Fire aftermath: What items should be thrown away?

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

Throwing away specific fire damaged content to ensure your home is safe after a fire loss.

Experiencing a fire can be a traumatic and overwhelming event for anyone. After the fire has been put out, there are numerous tasks that need to be completed, one of which is determining what items should be thrown away. It's essential to understand which items are safe to keep and which items could pose a danger to your safety.

First and foremost, any food items that have been exposed to smoke or heat should be thrown away. Even if the food doesn't show any signs of damage, such as melting or charring, it could have been contaminated by smoke or toxic gases. This is especially true for canned goods, as the heat from the fire can cause the cans to explode or rupture. It's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of all food items.

Clothing and linens that have been affected by smoke or water damage should also be thrown away. Smoke can leave a residue on fabrics that is difficult to remove. In addition, water damage can cause mold and mildew to grow, which can lead to secondary damages.

Furniture that has been burned or heavily damaged should also be disposed of. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also be a hazard. The structural integrity of the furniture may have been compromised, and it could collapse or break if someone tries to sit on it or use it.

Electronics that have been exposed to heat or water damage should be thrown away. Even if the electronics appear to be working correctly, they could be dangerous to use. Electrical components can be damaged by heat, and water can cause short circuits, which could lead to electrical shocks or fires.

Any cleaning products or chemicals that were exposed to heat or fire should be thrown away. Heat can cause these products to react in unexpected ways, which could be hazardous. In addition, smoke and toxic gases can penetrate the packaging of these products, making them dangerous to use.

It's essential to remember that even items that appear to be undamaged could pose a danger to your health or safety. Smoke and toxic gases can permeate materials, and heat can compromise the integrity of structures and components. If you're unsure whether an item should be thrown away, it's best to err on the side of caution and dispose of it.

In conclusion, after a fire, it's crucial to be vigilant about what items should be thrown away. Any food items, clothing, linens, furniture, electronics, mattresses, pillows, and cleaning products that have been exposed to smoke, heat, or water damage should be disposed of. It's important to remember that even items that appear to be undamaged could pose danger to your safety, and it's best to err on the side of caution when deciding what to keep and what to throw away.

5 Tips for Preventing Cigarette Fires at Home

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Whenever you smoke at home, there are certain factors to consider in order to prevent a cigarette fire.

5 Tips For Preventing Home Cigarette Fires

Cigarettes can be deadly in more ways than one. Between 2012 and 2016, the National Fire Protection Association reported that more than 18,000 residential fires started as the result of a cigarette fire.

When the weather becomes drier in Sumner, WA, it can create the perfect conditions for a blaze to easily start in a forgotten ashtray. With that said, there are several steps you can take to avoid having to call in a fire cleanup crew the next time you take a smoke break. Here are five to consider.

1. Smoke Outside

If you really want to prevent a cigarette fire at home, stay away from the house when you are smoking. Instead, choose a designated spot that is far enough away to minimize risks.

2. Make Sure Cigarettes Are Completely Out

To avoid an unnecessary ashtray fire, always be sure your butts are completely out before walking away. To be safe, sprinkle some water on the ashes.

3. Smoke When You Are Alert

If you take medication that makes you tired, avoid smoking when you take it. Likewise, make sure you are fully alert in general whenever you smoke so you do not accidentally drop your cigarette or fall asleep.

4. Stay Away From Medical Oxygen

When someone in your home has an oxygen tank, it is best to entirely avoid smoking anywhere nearby. Even when the oxygen is off, the tank can catch on fire or explode.

5. Never Smoke in Bed

No matter how tempting the comfort of your bed might be when smoking, do not do it! Even a small spark can be enough to ignite sheets, blankets and mattress.

Whenever you smoke at home, there are certain factors to consider in order to prevent a cigarette fire. Because smoking is usually a leisure activity that can occur in comfortable settings, you should be especially mindful of flammable areas like bedrooms and risk factors like your energy levels.

3 Cleanup Processes for After a Business Property Fire

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO responded to this warehouse fire to find damages to structure and equipment. Our professionally trained fire technicians are trained in all a

3 Procedures For Cleaning Up After A Business Property Fire

When cleaning up after a fire at your Puyallup, WA, business, getting everything fresh and repaired can seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, your local fire restoration service can offer a number of solutions. From dry-cleaning for cloth items, to smoke odor removal, here are a few of the restoration techniques that your fire cleanup crew may use.

1. Options for Smoke Odor Removal

In many cases, it may be necessary to remove smoke odors from the property after a fire. Many professionals utilize an ozone machine for this process when cleaning the room itself. Items inside this area may be removed, cleaned, and placed in content storage until the damage to the building has been repaired.

