Recent Fire Damage Posts

Preparing to Stay Warm in a Fire-Safe Way | SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

brick chimney with lit fire logs Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of New Center/Highland Park this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!

This winter season has been a unique one so far! With warmer-than-average temperatures and less snow than normal, it’s ramping up to be a winter to remember. However, just because the winter started that way, it doesn’t mean it will stay that way.

When the temperature plummets, we all head inside to start cranking on our furnaces, stoke our fireplaces and pull out our space heaters. Unfortunately, this also means that the number of house fires in our community will start to rise. Staying fire-free is always your ultimate goal, so read on to learn some helpful fire safety tips while you focus on staying warm this winter.

Keeping a Clean Fireplace

Fireplaces are one of the coziest parts of any winter season, but they can be serious fire hazards if you are not careful. Take the time to clear away any ash buildup from previous fires before lighting a new one, and routinely scrub down your chimney walls to remove creosote.

Limit the flammable items near your fireplace, and keep your mantle decorations to a minimum. Electric or gas fireplaces can also be convenient ways to stay warm, but prioritize checking your gas lines often for any signs of dangerous leaks. It is also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher close by and make sure your smoke alarm batteries are always fresh.

Setting Up Space Heaters Safely

The portability of space heaters is one of the best things about them! However, this ease of use is also what makes them potentially so dangerous.

Space heaters can be tipped over relatively easily, so find a location to set yours up that has a level ground on a nonflammable surface. Once set up, make sure the cord is lying flat or secured somehow to reduce the risk of a tripping hazard.

Enforce a three-foot barrier around your heater so kids and pets can’t get hurt or knock it over, and keep it far away from flammable materials like cushions or curtains. Never leave your space heater unattended, and always unplug it before going to bed every night.

Safety Measures for Heaters

It is important to do your research with anything that you buy, but especially for something that could potentially be a hazard in your home. Check reviews, ask friends and family and remember that just because something is cheap or on sale, it doesn’t always mean that it is a good purchase.

Check to make sure the company that sells the heater is reputable and has passed the necessary safety certifications. You should also check to see if it has any additional safety features, like an emergency shut-off switch. Some heaters have them, and they can be programmed to shut off after a certain period of use. This feature can be great if you are busy and have trouble remembering to turn yours off every night.

Finally, you should make sure that the heater is well-made. The cord should be sturdy and not coming loose from the back of the heater, and it shouldn’t be dented or compromised in any way.

We hope you have a fun and safe winter season in the Detroit area! Our fire damage restoration team is here for you no matter what happens, so call us 24⁄7 if you suffer a house fire. We will clean, sanitize and restore your home with confidence.

A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.

Tips For Holiday Meal Prepping Safely

12/15/2023 (Permalink)

pan on kitchen counter in residence ablaze while unattended Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO on the case!

If you are like us, you are dreaming of all of the delicious holiday food that is going to be donning your family table and your plate this upcoming season. Whatever holidays you celebrate and however you celebrate them, chances are that you will be whipping up your favorite meals and treats in the kitchen to get ready.

Unfortunately, house fires are more common in the fall and winter months, especially those that originate in the kitchen. Knowing what causes kitchen fires and how to reduce your risk can help you stay focused on your mashed potato recipe or pumpkin pie without the risk of starting a fire.

Controlling Your Space

The first thing you should always do before starting the oven or stove is to prepare your space. Excess clutter on the counters and floors can be fire hazards, but they can also become fuel for a fire if one does start.

You should also remove as many flammable materials and objects as possible. Put away pot holders, kitchen towels, oven mitts and wooden utensils when they are not in use.

In addition, you also need to be mindful about how you dress while you are making your food. Loose sleeves, long apron strings or holiday outfits with all the bells and whistles can easily catch fire if you get too close to your heat source. Roll up your sleeves and choose your clothing carefully.

Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Food

There should always be someone in charge of the kitchen that stays nearby the oven or stove while it is on. Even just stepping away for a moment can be enough time for a flame to flare up or for a grease bubble to pop. By the time you come back, your entire kitchen could be in flames.

If your family loves to deep-fry turkeys every year, extra precautions should be taken into consideration. Do not overfill the fryer with oil and choose a safe location that is flat and far away from any overhangs or garages.

You should also be sure to pull out your turkey to completely thaw before it goes into the oil. A partially frozen turkey can react negatively with the oil and cause it to spatter and pop.

Check Those Alarms

Even if you are the most responsible chef, accidents can happen or the unexpected can occur in the blink of an eye. That’s why having protective measures like smoke alarms is important! Check the batteries in each of your alarms every month and replace them as needed to ensure they are ready to work.

You also should have a fire extinguisher in or near your kitchen at all times. Having a reliable way to extinguish flames can help you put a stop to any developing situation in seconds.

We hope you have a holly jolly season with your loved ones but remember that we are always here if you need us. Our team can handle any fire damage that you experience, and we will put your home back together right away!

House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!

Fire, Smoke, and Soot Restoration Services

11/28/2023 (Permalink)

Smoke damaged walls and ceilings. Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive.

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. Our team has the specialized training and equipment to provide specialty restoration services when you have fire, smoke, and soot damage in your home or business. 

Structural Cleaning  

After smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need thorough cleaning. SERVPRO® will pretest damaged materials to determine the extent of products required to clean and protect from the different types of soot. We may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, we will clean to “prepare for painting.” This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.  

Contents Cleaning  

All the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. We will begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. We can provide wet or dry-cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, bric-a-brac, and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all “to be claimed” items if requested.  

Deodorization 

We provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. Our team does not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.