How to Put Together Your Family’s House Fire Emergency Plan l SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage due to a heating malfunction or other issue, count on SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona to fully restore your home.

Does your family have an emergency plan in case your home suffers a house fire?

Emergency plans are an important part of having a safe home. They’re as vital to your family’s well-being as having enough working smoke detectors in your home. But many families don’t have a strategy in place to ensure people, pets and important items (like medications) make it out in case of a house fire.

Here’s some good news, though. It’s not as difficult as you might think to put together an emergency plan that will work for your family.

How to Make Your Plan

The American Red Cross and the National Fire Protection Association have some valuable tips about how to put together an emergency plan for your family. Here’s what they recommend:

Ensure your kids understand the smoke alarms. Talk to them about what the alarms sound like and what it means when they hear them.

Plan escape routes. Talk with your family about the ways out of each room in your home. While you’re making your plan, ensure there are clear paths to each exit and, because sometimes doors aren’t the best option, that you have easily opened windows on your escape routes.

Set a meeting place. Make sure everyone in your family knows where you’re supposed to meet in the event of a fire.

Practice your plan. Most schools and businesses do regular fire drills. It would be best if you did the same with your family’s plan. It’s a good idea to run through the drill twice each year to ensure you’re all ready.

Talk to your kids about calling 911. Ensure everyone in your family is comfortable calling in the emergency should they need to do it.

If your home is damaged due to a fire or any other cause, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help.

Keeping Your Family Safe From Any Fire Scenarios | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

10/7/2020 (Permalink)

If you experience any property damage due to a fire, we are here to help. Contact SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona to learn more.

While experiencing a house fire is not anything that is on anyone’s agenda, it is something to be conscious of as a possibility. Even small fires can cause serious damage, spreading in under a minute and leaving smoke, soot and structural damage behind in many cases.

While a house fire is always a possibility, many of the ways one would be started can be prevented through good fire safety habits. By planning ahead and mitigating your fire risk, you can significantly reduce the chances that you will ever have to deal with the aftermath of a fire.

How Can I Plan Ahead to Prevent House Fires?

Check your smoke detectors. There are few things more important to fire safety than operational smoke alarms being installed throughout the home. You should make it a habit to check your smoke alarms every 30 days, and ensure you know when to replace your batteries or the unit as per your manufacturer’s guidelines.

Create a fire escape plan. Being able to know what to do if a fire does start is important for everyone’s immediate safety. Have a fire escape plan and ensue everyone can leave the home within two minutes. It is advised to give every room two accessible exits to make this process easier.

Limit your fire risks. Practicing general fire safety habits goes a long way in preventing fires around the house, as it does not give them the chance to start in the first place. Simply guarding open flames, practicing good electrical habits and storing chemicals correctly can go a long way in keeping your home safe.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. While you should only use a fire extinguisher when it is safe to do so, having one nearby and knowing how it operates can keep a small situation from turning into a large one. Fire extinguishers should always be handy if there is an open flame present so you can stop a small fire from getting out of hand if possible.

If your home is damaged by a house fire, we are here to help. Our expert fire restoration technicians are here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action as soon as you call. Contact us at any hour to report your damage and receive a quick response.

Practice Fire Safety Every Time You Light Your Grill | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona is the fire restoration experts. To learn more give us a call or contact us online.

Getting your family together and grilling up a delicious meal is a great way to spend a summer afternoon, but when you are making ample use of your grill, it is important to not let your safety efforts grow lax. While grilling may be as natural to you as cooking on the stove, it is important to remember the special fire safety considerations that an open flame presents.

Grill fires are quite common according to the U.S. Fire Administration—there are over 5,000 fires that result from grilling accidents yearly, which adds up to millions of dollars in property losses. Knowing how to stay safe when grilling can significantly reduce the chances that you will be included in one of these stats.

Fire Safety Considerations for Grilling

Create a safe zone around your grill. You want your grill to be set up in a spot that is convenient to cook in, but make sure you consider safety when you designate a spot for it as well. In case of a flare-up, designate at least three feet around the grill to be absent of any flammable materials such as a deck or your home’s siding.

Clean your grill grates often. When food is allowed to build up on the grates of the grill, a fire hazard can quickly occur. These bits of food are often greasy, which can lead to a severe grease fire any time they become hot enough to ignite. Simply brushing your grill grates off after each use will remove these stuck-on food particles and make your cooking more consistent.

