Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts

Be Fire Ready, Not Fire Scared: Protecting Your Family

11/21/2024 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO® of North Elkhart County, your family's safety is our top priority. While fires are serious, a little preparation can go a long way in keeping everyone safe.

Simple Steps, Big Impact:

Install Smoke Detectors: Equip every level of your home, especially inside and outside bedrooms, with smoke detectors.
Test Regularly: Make testing your smoke alarms a monthly habit. Replace batteries promptly if needed.
Practice Makes Perfect: Create a fire escape plan with your family and practice it regularly. This includes identifying multiple escape routes and a designated meeting spot outside.
Escape First: In the event of a fire, get out of the house quickly and safely. Never re-enter a burning building. Call 911 immediately.

The American Red Cross offers a helpful fire safety checklist to guide you further: http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340073_FireSafety.pdf

We're Here For You:

If a fire strikes your Elkhart County home, SERVPRO of North Elkhart County is here to help. Our highly trained and compassionate team is available 24/7 to assist you with fire damage restoration.

Remember, fire safety starts with you. Take action today!

Call us at 574-343-1397 for a free consultation.

Important Factors in Fire Damage Restoration

3/30/2024 (Permalink)

Most people do not realize how extensive fire damage restoration is until they gave to go through it. Putting out the fire is only the beginning. There are many other tasks that come into play. Let’s take a look at four important factors in fire damage restoration so you know what to look out for if you ever encountered this situation.

Timing Is Crucial

With anything related to fire or water damage, you need to act sooner rather than later. The water that was used to put out the fire will quickly start to grow mold in your house. The longer you let that set, the more likely you are to have major health and respiratory problems as a result of the mold. Act fast, and get the help you need right away. This is not something you want to wait on.

Smoke Is Just As Much Of A Problem As Fire

Smoke damage in the house is usually a bigger problem than fire damage because smoke has the ability to reach a much broader area. Even though the damage while maybe at the surface, it is something that needs to be cleaned out to ensure that the home is healthy and safe to be in. If you’re doing any kind of restoration work on your own, you have to think about the smoke effected area, not just the area that the fire burned in.

Damage Isn’t Always Visible

Even though you might be able to see a big hole in the floor where the fire was, you might not be able to see the mold spores growing in the support beams in your home or the smoke that is setting in the back of your drywall. These are all factors that can impact the health of your home over time. That is why it’s often best to get a professional to come out and thoroughly inspect your home after fire damage. You want to make sure that you tackle every problem, even if you can’t see it on the surface.

Prevention Is The Key To Long Term Success

If you have encountered fire damage, you want to make sure that your restoration efforts will help you avoid fire in the future. For instance, if your fire was a result of faulty electrical wiring, you need to make sure that your home is properly wired after the restoration it to protect yourself from another fire in the future.

Smoking and Fires

11/11/2022 (Permalink)

The place where we feel safest is at home; that is also where most smoking-materials structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur. Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths. Smoking material fires are preventable. If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes. If you smoke, smoke outside. Most deaths result from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms and dens or in bedrooms. Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet. Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants or landscaping, peat moss, dried grasses, leaves or other things that could ignite easily.

If you have a fire in your home or business then call SERVPRO of North Elkhart County for all your restoration needs! 574-343-1397

SERVPRO Wants To Help You Know How To Prevent House Fires

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

Cooking Equipment--The kitchen is a source of intense heat in a home, from the stove to the oven and beyond. A splatter from a hot pan can lead to a fire under the wrong circumstances. Most fires in the kitchen happen because people get distracted and walk away while cooking.

*To prevent this: Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking, and keep flammable products away from hot surfaces at all times.

Smoking Cigarettes--Cigarettes can easily lead to fires because they are literally burning on one end. Whether you smoke inside or outside, you could be putting your home at risk. This is especially true during the dry months of the year when fires are more likely to erupt.

