Stay Safe and Warm: Essential Tips to Reduce Space Heater Fires

5/10/2023 (Permalink)

By following these essential tips, you can reduce the risk of space heater fires and keep your home or workplace safe and warm.

When the weather starts getting colder, many of us turn to space heaters to keep our homes and workplaces warm and cozy. While space heaters are an effective way to heat small spaces, they can also be a fire hazard if not used safely. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association, space heaters are involved in about one-third of home heating fires and 80% of home heating fire deaths.

To keep your space heater use safe and prevent fires, follow these essential tips:

Choose the right space heater

Not all space heaters are created equal. When choosing a space heater, look for one with safety features such as automatic shut-off switches and overheat protection. Make sure to select a space heater that is appropriate for the size of the room you want to heat. Check the label or packaging for information about the heater's wattage and recommended room size.

Keep space heaters on a flat, level surface

Place your space heater on a flat, level surface that is not prone to tipping over. Do not place your space heater on furniture or other unstable surfaces. Make sure the heater is at least three feet away from anything that can burn, such as curtains, bedding, and furniture.

Plug space heaters directly into the wall

Never plug a space heater into an extension cord or power strip. Space heaters draw a lot of power and can easily overload extension cords or power strips, increasing the risk of fire. Instead, plug your space heater directly into a wall outlet.

Turn space heaters off when you leave the room

Never leave a space heater unattended. Always turn your space heater off when you leave the room or go to bed. If you have pets or small children, consider using a space heater with a protective grill or cover to prevent burns.

Keep space heaters away from water

Do not use your space heater in damp or wet areas such as bathrooms, laundry rooms, or basements. Water can increase the risk of electrical shock or short-circuiting, which can lead to a fire.

Maintain your space heater

Regularly inspect your space heater for damage or wear and tear. If you notice any damage, do not use the heater until it has been repaired or replaced. Clean your space heater regularly to remove dust and debris, which can build up and increase the risk of fire.

By following these essential tips, you can reduce the risk of space heater fires and keep your home or workplace safe and warm. Remember, safety should always be your top priority when using space heaters. Stay warm and stay safe!

Fire Extinguisher Safety

2/10/2023 (Permalink)

Fire extinguisher safety is important to know when and how to use one properly

If you ever find yourself in a situation where there is a fire in your home, it's important to know what to do. Fires can be dangerous and life-threatening. They also have the potential to damage everything in their path. If you know how to use a fire extinguisher correctly, though, it's possible that you will be able to stop a small blaze before it gets out of control or causes serious damage. Here are some tips on how best to fight an emergency fire.

Six Feet Away.

Do not stand closer than six feet from the fire. The heat, smoke and flames can injure or kill you if you are too close. If your clothing catches on fire, stop what you're doing and drop to the ground immediately! Roll around in a blanket or rug until the flames are out. Do NOT run away from it because that will only fan the flames!

Be careful when dealing with hot embers after extinguishing an outdoor fire as they may still be burning inside their casings and could start another blaze if handled improperly (or even just touched).

Never use water on a grease fire.

If you think you have a grease fire, don't use water to put it out. Water causes the oil in the pan to spread and can make the flames larger. Instead, get yourself a dry powder fire extinguisher and aim for the base of the flame. Having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen incase of an emergency is always a good idea.

Call a Professional.

If you are in doubt about how to use a fire extinguisher, or if you feel unsafe near the fire, call the fire department. If that's not possible, or if it takes too long for them to arrive and put out your blaze, then here are some other ways that you can handle it yourself. Call a professional fire extinguisher service. There are many companies that offer this kind of service, they'll come out with their own equipment and take care of everything!

Call a professional fire damage restoration company. They can help clean up any messes left behind by extinguished flames before they cause any more damage than necessary. Give SERVPRO a call for remediation after a fire loss to your property.

As you can see, there are many ways to extinguish a fire. Even so, it's important to remember that safety always comes first. If you are unsure about how to use a fire extinguisher or if there is any doubt in your mind about whether or not you should use one at all, call 911 immediately! 

