5 Things To Teach Your Kids About Fire Safety

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Salt Lake City, UT.

Teaching kids safety is an important factor when making an emergency fire plan for your Salt Lake City, UT, home. One way you can help protect them is by instructing them what to do if a fire does occur. Many firemen and fire damage restoration professionals agree that learning the following tips can help.

5 Lessons About Fire Safety

1. What Fire Hazards Are

One step toward preventing a home fire is to tell your children what a fire hazard is. This way they will know what items not to play with, and to tell you immediately if they see something amiss.

2. How To Stay Low

During a fire smoke and heat rise, meaning the cooler air is closer to the floor. Teaching your child to stay low can help them avoid the smoke and find fresher air.

3. How To Check a Door

One important step for kids safety during a fire is to know how to check a door before opening it. They should know to use the back of their hand to test the door’s surface for heat, and to open it only if it doesn’t seem hot.

4. What Safe Routes Are

Safe exit routes are an important part of a fire escape plan. Explain to your child where the closest exits are and how to use them safely.

5. Where to Meet Up

Instruct your child to go to a pre-selected location to meet up with you once they’re safely out of the house. This should be an easily identifiable location such as a neighbor’s porch or a fire hydrant.

In the event of a fire, kids' safety is important, and by teaching your child these things, you can feel more secure knowing they understand what to do in a fire. Telling them what a fire hazard is can help prevent a fire before it starts. They should also learn to stay low, check doors before they enter a room, follow safe routes out of the house, and where to meet up with everyone else.

Steps of the Fire Restoration Process

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

This house is on fire. Even a small number of flames can cause a significant amount of fire damage.

Even a small number of flames can cause a significant amount of fire damage. Here is what the process looks like when technicians from a fire restoration company in Salt Lake City, UT, arrive at your home.

5 Steps Of The Fire Restoration Process

1. Assessment

The first thing specialists have to do is analyze the problem. There are several components to this assessment:

• Noting the extent of the destruction
• Identifying the areas with water damage
• Detailing the processes needed to restore the structure

2. Extraction

A fire hose expels a lot of water in a short amount of time. This is great for getting rid of the flames, but the water needs to be extracted from your home quickly to minimize the damage it can cause. Technicians pump out standing water and debris and extract excess moisture from surfaces.

3. Removal

All affected items and materials are removed from your home during fire damage mitigation. Saturated dry wall is torn out and damp or smoky insulation is discarded. Flooring and ceiling materials must go, too. All damaged belongings must be inspected to determine whether or not they are salvageable.

4. Cleaning

There are three steps to the cleaning stage. The first is the removal of smoke and soot particles from every surface, crack and crevice. The second is the disinfection of everything the water used to put out the fire touches to rid your home of bacteria or fungus that may have started to grow in the moisture. The third step involves purifying the air to rid your home of unpleasant odors.

5. Restoration

Once the remaining structure is cleaned, it's time to rebuild. Technicians put up new walls and match the paint or wallpaper to what was already there. All new flooring may be in order if your carpets or tiles aren't able to be patched.

Restoring your home after a fire involves multiple steps. After the water and fire damage are repaired, the structure can then be rebuilt.

Smoke Alarms and Your Family's Fire Safety Plan

6/22/2022 (Permalink)

You can Avoid important Fire Damage by Following our Tips.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, smoke and gases put homeowners in danger faster than flames during residential fires, and the majority of these dangerous fires happen when victims are sleeping.

A smoke alarm provides vital additional moments for escape, but to enjoy the benefits of safety devices, they must be placed and maintained appropriately:

• According to manufacturer instructions
• Inside each bedroom
• On each floor of the home
• Outside bedrooms
• In rooms where fire risk is higher

Unfortunately, many homes in Salt Lake City, UT, and surrounding communities don’t have working alarms or enough detectors. Take a few moments to determine the best smoke detector plan for your home.

Answers to Common Questions About Your Smoke Alarm and Fire Safety Plan

Which type of device is best?

There are several options available today, including ionization, photoelectric, and combination. Ionization alarms are best at detecting fires that burst into flames rapidly while photoelectric devices track smoldering, smoky fires best.

Most experts recommend using both types or combination detectors in your home. Test your alarms once a month and replace batteries at least once a year. Most devices should be replaced after 10 years; some need to be switched out more often.

What are smart smoke detectors?

These devices come in both ionization and photoelectric types, and they work in the same way that traditional alarms work. However, smart devices also send an alert to your smartphone, connect several smart detectors, and may work with other smart features throughout your home. This improves your chances of responding quickly to a fire.

What are the most important features of fire alarms?

In addition to making sure you have both types of detectors, make sure you have a reliable source of power for each alarm. Battery-powered devices are a good option in older homes, but new construction provides a chance for connected systems that run on your home’s electricity with a battery backup. Hard-wired systems that are interconnected provide more escape time. Some alarms have voice features that may be more effective at waking children when detectors sound.

What should our fire safety plan include?

Create a fire escape plan with multiple escape routes (preferably two for each room) and practice these routes with your family often. Make sure your family members know where to meet after evacuating your home. Make sure that you practice your escape from every room in the home and practice during the day and night. In the best-case scenario, your children will respond automatically to leave the home immediately when an alarm sounds.

What about putting out fires?

Naturally, the best answer is prevention. Talk to your fire department about the steps you can take to reduce the risk in your home. Use this opportunity to become familiar with fire extinguishers and how to use them. Your quick action could prevent a small fire from spreading.

Your most important action during a residential fire is making sure that you and your family are safe once the smoke alarm sounds. Once you leave the home, don’t return for any reason. Any damage that occurs to the home can be repaired by home restoration professionals but treating the physical and emotional harm to family members is harder.

What To Expect During Restoration After a House Fire

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about Restoration After a House Fire, by Following These Tips.

Even if the flames get extinguished before a total loss, a fire in your Salt Lake City, UT home still means dealing with the aftermath. After ensuring everyone’s safety and filing a claim, the next step is contacting a professional fire restoration company. Along with expertise with soot and smoke damage, a professional will also be able to properly correct any water damage sustained while the fire was being put out. Once the experts arrive, you can expect the following five steps to happen as they get your home back to once it what was.

Important Tips to Consider about Restoration After a House Fire

1. Damage Assessment

Before any work begins, an assessment of the damage needs to happen. First, it means ensuring the property is safe to enter. After that, the experts will inspect the property to determine the height of the flames, amount of water intrusion, contents affected and more. They will identify items that must be tossed, as well as possessions that will be able to be packed up to be taken to a secure site for deep cleaning and restoration.

This step provides the homeowner and insurer a solid understanding of how much work will be required, how long it will take and the estimated cost.

2. Property Securement

A key element of fire restoration is ensuring the property is secure. The last thing homeowners want is extra damage to an already damaged home. Work will be completed to board up openings and seal the roof to keep unexpected weather and intruders out. In some cases, a temporary fence will be installed. This step also involves removing perimeter debris and sealing off unaffected areas to reduce the potential of the damage spreading.

3. Dry Out

When it comes to damage cleaning, getting the home dry is critical. While that may seem strange when dealing with a fire, it’s likely a significant amount of water was needed to extinguish the flames. Water removal is essential to keeping mold and other secondary damage at bay. Professionals use industrial equipment to speed up this process, as well as have the knowledge and know-how to remove and water-logged materials prone to spreading the damage, such as drywall.

4. Cleanup

Before the home can be returned to its original state, deep cleaning must happen. The most intensive step of the process, it involves removing smoke and soot damage from all surfaces, inside and outside. Oftentimes, this will include cleaning the ducts to ensure that no lingering odors or damage is left behind. After cleaning, the home will be thoroughly deodorized and treated to eradicate mold growth.

5. Restoration

During this last step, repairs will be made to damaged areas. Depending on the extent of the damage, it may mean replacing or rebuilding the roof, walls, floors, cabinets and more. While it may seem overwhelming, it is a necessary task to ensure that the home is back to like new.

Dealing with a fire is never anything anyone wants to deal with. While fire restoration may not be a fast process, getting the right help means restoring your home to its preloss condition faster and more efficiently.

Fire Alarm Basics You Need To Know

2/23/2022 (Permalink)

Learn More about Fire Alarms by following These Tips and prevent Fire Damage in your Park City, UT Home.

The fire alarm is one of the most effective ways to keep your home and family safe from a fire. The more you know about this convenient, affordable tool, the better you can use them in your home. Home fires can be some of the most frightening experiences that impact your home and maintaining a proper prevention and detection system is a vital element of keeping your family safe.

Five Useful Facts and Tips About the Fire Alarm

Which alarms are best? How many should you have in your home? What type of maintenance do alarms require? Installing and maintaining an effective alarm system doesn't have to be difficult, but it does call for some basic information.

1. Smoke alarms have different purposes.

Whether you refer to them as fire or smoke alarms or detectors, it's important to understand the different types and purposes of the alarms. A photoelectric alarm is more likely to recognize a smoldering fire as smoke particles disrupt an internal light sensor. Ionization alarms quickly respond to high flames.