*To prevent this: Avoid smoking in the home, and make sure you dispose of all cigarettes in a deep ashtray. Keep the ashtray away from anything flammable, and never stomp out your cigarette on the grass.

Electrical Equipment--The appliances in your home can ignite a fire if they are not wired properly, or if they are too close to flammable materials. If you have older appliances in your home, it would be wise to replace them to avoid fires.

*To prevent this: Watch for loose or frayed wires on the electrical equipment in your home. Avoid draping towels or curtains over plugs, and do not plug in too many appliances to one extension cord.

Children--If a child is old enough to reach a set of matches and/or a lighter, he’s going to see what it does out of curiosity. You must be careful about leaving your children near a possible cause of fires, and you must keep an eye on them even if they are old enough to play on their own.

*To prevent this: Make sure all fire starters are put away in a place your child cannot access. Also, be careful about open outlets and electrical equipment in a child’s room.

Flammable Liquids--Fuels, paints, thinners, solvents, and other flammable liquids can easily ignite a fire in your home. This could happen in the heat of the summer or from a simple spark of static electricity, depending on how the chemicals are stored.

*To prevent this: Store all flammable liquids in approved containers, and keep them away from heat sources. Ideally, keep them outside in a well-ventilated area.

Don't Forget To Clean Your Lint Trap!

6/28/2022 (Permalink)

A dryer seems like a convenient, safe appliance that lets you forget it and go. If you don’t maintain it properly, a lint fire can happen, which can cause sever fire damage to your home.

A Surprising Amount of Lint

Depending on your family size or how often you go through clothes, it is likely that you do a lot more laundry than you realize. An average family does approximately eight to 10 loads a week. Every load means small fabric, dust and dirt particles are collecting in your dryer’s int trap, vent and duct work. Lint is highly combustible, making it vital to eliminate.

Cleaning Out the Lint

Instead of dealing with a potential dryer fire and needing expert help in repairing the damage, good habits can go a long way.

Lint traps should be cleaned after very load. Most appliances make this easy. The trap usually slides out and the lint can be lifted off. Any lint that is leftover should be scrubbed off with a brush. Every few weeks, the screen should be rinsed with water. While the screen is out, vacuum in and around its entry point.
Approximately once a year, unplug the dryer and inspect the vent and hose or pipe connected to the dryer. Wipe lint off of the opening and clean any leftover in the hose or pipe. A brush can bused to clean the interior of the vent.
Don’t forget the exterior vent. Ensure the vent flap is still attached and working properly. Vacuum or wipe out the opening. This should be done a few times a year.

Extra Safety Tips

To further avoid a lint fire, ensure your dryer is properly installed. Additionally, avoid drying clothes stained with chemicals, gas, oil or cleaning products, and only operate the dryer while at home.
In most cases, a lint fire happens because of improper cleaning and maintenance. Taking a little extra to be safe is worth it.

So give us a call today! We are faster to any disaster and are here to help get you back to "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Is Ready To Get To Work When Home Fires Happen

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Surrounded by your soot-covered and flame-damaged possessions, it’s easy to lose sight of the big picture: Everyone got out safe!

From the get-go, it’s imperative to stay organized amidst the chaos of your scorched surroundings. A three-ring binder with pockets is your new best friend. Take notes on every conversation and online correspondence with your insurance company and restoration professionals, because in any stressful situation, miscommunication can happen. Save all receipts and original documents; only give photocopies upon request. Binder in hand, your first call should be to your insurance agent. Here are a few tips on what NOT to do before the pros arrive:

Do not wipe or attempt to wash fire residue from walls, ceilings, or other absorbent surfaces
Do not use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris
Do not use food items or canned goods exposed to heat
Do not turn on computers, televisions, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been professionally cleaned and checked

SERVPRO Tips For Summer Time - Preventing BBQ Grill Fire Damage

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you live in an apartment, condo, villa, or single family home with a large yard, it is important to understand how fire damage to a home occurs due to a BBQ grill. Here's what you need to know to prevent fire damage to your property and/or rental this summer:

Only use your propane or charcoal barbecue grills outside;
Place your barbecue away from your house, any deck railings, and well away from any overhanging palm tree branches or other greenery in your backyard;
Regularly remove grease and fat buildups from your grill trays and below the grill to prevent a grease fire;
Keep children and pets "at least three feet away" from where you have set up your BBQ grill;
Always open the lid to a propane grill before you light it; and
Do not leave your grill unattended.