Never leave the grill unattended. It is wise to never leave an open flame, even for just a moment, and grills are no different. Even if the lid is down, still be sure that you have someone take over for you if you need a break and be sure to keep a working fire extinguisher nearby just in case.

Inspect the grill regularly. Double-check your grill’s hardware every time you use it to prevent any accidents. Make sure the lid closes properly and that the connection to the gas tank is still air-tight and shows no signs of wear. Gas leaks are an extremely common cause of grill fires, so you may want to replace your hoses or connectors if issues arise

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us any time, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.

Key Things to Remember During House Fire Recovery | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

6/17/2020 (Permalink)

If your home is damaged in a house fire, SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona is here to help. Contact us for any fire restoration needs.

For many households, a house fire is one of the most devastating things ever experienced. Seeing your home and your belongings damaged is a traumatic thing, and navigating the logistics involved in recovery can feel overwhelming.

We have seen many families struggle with this and we want to help the community as much as we can—which is why we have put together some important aspects to consider in the aftermath of a house fire.

Important Things to Consider in the Aftermath of a House Fire

Prepare yourself for what to expect. Experiencing fire damage firsthand is much different than seeing news footage or photographs of other structures, so it is important to prepare yourself. Not only will there be damage from the fire, but there might be additional damage from putting it out, such as broken windows or standing water.

Wait to enter your home. While many people will feel the urge to rush into their homes right away to get an overview of the damage, this is not recommended and could be quite dangerous. The damage a house fire causes can be widespread, even if the fire itself was not, and it can lead to structural weaknesses throughout the home that could be hazardous. Wait until you get the go-ahead from the professionals before rushing right in.

Contact your insurance company. No two homeowners’ insurance policies are exactly the same, so knowing how to file a claim on your specific policy is key after a fire. The best way to do this is by getting in touch with your insurance company as quickly as possible so they can walk you through the next steps to take.

Document the damages. Because of how overwhelming the recovery process is, developing an inventory system is an important aspect of staying organized so nothing gets overlooked. Make an inventory list to document everything that has been damaged room by room, and take plenty of pictures to have evidence of the damages for insurance.

Contact your restoration company. A quick recovery is a great way to mitigate the emotional impact of a fire, which is why working with a good restoration company is such a valuable thing. By choosing a company you can trust, you can be certain that you are getting incredible service and peace of mind as your restoration is underway.

If your home is damaged in a house fire, you can count on us to help you. Get in touch at any hour for a quick response.

Give Your Business’ Fire Preparedness a Boost | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

2/28/2020 (Permalink)

If your business has experienced a fire, call SERVPRO of Flagstaff / East Sedona. We provide a full service from mitigation to restoration.

There are many things that business owners are responsible for, but one of the things most crucial to everyone’s safety is being responsible for fire preparedness planning. Fires can be catastrophic for businesses, especially in situations where no one knows what the protocol is. If you have not yet considered how you would handle a fire on your business property, there is no better time than the present.

The good news is that a little safety planning goes a long way when it comes to fire preparedness. Simply by being aware of your risks and how to handle a fire should it occur, you can create a safer workplace for you and your staff, and ensure you can recover quickly should a fire begin.

Give a Boost to Your Fire Preparedness

Follow code guidelines and inspection schedules. The fire codes and standards set up by the National Fire Protection Association are a great place to start when boosting your business’ fire plan. Making sure you are inspecting equipment often, keeping fire doors clear and following the other guidelines listed will go a long way in ensuring everything is up to par.

Identify your specific risks. There are seemingly countless reasons a fire could start in a business, but knowing where your weaknesses lie is an essential part of planning ahead. Think of things specific to your business that may put you at a higher fire risk, such as equipment or chemicals that are kept on-site. Identifying these things ahead of time allows you to be extra vigilant for the future.

Create (and practice) a fire evacuation plan. If your business has an in-person staff, making sure they are also prepared is wise. Create a fire escape plan that involves multiple exits and a third-party meeting place to convene for a headcount, and be sure to rehearse it with your staff at least twice per year.

Have regular fire safety seminars with staff. General workplace fire safety tips should be reviewed with staff so everyone can keep them top of mind when doing potentially hazardous activities. Review fire extinguisher locations, safe equipment use and any other specifics that will be beneficial for your staff to know as they go about their workday.

If your business has experienced a fire, we’re here ²⁴⁄₇ to respond and begin restoration. Call us today to learn how we can help you.

