

Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.

Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year. Press the smoke alarm test button or yell “Fire“ to alert everyone that they must get out.

Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.

Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/home-fire-preparedness.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365 for all of your restoration needs!

Oven, Microwave, and Electrical Fires

2/21/2019 (Permalink)

Oven, Microwave, and Electrical Fires

Fires can happen anywhere in the kitchen — near an electrical outlet, in the microwave, or in the stove. Here are some tips to help you know what to do in case of any of these kitchen fires:

Oven fires. Immediately close the oven door and turn it off. If the fire doesn’t go out right away, call the fire department. Have the oven inspected and repaired before you use it again.
Microwave fires. Close the microwave door and keep it closed. Turn the microwave off and unplug it if you can do so safely. Leave it closed and don't use it again until you can have the appliance checked out by a technician.
Electrical fires. Prevent electrical fires by not overloading your electrical outlets with appliances. If a fire starts, use a fire extinguisher; never douse it with water. Always call the fire department for an electrical fire, even if you have already put it out with the fire extinguisher.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/healthy-home/general-safety/tips/how-and-when-to-fight-cooking-fires.aspx

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365, for all of you restoration needs

9 Facts about Fire

12/19/2018 (Permalink)

1. Understand the fire triangle
A simplified cousin to the fire tetrahedron, the triangle represents the three components that fires need to exist: heat, oxygen and fuel. If one of these components is missing, a fire can’t ignite.

Heat can be generated by a cigarette, an electrical current or a home heater. Fuel can be anything combustible, such as wood, paper, clothing, furniture, gases or chemicals.

Once a fire starts, if any of the three components is removed, the fire is extinguished. Water is used to cool a fire and take away the heat source. Oxygen can be removed by smothering a fire with dirt, sand, a chemical agent or a blanket.

Fuel can be removed by moving combustible materials away from the fire or by simply waiting until the fire consumes the material and goes out of its own accord.

2. Fire kills
Every year more than 3,800 people die fire related deaths in the U.S. Approximately 18,300 people are injured every year in fires. Most of these fires could have been prevented by practicing proper fire safety and having fire alarms. On average more than 60 firefighters die every year in the line of duty.

3. It's in the kitchen
Most house fires start in the kitchen. Cooking is the leading cause of home fire injuries. Cooking fires often start from overheated grease and unattended cooking. Electric stoves are involved in more fires than gas stoves.

4. Leading causes of death
Another fact about fire is that smoking is the primary cause of death by fire in the U.S. The second cause of fire deaths is heating equipment.

5. Arson
Arson is the third most common cause of home fires. Arson in commercially operated buildings is the major reason for fire deaths and injuries in those types of properties.

6. Smoke inhalation
More people die from smoke inhalation than flames. Fire can suck all of the oxygen from a room and replace it with poisonous smoke and gases before flames even reach a room. Many times people die from lack of oxygen before the fire reaches their room.

7. Run report
According to NFPA, firefighters in the U.S. were called out on 501,500 structure fires in 2015. Between 2007 and 2011, there was an average of 2,570 civilian deaths and 13,210 civilian injuries per year, and a total estimated cost of $329 billion in 2011.

8. Candles
Candles caused approximately 9,300 home fires and 86 home fire deaths between 2009 and 2013.They were also responsible for 827 injuries and $374 million in property damage.

9. Smoke alarms
Approximately two-thirds of all fire deaths happen in homes where there’s no working fire alarm. Your chance of dying in a home fire is cut in half if you have a working smoke alarm.

https://www.firerescue1.com/fire-products/Firefighter-Accountability/articles/1206336-9-facts-about-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

What to Dispose of after a fire

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Dispose of These Items After a Fire

There are some items that should always be tossed after a fire.

Perishable Food
- If the electricity has been off for more than four hours, even after a small fire, most refrigerated and frozen food should be tossed. If a freezer is full and undamaged, check for ice crystals and you may be able to salvage the food for up to eight hours.
Non-Perishable Food
- Any foods, even canned goods, that have been exposed to heat and firefighting chemicals should be tossed. The excessive heat can cause food to spoil even if the cans are not burned.
Cosmetics and Medicines
- Water, smoke, firefighting chemicals, and excessively high temperatures can ruin cosmetics and medicines. It is not worth risking your health to salvage these items.
Electrical Equipment
- No electrical items like small appliances or entertainment equipment should be used until they have been checked for water damage and heat damage to wiring. Toss any questionable items to avoid the possibility of another fire.