3 Smoke Odor Remediation Techniques

8/27/2022 (Permalink)

Fogging machines can remove smoke odor from your property

Removing Odor After a Fire

Smoke cleaning can be used to return your home to its pre-fire condition. Once the cleanup and restoration process is complete, you may find you still have some lingering odors that make your home less than habitable. Fortunately, there are several techniques that professionals often use to remove the smell of smoke. If you have experienced smoke damage in Somers Point, NJ, you may need the help of an expert to remedy the situation. Luckily, there are three techniques that are often used to remove odors after a fire.

1. Thermal Fogging
Fogging machines use a petroleum-based deodorizer that counteracts the smoke molecules, rendering them odorless. Since this works by emitting a thick fog, it can easily get into small cracks and crevices where other techniques may have a harder time reaching. It is not safe to be in the room while the fog is present. Anyone that remains in the room must wear respiratory protection.

2. Ozone Machines
Ozone generators perform smoke cleaning by releasing additional ozone into the air. These machines use an electrical charge to break down oxygen molecules. After the atoms sort themselves back into oxygen molecules, the smoke odor should be gone for good. Ozone is dangerous at high levels, so everyone should leave the room until the ozone level returns to normal. It will not be safe to enter the residence until the process is complete.

3. HEPA Filters
High-Efficiency Particulate Arrestors, more commonly known as HEPA filters, work by trapping up to 99.97% of particulates. The system sucks the air into the device, passes it through the filter, and releases it on the other side. Most odor-causing particles will become trapped inside the filter, leaving you with only clean air.
Smoke cleaning is a special skill that requires special training and equipment to safely and effectively remove odors. If you are dealing with unwanted odors after a fire, call a professional fire restoration service for help.

Top Tips for Avoiding a Natural Gas Fire

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure everyone in your home knows these signs of a gas leak.

Top Natural Gas Fire Prevention Tips

Gas lines to your home are one of the wonders of the modern era. At the turn of the switch, plentiful gas flows into your home in a steady, controlled manner, allowing you to cook your meals, heat your home and clean your clothes. Occasionally, a gas leak occurs, leaving your home vulnerable to a gas fire. A few precautions and a little bit of knowledge can better prepare you and your family for such a scenario.

How To Identify a Gas Leak

Natural gas is colorless and odorless. To help with detection, a chemical called mercaptan is added to give gas a recognizable smell. The odor is commonly described as that of rotten eggs or hydrogen sulfide. Look for these signs to detect a gas leak:

• The sudden smell of rotten eggs
• A hissing sound coming from gas pipes
• A stove burner turned on but no flame
  
  

To prevent a gas fire make sure everyone in your home knows these signs of a gas leak. It may be helpful to children to let them smell natural gas with mercaptan so they can identify it.

How To Respond to a Gas Leak

If you suspect a leak, make a quick check of the stove to make sure all burners are off. Don't turn on any lights, as this could cause a spark and result in a gas explosion. Increase ventilation in the home by opening doors and windows. Have someone call 911 when that person is safely outside the home. If you know where your gas meter is located (normally outside of the home), try to locate a turn-off valve. A wrench may be needed to turn it to the off position.

If you do experience a gas fire, call in a fire cleanup team once the flames are extinguished. Look for a company that is Faster to Any Size Disaster and that can help with all aspects of fire recovery.

4 Essential Things To Do When Filing a Fire Damage Claim

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Residential fire damage in Pleasantville, NJ.

When Filing a Fire Damage Claim, There Are Four Things You Must Do

If a fire occurs in your Pleasantville, NJ, home, you may be at a loss for what to do next. One of the most important tasks to complete is filing a fire damage claim. Doing this can allow you to cover the fire restoration process. If you're unfamiliar with this task, here are four essential things to do when filing a fire damage claim.

1. Study Your Coverage

To make the most out of your insurance policy, you must study your coverage. These are particularly important factors to investigate:

• What damages are covered
  
• How soon your claim should be filed
  
• What your next steps are
  
  

If you need more thorough information, you can call your insurance company for help. Just be sure beforehand that you're planning on filing a claim.