The National Fire Protection Association recommends using both types of alarms in your home or a combination alarm that contains both technologies.

2. You probably need more alarms in your home.

You should have a detector inside each bedroom and in the hallway outside of the bedrooms. You also need a detector on every floor of your home. Consider hanging one in the kitchen, the garage, and other areas of the home where combustible materials are used and stored.

3. Smoke detectors require maintenance and inspections.

You may have already responded to that piercing chirping of an alarm with dying batteries. In addition to the once or twice-yearly battery replacement, you should test each alarm once a month or more often. Look for the test button on your alarm and hold it for a few seconds. You should hear a very loud beep. If you can't hear it or if the alarm is quiet, it's time to replace the batteries.

4. Don't paint the alarm and keep it free from other obstructions.

While you're testing, watch out for dust and buildup on or around the alarm. Paint, dirt, and grease buildup can prevent airflow around the alarm and stop it from detecting flames and smoke.

5. You should invest in interconnected alarms.

Reach out to professionals for an interconnected fire alarm system. If a fire breaks out in one part of the home, you want your entire family to receive the alarm. It only takes a few minutes for fire to spread throughout your home, so every second of advance warning you have gives you a better chance of safely evacuating. When professionals install your system, you can be confident that alarms are connected correctly and in proper working order.

When fire does affect your Park City, UT, home, there's a lot of potential for water and smoke damage, as well as secondary issues. Learn more about the steps you can take to avoid fire damage by reaching out to your insurance company, the local fire department, and fire mitigation and cleanup professionals.

The Steps of the Fire Restoration Process

1/7/2022 (Permalink)

Check these important Steps to Restore your Salt Lake City, UT house after a Fire.

A fire in your home in Salt Lake City, UT, can cause a lot of damage. Additionally, while the water used to put out the fire may save the structure, it can also saturate and ruin porous materials. The fire restoration process involves not only mitigating all this damage but also rebuilding your home so that it looks like it did before the fire. There are several steps in this process.

Follow these Steps to Restore your house after a Fire.

1. Assessment

The first thing that fire damage remediation specialists do when they arrive is to survey the damage to your home. This assessment reveals several factors that must be addressed in the mitigation process:

• Extent of the water and smoke damage
• Areas vulnerable to egress
• Equipment needed to resolve issues

Once they have this information, the technicians can formulate a plan for remediation and repair. They may also be able to give you a general estimate of the cost at this point.

2. Security

A fire typically causes windows to break and makes holes in the external structure of your building. Before work begins, the mitigation team boards up vulnerable spots to keep invaders such as animals, vandals and thieves out of your home.

3. Extraction

Standing water and damp materials can make any existing damage worse the longer they remain in your home. Therefore, technicians use industrial pumps to quickly extract water out of the way to minimize secondary issues.

4. Removal

The next step in the fire restoration process is the removal of any materials that are damaged beyond repair. Technicians tear out saturated drywall and insulation. They may also remove carpet, tile and ceiling materials. They also take furniture and other belongings out of the affected area so that they can be cleaned or discarded.

5. Cleaning

Damage cleaning is necessary for the removal of any dirt, soot or bacteria on the remaining surfaces. The space is likely contaminated and thus must go through a disinfection process. This gives the team a clean slate to work with before rebuilding begins.

6. Drying

Before adding new materials to the structure, the mitigation team wants to ensure that the space is dry. This prevents further damage such as mold growth. All surfaces are dried, and the humidity level in the space must be an acceptable level before they can proceed.

7. Restoration

The final stage is rebuilding the structure of your home and making it livable again. The restoration team adds new insulation and replaces the walls, ceilings and floors that were taken out. Then they make sure that the new parts match the remaining structure to provide a seamless view. When the whole project is finished, you shouldn't be able to tell where the damage happened.

A lot of damage can occur when fire ravages your home. The fire restoration process includes not only dealing with the effects of the actual fire but also removing water and drying out the area so that no further problems occur. Understanding everything that goes on during cleanup is important so that you have a realistic timeline for when your home is ready for your family again.

How Is Content Cleaning Done After a Fire?

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

After a fire in your Salt Lake City, UT home, some damaged items can be restored.

Whenever a fire occurs in a home there is damage from the heat and flames, smoke and soot, and the water or chemicals used to put out the fire. Some contents may be destroyed; however, some contents can be restored by using one or more cleaning methods, such as dry-cleaning.

5 Content Cleaning Steps for Fire Damaged Items

Restoring fire-damaged contents can be a difficult process. Smoke and soot stains and odors can linger for years if the correct cleaning techniques are not employed. For many homeowners, it is a good idea to contact a fire restoration company in Salt Lake City, UT, to clean fire-damaged contents. Most restoration companies employ a five-step cleaning process.

1. Take Precautions for Safety

Entering a fire-damaged structure can be dangerous. Restoration professionals take steps to make sure anyone entering the structure during cleanup is safe. To protect workers against smoke and soot particles in the air, respirators are worn. Gloves and other protective clothing protect against contact with soot on surfaces. Workers ensure that there is enough ventilation to keep working conditions safe.

2. Assess the Damage

Next, restoration professionals examine the damaged contents and decide which can be cleaned, which should be placed in content storage and which should be thrown out. They consider the value of the property when making this determination. It is important that this step be completed quickly because the longer soot remains on items, the more damage it can cause. Many items that have not suffered direct damage from fire or heat can be salvaged. Textiles, such as bedding and draperies, can usually be restored by dry-cleaning. Open food items are thrown away. Unopened food may be safe, but if there is any question it should be discarded. Plastic that is melted or discolored can be cleaned, but not restored.

3. Take an Inventory

If anything needs to be cleaned off-site, the restoration company will record which items are removed, where the items are stored, and what condition the items were in when taken out. For insurance purposes, an inventory is also made of any items that are discarded.

4. Perform Content Cleaning

The restoration company will then determine which cleaning method is best for each item and begin the cleaning process. Dry or wet cleaning is usually done for items with light residues. Spray and wipe methods are used for items that can not be wet cleaned without damage. Foam cleaning is often used for upholstery fabrics that may shrink or discolor if wet cleaned. Abrasive cleaning is only done on items that can withstand surface agitation. Immersion cleaning involves dipping items into the cleaning product.

5. Remove Odors

Finally, after cleaning is complete, the restoration company will remove smoke odors. Smoke odor removal may be done by ozone or hydroxyl deodorizing.

Whether you have lightly damaged items that need dry-cleaning or heavily damaged contents that require other techniques, a restoration company can salvage many items damaged by smoke or soot. However, it is important to act quickly before contents become damaged beyond repair.

How To Prepare a Home Escape Plan?

8/19/2021 (Permalink)

An escape plan can save your family's life and yours from a house fire in Salt Lake City, UT.

No one wants to think a house fire can happen to them, but the reality is that over 350,000 house fires occur in the United States every year. Having a fire escape plan in place can help ensure that your family stays safe if this happens to you.

Make Sure Everyone Is Included in Your Plan

Include all members of your household in your emergency escape plan. Pay particular attention to household members who may have special needs:

• Young children
• Elderly family members
• People with disabilities
• Guests
• Pets

Children and family members with a hearing impairment may not wake when a fire alarm goes off. Assign an adult family member to alert them. If you have family members with mobility issues or disabilities that may impair their ability to execute an escape plan, assign someone to assist them. Keep pet essentials, such as leashes or cat carriers, stored along your escape route. Assign a family member to look for your pet and attempt to evacuate it. If you can not get your pet out, leave the door open and call for it. Make sure your guests are familiar with your escape plan.

Plan Two Escape Routes

Smoke or flames may make your primary escape route impassable, so your fire escape plan should include two ways out of every room. The primary exit from most rooms is the door. The most common secondary exit is a window. Make sure both exits open easily and that any security devices have an emergency release.

Pick a Meeting Spot

Decide on a location outside your home where your family members will gather so that you can make sure everyone made it out. The location should be in front of the house so that emergency responders can see you. Common choices include a neighbor's house, mailbox, or street sign. Instruct your family members that no one is to go back into the house once they have escaped.

Make Sure Your Smoke Alarms Work

Periodically test your smoke alarms to make sure they work. You should install a smoke alarm in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping room, and on every level of your home.

Stress Quick Response Times

Make sure your family knows that if the fire alarm goes off they must immediately exit the house. Practice your plan at least once every year to make sure everyone can execute it quickly and correctly.

Create a Backup Plan

If one or more family members can not exit through either of the planned escape routes, instruct them to close all doors between themselves and the fire. They should also put a towel under the door and then go to an exterior facing window and call the fire department to report their location.

Plan for After the Fire

Once everyone is safe, have a plan for beginning the restoration process. Call your insurance company to file a claim. You may need a fire restoration company in Salt Lake City, UT, to assist with cleanup.