https://www.thespruce.com/cleanup-after-fire-4160200?utm_term=cleaning+up+after+a+fire&utm_content=p1-main-1-title&utm_medium=sem&utm_source=msn_s&utm_campaign=adid-473ea588-6bd2-429a-973d-d46bc26418e8-0-ab_msb_ocode-23793&ad=semD&an=msn_s&am=broad&q=cleaning+up+after+a+fire&o=23793&qsrc=999&l=sem&askid=473ea588-6bd2-429a-973d-d46bc26418e8-0-ab_msb SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs

Interior clean up

10/30/2018 (Permalink)

Interior Clean-Up

When you’re ready to move inside, do so with extreme caution. Open all doors carefully and never force them ajar; the doorway could be supporting the building’s (now precarious) structure, and shifting its position could lead to injury, further damage, or even a collapse. Find an alternate entry to the front door if necessary, and consult a building inspector or fire marshal before entering any interior rooms with a jammed door.

Once you’re inside, stop and sniff for a gas leak. If you even think you detect the odor, or if you hear a suspicious hissing sound that could be a broken gas line, leave the house immediately and call the fire department. Follow their instructions implicitly and be sure to let your neighbors know what’s going on so they can take the necessary precautions.

As you begin your interior inspection, don’t forget to look up; the ceiling may be unstable or show signs of sagging from water collection. Similarly, the walls and flooring may have been weakened from fire or water damage, so step lightly and test any areas that look questionable before putting your own weight on them. You can use thick plywood panels or wood boards to cover unstable areas, just be sure they extend at least 8-12 inches on each side of the damaged area.

Use fans and open windows to increase the circulation of air throughout the home. If there’s a great amount of water damage and you live in a warm, humid climate, it may be better to keep the windows shut and instead opt for a dehumidifier. In cold weather, the heating system can help remove humidity from the air — just don’t forget to check and clean the filter each day.

Dry any wet items like drapes, carpet, and furniture as soon as possible to avoid permanent mold and mildew damage. Aluminum foil or plastic wrap can be placed under furniture legs for protection, and any fully-dried items can be enclosed in plastic until all cleanup is completed. You’ll need to completely remove large area rugs for proper drying, especially those that extend wall-to-wall.

Before you can start working on ridding your house and belongings of smoke odor, you’ll first need to address any soot. Soot is quite oily, meaning it’s easily transferred among items and prone to staining. You may be able to remove it yourself by taking the vacuum hose and holding it slightly off the surface of the item or area. Never use an upright vacuum or brush tools when removing soot, as that can cause the soot to grind deeper into fabric and carpet. You may even want to hire a professional carpet cleaner to remove the soot with a professional grade heavy-duty shop vacuum designed for these purposes.

To remove soot from walls, use a chemical sponge or another non-water based cleaner. (Be especially careful with plaster walls — water-based cleaners can actually cause the soot to bleed into the wall.) You may have success using paint thinner or rubbing alcohol, though you’ll want to ensure the room you’re working in has adequate ventilation before you begin.

Removing smoke odor from fabrics can be a tricky process, but the good news is that you have several options for treatment. For clothing, it may help to add 1-2 cups of vinegar to each wash load, though it may take several cycles to completely remove it. For persistent smells, try dissolving one cup of dishwasher detergent with one gallon of warm water and soaking the items overnight. Wash them as usual the next day. Never attempt to counter the smell with fabric refreshers or perfumes — at best, it will only mask the smell temporarily, and it could even amplify the problem.

For clothing that can be bleached, try mixing 4-6 tablespoons of trisodium phosphate (which can usually be found at your local hardware store), one cup of household chlorine bleach, and one gallon of water. Swish around the clothes and work the mixture through the fabric as much as possible, then rinse them with clean water.

When it comes to furniture and other items unable to be thrown in the wash, consult your local dry cleaner on which counteractants would be best to use; he may have several recommendations based on which items were affected, so be sure to tell him the kinds of materials you’ll be treating. He may even be able to suggest items for your laundry if you’re still having trouble removing the odor from clothing.

A major problem with smoke odor is that it can travel quite easily, including through walls and air ducts. Unfortunately, this means it can get trapped in air ducts and cause a recurring odor even months after the fire. Your best option to ensure your entire house gets aired out properly is to consult a professional about thermal fogging, a process that opens the pores of walls and neutralizes the smoke odor. It’s especially helpful in homes with attics, though you’ll likely need to remove odor-absorbing insulation from the attic either way.