The Importance of Smoke and Soot Cleanup After a Fire | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Do you have smoke related restoration issues in need of repair? SERVPRO of Flagstaff/East Sedona is on call 24/7 and will guide you through any fire

Fires are an extremely common problem around the United States, with the National Fire Protection Association estimating that there is an average of more than 350,000 each year. With that level of commonality, many individuals are doing everything they can to prevent and prepare for the event of a house fire, including learning the nuances of fire restoration.

While the restoration of charred material and other physical elements of the home is important, it is just as vital to ensure that smoke and soot are handled properly after a house fire. Due to the emotional and physical impact of smoke and soot, professional restoration that takes these into account is vital for a full recovery.

Why Cleaning Up Smoke and Soot Is So Important

Smoke Scents Can Linger

After the flames are extinguished, the scent of smoke can persist in many ways. It can embed into fabrics, saturate furniture and even impact porous, hard surfaces such as wood cabinetry and walls. While the scent of smoke will generally be most concentrated around the area where the fire took place, airflow can carry it all throughout the home if it is not treated in a timely manner, impacting belongings that may have been nowhere near the fire. 

Soot Can Be Hazardous to Your Health

While soot generally appears as an oily residue, it is actually made up of extremely tiny carbon particles that are a result of items burning incompletely. Because of the small size of these particles, they are not generally filtered by the upper respiratory system and instead are often found traveling directly to the lungs. Due to the harmful compounds soot can contain, this can be extremely dangerous and lead to health and respiratory issues for those who are exposed to it without proper protection.

Scents Can Hinder Emotional Recovery

While the physical impact of a fire is apparent and jarring, the emotional impact of house fires can continue long after the restoration is completed—and because scent is so closely linked to an emotional response, lingering odors can further exacerbate the after-effects one may feel. It is common for survivors of house fires to feel shock, stress, frustration and devastation, but a full and complete restoration that handles your belongings, your home and any lingering odors can make recovery much easier.

If you’ve been impacted by a fire or just want to learn more about restoration, contact us today to learn how we can help you recover quickly.

Top Causes of Household Fires & Recommended Prevention Methods | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Practicing prevention is the best way to reduce the chance of a fire, however if you do experience a loss contact SERVPRO of Flagstaff/East Sedona.

Household fires are a scary thing for homeowners to face regardless of their cause and can create excessive stress and trauma for those who have experienced them. 

That is why it is so important for individuals to educate themselves both on some of the common causes of household fires and the best ways to prevent them, in order to protect their homes and prevent fires from starting when possible.

Common House Fire Causes

Though house fires can be caused by a number of issues, annual reports point to the same common causes again and again. While cooking-related incidents are consistently the top cause of household fires, individuals should note that electrical malfunctions, grill misuse and a lack of dryer maintenance are all common issues that can cause a fire in an instant. 

Fortunately, many household fires are totally preventable if you are aware of the proper safety precautions.

Prevention Methods for the Common Types of House Fires

1. Cooking Fire Prevention. Because unattended cooking is the leading cause of cooking fires, the best way to prevent cooking fires is to simply ensure that cooking materials are never left unattended. Always stay in the room when using the stove, oven or other heating elements, and ensure all devices are turned off before you leave the room.

2. Electrical Fire Prevention. Though we use electricity every day, it is important to always remember safety any time you flip a switch or plug a device in. Avoid overloading power strips and plugging multiple heat-producing items into one outlet, and always make sure any home you build or purchase is inspected by a qualified electrician.

3. Grill Fire Prevention. Not surprisingly, grill fires peak in the summer months, so it is important to be safe when barbecuing. Regular grill cleanings and propane connection checks are good safety practices, and it is always recommended to grill away from the home and deck just in case.

4. Laundry Fire Prevention. Laundry room fires are extremely common and are most often caused by a build-up of dryer lint that is then heated to ignition. While many new models contain alerts for this, it is best to get into the habit of cleaning the lint tray out with each load and have the dryer duct cleaned at least once per year.

If your home has been impacted by a fire, we are here to help. With a 24/7 response and a team of fully trained experts, we can handle your restoration in a timely and effective manner.

Keep These Key Fire Safety Tips in Mind | SERVPRO® of Flagstaff/East Sedona

2/3/2020 (Permalink)

Keep fire safety in mind

Because of the frequency with which house fires occur, understanding how to protect yourself and your home becomes a vital task. House fires can destroy homes and permanently alter lives, but practicing preparedness and knowing the facts can help you be safer.

Because house fires are such a large concern, there is fortunately an abundance of information about how to practice fire safety in the home. To make it easier for you to find these tips, we have compiled a list of the top fire safety facts you should know.