The most important thing to do if a fire happens is make sure everyone gets out safely. Having a fire escape plan in place will increase your chances of avoiding injury or loss of life.

How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan

8/4/2021 (Permalink)

A house on fire is dangerous and a traumatic experience.

No one in Salt Lake City, UT, wants to experience the devastation of a house fire, but in order to keep your family safe, you need to put a plan in place should once occur. Experts recommend working with your family to create a fire escape plan and practicing it at least twice a year so that everyone knows what to do.

Here are some ideas for what your plan should include.

1. How to Get of the Rooms.

Every household member should know at least two ways to escape each room in the home. If the fire prevents someone from leaving through the door, is there a window to crawl out of? Teach children how to open windows.

2. How and Where to Find Fire Escape Ladders.

If you have a two-story home, ladders can help people escape through top-floor windows. These are best used by adults and older children. Make sure everyone knows how to use them.

3. Where to Meet.

As part of your emergency escape plan, pick a meeting spot a safe distance away from the home. Everyone should know where it is. It is very important that children understand that everyone will meet at this safe meeting place and that they don’t need to try to rescue anyone on their way out of the home.

After your fire escape plan is established, your family should practice putting it into place. Practice until it can be completed in less than two minutes. In addition, your household can practice low crawling and waking up to a smoke alarm. Teach everyone how to dial 9-1-1 and stop, drop and roll.

The thought of experiencing a house fire is a scary one, but it’s better to come up with a fire escape plan in case of an emergency than it is to ignore the issue. Having a plan in place will help keep you and your loved ones safe.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com.

Important Smoke Alarm Replacement Tips

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your smoke alarm up to date in your Junction, UT home.

With all the time you spend in your home in Junction, UT, you want to know that you will be prepared and promptly alerted if a fire occurs. With each smoke alarm in your home replaced as necessary, you can feel confident that they will alert you in case of a fire.

1. Frequently Replace Batteries

Thanks to technological advances, alarms do not need to be replaced as frequently as they did in the past. However, just because the alarms themselves need to be replaced only every 10 years or so, this does not mean you can go years without replacing their batteries. A smoke detector should have its batteries replaced once a year.

2. Test Your Alarm

Even when you replace the batteries of your smoke alarm as needed, dysfunctions can still occur. Checking every alarm in your home once a month can help ensure that each alarm is functioning as it should. With most alarms, you can do this by pressing a button labeled ‘test.’ When testing your alarm, be prepared for the loud, consistent noise it will emit. If you don’t hear this response, it may be an indicator that your batteries need to be replaced.

3. Listen for Beeping

A smoke detector or alarm that needs new batteries will often spontaneously make a short beeping or chirping noise. Even if you have replaced your batteries within the year, the series of chirps may indicate that another change is required. If the alarm continues beeping after the batteries have been replaced, it might be time for a new alarm.

Keeping every smoke alarm in your home up-to-date is an important way to protect your home, yourself, and your loved ones. Although these measurements can alert you of a fire, destruction is not always preventable. If your home suffers from a fire, you may want to contact experts in fire damage restoration.

4 Tips About Smoke Detectors

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke detectors are very important to keep you and your family safe.

How often do you think about your smoke alarms, and do you have multiple alarms? A fire alarm is an essential piece of safety equipment, but many American households do not have an adequate number of devices in working order. If you are not aware of the current state of your alarms or are unsure of the number you should have for your home, contact the fire department or a fire restoration service in Salt Lake City, UT. However, to make the process easier, you can follow the four tips below.

4 Things to Know About Smoke Detectors

1. Number of Smoke Detectors Needed

Preventing extensive smoke damage is about early disaster intervention, meaning immediate response to a house fire. The best way to ensure the fastest response time is to have the appropriate number of smoke alarms for your home. The basic rule is to have at least one smoke alarm in every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every floor of the home. For a two-story, three-bedroom home, that would mean a minimum of three alarms.

2. Average Lifespan of Detectors

A fire alarm does not have the same lifespan as your roof or some appliances. Most alarms have a maximum usable lifespan of between eight and 10 years. It is a good idea to put a date on detectors or set notifications on your phone or calendars as reminders.

3. Types of Detectors

Fire damage can occur during fast-moving fires or slow, smoldering fires. There are different devices to alert you to which type of fire you are dealing with. An ionization alarm reacts quickly to flaming or fast-moving blazes. A photoelectric alarm is quicker to sense smoldering or smoky fires. You should have each type in your home or look for combination detectors.

4. Emergency Escape Plan

Did you know you likely only have about three to four minutes to escape a house fire? Because of changes in furniture and construction, house fires can spread more quickly than ever before. Make sure you have a practiced fire escape plan.

A fire alarm can save your life. Make sure you have enough for your home to protect your family.

Tips for Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home

2/23/2021 (Permalink)

Choosing the right fire extinguisher for your home can help you avoid further fire damage.

No homeowners like to think about a fire breaking out in their homes, but having a proper safety plan means preparing for the worst case scenario. Sometimes, the fire starts as a small, manageable flame that you can put out yourself, but in order to do this effectively, you have to have the right fire extinguisher within reach. Here are some tips for choosing the appropriate models for your home in Salt Lake City, UT.

3 Things to Consider When Choosing the Appropriate Fire Extinguisher

1. Effectiveness

A home fire can be caused by several issues:

• Ignited combustibles, such as wood or textiles
  
• Flammable substances, such as grease or gasoline
  
• Electrical problems
  

Some extinguishing agents work better on typical combustibles than others. You want to either make sure the label on your extinguisher indicates that it can cover all three categories of fire or purchase multiple extinguishers to place near high risk areas such as the kitchen.

2. Placement

There are several areas throughout your home where you need a fire extinguisher. Fire restoration experts recommend that you have an extinguisher in your garage and any other area where you work with electricity or flammable materials. You need one near your kitchen so that you can put out any fires that happen while you are cooking or baking, and you may consider adding an additional extinguisher within arm's length of the stove itself. Because of the risk of lint fires, you should also have an extinguisher in the laundry room. Since a home fire can break out anywhere, though, it's smart to have enough extinguishers that there is always one within a short distance.

3. Size

The size of the extinguisher depends on its potential use and the area it may have to cover. For large open spaces, a 10-pound extinguisher is appropriate. Most of the canisters throughout your home should be 5-pound models to cover smaller spaces. A 2-pound portable extinguisher is useful to have in your car.

Unless your home is very small, you likely need more than one fire extinguisher. Knowing what to buy and where to put them is a vital part of your fire preparedness plan.

4 Steps To Take When You Smell Gas

12/28/2020 (Permalink)

Avoid a gas fire in your home.

Most homeowners in Salt Lake City, UT, are familiar with the smell of natural gas, but it's not ever something you want to encounter when you are inside your house. To avoid a gas fire, you need to respond quickly any time you smell this telltale odor inside your home. Follow these four steps to keep your home, your family and yourself safe.

4 Steps To Keep Your Home and Family Safe

1. Avoid Sparks

If there is a significant gas leak in your home, the last thing you want to do is ignite it. Your gut reaction may be to pull out your cell phone and call 911, but it may result in a gas explosion. Resist the urge to turn on devices or flip on light switches until you know for sure the threat is gone.

2. Increase Ventilation

Airing out your home can help you avoid a gas fire. Open windows in several rooms to allow a cross breeze to come through. By dispersing the natural gas, you decrease the chances that an errant spark will ignite it and cause damage to your home.

3. Locate and Extinguish Source

Appliances such as your stove can leak gas into your home, especially if someone accidentally bumps the controls when walking by them. Complete a quick run-through of your home, checking every place from which the leak could emanate. Fire restoration experts also recommend using the main shutoff valve to keep more gas from getting to these appliances.

4. Vacate House

As soon as you can, you and your family should get out of the house. Put some distance between you and the structure, and then call 911 for assistance. Don't re-enter your home until you are cleared to do so.

If you smell gas, do what you can to get rid of it and then get out and let the professionals handle the rest. Following these tips can help you avoid a gas fire in your home.

Three Ways To Put Out Grease Fires Safely

10/20/2020 (Permalink)

Grease fire is a common type of kitchen fire in Salt Lake City, UT.

One of the most common types of kitchen fires is the grease fire. As oil and grease collect on your stovetop or inside your oven, it presents an increasing risk. When you're heating food or preheating your appliance, the oils get closer and closer to their flashpoint. This is the temperature that it takes for the oil to burst into flame.

What To Do and What To Avoid

One of the most crucial things you need to know about putting out a grease fire in your home is to NEVER put water on that fire. Water doesn’t mix with oil; instead, the water will sink below the oil, and as it evaporates, the moisture sends burning oil throughout your kitchen. Instead of using water, use one of the following techniques:

• Cover the flames with a metal lid. The seal between the dish containing the burning oil and the metal lid must be tight enough to prevent oxygen from reaching the flames.
• Pour baking soda or salt over the fire. Baking soda puts out the flames because it contains carbon dioxide, cutting off the oxygen supply. You'll need a lot of baking soda. Keep a #10 can or one of the big boxes from the laundry aisle. Salt absorbs heat, and you'll only need about one cup to put out the fire.
• You can avoid a lot of trouble and damage when you have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen. It's important to have the right type of extinguisher, however. You could choose a multipurpose extinguisher; just be sure there is a B or K in the label.