While there are plenty of ways to clean up your home and property yourself, keep in mind that bringing in a professional may be the best route for certain tasks. While costly, these experts will know the best ways to get your home back to its pre-fire condition; plus, the expense will likely be significantly less than having to replace items after failed attempts to refurbish them yourself. Keep detailed records and receipts for both you and the insurance company; some of the repairs may be tax-deductible.

The fire recovery process comes with plenty of challenges and frustrations, so be sure you have a strong support system to help you through it. You may even discover that the cleanup process helps your family come together as one and bond, so look for silver linings as often as you can. With time, your home will look more like you remember it — perhaps even better! — and with patience, your emotional wounds will heal, as well.

https://www.redfin.com/blog/2016/08/the-guide-to-cleaning-up-after-a-house-fire.html

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365, for all of your restoration needs

What is in Smoke Residue/Soot?

9/20/2018 (Permalink)

What is in the Smoke Residue/Soot? All materials involved in a fire cause odors. Typically, soot is representative of what has burned, but may include byproducts that at first seem unrelated to the original material. For example, hydrogen cyanide is a byproduct of burning wool. When wood burns it can produce manganese and benzene. As many products as there are in the world, there are an equal number of byproducts produced in a fire. Each fire is different based on the contents of what has burned during the event. Organic and inorganic materials produce different types of smoke residue or soot. These residues may be present on surfaces that conservators may be tasked with treating. Burnt organic material produces soot that is hard to see and often has a very pungent odor. This is known as protein smoke. It can discolor paints and varnishes. Protein smoke can disperse over large areas and attach itself to everything. How the fire burns and how much moisture is in the air while the fire burns, plays a role in soot deposition on articles. The amount of moisture in the air is a key component in whether the smoke that is produced is wet or dry. There are several types of smoke or soot, which may be present on a surface that conservators might be tasked with treating: Wet Smoke—can present as a sticky residue or soot, and is often associated with a smoldering type of fire and often will have a strong odor. Dry Smoke—associated with a fast-burning fire and occurs at high temperatures. Protein—often present in soot, usually invisible, it can discolor paints and varnishes and often has a very pungent odor. Protein odors could be caused by food on the stove burning slowly or other sources. The slow burn allows the protein to disperse and attach itself to everything, producing a strong odor.

http://www.conservation-us.org/docs/default-source/periodicals/2010-09-sept-aicnews.pdf?sfvrsn=6

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365, for all of your restoration needs

After the Fire! Returning to Normal

8/17/2018 (Permalink)

After the Fire! Returning to Normal A fire will change your life in many ways. Knowing where to begin and who can help you is important. The U.S. Fire Administration hopes you find this information useful in your journey to return tonormal. What to Expect A fire in a home can cause serious damage. The building and many of the things in your home may have been badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water. You will find that things the fire did not burn up are now ruined by smoke and soggy with water used to put out the flames. Anything that you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned. The firefighters may have cut holes in the walls of the building to look for any hidden flames. They may even have cut holes in the roof to let out the heat and smoke. Cleanup will take time and patience. If your home had a home fire sprinkler system, you will find little damage from flames, heat, smoke and water. If you plan to rebuild your home, now is the time to think about installing sprinklers.

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/fa_46.pdf

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of your restoration needs!

How to make a fire escape plan

8/14/2018 (Permalink)

How to make a home fire escape plan

Your ability to get out of your home during a fire depends on advance warning from smoke alarms and advance planning

Fire can spread rapidly through your home, leaving you as little as one or two minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors.

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Safety-in-the-home/Escape-planning

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365 for all of your restoration needs.

6 Tips

8/2/2018 (Permalink)

You may think a house fire will never happen to you. But what if it does? Are you prepared?

Figuring out what to do after a home fire can be a very stressful and overwhelming process, and it can be hard to decide what to do first. With a little help from your insurance agent, though, you may be able to settle your claim more quickly and get your life back to normal.

Here are the six things you should do after a home fire.

1. Call your insurance agent immediately.

2. Ask about restoration companies that can help with cleaning up soot, boarding up windows, and other construction.

3. Separate damaged property from undamaged property.

4. Save undamaged property from further destruction.

5. Cooperate fully with the insurance company’s investigation.

6. Find somewhere to stay if you can’t live in your home.

https://blog.equifax.com/credit/six-things-you-need-to-do-after-a-house-fire/

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 365 for all of your restoration needs. Call us today at 817-557-1447, we're waiting to serve you!