If you use a propane grill, you should heed the following advice:

Before you use your propane grill, check the tank hose for any leaks by applying a "light soap and water solution to the hose." If you have a propane leak, the hose will release bubbles.
In addition to the "soapy bubbles test," you might also smell gas-this can also be a sign of a leak.
If there is no flame when you try to start your grill, turn off the gas tank and the grill immediately, because the lack of a flame can also indicate that you have a gas leak.
If at any point you smell gas while you are barbecuing food, move away from your grill and contact your local fire department.

If you use a charcoal grill:

Only use a charcoal starter fluid to get your grill going, and do not add additional fluid or other flammable materials once the fire has started.
Do not allow your children to have access to charcoal fluid.
Allow your charcoal coals to cool completely before you dispose of them. You should always dispose of them in a metal container for safety.

Let's Be Super Safe and Enjoy Summer BBQs!

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Whether you live in an apartment, condo, villa, or single-family home with a large yard, it is important to understand how fire damage to home occurs due to a BBQ grill. Here's what you need to know to prevent fire damage to your property and/or rental this summer:

Only use your propane or charcoal barbecue grills outside;
Place your barbecue away from your house, any deck railings, and well away from any overhanging palm tree branches or other greenery in your backyard;
Regularly remove grease and fat buildups from your grill trays and below the grill to prevent a grease fire;
Keep children and pets "at least three feet away" from where you have set up your BBQ grill;
Always open the lid to a propane grill before you light it; and
Do not leave your grill unattended.

If you use a propane grill, you should heed the following advice:

Before you use your propane grill, check the tank hose for any leaks by applying a "light soap and water solution to the hose." If you have a propane leak, the hose will release bubbles.
In addition to the "soapy bubbles test," you might also smell gas-this can also be a sign of a leak.
If there is no flame when you try to start your grill, turn off the gas tank and the grill immediately, because the lack of a flame can also indicate that you have a gas leak.
If at any point you smell gas while you are barbecuing food, move away from your grill and contact your local fire department.

If you use a charcoal grill:

Only use a charcoal starter fluid to get your grill going, and do not add additional fluid or other flammable materials once the fire has started.
Do not allow your children to have access to the charcoal fluid.
Allow your charcoal coals to cool completely before you dispose of them. You should always dispose of them in a metal container for safety.

SERVPRO Begins The Restoration Process Immediately After Fire

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

The fire restoration process is where a team of professionals enter a burned home or business and begin to restore it to its former state. They will assess the scene and give you an estimate of the damage and the cost to restore your home after the fire. They will begin to clean up the damage; if any items are particularly difficult to clean and treat, they will be taken off-site for special care. There are special industrial grade treatments that they use to restore your home or business with no lingering fire smells.

This is also when water damage restoration will begin properly. Here any standing pools of water will be removed using submersible pumps and the areas will then be dried and sanitized. The next stage is to begin actually restoring furniture and repairing the damage caused by fire. The idea is to get your property looking as good as new!

Fire Damage Causes More Damage Than You Can Handle

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

If your property suffers fire damage, quick action is vital to limiting the amount of damage that is inflicted on your property. You may think that once the fire is put out, the damage has been done and you can start getting things cleaned up at your leisure. Unfortunately, fire damage continues to eat away at materials even after the fire has been put out.