2. Ask About Assistance

If your home is uninhabitable after the fire, you may be able to receive assistance from your insurance company. Part of your fire insurance could include housing, at least until your home has been restored. You may also be able to get essential products replaced. Keep in mind that these expenses may be taken out of your claim.

3. Document the Damage

Your fire restoration costs won't be covered unless the damage can be located and proven. If it's safe, walk through your home and look for damaged areas or items. Be sure to document what you see, preferably with visual proof. This will also be useful when an adjuster comes to inspect your home. When this happens, you can be sure every bit of damage is noted.

4. Keep Your Claim Open

While it may be easy to close your claim after getting the initial fire restoration payment, this could become problematic after a while. You may find that further damage has occurred since the accident. In case this happens, consider keeping your claim open for a while afterward.
Covering smoke cleaning and other aspects of the restoration process is essential. Therefore, it's important to file a claim as soon as possible.

How To Help Prevent a Fire During a Gas Leak

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

Make sure that your gas stove or oven is turned off.

While the building materials of a home provide plenty of kindling when a blaze breaks out, a gas fire can be another matter altogether. In both scenarios, hungry flames devour all in their path, but in a fire caused by an ignition of natural gas, explosive forces can blow out the structure of a home and cause greater demolition and even spread to neighbors more quickly. You can help prevent a disaster from occurring in your home in Linwood, NJ, during a gas leak by learning and remembering this checklist.

What To Do if You Smell Natural Gas

• Ventilate the area as quickly as possible to reduce the gas concentration by opening windows and doors.
• Make sure that your gas stove or oven is turned off.
• Do not plug in, unplug or turn on anything electrical including light switches.
• Learn where the gas line is located and how to shut it off. Turn it to the off position using a wrench.
• Get everyone out of the house and safely away from a potential gas fire explosion, then call 911 immediately.

How To Implement These Safety Steps

Using electricity during a leak can send out invisible sparks that can ignite gas fumes and start a fire, as can static electricity, and even your cell phone. Your best bet is to get everyone out and then investigate the odor’s cause or get help. You should learn where your gas meter is and how the shut-off operates. Keep a wrench to use for that purpose in a set location near the meter in case you need to use it. Get your family out with as little fuss and movement as possible to avoid building up static.

Should you experience a gas fire, or gas explosion, call on fire damage assessment technicians in Linwood, NJ, for help with salvage and restoration. The experience is traumatic enough without trying to deal with those things on your own. Learning what to do proactively if you do smell gas can save your home and even your life.

3 Factors That Can Influence a Fire Damage Restoration Estimate

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can help you when a disaster occurs. Call us when you need it, we are always ready to respond!

3 Things To Consider When Getting A Fire Damage Restoration Estimate

When a fire hits your business or Egg Harbor Twp, NJ, commercial property one of the first things you may consider is getting an estimate for the restoration costs. There are many professional restoration teams that can take care of the many repairs that come with fire damage, but the type of repairs they need to conduct and the costs can be affected by a number of factors. Here are three that could play a part in the quote.

1. Additional Damage Types

When receiving your quote, fire damage may not be the only type of cleanup required. In many cases a fire can also lead to water damaged caused by fire suppression systems or broken pipes. Smoke remediation may also be required. Your damage assessment professional will look at all these factors when factoring your quote.

2. Cleansing Services

The estimate given by your restoration team may also be influenced by the necessary cleaning services required to get everything back to pre-fire condition. These may include smoke odor removal, cleaning of furniture and upholstery, electronics cleaning for affected technology, and in some cases document restoration.

3. Extra Services

Many restoration companies offer additional services you may need to get your property functional again. These can include board up services to protect the building from additional damage during the restoration, debris removal, security services for lengthy repair work, and even help with the insurance claim. The use of these services may have extra costs attached, and should be indicated in your quote.

When receiving a commercial fire estimate it’s important to understand that a number of factors may play into the final price. In addition to standard fire damage clean up, your restoration team may look to see if there are any additional damage types such as smoke odor removal or water damage. You may also have options for cleaning services for damaged items, including documentation and furniture. Additional costs could come from other services you choose to take advantage of as well.