There are several things you may have in the kitchen that can make matters worse. For example, do not use flour, baking powder, or sugar. The chemical reaction between these ingredients and the grease will make the fire worse instead of better. Some people suggest draping a damp cloth over the flames. However, if any water from the cloth drips or splashes onto the flames, the fire may explode in your face.

Get Help When You Need It

As soon as you feel that the grease fire is out of your control, call 911, and make sure that members of your household safely leave the home. If your home suffers any damage, contact fire cleanup professionals to handle repairs.

How To Prevent Further Loss After a Fire

9/14/2020 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage

When your commercial property in Salt Lake City, UT, is ravaged by flames, you will need professional fire damage remediation. Until this process is complete, though, your building is vulnerable. By taking the following measures, you can protect what's left of your building until it can be fully restored and functional again.

3 Ways To Prevent Further Loss After a Fire

Board-Up Services

Fire tends to leave large, gaping holes in a building. Even if most of the things inside the structure are damaged, you still want to protect it from common problems:

• Looting
  
• Vandalism
  
• Animals
  
• Weather
  

Many fire cleanup companies offer board-up services as part of the mitigation process. They block off any entryway the fire left behind, such as broken windows or gaps in the roof or exterior walls, until they can be repaired.

Security Cameras

You may already have a security system set up around the perimeter of your property. If not, however, it's a good idea to install security cameras to keep a watch over the area when your building has fire damage. There are a few options available, and they all have their own advantages. For example, a hidden camera may help you catch a suspected ongoing problem, but an obvious setup can deter problems from happening in the first place.

Security Fence

If you don't have a fence around your property, you may want to consider putting one up after a fire. While it is not impossible for vandals and thieves to get around a fence, it adds one more barrier to their goal. Troublemakers who are looking for an easy mark may consider a security fence too much of a hassle and move on to other targets.

Fire damage is not the only concern you need to address after your building is engulfed in flames. It's important to make sure your building is secure, too. Boarding up vulnerable spots and installing security measures can protect it from additional damage.

Tips For Handling a Partial Fire Loss

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

It's important to have a smoke detector in your commercial building in Salt Lake City, UT

If a fire completely guts your commercial building in Salt Lake City, UT, you have a good case for collecting the maximum coverage amount from your insurance company. When you suffer a partial fire loss, however, the payment amount can be skewed by several factors. Follow these tips to make sure you get the full compensation you actually need.

3 Tips For Handling a Partial Fire Loss

1. Report the Loss Immediately

One of the first calls you should make when you have any kind of smoke damage is to your insurance provider. The company will send an adjuster to your building to identify problems that your policy covers:

• Structural damage
  
• Soot damage
  
• Secondary damage
  

The sooner adjusters can come to your building, the more accurate their survey of the affected space is likely to be. This makes your claim more likely to be accepted.

2. Document the Damage

Don't just depend on your insurance adjuster to report everything that is wrong with your building after a fire loss. Remember that the adjuster represents the insurance company and thus may be motivated to underestimate the amount of payout that is necessary. Pictures of the destruction, an itemized list of damages and a copy of the invoice from the fire restoration company can all be used to back up your claim.

3. File in a Timely Manner

You may have as little as 60 days to file the claim for your partial loss. If you miss the deadline, you probably won't receive any payment at all. To be on the safe side, file all your paperwork as soon as you have adequate documentation to support it. The sooner you get your payout, the faster you can move on.

A partial fire loss may cost less money to mitigate, but it can also complicate the claims process. Report the damage promptly and be vigilant about documentation and repairs to ensure that you get the full amount you need.

How To Choose the Right Smoke Detectors For Your Home

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

A smoke alarm plays an important role in keeping your family safe

A smoke alarm plays an integral role in keeping your family safe as well as preventing extensive fire damage in the event of a fire. It lets you know you need to put your evacuation plan in action, and it can alert you early enough that minimal damage is done. It's important to know the specifics of what your home needs in terms of fire detection.

Types of Detectors

A gas explosion alerts you to fire pretty quickly, but with most home fires, the first sign you'll hear is the chirp from your detectors. There are several types of detectors to choose from:

• Photoelectric Detectors – useful for detecting large smoke particles from electrical fires or smoking upholstery
• Ionization Detectors – useful for detecting small smoke particles from grease or paper fires
• Dual-Sensor Detectors – have both photoelectric and ionization components
• Combination Detectors – may include carbon monoxide detectors
  
  

You can use all of one type of detector or a combination throughout your home. If you have a large home, it is helpful if all of them are wired together. That way, if one smoke alarm goes off, they all do. Then you can escape and call for fire damage cleanup from a safe distance away.

Locations of Detectors

You need a smoke detector in a central area on every level of your home. If you have an attic, it is advisable to install a device that detects heat rather than smoke, as most smoke detectors are not designed to be used in areas with extreme temperatures. For proper fire safety, you also need a detector outside each sleeping area and inside every bedroom.

A reliable smoke alarm system can mean the difference between needing fire cleanup and needing to find a new home altogether. Having the right type of detectors in the right locations can help you keep your home and your family safe.

Teaching Kids About Fire Safety

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

Practice fire safety with your family to keep the safe.

As a parent, you want your child to feel safe at home. While teaching children about potential residential disasters might feel counterintuitive to creating a secure environment, fire safety is necessary to ensure their well-being should the worst occur. Most fire prevention and restoration experts in Salt Lake City, UT, can tell you there are four things every child needs to know to escape a fire.

4 Things Every Child Needs to Know

• Bed roll
• Fire crawl
• Door check
• Escape plan
  

Bed Roll

Heat rises. Temperatures between the floor and the ceiling can differ by a few hundred degrees during a fire. Teach your children how to get out of bed during an emergency. The bed roll is a simple maneuver, and it can save your kids' lives. First, have them roll to the edge of their mattress with their face toward the floor. Extend the hand closest to the edge down to the floor to brace themselves. Slowly, they will slide off of the mattress and onto the floor.

Fire Crawl

The next fire safety maneuver to learn is the fire crawl, which has two iterations. The first crawl is on all fours like a baby, with your forearms on the ground and your nose close to the floor. Some refer to the second crawl as an army crawl, and you use it when the heat is too great. For the second crawl, you lay on the floor and use your arms and legs to push you across the floor.

Door Check

Closing doors can often reduce fire damage, but opening a door during a fire is dangerous. Teach your children how to check a door safely with the back of their hand. Do not open a hot door.

Escape Plan

Create and practice a fire escape plan with your kids. You should practice multiple times throughout the year to ensure familiarity.
Fire safety is critical. While parents don't want to scare their children with a hypothetical, sometimes it is necessary to protect them.

Understanding the Fire Remediation Process

3/30/2020 (Permalink)

Kitchen fire damage.

A fire in your home in Salt Lake City, UT, can cause a lot of damage. Fire restoration experts start by repairing the damage, and then they can rebuild your property.

Four steps you can expect the technicians to take once they arrive at your home.

1. Assessment

The first thing specialists have to do is get a clear picture of the extent of the damage. They walk through your home, making note of fire, water and smoke damage that needs to be mitigated. At the end of this visit, they compile an itemized list of tasks and can give you a general cost and timeline for completion.

2. Removal

Before technicians can repair salvageable items, they must remove everything that needs to be thrown out. Even if they are able to save something, it still needs to be removed so that they can work on repairs. Personal belongings must be removed and either set aside for cleaning or discarded.

3. Cleaning

After all destroyed materials have been removed, a thorough cleaning is in order. A big part of fire restoration is cleaning not only the soot and smoke left by the fire but also the water damage that happened from the fire being put out. Every surface must be disinfected before new materials can be brought in.

4. Restoration

Once damage cleaning is done, technicians can build on the existing structure to restore your property. New drywall can be added and painted to match the rest of the area. New tile and flooring can be installed. Finally, items that were able to be restored can be moved back into the space.

A home fire may cause a lot of damage, but most homes can be repaired. The fire restoration process starts with assessment and mitigation. Then technicians take the steps necessary to return your home to its former glory.

How To Avoid Space Heater Fires

1/2/2020 (Permalink)

Space heaters can be a leading cause of fire damage in your home in Salt Lake City, UT.

A space heater can provide extra warmth. It can also save on heating bills by allowing you to set the thermostat in your home in Salt Lake City, Utah, on low while still heating the specific rooms you are using to a comfortable temperature. A burned space heater doesn't help you, though. To avoid space heater fires, you need to follow a few simple tips.