More porous materials often can’t be saved and have to be thrown out and replaced. Less porous materials can be saved if the ash and soot are removed from the surface in a timely manner. A matter of hours can make a difference between an item that can be saved versus one that cannot.

When we begin the restoration process for fire damage, we offer a number of services depending on the extent of the damage your specific needs. Typically, we begin by bringing in air filtering machines that will remove ash and floating particulate matter from the air to make your air safe to breathe again. As this starts working, we will remove ash and soot from your property and dispose of any materials that can’t be saved.

The amount of restoration you want and need depends on the amount of damage your property sustained from the fire. Give us a call for complete restoration from any fire damage on your property.

Keep Fire Safety In Mind Even During The Winter Season

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

Keep these winter safety tips in mind for you and your family.

Winter Fire Safety

People are at greater risk in the winter season when they cook holiday meals, display decorations, and may use unsafe heat sources. The threat of winter fires is real; winter home fires amount for about 8% of the total number of fires in the U.S. Cooking is the leading cause of all winter home fires. A heat source too close to combustibles is the leading factor contributing to the start of a winter home fire. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe:

- Place candles in a sturdy candle holder that will not tip over. Think about using battery operated flameless candles.

- Use holiday lighting safely; throw away light strands with frayed or pinched wires. Turn off all your holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house.

- Water your Christmas tree everyday. A dry Christmas tree is dangerous because it can catch fire easily.

- Keep anything that can catch fire - oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packages, towels, and curtains- away from your stove top.

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food to prevent fire.

- In case of oven fire, turn off the oven and keep the door closed until it is cool.

- Use turkey fryers outdoors. Never use them on a wooden deck or in a garage.

- Keep snow and ice 3 feet away from the fire hydrant. In case of fire, the firefighters need to be able to get to the hydrants quickly to protect people and property.

Have You Ever Wondered Why There Are So Many More Fires Around The Winter Months?

12/30/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Restoration Services List Of Options

Fire prevention is not something you can put off, or that you can get around to doing when you have the time.

Why Are There So Many More Fires Around The Winter Months...

1st off with less daylight available people are turning there indoor lights on much earlier and using more of them for longer periods. 2nd people are using electric blankets and space heaters often on under designed circuits then what is required. 3rd the physical wood structure of a home becomes drier or moister which can contribute to electrical fires under the right conditions. 4th holidays bring with them a vast array of decorations etc that also help to increase the electrical load on circuits that may already be showing signs of deterioration. 5th poor judgment by residents who ignore warning signs and do not follow recommended codes and safety rules.

Then there are electric blankets, a great way to warm up a bed in a cold room. But they also contribute to many fires when allowed to get old and brittle and or damaged by being put under a doorway, rug furniture or get damaged by a pet.

But as a homeowner, you have to keep on top of things, too.

The No. 1 priority: Have working smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. (About a quarter of all house fires start in the bedroom.) And test them! You should test your smoke alarms every month — no exceptions — and change the batteries twice a year.

You have to make sure your home’s electrical system can safely handle the extra load, because it’s way too easy for bad wiring to cause an electrical fire. In fact, most home fires are caused by poorly maintained electrical and heating/cooling systems. So get them checked by the right pros!

Have your home’s electrical system checked at least every four years, and if you bought a house that’s 15 years old or older, bring in a licensed electrical contractor as soon as possible, especially if the basement is finished. Too many homeowners think they can do their own electrical, and unfortunately, many of them have done. How do you know if everything is up to code? If there’s knob-and-tube wiring? Or aluminum wiring mixed with copper? Or if the person who did the work knew what they were doing?

Have a licensed electrical contractor do an audit of the entire house. They’ll make sure all the electrical work is up to code and that all the connections are tight.

Fire prevention is not something you can put off, or that you can get around to doing when you have the time. Because the truth is, we don’t know when a fire can start in a home, and then it’s too late.

Keep safe, make it right and please, folks, make sure all your smoke alarms are working … today!