2. Options for Cloth Items

For cloth items such as curtains, rugs, or clothing that may have been in the building at the time of the fire, dry-cleaning can be one possible solution for removing smoke damage. Other items may be washable in a cleaning solution.

3. Options for Solid Items

When it comes to content cleaning, it may be desirable to also wash items of a solid nature. These could be furniture pieces, electronics, or even office supplies. The method used will depend on the type of article. Electronic or mechanical devices should be serviced by a professional. Furniture, shelving or cabinet pieces can be washed with a cleaning solution. Some items may be freshened with a simple wipe down, while others may require dipping in the cleaner.

Fire restoration can involve several different cleaning techniques that vary with the damaged items. Dry-cleaning is often suitable for cloth articles, while dips or wiping solutions are used for solid pieces such as furniture. An ozone machine may help clear away smoke odor from the air. If you have any questions about the right method to clean a specific item, a professional can usually help.

The 3 Most Common Home Fire Causes

2/4/2022 (Permalink)

Cooking, heating, and smoking are three common fire causes.

The Three Most Common Causes Of House Fires

The most common causes of home fires can be prevented with basic fire safety measures and equipment. Find out more about three common fire causes to make more informed home fire safety decisions.

1. Cooking

Cooking often involves a combination of hot stoves or ovens, open fire, and flammable substances, such as animal or vegetable oils or grease.

It is important to monitor food while cooking. If you are cooking something that takes a long time, periodically check in on the progress to prevent burning. Make sure that smoke detectors in this part of a home are functional. A fire extinguisher can promote kitchen safety, but may also cause grease fires to spread. Keep baking soda and salt near the stove to smother these types of fires before covering flames with a metal lid or another pot.

2. Heating

Malfunctioning furnaces or the improper use of space heaters are common causes of heating fires. Schedule regular furnace inspections and perform periodic maintenance. Only operate a space heater on a hard, non-flammable surface while attended and at a safe distance from combustible materials.

3. Smoking

Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of a home fire. Avoid smoking in bedrooms or after taking medication that may cause drowsiness. Use stable ashtrays when smoking indoors and ensure that cigarettes are completely extinguished before leaving the room. It is safest to smoke outside and provide a wind-proof disposal solution, such as a bucket filled with sand.

Cooking, heating, and smoking are three common fire causes. A homeowner may be able to prevent or limit the damage resulting from a home fire by taking precautionary measures and installing and testing fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. A damage restoration and fire cleaning service can help if a fire breaks out for any reason at a residence in Puyallup, WA.

Is Commercial Smoke Damage Covered by Insurance?

1/13/2022 (Permalink)

Luckily, the average commercial fire insurance policy takes into consideration the rapid degradation that results from smoke damage.

Is Insurance Coverage For Commercial Smoke Damage Available?

After being exposed to smoke damage from a commercial fire in Puyallup, WA, your facility may feel like it will never be the same again. Soot damage and heavy smoke odors may permeate your once functional space. Find answers to some of the most commonly asked-questions about cleaning up after a commercial fire.

Why is Smoke so Damaging?

While a commercial fire is a probable concern for the average businessowner, many may fail to recognize smoke as one of the fire’s most destructive results. Smoke can be very hazardous to these commonplace objects:

• Electronics
  
• Furniture
  
• Standard surfaces

Smoke has a polarizing charge which can actually impact the magnetism of most electronic devices. Smoke contains particles made of solids, liquids and gasses. This means that when it settles it can permeate and attach to objects it lands on. That is why smoke tends to leave an ashy film on everything it touches. This sooty film is highly acidic. Soot damage may impact the rate at which objects decay causing them to break or malfunction much sooner than expected.

Does Insurance Cover Loss From Fire Smoke?

Luckily, the average commercial fire insurance policy takes into consideration the rapid degradation that results from smoke damage. The only way to know if your policy covers damage caused by smoke is to check with the insurance company directly. Some plans even account for damage received as a result of a fire at an adjacent business.

Can a Commercial Business Be Fully Restored After Exposure to Smoke?

Although the effects of smoke vary by case, fire restoration professionals in Puyallup, WA should be able to evaluate damages and begin the smoke cleaning process. Electronics, photographs, upholstery and more can often be returned to their original state. Look for a cleanup operation that offers key services like odor removal and surface restoration.

As you cope with the consequences of a commercial fire, turn to a professional to safely restore your business. Addressing smoke damage is the first step to achieving total restoration.