Tips to avoid space heater fires

Give It Space

The heating elements on a space heater give off an impressive amount of heat, but they can turn into a fire hazard quickly if they are crowded. There are several guidelines to make sure you have enough space around your heater:

• Maintain radius of three feet from flammable objects
• Don't use near combustible substances, such as gasoline
• Keep children and pets away from heater
• Set it on a level surface so it doesn't topple over

Turn It Off

To avoid having a burned space heater when you leave the room, remember to turn it off. Space heaters should never be left unattended while they are on, especially if you leave the house altogether. In fact, it's a good idea to unplug the heater when you are not at home. Keep an eye out for a frayed or otherwise damaged cord.

Keep It Clean

Keep your space heater clean to minimize fire risk. Dust and other debris can turn a functioning space heater into an electric fireplace in a hurry. Replace filters regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendation so that dirt does not infiltrate the heating mechanism. Follow maintenance instructions so that it not only lasts a long time but also does not become a safety issue.

A burned space heater can turn convenience into a nightmare. By following these simple guidelines, you can increase your creature comforts while still keeping you and your family safe. To avoid having to call for fire cleanup with a restoration company, choose a space heater that is safe and use it safely.

How To Avoid Space Heater Fires

10/30/2019 (Permalink)

Avoid space heater fires in Salt Lake City, UT.

A space heater can provide extra warmth. It can also save on heating bills by allowing you to set the thermostat in your home in Salt Lake City, UT, on low while still heating the specific rooms you are using to a comfortable temperature. A burned space heater doesn't help you, though. To avoid space heater fires, you need to follow a few simple tips.

Space Heater Fire Damage

Give It Space

The heating elements on a space heater give off an impressive amount of heat, but they can turn into a fire hazard quickly if they are crowded. There are several guidelines to make sure you have enough space around your heater:

• Maintain radius of three feet from flammable objects
• Don't use near combustible substances, such as gasoline
• Keep children and pets away from heater
• Set it on a level surface so it doesn't topple over

Turn It Off

To avoid having a burned space heater when you leave the room, remember to turn it off. Space heaters should never be left unattended while they are on, especially if you leave the house altogether. In fact, it's a good idea to unplug the heater when you are not at home. Keep an eye out for a frayed or otherwise damaged cord.

Keep It Clean

Keep your space heater clean to minimize fire risk. Dust and other debris can turn a functioning space heater into an electric fireplace in a hurry. Replace filters regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendation so that dirt does not infiltrate the heating mechanism. Follow maintenance instructions so that it not only lasts a long time but also does not become a safety issue.

A burned space heater can turn convenience into a nightmare. By following these simple guidelines, you can increase your creature comforts while still keeping you and your family safe. To avoid having to call for fire cleanup with a restoration company, choose a space heater that is safe and use it safely.

How To Find the Right Smoke Detector for Your Home

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Dual - Sensor Alarm

In Order to Find the Right Alarm, You Need to Know the Various Types

Finding the right smoke detector for your Deer Crest, UT home is a key part of fire safety. If your home does not have the proper smoke alarm, your house could sustain severe fire damage and require a major fire cleanup.
In order to choose the right alarm, you need to know the various types. They include:

• Combination
  
• Photoelectric
  
• Ionization
  
• Dual sensor

Combination Alarm

A combination alarm typically includes both smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Because carbon monoxide sensors do not last as long as smoke ones, combination alarms need to be replaced more frequently. However, they are great for homes that include an attached garage or fuel-burning appliances.

Photoelectric Alarm

A photoelectric alarm is ideal for detecting slow-burning fires, specifically electric fires or those in clothes and bedding. These detectors are less likely to go off accidentally, but they can be more expensive.

Ionization Alarm

An ionization smoke alarm detects small particles from quickly igniting fires such as those caused by grease or paper. Since they are fairly sensitive, you may want to avoid using them near kitchens.

Dual-Sensor Alarm

As its name implies, a dual-sensor alarm uses parts of both ionization and photoelectric smoke detectors. They can be costly, but they also provide great protection for the entire home.
There are several other factors you should consider when choosing a detector. If you don’t want to climb a ladder to test the battery every month, look for a device that can be tested via remote control. You may also want to choose a detector that is easy to clean.
Buying the right detector and regularly checking the batteries will help keep your loved ones safe in the event of a fire. The beeping smoke alarm should alert you to the presence of a fire before it spreads. You may thus be able to put out the fire before it destroys your home. However, if your house is badly burned, fire damage cleanup professionals should be able to restore the property.

Proven Ways To Prevent a Commercial Fire

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

A business should have a clearly labeled evacuation route for employees

A commercial fire is one of the biggest calamities that can strike a business. Therefore, it makes sense to spend some time, money and energy on fire prevention. It is much easier to prevent a fire in the first place than it is to deal with the cleanup, expense and business interruption of a fire to a factory, retail building, office, hotel or other business entity. The principals of guarding against a business fire have been known for a long time.

The Basics of Prevention

There are several basic steps every business should undertake to stand the best chance of avoiding a costly fire. These include the following:

• Every company should schedule a visit from the fire department in Park Meadows,UT
  
• It should have a plan in place
  
• It should have fire equipment, such as alarms and extinguishers, on the premises
  
• A business should have a clearly labeled evacuation route for employees
  
  

These basics of fire prevention will go a long way toward making a place of business safe. They may be able to prevent or significantly reduce fire damage from a commercial fire. It would also be smart to know fire remediation experts in Park Meadows, UT, to contact in the event of a fire.

The Next Level of Prevention

For a company that has a lot of assets or that may be at a higher risk of a fire, there are more advanced precautions to take. Since employee knowledge is important, it makes sense for a company to have a safety officer. This person would be responsible for making sure a current plan is in place and that fire equipment has been inspected and is located in the right spots. An automatic sprinkler system could be a worthwhile investment, as well.

Fire prevention is an important thing to consider for most companies. With a little initiative from management and workers, a costly fire can be prevented.

Vital Tips on Getting Ready to Undertake the Fire Restoration Process

4/9/2019 (Permalink)

Garage Fire in Park City, Utah.

Fire can be catastrophic, disastrous, and can claim lives and properties in Park City, UT. At times, failure to act accordingly causes the menace to spread and burn intensively. The poor response to fire disaster is due to lack of proper preparedness and adequate knowledge on how to handle such cases. It is, therefore, critical to have vital information concerning fire management and restoration to be able to handle it or even to prevent it from occurring so as not to lose valuable items.

Causes of fire

According to NFPA report, a fire gets reported at an interval of 25 seconds. The fire may be a home fire, structure fire, unclassified fire, or a highway vehicle fire, which has claimed more than 15% of the fire deaths. Fire can be caused by;

• Faulty electronics
• Household products which include electric blankets and mattresses
• Arson and juvenile fire setting
• Heating equipment and appliances, which cause commercial fire damage

Ignorance and poor installation of heating equipment cause home fires that claim many civilian deaths. It is advisable to ensure proper installation process of various appliances as it helps minimize chances of a fire occurrence. Smoke claims a thousand lives that succumb to death because of suffocation.

Fire damage restoration preparation

Fire safety equipment should be installed as a measure of securing the property and individual lives. In the case of fire in business and shopping malls, the fire apparatus assist a big deal in restraining it from spreading to other malls and reducing smoke smells. It is advisable to place the fire equipment in strategic positions where one can access without much struggle, which saves property owners from getting commercial fire damage problems. Raise fire alarms to alert fire marshals about the fire menace. Fire in business buildings can be catastrophic, and it should be extinguished immediately with the help of the locals and fire marshals. In the case of fire, whether at home or in the business places, one should get out of the building, but in an orderly manner. Keep a distance to avoid getting hit by the falling items.

Fire damage restoration

After a fire hazard, courage and patience are necessary to get everything up and running. If fire damage restoration is carried out in a timely and organized manner, much is recovered, and the place gets restored to its initial state. However, fire in business structures leaves a high-degree destruction, which NFPA advises to keep off the perimeters of such affected building. Below is a fire damage restoration process that should give great results if followed to the letter.

Prior preparation

Before committing to fire cleanup, one should wait for a thorough inspection by fire marshals to inspect the affected area, affirm that it is safe, and no other fire can occur in the vicinity. After the scrutiny, the fire marshals give a go ahead allowing one to proceed with the fire cleanup process. In case one had an insurance cover in case of fire in business place or fire in home, it is advisable to call the insurance company for a checkup before tampering with any item involved in the fire damage. After that, wear a protective gear which includes, gloves, nose mask, boots, and heavy duty apron for maximum protection against sharp objects and dust. The fire cleanup process is rigorous.

Smoke damage and soot damage

The smoke and the soot emanating from the fire damage leave spots and smoke smell on items, which can get worse if left for long and cause commercial fire damage. The smoke damage and soot damage should not be ignored. Clean the soot damage by using an absorbent mop or cloth and ensure you don’t damage the original texture of the fabric. To completely remove smoke damage odor, apply fresheners simultaneously until the smoke smell fades.After accomplishing this task, continue with the fire cleanup process in other areas.Leave no trace of smoke damage or soot damage.