If You Have Fire In Your Elkhart Home Or Business? - Call SERVPRO

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County hopes you never know the tragedy of a fire, but if you do we are #HERETOHELP with 24-hour emergency board up services!

What if you have a fire in your Elkhart home or business?

Experiencing a home fire can be one of the most stressful and devastating tragedies in your life.

After a fire its very difficult to know what to do next.

Here are some important things to remember:

Take care of yourself and family.
Do not eat, drink or breathe anything that was near or affected by the flames, smoke, soot or water used to extinguish the fire.
Contact your local American Red Cross, Elkhart 574-293-6519 www.redcross.org or Salvation Army, Elkhart 574-970-0088 www.saelkhart.org They can provide you with emergency accommodations, food, clothing, and medication.
If you have pets, locate them and comfort them, keep pets from entering the fire-damaged home for their safety.
Do NOT enter the damaged structure, until fire officials declare it safe. Fires can start again even when it appears they are fully extinguished. Be very cautious if reentering the damaged structure. There can be floor and roof damage that is not easily observed
Contact your insurance company as soon as possible.

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County hopes you never know the tragedy of a fire, but if you do we are #HERETOHELP with 24-hour emergency board up services, we also have the expertise to help guide you through all stages of fire restoration service, to help return you back to your home.

Call 574-343-1397

Smoke and Soot Cleanup In North Elkhart County By SERVPRO

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and soot facts:

Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of North Elkhart County will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call SERVPRO of North Elkhart Today

574-343-1397

Are You Prepared For A Home Fire? SERVPRO Is Here To Help!

6/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County wants everyone to be prepared for the chance of a home fire. Fires are devastating, but a little preparedness can greatly add to your families safety.

Some safety tips for your home and family:

Install smoke detectors on every level of your home, inside all bedrooms and outside of sleeping areas.

Test smoke alarms every month, replace batteries if not working

Talk with family members about fire escape plans and practice the plans together

If a fire does occur, get out, stay out and call for help NEVER go back inside for anything or anyone

The American Red Cross has a great safety checklist as http://www.redcross.org/images/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m4340073_FireSafety.pdf

If ever the worst was to happen at your Elkhart county home SERVPRO of North Elkhart County's team highly trained and caring team is available 24 hours a day.

Call us at 574-343-1397

SERVPRO Tips: Summer Bonfire Safety

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

With the heat of the summer, please keep in mind that the sun and winds will have dried out a lot of the surrounding plants and bushes. So, if you plan on a bonfire, follow these tips in order to prevent a property or brush fire.

Rake your yard or bag your grass clippings before starting a fire.
Remove yard waste and dead branches around your property.
Follow your local laws and regulations pertaining to burning and open flames.
Dampen the ground around your fire pit and under it as well if you have a free-standing pit.
Place your fire pit on pavers or cement.
Keep a hose nearby.
Never throw trash into the fire
Don’t ever leave a fire unattended.
Make sure children and pets stay 3 feet away from the fire.
Fully extinguish the flames with sand and a bucket of water when the evening is over.

Embers stay hot for hours when extinguished. When the fun is over, walk through the yard to clean up chairs and garbage that could easily ignite. Run water on the pit until you are confident the heat won’t pose a risk. Be mindful that you don’t spray the fire with a strong jet of water. Doing so may cause embers to shower the area and ignite your belongings.

Do You Rent In Elkhart? If So, Read This...

6/13/2021 (Permalink)

Do you rent an apartment or home in Elkhart? Do you have renters insurance? Do you have enough coverage to cover all your belongings in the event of a fire or flood?

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County asks these questions based on our experience working with renters to handle their belongings after a loss. Most people are unaware of the amount of coverage they may need and how often to re-evaluate their coverage as time and purchases go on. We have had the unfortunate experience of witnessing tenants not having the appropriate amount of coverage to repair, clean or replace their damaged belongings.