Tips for fire safety

8/1/2018 (Permalink)

The National Fire Protection Association has announced the theme for its Fire Prevention Week 2018 campaign:Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware – fire can happen anywhere.

Through the annual campaign, set for Oct. 7-13 this year, NFPA aims to raise awareness of “three basic but essential steps to take to reduce the likelihood of having a fire.” Those steps are:
LOOKfor possible fire hazards in your home and eliminate them.
LISTENfor your home’s smoke alarms. Know that you may have only minutes to get out if a fire breaks out.
LEARNtwo ways out of each room of your home. Exits should be easy to access and free of clutter. After leaving the home, go to your family’s designated meeting spot, established when you set up ahome fire escape plan.

NFPA provides resources, including community posters, for the public to use to educate others about home fire safety. For kids, the campaign has activity pages and Simon, a character whoshares messages about fire safety.

http://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/17212-fire-prevention-week-2018-look-listen-learn

SERVPRO of North Arlington is here for all of you restoration needs.

Don't postponed your fire restoration

7/26/2018 (Permalink)

When a fire occurs in a home, the aftermath can seem overwhelming, and if fire restoration is postponed, the destruction from smoke damage can become even worse. The longer you wait to address the damage, the more repairs you'll have to fix - which means you'll most likely have a larger bill for damages when all is said and done. You can avoid costly repairs and long-term issues if you make fire damage restoration a priority and follow the steps you'll need to get your home back to normal as soon as possible.

Prolonged Smoke Damage

Fire damage is tricky because some signs are apparent—such as discoloration on walls and ceilings and dark stains from smoke on surfaces—but others are not, such as odors trapped in hidden places. Air conditioner vents, the space behind walls and the outside walls of your home are all areas where ash and soot can be deposited and continue to cause damage if they aren't taken care of in a timely manner.

https://www.resolvebylowes.com/guidance/fire/why-immediate-fire-damage-restoration-is-so-important/115003354947

Call SERVPRO of North Arlington at 817-557-1447. SERVPRO of North Arlington is here 24/7 for all of your restoration needs.

How To Properly Use A Fire Extinguisher

4/19/2018 (Permalink)

If you have the slightest doubt about your ability to fight a fire....EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!

The following steps should be followed when responding to incipient stage fire:

Sound the fire alarm and call the fire department, if appropriate.
Identify a safe evacuation path before approaching the fire. Do not allow the fire, heat, or smoke to come between you and your evacuation path.
Select the appropriate type of fire extinguisher.
Discharge the extinguisher within its effective range using the P.A.S.S. technique (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep).
Back away from an extinguished fire in case it flames up again.
Evacuate immediately if the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out.
Evacuate immediately if the fire progresses beyond the incipient stage.

Most fire extinguishers operate using the following P.A.S.S. technique:

PULL... Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
AIM... Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
NOTE: Do not touch the plastic discharge horn on CO2 extinguishers, it gets very cold and may damage skin.
SQUEEZE... Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
SWEEP... Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps 2 - 4.

If you have the slightest doubt about your ability to fight a fire....EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!

Is your home suffering from Fire, Soot or Smoke Damage?

3/27/2018 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO technicians are standing by to keep things cool!

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows 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.

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 North Arlington 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.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (817)557-1447

Phillip's Fire Fiasco!

3/27/2018 (Permalink)

The Martin's Garage. Pre-SERVPRO of North Arlington

A house fire can be especially devastating. In addition to smoke and fire damage, your home may have also suffered from water damage as a result of the firefighting efforts. And even small fires can cause significant smoke and soot damage that affects your entire home.

A Rude Awakening..

Phillip Martin knows this all too well. When he awoke to a house fire on the 21st of December 2017 at 2:00 a.m. "I immediately ran to my daughter's room, pulled her out of bed and ran outside."We got lucky!", Phillip stated. "The fire started in the garage." Which gave me and my wife enough time to get out safely!" Phillip said.

The Martins and their three year old daughter made it out just before the fire spread to the living room.

"Once Firemen arrived. I remember thinking,"What am I going to do now?" Martin stated.

A Sigh of Relief!

Mr. Martin spoke to his insurance company, who then recommended SERVPRO of North Arlington. "Once the firemen had extinguished the fire. I felt both relieved and anxious, but once I called SERVPRO of North Arlington my anxiety began to fade." Phillip expressed.

We assured Mr.Martin that our local SERVPRO North Arlington technicians would be arriving within the hour.

As fire and water restoration specialists, SERVPRO of North Arlington has the specialized training and experience necessary to restore your home back to pre-fire condition.

"Once SERVPRO North Arlington arrived they immediately sprung into action. My family was able to return our home within just two days of the incident! Martin stated.

"Without SERVPRO North Arlington I have no idea what I would have done!

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (817)557-1447

How to handle a fire in a commercial building

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating to a commercial business, but after the fire truck and firefighters have left, the real work has just begun. What can a professional fire damage restoration company do for a business with commercial fire damage? We'll find out.

When the firefighters and fire trucks have cleared the building of a commercial fire, a trained fire damage specialist will inspect the site to see what materials were affected by smoke damage or soot damage. The building may not be safe for anyone to work in until a commercial fire damage specialist has started work. For example, the roof may need to be boarded up and spread with tarps for the safety and security of the workers. When there's an electrical fire or fire damage to the electrical system, generators may need to be installed for temporary power. A commercial fire damage company can remove burned trees as well.

A fire hose can pump thousands of gallons of water per minute, and that water will have to be removed before the work of fire restoration can really begin. If the fire sprinkler system does its job, it can stop a lot of fire damage before it occurs. A working fire suppression system is essential to reducing damage, but the fire suppression system can also drench everything, so a lot of water from the fire hoses or fire sprinkler system may need to be removed.

One area that needs to be handled carefully is smoke and soot damage. Soot Damage is a major problem after a commercial fire, discoloring anything close to the flames. Within hours, soot damage can turn fiberglass and appliance finishes yellow. Soot damage can also tarnish metals and cause corrosion. After a few days, the smoke damage will also permanently discolor upholstery, clothing, and walls. The lingering smell of smoke can be reduced by cleaning with the proper detergents or sealing up and removing objects that are too damaged. The sooner commercial fire damage professionals are brought in, the better.

A utility room fire will often require special attention because the fire might have started in the utility room because some utility room fires are caused by storage of flammable chemicals. With the fire extinguished, a utility room fire might have burned important equipment that will need to be repaired or replaced. There also may be an electrical fire in the utility room fire that needs to be dealt with. Smoke damage can also be concentrated in the utility room's small space.

An electrical fire could have burned much of the building, and the fire hoses and fire sprinkler system might have soaked the drywall and insulation, so a fire restoration professional may need to replace it to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. Firefighters do a great job putting out fires, but they can't worry about the damage they leave behind. In some cases, the firefighters might have broken through walls or windows or the fire truck itself might have collided with the building, causing more damage. Fire restoration specialists will need to deal with that, too. The fire restoration professional can also look at the fire suppression system to make sure it will work the next time.

When it comes to hiring a commercial fire damage specialist, it's important to hire the best available. Fire restoration may involve a lot of work, because an electrical fire, soot damage, and smoke damage are all major problems, but the right professionals can take care of them. A fire sprinkler system or fire suppression system is critical to keep a fire from spreading, and a fire truck and a fire hose can save lives, but only a fire restoration professional can get a business running again.

Call SERVPRO North Arlington at 817-557-1447 for more information on fire damage.

Christmas tree safety

12/7/2017 (Permalink)

Did you know that a spark can turn a dry Christmas tree into a torch within 12 seconds?

Christmas tree fires are rare, but they still account for roughly 200 home fires each year, destroying an annual $14 million in the process, the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) says. They're deadly, too, killing an average of six people yearly.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission released Christmas tree tips:

Fresh, watered trees are much less likely to catch fire. So when buying a tree, look for branches with vibrant, green needles that don’t come off the branch easily.
Make sure your tree is at least three feet from any heat source, like a fireplace, heat vent or candle.
Water your tree daily.
If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled “fire resistant.”
Do not forget to cut off 2 inches from the bottom of the tree to allow it to soak up water.

SERVPRO of North Arlington would like to wish all of our customers and vendors a very Merry Christmas!

If you are need of our services during this holiday season SERVPRO of North Arlington is on call 24/7. Call our office at 817-557-1447. We are here to help!

Arlington Smoke and Soot Cleanup

8/18/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Arlington Home

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.

Different Types of Smoke

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.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 817-557-1447

Do you have a fire in your home?

8/18/2017 (Permalink)

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.

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 South Arlington 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.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 817-557-1505

Bathroom Exhaust Fan

11/1/2013 (Permalink)

Total Loss Fire

This house was a total loss because something as simple as a dirty bathroom exhaust fan.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (817) 557-1447

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