Washing carpets and clothing

Fire in home makes clothing and household items victims of fire damage. Some clothes may be burned and should be dumped. The remaining clothes should be put outside for a careful selection and washing to remove the soot spots and smell. For a fire in home, use wet vacuum cleaners to remove the dust and spots from the carpet.

Fixing fire damage can be a rigorous activity, but it is worth the time and dedication to get the house back to its normal state. Preventing fire in home from occurring is better, but since nobody knows about the intriguing future, it’s better to get ready to handle the mess and prevent commercial fire damage.

SERVPRO of NE Salt Lake City/ Park City has the training, experience and specialized equipment necessary to restore your home or business from Fire Damage. 

Minimize the Risk of Fire Danger in Your Home

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Install an adequate number of smoke detectors throughout your home

Fire is a word no one likes to think about, much less experience in his or her home in Dear Valley, UT. The loss of a home’s structure, contents, and harm to family members in a home fire is a devastating and traumatic experience. The good news is that risks can be minimized with careful fire preparation practices.

Your home and family are unique and so will your preparations be, but there are some basics that should be attended to in order to prevent a blaze from breaking out. Here are some of the basic items to attend to.

Basic Steps to Fire Preparation

• Make sure the furnace and water heater are in good working order and well-maintained
• Never operate space heaters or candles near curtains or other flammable materials or leave them unattended
• With your family, make a plan for escape in the event of a fire and make sure they all know how to call for help
• Use fire-safe procedures when cooking and don’t allow oil or grease near heating elements or allow to overheat
• Install an adequate number of smoke detectors throughout the home and keep working fire extinguishers at easy reach.

Involving Your Household

Fire safety is a family event. Together with household members, discuss the steps needed. Let everyone be involved in helping – get them excited about fire preparation and prevention rather than afraid of a potential home fire. Tailor your rules to each person as needed - Don’t allow a teenager to burn an open candle in their bedroom for instance. Make sure any family members who smoke do so safely, not smoking in bed and making sure all cigarettes and any matches are fully extinguished.

An emergency building restoration company in  Dear Valley, UT, can do much to help repair and salvage your home after a fire. But with proper fire safety practices, and participation from your family, a blazing disaster is much less likely to happen in your home.

Preparing for Fire Cleanup

12/27/2018 (Permalink)

Soot damage after fire in a Salt Lake City, UT home

Steps to Restore Your Home After Fire Damage

A home fire can be a difficult event, but there are steps a homeowner can take to rectify smoke damage and related issues. The following procedures can help you restore your living space in Salt Lake City, UT, and return to your daily routine.

1. Smoke on the Walls and Ceiling

Some of the most obvious signs of a fire, even a minor one, are streaks of discoloration on interior surfaces. If the affected area is a relatively non-porous surface, such as a painted wall with a high-gloss enamel coating, then soot damage can usually be cleaned with a detergent or degreaser solution. Other fixed surfaces may require more extensive treatment, such as smoke-covered plaster. In these cases, it may be prudent to contact a qualified fire cleanup service.

2. Further Precautions

Removable items such as upholstery, furniture and appliances should be washed or laundered, preferably away from the home so as not to further spread smoke particles and odors. Replace filter components of your central heating and air system. Refrigerators and freezers may require additional smoke cleaning and inspection of food items. Any building materials with more than superficial damage, such as charring, may require professional attention.

3. Water and Fire

If emergency personnel had to put out the fire, or if a fire suppression sprinkler system was activated, there may be water damage in addition to the fire and smoke damage. Ensure that any nearby electrical systems are disconnected before inspecting them and beginning the cleanup process. Set up fans or dehumidifiers in order to move air through the building. Excess dampness can lead to mold or rot if left unresolved. Materials like drywall or carpet padding that have absorbed too much water may need to be replaced.

Smoke damage doesn’t have bring your life to a halt and hurt your property value. With attention and care, most belongings and home surfaces can be restored to their original condition.

How To Maintain Your Building's Fire System

8/24/2018 (Permalink)

Your commercial property in Jeremy Ranch, UT, should have a working fire sprinkler system. While no method of protection is a guarantee for safety if a fire breaks out, sprinkler systems have an excellent track record for helping to put the fire out more quickly and keeping everyone safe. They can only do this if they work properly, though, so regular inspection and maintenance is critical. Here are some tips for keeping your fire suppression system in good working order.

Keep to the Code

One of the most common causes of sprinkler malfunction is lack of adherence to fire codes. There are many examples of issues that can keep your system from working as well as it should:

• Boxes or furniture stacked above the fire line in the room, blocking sensors
• Painters' tape left on fire sprinkler after remodeling project
• Bags placed over sprinkler to keep it from detecting cigarette smoke
• Items hanging from sprinkler

Any of these actions or others like them can cause malfunction. The sprinkler may go off in the room even though there's no fire, or the it may fail to register a fire that does exist. Every room with a sprinkler should have a sign posted with guidelines for adhering to fire code and protecting the fire system.

Lock the Control Valves

A faulty sprinkler valve can wreak havoc on your building, causing it to flood so badly that you need water remediation specialists to perform the fire sprinkler cleanup. One way to avoid this problem is to lock all the control valves in the system, keeping them in the open position. A monthly visual inspection is a good idea, but it's also important to monitor the sprinklers through their communication with the system itself. Your fire panel should alert you if a sprinkler valve is closed.

While a yearly inspection from the fire marshal is required, it is not enough to keep your fire sprinkler system in good working order. You must also inspect and maintain your fire system throughout the year.

4 Common Causes of House Fires

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

4 Common Causes of House Fires

A home fire is a concern that every homeowner should be aware of. The U.S. fire department responded to over a million fires in 2015. Often, a fire happens accidentally, but it’s important to know how to prevent these situations from occurring. Here are four common fire causes in the home.

1. Cooking

The kitchen is a favored room in most houses, but it can be a dangerous place if left unattended. While cooking, be sure to clear away flammable objects that might get in your way. Also, never leave the room while cooking with your pots and pans. If you get distracted in another room, you might not notice a potential fire risk until it’s too late.

2. Electrical Appliances

Any electrical equipment that is faulty can create a home fire. Check for any frayed cords, faulty plugs, or overloaded outlets. During the fire cleaning process, you might be surprised how much damage one hazardous appliance can create.

3. Candles

Candles can create the perfect atmosphere for a fancy dinner, but they can also be dangerous if you’re not careful. The small flames can easily catch paper on fire, and if you’re not paying attention, those flames can grow out of control. Remove any flammable objects such as books or magazines before you set the candles out.

4. Smoking

A cigarette butt can stay lit for several hours even after you smoke. If one of these contacts furniture or drapery, the flammable material could burst into flames. To prevent this, try to avoid leaving cigarettes in the bedroom or other areas with a lot of furniture.
A home fire is never wanted, but it happens more than you might think. Be smart while cooking, inspect your appliances, and carefully discard your cigarette butts after you finish smoking. By taking precautions within your home in Salt Lake City, UT , you can decrease the risk of a disaster.

For more information, please visit us athttp://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com.

3 Tips To Prevent Chimney Fires

2/5/2018 (Permalink)

Many homeowners do not give their chimneys the attention they deserve. It is a shame, because without proper maintenance, a chimney fire could break out. You will know if a fire has broken out in your chimney because you will notice black smoke coming out of the stack as well as an intensely hot odor. Fortunately, a few preventive actions can greatly reduce your chances of dealing with a fire like this in Salt Lake City, UT. 

1. Clean Chimney Regularly

The easiest thing you can do is hire someone to clean the inside of your chimney from time to time. A professional knows what precautions to take to prevent injury. This is especially important because someone will need to get on the roof to clean effectively. You do not want to put yourself in harm’s way by getting on the roof yourself.

2. Only Burn Dry Wood

You want to avoid using wet wood in your fireplace. It is also good to avoid wood that is not yet fully cured to circumvent a chimney fire. Both of these varieties produce a greater amount of smoke. Therefore, they leave behind much more residue in the chimney. With dry wood, you will greatly reduce the amount of creosote left behind.

3. Avoid Burning Anything That Should Not Be Burned

Dry kindling or clean newspapers are some of the best ways to start a fire. However, too many homeowners simply toss whatever they have around the house in the fireplace. Wrapping paper and cardboard boxes should never be used. You should also avoid using gasoline in an attempt to get the fire going. All of these increase your risk of starting a fire.

A chimney fire can cause a lot of damage, and it will not take long until the fire spreads to other areas of your home. Fortunately, it is completely preventable as long as you know how to properly and safely use your fireplace.

For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com.

6 Steps To Take After a Fire

12/13/2017 (Permalink)

6 Steps To Take After a Fire

There are few things more emotionally devastating than having a fire rip through your Salt Lake City, Utah home. In an instant, your treasured belongings can be damaged or destroyed, leaving you with a gaping hole in your life. When a fire disaster happens to you, there are some steps you can take to help make the aftermath easier to manage. In addition to contacting a fire restoration company to help you with the cleanup, here are some steps that can shorten your post-fire recovery.

Call your fire insurance company. The sooner you file a claim, the faster your insurance company can work through the claims process.

Don’t touch damaged areas. Fire can weaken structures beyond what is apparent to the eye. Leave damaged areas alone until these areas are deemed safe by a professional. If necessary, contact a firm offering board-up services to secure your home from outsiders.

Check ceilings and floors for sagging. Water damage caused by putting out the fire can severely weaken these areas. Do not walk on or under sagging areas.

Check appliances before using them. Unplug and check all your appliances for damage before you turn them on. If in doubt, replace them. Remember that safety first is the guiding principle of fire restoration.

Check your electrical system. Look for broken or frayed wires, and be aware of smells such as hot insulation. If these are present, turn off your circuit breakers, and contact a qualified electrician for help.

Start the smoke cleaning process. Smoke damage gets worse the longer it sits. For this reason, it’s important to begin the cleanup process as soon as possible.

Nobody wants to go through a home fire, but if it happens to your Salt Lake City, Utah home, the steps listed here can lessen the impact of a house fire on your home and your life. Dealing with the fire restoration process and your fire insurance company can be overwhelming, but it is better to do so sooner rather than later. Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

How A Fire Restoration Company Can Restore Your Home

10/23/2017 (Permalink)

How A Fire Restoration Company Can Restore Your Home

Fire damage is one of the most frustrating and devastating situations you can face, and if improperly handled, it can lead to major structural damage and huge repair costs. Fire damage in home or fire business situations should be addressed promptly. That way you can be assured of no additional problems in the near future.

Fire damage has many notable side effects, including water damage. Left untreated, the water may lead to additional damage within a few days of the fire incident. Water and foam, used to put out fires, also mix with soot and ash to create a mess. It is strongly recommended that you refrain from attempting to handle this type of repair work yourself, since the affected area will require specialized treatment and attention.

Fire damage restoration specialists can handle all sorts of residential and commercial fire and smoke damage situations. Fire damage restoration professionals always treat the property with proper care. They utilize high-tech restoration tools and advanced techniques to remove the soot damage, the smoke damage, eliminate smoke smell, and best of all, they restore the property to its pre-fire condition. Their knowledge and experience in all areas of fire in home and fire in business damage restoration will help businesses and home owners get back to handling their normal routine.

Here is the standard fire damage restoration process followed by residential and commercial fire damage professionals to restore the property back as normal as possible.

Call A Restoration Company

Dealing with fire in business or fire in home can be very stressful, and requires great expertise. It is extremely important to call a residential or commercial fire damage company to board up the exposed areas and handle the fire cleanup, including the repair of soot damage, smoke damage and smoke smell. Board up must be done properly and as soon as possible, whether it's a fire in home or fire in business issue.

Assessment Of The Situation

Once a technicians from a restoration company arrive at the site, they will get to work immediately assessing the damage. This initial step usually involves inspection of the affected area and its contents to determine how to approach the situation. They will develop a customized action plan for restoration, including a plan to board up the windows and missing walls, and address smoke damage, soot damage and smoke smell.

Eliminate Damaged Materials

Residential or commercial fire damage professionals remove all damaged materials and eliminate smoke smell using appropriate techniques. They wear protective clothing and use their state-of-the-art equipment and tools to remove the materials before they begin the fire cleanup.

Trained residential or commercial fire damage technicians will take the time to perform cleaning of all areas affected by the fire damage, soot damage, smoke damage and smoke smell. Professionals will conduct a thorough inspection of the property after the fire in business or fire in home cleanup to make sure that the fire cleanup efforts are successful.

Repair and Renovation

The idea of this final stage is to restore the property to a good condition. This involves actually repairing the damage caused by fire in home or fire in business. For instance, if furniture or cabinets have been destroyed by fire, technicians will either repair those items or replace them with new ones. New walls can be repainted and carpets can be installed.

Summing Up

Fire can cause tremendous damage to a home or business property. Businesses and homeowners can oftentimes be devastated by the severe damage caused by a fire event. It is important to call a restoration company as soon as possible after a fire in business or home, to board up and begin fire damage restoration right away.

Experienced fire cleanup professionals have the resources and skill to handle the situation and get rid of smoke damage, smoke smell, soot damage and restore the property to its pre-fire condition.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

Professional Fire Damage Restoration Tips and Guidelines

8/21/2017 (Permalink)

Professional Fire Damage Restoration Tips and Guidelines

When the smoke clears after commercial fire damage or fire in home, many homeowners find themselves in a very challenging situation trying to restore their homes to their state before the fire. The challenge with fire damage is that smoke, soot and also the water used in the extinguishing process are all agents that cause harm to the house. It is advisable to hire professionals to handle fire cleanup and restoration for you after a case of fire damage. Below are some tips that can help you get excellent fire damage restoration results after a fire in home.

What to do before restoration

You can only re-enter a building that was destroyed in a fire when the fire marshal says that it is okay to do so. You will need safety equipment such as goggles, gloves and a face mask for protection. It is recommended that you be in the commercial fire damage professionals as accidents can still happen at this point. Alternatively, you can leave the assessment job to the fire damage restoration experts altogether. When they get in the house, they open fans and windows to increase the flow of air in the building. The process of assessing the extent of the fire in home damage then starts.

Board up service after fire damage

One of the initial steps which will be taking action to make sure that the building is protected from further damage. Board up services perform the duty of sealing the building from unwanted intruders and preventing the collapse of structures which have been weakened by the fire. A service that goes together with the board up is tarping on the roof of the building. Roof tarping, just like the board up, protects the interior of the house from rain water and also keeps intruders out.

When the house is protected from further damage and vandalism, the commercial fire damage experts start the fire cleanup process. The restoration company first removes any water that could have been left behind in the firefighting efforts and dry up the interior of the home. A dehumidifier will also help in the removal of any excess moisture to protect the building from future mold damage.

Dealing with soot damage after a fire.

After a fire, thick black soot damage occurs on the walls and ceiling and at times even the floor. The fire damage restoration experts use a vacuum cleaner to try and remove any excess soot from the soot damage. The restoration company will spread a tarp on the floor before fire cleanup to avoid staining surfaces like the floor further. Other methods that are used for the smoke damage and fire cleanup include dry sponges which absorb the moisture and chemicals such as trisodium phosphate.

Dealing with smoke damage after a fire

After the soot damage has been dealt with, you will still need to deal with the lingering smoke smell left behind by smoke damage. There are various cleaning agents used by the commercial fire damage restoration experts to remove this smoke smell. The extent of the smoke smell and smoke damage after a fire in business will determine the amount of cleaning up needed to fix the problem.

Restoration

After the removal of the smoke smell left behind after a fire in business or home, the last step in the process is restoration. The restoration company will assess the now clean, dry and odorless house and note down the repairs which need to be made. Some of the common repairs made after fire damage include the replacement of any drywall which was destroyed in the fire, replacement of floor boards, cabinets and other wooden structures and repainting the building. If doors and windows were ruined, the restoration company helps with the repairs and replacements. The process ends when the house has been fixed to resemble the state it was in before the fire in home or fire in business.

It is recommended that for your safety, and the quality of the work done, you should hire commercial fire damage professionals in fire damage restoration. Trying DIY projects to fix fire in business often has poor results and put the safety of the occupants of the building at a significant risk.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

What to Do After a Kitchen Fire

7/25/2017 (Permalink)

What to Do After a Kitchen Fire

A fire in a home kitchen is one of the scariest things you may ever experience. The most common reason for this type of fire is a cooking accident. If an oil fire breaks out, you grab water and toss it on the fire, you'll notice the flames jumping and spreading to your cabinets and across your kitchen. This can be as scary as a fire in a business or in your bedroom. Once the flames go out, you can turn to a fire damage restoration business to get help with the cleaning up the fire damage and taking care of your kitchen.

Block Off Access

Before you focus too much on the smoke damage or soot damage, you'll want to block off access to your kitchen. Depending on the severity of the fire damage, you may need to board up the kitchen until you take care of the fire cleanup. Limiting access to the room keeps your pets from playing in the fresh soot and stops your kids from tracking gray ash through your home. You can board up the room until a restoration company comes in or let a fire damage restoration company do it for you.

Get an Inspection

The inspection is easily one of the most important steps in the fire cleanup process. It's just as important after you suffer residential damage as it is after commercial fire damage. This inspection is so important because it's impossible for you to see if there is structural damage inside the walls. When doing a residential or commercial fire damage inspection, the company will let you know how you can get rid of the smoke smell and what fire cleanup tasks you can do on your own.

Take Care of Water Damage

A fire in a home kitchen can cause smoke damage as well as water damage, which is something that most people who own homes do not think about. The heavy hoses that fire fighters use will put out the fire but will also leave behind both standing water and water marks. That water can maker the smoke smell worse and cause more soot damage because it helps the soot spread. Fire cleanup companies can repair water damage after you experience residential or commercial fire damage.

Replace Appliances

One step in the fire damage restoration process that you might not consider is what happens to your appliances. A restoration company can help you board up your kitchen, take care of fire damage and take your old appliances outside. These companies can do the same thing after a fire in a business. Smaller appliances like a toaster or coffeemaker can pick up the smoke smell that hangs in the air and make that smell stick to your food. Larger appliances like your stove and refrigerator can suffer from visible smoke damage or soot damage too.

Deal with Smoke and Soot

After a fire in home or a fire in business experience, property owners need to deal with both smoke damage and soot damage. Soot refers to the thick gray and black ash that you see, but smoke damage can go deep inside your walls and cause the smoke smell to move from your kitchen to other rooms in your home. A restoration company can offer fire damage services that eliminate all lingering odors and get rid of the soot clinging to your walls too.

While fires are scary, fire damage restoration services can help you save your home. You can get help with residential or commercial fire damage, including the removal of soot from the walls and the thick smell of smoke that hands in the air. If you lived through a fire in home or fire in business experience that did damage to your residential or commercial kitchen, call a restoration company for an inspection and a quote. The right company will even board up your kitchen until work begins.
Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

How Professionals Handle Fire Damage Restoration

5/29/2017 (Permalink)

How Professionals Handle Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage restoration service is required when there is fire in home or fire in business. If you have experienced a fire in your residential or commercial property, it is imperative to call a fire cleanup company immediately.

Fire cleanup and repair must begin immediately in order to prevent further problems. The longer you wait, the better chances of mildew and mold growth to occur from fire and water damage. The appearance of mildew and mold can be problematic and dangerous for fire cleanup efforts.

Hire Professional Fire Restoration Service

Hiring a professional service for a fire damage event is the most important action to take. Reputable fire damage companies have a team of qualified professionals who are fully trained and certified to provide fire cleanup. They have the licensing, equipment and experience to handle any issues related to fire in home or fire in business and fire restoration project.

With knowledge and compassion, reliable professionals respond quickly, understanding that a fire in home or fire in business is an emergency situation.

Here are the basic steps taken by fire damage restoration companies to provide fire cleanup after fire damage.

Urgent Response

When the fire in home or fire in business is out, fire and smoke damage repairs must begin as soon as possible to maximize effectiveness. Professionals arrive at the location and quickly move into action to remove the smoke smell and address other urgent matters.

Recognizing the trauma and stress that occupants experience, fire damage restoration professionals work quickly and effectively to mitigate damage, including soot damage and smoke damage. They work on salvageable property and materials, such as metals, fixtures, household items and other contents. Their state-of-the-art equipment and advanced cleaning processes and techniques enable them to prevent replacement costs, leading to reduced costs.

Accurate Assessment

Certified fire damage restoration professionals assess the situation to determine the residential or commercial fire damage mitigation needs. They assess the impact of fire damage, including soot damage and smoke damage. They keep you informed, helping to overcome your loss and explaining their cleanup process in a way you can understand what they're doing, and what to expect when the project is completed.

The damage assessment usually involves examining both inside and outside of your property to give you an estimate for the repair, cleaning and restoration costs.

Thorough Treatment

When necessary, residential or commercial fire damage treatment may include smoke smell removal, complete fire damage and soot damage cleaning and sanitation, duct and air vent cleaning, and professional deodorization.

They begin the process by removing water, ash, and soot. To accomplish this, professionals use specialized equipment, like vacuum cleaners, dehumidifiers, and air movers. Water and smoke can soak the carpeting and seep into drywall. If so, they will remove these materials to eliminate the smoky smell.

They handle your property and belongings with utmost care and respect as if it was their own. Whether it's a residential or commercial fire damage event, experienced and reputable professionals take extra care to remove all of the smoke smell and protect your property.

Avoid The Stress And Inconvenience

A comprehensive fire clean-up and damage restoration service can reverse much of the impact of fire and soot damage. Cleanup, repairs and restoration with a reputable team of professionals can make a very frustrating event much less unpleasant.

Regardless of the extent of the damage, hiring certified professionals to handle the repair and restoration of your home or commercial property is worth the cost to help bring things back to normal.

Considerations

Residential or commercial fire damage can be a devastating incident. Fire cleanup and getting rid of smoke smell require knowledge and skill and trained technicians have the expertise to provide the service. If your home or business has suffered a fire damage, you can rely on qualified professionals to mitigate damage, including soot damage and smoke damage. Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

Why Repair Fire Damage So Quickly?

4/26/2017 (Permalink)

Why Repair Fire Damage So Quickly?

Fire damage and a fire loss may be repaired by a fire cleanup crew in a few short days, and it is easier to contact the commercial fire damage company when the fire is still raging. The fire damage repair crew will turn up at once, and they will begin the process of repairing the home. There are fire in home and fire in business problems that may be repaired at once, and a much larger commercial fire damage repair job may be done at the same time. This article shows how soot damage and smoke damage may be removed, and there are many people who see their house return to normal.

#1: How Bad Was The Fire?

The fire cleanup company will arrive with a large staff, and they will assess the fire loss for what it is. They must check all the fire damage around the home, and they must continue to check the fire loss until it has been cleaned completely. Air quality tests are a part of the assessment, and air quality will change when soot damage or smoke damage is removed from the home.

#2: Fire In Home

Fire in home problems may occur in apartments or single-family units, and the commercial fire damage company knows how to repair each problem quickly. They have seen fire in home issues many times, and they wish to ensure that the home is livable again. They will spend quite a lot of time showing customers how their home may be repaired.

#3: Fire In Business

Fire in business damages represent such a large fire loss that it may send soot damage and smoke damage to every part of the building. The building may be such a difficult place to clean that the fire cleanup crew will need more time to do their work, and the air quality tests may take more time to repair. The building must be scraped clean of soot damage and smoke damage, and there are many people who will need fire in business repairs to last for weeks.

#4: Fire In Home

Fire in home repairs are far more important as they will ensure the homeowner may come back into the house as quickly as possible. The fire cleanup crew will operate on a smaller scale, and they will look over the loss to ensure it has not caused structural damage. The commercial fire damage crew will repair all fire damage, and they will solve soot damage and smoke damage problems that may have occurred.

#5: Air Quality Tests

The fire cleanup crew will do air quality tests many times, and they will add air quality tests to their fire damage repair plan. They know that they must complete this for any fire in business or home, and they will tend to the fire loss until they have seen a difference.

The commercial fire damage company will come to the house as soon as possible, and they will make a change in the house that makes it look perfect again. Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.

How To Stop Fire Damage From Ruining A Building

4/26/2017 (Permalink)

How To Stop Fire Damage From Ruining A Building

Anyone who has been through a fire loss must hire a company to help them ensure that they repaired the house properly, and they will discover there are many things that must be done. Fire damage is quite a problem, and it will come with soot damage and smoke damage that makes the house that much harder to clean. This article explains how someone may make a change in the house after a fire loss, and they will have a fire cleanup company on the scene at once.

#1: The Fire Cleanup Crew

The fire cleanup crew will respond to any fire damage or fire loss emergency. They will work quite hard to ensure that they have cleaned all the soot damage and smoke damage, and they will implement an air quality test. A commercial fire damage company knows how to help with air quality tests, and they know how to check the house after fire damage has happened. There are many fire cleanup problems that must be addressed, and it is far easier for the company to clean up before they begin their commercial fire damage repair process.

#2: There Are Many Problems To Cure

Fire in home and fire in business damage must be cleaned by the commercial fire damage company, and they will show the homeowner how simple it is to ensure the house is cleaned out completely. They use a plan for fire in home that is simplified, and they will use an expanded plan for fire in business losses. The fire loss must be attacked with a number of tools and materials, and the fire cleanup crew will begin work immediately.

#3: Cleaning Out Soot Damage And Smoke Damage

Cleaning out soot damage and smoke damage is quite simple, and fire damage will leave quite sa bit of it littered around the house. The air quality tests that follow will show how effective the company has been, and the company will adjust the work they are doing based on their air quality tests. The homeowner will know that the house is safe to enter after many air quality tests, and their fire in home repairs may continue.

#4: Fire In Business

Fire in business issues are handled in a similar manner, and the expanded plan for a fire in business loss will see the commercial fire damage company show up with many more people. They will use more advanced tools, and they will search for a simpler way to return the space to the appearance that it once had. Fire in home repairs are much faster, and the company has prepared to complete their fire in business repairs in the same amount of time.

Fire damage and fire loss must be handled by a commercial fire damage company at once, and they will take away all soot damage and smoke damage they have found. Everything from a fire in home loss to a massive loss at a business may be repaired, cleaned and returned to normal. Visit http://www.SERVPROnesaltlakecityparkcity.com for more information on fire damage.