There are a few things you can do to ensure you are protected if ever the situation were to arise. Start by compiling a list of all of your belongings, including housewares, furnishings, and personal items such as clothing, electronics, and personal care items for every member of you families household. Put a reasonable replacement cost to each of those items, that will give you a starting point for the possible amount of coverage you may require. Once you have done that contact your insurance agent or provider to discuss the items you want to have covered. They will be able to assist you with the types and amounts of coverages available based on your specific needs.

Fire Damage? Give SERVPRO of North Elkhart County A Call!

12/12/2020 (Permalink)

One thing that heat does to something is it changes the chemical structure. Direct heat, such as a fire in a home, produces many different changes, both chemical and physical. During the time these changes take place, affected materials give off microscopic particles.

When a home or its contents burn, fire damage includes the effects caused by the multitude of particles given off during the blaze. These tiny substances float around the house, carried in the smoke, as well as in the steam created when firefighters' water hits hot and burning areas, and land everywhere. These continually disintegrate, and as they do, air currents already present in the home pull them back into the air you and your family breathe.

The specialists from SERVPRO eliminate the majority of these particles during standard soot cleanup procedures. The ones that find their way into cracks and crevices or the tiny spaces under cabinets and inside empty spaces between walls often remain where they fell, though, because we do not want to tear apart these structures to remove the soot.

Instead, we use different methods to remove them and the odors they cause. During fire damage mitigation, we often use machines that generate hydroxyl. This process is so safe that many food industry factories also use it on a daily basis. The only problem with this is that it does not remove particles that have yet to disintegrate enough and remain hidden.

Our IICRC-certified Odor Control Technician (OCT) uses other odor control techniques. After we complete the mitigation tasks your home requires, we can begin looking at odor control techniques. One that often provides the necessary odor control levels most homeowners desire is thermal fogging. Because this method produces a heated fog that travels throughout the home in the same way the smoke during the fire traveled, it reaches those areas hiding soot particles.

The chemicals in the fog combine with the soot and make the particles too heavy and stop them from disintegrating any more. The presence of these particles is what causes the odors your family smells when they enter the home. Thermal fogging, as well as strategically placed gel packs and injectable deodorizing liquids into upholstered furniture and carpets, makes your home's interior pleasant again, “Like it never even happened.”

Check our reviews and other information on Google, Facebook, and Yelp.

SERVPRO Tips: Smoke Alarms Save Lives

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives, and when properly installed, can reduce the risk of fire injury in half.* The National Fire Protection Association

Smoke alarms work best when paired with a fire escape plan. A plan allows your family, employees or clients to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation. Business owners should consult the local Fire Marshal to ensure specific building fire codes and smoke detector requirements are met.

SMOKE ALARM SAFETY TIPS:

-Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement according to alarm instructions. Larger homes may need more smoke alarms.

-Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen and at least 10 feet away from a cooking appliance to prevent false alarms.

-Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.

-Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm “chirps,” the battery is low and should be replaced right away.

-Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

*Tips and statistics provided by the National Fire Protection Association.

So don't become a statistic! If disaster does strike though, give us a call! We are faster to any disaster and we are here to help make things "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO? The Recovery Process

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of North Elkhart County has specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.

Board-ups - In some cases firefighters may break windows and cut holes in the roof in order to vent the fire. It is extremely important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.

Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot

Wet Smoke – Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.

Protein – Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs. Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

What to do after a fire:

Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO of North Elkhart County
Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may damage the garment further.

SERVPRO of North Elkhart County has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition.

It's Cold Outside, But Fire Doesn't Care!

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

People are at greater risk in the winter season when they cook holiday meals, display decorations, and may use unsafe heat sources. The threat of winter fires is real; winter home fires amount for about 8% of the total number of fires in the U.S. Cooking is the leading cause of all winter home fires. A heat source to close to combustibles is the leading factor contributing to the start of a winter home fire. Here are some tips to keep you and your family safe: