Fire Safety Tips for Every Room of the House

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

You can count on SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington to help you recover after a house fire.

The unfortunate truth about household fires is that they can start for a myriad of reasons. From cooking incidents to improperly stored flammable items, many accidents can lead to a fire, which is why it is so vital to practice fire prevention throughout the house.

Making sure that you and every member of your household are aware of common fire hazards can help you all go about your lives with safety in mind, which drastically reduces the likelihood that you will wind up with a fire on your hands. Read on to learn about fire safety tips you should know for every room.

Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

Kitchens are the room in the home where a fire is most likely to break out, so it is extra important to be vigilant. Make sure there is nothing flammable near your stove or oven (including curtains, dish towels and potholders) and that food is never left unattended on the stove. It is also important to keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of any flare-ups, and ensure everyone in the home knows how to handle a grease fire as opposed to a regular fire.

Family Room Fire Safety Tips

While family rooms do not typically contain as many fire hazards as other areas of the home, there are still risks to consider. Don’t leave candles burning unattended, and if you have a fireplace, make sure it is inspected regularly by a certified professional. For electronics, be sure to not overload electrical outlets and replace cords and cables if they become frayed or worn out.

Garage and Storage Fire Safety Tips

Storage areas such as garages or basements can often become cluttered, which can lead to an excess of fire hazards. Make sure any flammable materials, such as lighter fluid or chemicals, are stored properly and are not able to get too hot in the summer months. Also be certain that these areas have clear and accessible exits free from clutter that could block someone’s path should they need to escape quickly.

*If you have damage to your home due to a house fire, you can count on us to help. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our fire restoration services work.

Fire Safety Tips for the Whole Family

6/7/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is ready 24/7 to help you get back on track after fire damage.

Fire safety is such an important thing for any household. House fires can be dangerous and traumatic, causing significant household damage and putting anyone in the vicinity directly in

harm’s way. Fortunately, fire safety is also a goal that the entire family can get involved with, keeping everyone more invested in safety and more prepared, just in case.

Many fire safety tips are things the entire family can participate in, which makes it a great family activity. Depending on who is in your household, it may be necessary to adjust some of these tips accordingly—for example, toddlers may have a great time drawing escape plans, while older kids may be more suited to smoke detector test duty.

However, we hope these general guidelines are helpful in getting everyone on the same page

for your home’s fire safety.

Fire Safety Tasks for Young Children

**Drawing an escape route.** Escaping quickly is key when it comes to a house fire, so an escape plan is a must. Young children can often be helpful here, drawing lines from each room

to indicate every exit.

**Being accountable for hazards.** Unattended candles, space heaters and cooking food can all be major fire hazards. Oftentimes, young children can make great safety accountability buddies,

calling out these hazards when they notice them.

Fire Safety Tasks for Older Children

**Checking smoke detectors.** Smoke detectors should be tested monthly, which can often be a great chore for preteens and teens in the home.

**Managing fire escape drills.** It is important to have a fire escape plan, and just as important to practice it regularly. Older children can be great at managing these drills, from planning them

out to debriefing as a family in order to see where there may be room for improvement.

**Cleaning out the dryer lint trap.** If your older children do their own laundry, it is important that they understand the importance of cleaning out the dryer lint trap. This is a commonly overlooked fire hazard, but the lint can heat up while the dryer is running and lead to a fire.

*If you have household damage due to a fire, we are here to help. Contact us today to learn more about our fire restoration options or get in touch 24/7 for a rapid response

Fire Safety & HVAC Maintenance

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

If fire should become a problem, contact the pros in green, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington.

Being a responsible homeowner means taking care of the things that take care of you. Your HVAC system is always there, and there are few (if any) days per year in our area where you aren’t relying on it to keep your home comfortable. It often goes unappreciated—that is, until something goes south or stops working.

There are also some important fire safety concerns of which you need to remain aware, particularly as winter comes in and your HVAC switches to heating mode. Don’t let your source of comfort turn into a source of disaster.

Here’s what you need to do to make sure your HVAC system and furnace are running safely this fall and winter.

Routine Maintenance

Ideally, your HVAC system should be checked twice a year for any present or upcoming issues. A professional can see problems coming and head them off before any danger is presented.

Things like aging or fraying wiring can become fire hazards that are exacerbated by the extended use of HVAC systems during less pleasant times of the year.

Duct System Circulation

Overworked heating systems are dangerous heating systems, and one thing that can quickly cause your system to work too hard is allowing your ductwork to become or remain clogged. Poor circulation or ventilation can cause your furnace to overheat.

It’s recommended that you have your duct work cleaned every three to five years, and we can help with that.

Declutter Your Furnace Area

If your furnace is located in a designated area, or it’s in the corner of a basement or garage, make sure the two-foot radius around it is clear of clutter. Radiating heat (and certainly direct contact) from the furnace can cause flammable materials to ignite. Resist the urge to use your furnace area for storage.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

If your furnace is gas-powered, carbon monoxide detectors can be as important for you as smoke alarms. The gas in your furnace is odorless, and you may not notice a leak until it’s too late. A detector can give you the assurance that things are running smoothly.

In addition to your regular fall maintenance, make sure to have your heating unit examined to give yourself a comfortable, fire-safe fall and winter season.

If fire should become a problem at home, we can help you with restoration and recovery. Contact SERVPRO to get the pros in green working for you right away.

SERVPRO's Process for Fire Restoration

4/24/2022 (Permalink)

When your home or business endures fire damage, you can count on SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington from start to finish.

After a fire strikes your home or business, you’re left with damage from the fire as well as water saturating everything from the firefighting efforts. None of that would be a surprise to our experts here at SERVPRO, as we have the specialized fire restoration expertise to return your house to its pre-fire state.

Every fire damage situation is unique and necessitates a unique remedy, but the overall procedure remains the same. The following is how we will handle a “normal” fire damage situation.

Initial contact. We are on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week, including all holidays. Disaster doesn’t wait for office hours to strike, and we don’t wait to respond. When you contact us, the restoration procedure starts. Our experts will ask a number of questions about the fire damage so that we can get started immediately with the necessary equipment and resources.

Inspection. To establish the degree of the fire, water, smoke and soot damage, we will thoroughly check and test every room. By doing this, we are able to formulate the proper strategy. Fires can cause the air quality to be unsafe, so it’s important not to re-enter the property until experts have determined it is safe to do so.

Water removal. If there is water damage present as a result of firefighting efforts or sprinkler systems, we will begin the water removal procedure immediately to ensure the bulk of the water is removed. If there is any remaining water, it will be removed using dehumidifiers and fans, and the drying process will begin from there.

Cleaning. SERVPRO removes smoke and soot from ceilings, walls and other surfaces using highly specialized state-of-the-art equipment and processes. We’ll clean up all of the fire-damaged items and areas that can be cleaned and repaired. We will also work to return your possessions to their pre-fire state by applying a number of cleaning processes. We can clean and restore electronics, documents, upholstery and more. We also specialize in industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment to eliminate odors.

Restoration. If during the cleaning process we determine that certain areas of your property cannot be cleaned, we also provide comprehensive restoration and rebuilding services. Restoration and rebuilding efforts include everything from modest repairs like drywall replacement, painting or carpet installation to substantial repairs like the complete rebuilding of different areas or rooms in your home or property.

When your home or business endures fire damage, you can trust that SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington will be ready to be a helping hand and will get your home restored quickly and thoroughly to its pre-fire condition.

Why You Should Trust SERVPRO with Your Fire Damage Recovery

4/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is your local fire restoration expert. No job is too big for our team of experts.

Dealing with a fire is one of the most taxing things a homeowner could possibly imagine.

Fire causes all kinds of damage in your home, and recovering from a home fire encompasses dealing with physical, financial, emotional and mental recovery.

While SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington can’t help with all these areas, we can be your main source of property recovery and restoration. And we can get your home taken care of quickly, which can in turn aid in your emotional recovery as well.

Here’s why you know you can feel good about entrusting your fire recovery to us.

We’re Established.

We’ve been doing this a very long time. SERVPRO was established the same year Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court, if that gives you any idea.

That means we’ve got over 50 years’ experience helping families and homeowners deal with the effects of fire, and we’ll use all those years of innovation and experience to give you the most complete recovery possible.

We’re Skilled.

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington employs a team of experts, trained and equipped to handle anything fire may have done to your home. From reversing the effects of smoke damage to full-blown rebuilding efforts, we have the tools and work ethic to get it done.

We’re always up to date on the latest technologies, innovations and certifications, which multiplies our capacity for tackling even the toughest recovery projects.

We’re Very Fast.

When you click this link or call 770-483-1212, you’re getting connected with a local team who can be onsite right away to get started.

You don’t have to wait for a team from somewhere else to show up—no, we’re right here in Conyers and Covington which means when you need us, we’re the quickest option for your recovery. And we’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your emergency call.

When fire strikes at home, the choice is clear: SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is the name you can trust with your recovery and restoration.

If fire or other disasters do damage to your home, we’re here to make things right again. Contact us today to get fast, local recovery started on your property right away.

Tips For Recovering After a House Fire

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

House fires trend to peak during the winter. Conyers/Covington is available 24/7 in the event of an emergency.

No one likes to think about suffering a loss like a house fire, but it’s a reality for millions of American families every year. House fires aren’t a seasonal risk to your home, but they do happen more frequently during the winter months.

If your family suffers a house fire, even one that does extensive damage, you can take steps to recover what you can from your home and recover emotionally, too. These tips can help you start the restoration process and help you deal with the aftermath of a house fire.

Taking the First Steps

The American Red Cross offers the following tips to help you in the immediate aftermath of a house fire.

After you’ve gotten everyone out of the house and treatment for any injured people or pets, then these are your next steps:

Let your loved ones know you’re safe. This is an important step, especially when news of a fire or issue can spread quickly.

Don’t go back into your home until it’s secured. The authorities will let you know when it’s safe to go back to your house. Please don’t go in there before because it can be unsafe.

Get in touch with your insurance company. You’ll want to let them know what happens to get the restoration process started.

Tips for Dealing With Emotions

It’s normal to feel a wide range of emotions after your home suffers a fire. They can range from grief to anger to depression. The American Psychological Association offers this advice to help you begin the process of recovering emotionally.

Find ways to reduce your stress. That can include exercise, meditation and deep breathing.

Don’t make major life decisions. It’s smart to avoid switching jobs or making other major choices while dealing with these complicated emotions.

Talk about your feelings. Whether you choose a therapist, family members or a close friend, it’s smart to talk to someone about what’s going on.

Don’t set expectations. There is no way you “should” be dealing with these issues. Instead, do what you can and be kind to yourself.

Take good care of yourself. Eat balanced meals and get plenty of sleep. It will help you better deal with a stressful situation.

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 Track of Fire Safety at Your Business

4/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a fire at your business, you can depend on SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington.

For business owners, there are few things more important for the safety of you and your staff than ensuring you have the right fire protections in place. Fires can be absolutely devastating for businesses, with over half never being able to recover after the damage—but fortunately, there are plenty of ways to decrease the likelihood that you will ever experience a fire at all.

All businesses are subjected to certain fire codes set forth by the National Fire Protection Association, which provide a great guideline for making sure you are being as safe as possible. In addition to adhering to fire codes when you are first starting out, it is also important to make sure you are regularly auditing your fire safety efforts to be sure nothing slips through the cracks. Below, we have listed out some helpful tips for doing just that.

Keeping Track of Your Fire Prevention Efforts in the Workplace

Make sure you have enough (working) fire extinguishers. It is required that all commercial spaces have fire extinguishers on the premises, though how many and where they are located will vary depending on your specific situation. That being said, it is important to check your fire extinguishers regularly—while they do have a long shelf life, there will be an indicator on each one that will let you know if it is time to be replaced.

Check or install commercial sprinkler systems. While not every business is required to have a sprinkler system, they can be a great investment for any commercial space. Sprinkler systems are extremely effective at stopping fires quickly, so even if your business is not technically required by codes to have them, it might be worth considering having a sprinkler of some sort put into place.

Be sure you are reviewing fire safety with your staff. Fire safety efforts are great, but if your staff is ill-prepared for a fire, they can be all for naught. Make sure you are regularly going over fire routes, fire exits, evacuation protocols and fire extinguisher use with your staff. That way, everyone will know exactly how to take action in the event that a fire begins, which can eliminate confusion in a panicking situation.

If you are dealing with the aftermath of a fire at your business, you can depend on us. Contact us today to learn more about our fire restoration services.

Creating Your Home’s Fire Safety Blueprint

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is ready to respond 24/7 to your emergency needs.

Increasing the fire safety of your home is a great goal. House fires can be traumatic and dangerous events, causing extensive property damage as well as injury or loss of life. However, if you have not previously considered your options for fire safety, getting into the habit of fire prevention around the house may seem like a daunting task.

The good news is that improving your home’s fire safety is ultimately quite a simple task. Once you assess where your gaps in fire prevention efforts are, you can implement simple new habits to better protect your home.

Below, we will help you identify where you could improve fire safety so you can figure out exactly what you can do to help keep your household safer from fires.

Determining Where to Improve Your Fire Safety at Home

**Consider personal safety first.** While fire prevention is quite important, the first thing you should do from a safety perspective is to consider how to protect your family if a fire does start. One of the best things you can do is install smoke alarms throughout the home and test them monthly to ensure they are operational. That way, anyone in the home will be alerted right away if a fire starts and can quickly get to safety. Additionally, you should draft a fire evacuation plan for your household and practice it regularly, so everyone is aware of what to do if the alarms do sound.

**Next, consider your daily habits.** Because many fires are started due to seemingly innocuous errors around the home, it is important to consider how your daily habits could have a role in your fire safety efforts. On average, how careful are you when cooking, lighting candles and utilizing flammable objects? Being aware of little things, like keeping flammable objects away from heat sources, can go a long way toward safety.

**Know the fire risks to watch for.** In addition to building good habits, knowing when to identify a fire risk is an important part of the puzzle. Things such as overloaded extension cords, frayed wires or space heaters being used improperly are red flags regarding fire safety—and quickly addressing them can go a long way towards prevention.

*If you have damage due to a fire in your home, you can count on us for restoration. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help.*

Where to Start on Fire Safety Efforts for the Home

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is ready 24/7 to help you prepare for emergencies.

If you are hoping to improve your household fire safety, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. House fires are certainly dangerous, but given the multitude of ways they can start, understanding what fire prevention measures to take around the home can seem like it will be a daunting task.

Fortunately, fire safety is actually quite simple! By adding certain habits into your household routines, you can make major strides in reducing your likelihood of a fire and keeping your family safer.

Read on to learn more regarding where to start when improving fire safety in the home.

How to Begin Your Fire Safety Efforts at Home

**Start with your smoke alarms.** If you are new to fire safety efforts, starting with smoke alarms is really the best thing that you can do. Most people will have less than three minutes to escape when a fire begins in the home, but smoke alarms can ensure all members of your household are alerted quickly so they can begin evacuating. Make sure you have smoke alarms installed throughout each level of the home and in every sleeping area, and test them once per month to be sure they are operational and do not need a battery replacement.

**Create an escape plan.** As previously mentioned, being able to escape quickly is so important in the event of a house fire. It is wise to draft a fire escape plan for your home, and practice it with each member of your household at least every six months. Be sure that you are able to execute your plan in around two minutes, and that everyone knows where to meet up once they are safely outside.

**Consider your cooking habits.** Cooking is one of the most common causes of house fires, so evaluating your cooking habits can be a great way to prevent fires from starting. Be careful about flammable objects near the stove and leaving food unattended while cooking. Additionally, make sure that you have a fire extinguisher in the kitchen that is rated to handle cooking and grease-related fires.

*If you have damage to your home from a house fire, we are the team to call. We are here 24/7 to provide you with a rapid response. Get in touch today to learn more.*

Breaking Down the Fire Tetrahedron

2/2/2022 (Permalink)

If your home or business has any damage, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is ready around the clock to help you recover.

First things first, do you know the definition of a tetrahedron? To cut down on time, let us explain…it’s a three-dimensional, triangular shape with four equal sides.

Now that you know the basics of the geometric shape, let’s discuss what a fire tetrahedron is.

Basically, it’s a way of acknowledging that there are four components needed for fire to start—or four “sides” to the equation. If one of the sides is removed, the structure can’t stand and the fire can’t start.

A Fire Safety Checklist for Your Household

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

A Fire Safety Checklist for Your Household

It is important for any household to practice fire safety as a regular part of their routine. House fires can be both devastating and dangerous, and on average, those in the household will have less than three minutes to escape should a fire begin.

Fortunately, by being vigilant about the prevention of house fires, you can reduce the likelihood of you ever having to experience one. While there is no way to completely eradicate your risk, there are plenty of steps you can take to make your home less susceptible to accidental fires breaking out.

A Checklist for Household Fire Safety Practicing fire safety is a great way to reduce your risk of experiencing a fire at your home. By referencing this simple checklist, you can be sure you are taking necessary precautions to keep your household safe.

**Smoke Alarms**

* Ensure that you have smoke alarms on each level of the home and in every sleeping area.

* Test smoke alarms each month and replace batteries as needed.

* Note the install date for all alarms and replace after 10 years, even if they are still operational.

**Cooking Safety**

* Be sure to never leave the stove or oven on unattended.

* Keep flammable items, such as towels and wooden utensils, three feet from the stove.

* Store a fire extinguisher prominently in the kitchen.

* Understand the difference between grease fires and other types of fires, and know the methods for extinguishing each.

**General Safety**

* Be sure your household has a fire escape plan that you practice at least twice per year.

* Ensure that every area of your home has at least two exits.

* Store any flammable chemicals in accordance with their label recommendations.

* Keep matches, lighters and other flammable objects away from young children.

* Do not leave candles lit if they are unattended.

* Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from candles, space heaters or other sources of heat.

**Electrical Safety**

* Never overload electrical outlets or extension cords.

* Replace any frayed cords or wires immediately.

* Plug appliances and any heat-generating items directly into the wall, not into extension cords.

* If wall outlets ever feel warm to the touch, stop using them immediately and call an electrician.

*If you have damage from a fire, you can count on us to help. We are here 24/7 for restoration—contact us today to learn more about our processes

Why You Should Trust SERVPRO With Your Fire Damage Recovery

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is your local fire restoration expert. No job is too big for our team of experts.

Dealing with a fire is one of the most taxing things a homeowner could possibly imagine.

Fire causes all kinds of damage in your home, and recovering from a home fire encompasses dealing with physical, financial, emotional and mental recovery.

While SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington can’t help with all these areas, we can be your main source of property recovery and restoration. And we can get your home taken care of quickly, which can in turn aid in your emotional recovery as well.

Here’s why you know you can feel good about entrusting your fire recovery to us.

We’re Established.

We’ve been doing this a very long time. SERVPRO was established the same year Thurgood Marshall was appointed to the Supreme Court, if that gives you any idea.

That means we’ve got over 50 years’ experience helping families and homeowners deal with the effects of fire, and we’ll use all those years of innovation and experience to give you the most complete recovery possible.

We’re Skilled.

SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington employs a team of experts, trained and equipped to handle anything fire may have done to your home. From reversing the effects of smoke damage to full-blown rebuilding efforts, we have the tools and work ethic to get it done.

We’re always up to date on the latest technologies, innovations and certifications, which multiplies our capacity for tackling even the toughest recovery projects.

We’re Very Fast.

When you click this link or call (770) 483-1212, you’re getting connected with a local team who can be onsite right away to get started.

You don’t have to wait for a team from somewhere else to mosey down to Conyers—no, we’re right here on Culpepper Drive, which means when you need us, we’re the quickest option for your recovery. And we’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your emergency call.

When fire strikes at home, the choice is clear: SERVPRO is the name you can trust with your recovery and restoration.

If fire or other disasters do damage to your home, we’re here to make things right again. Contact us today to get fast, local recovery started on your property right away.

Fire Safety for Preschoolers

9/30/2021 (Permalink)

If fire should take over and do damage in your home, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is here to help.

When it comes to fire safety, it’s likely that you’re generally aware of the important steps to take in case of a fire.

You’ve been told about stop, drop and roll, emergency plans, calling 9-1-1 and the like for so long now that the knowledge is pretty engrained. And yet, even with after the reinforcement of safety campaigns and fire drills, many adults still panic in real-life fire scenarios.

So knowing that children have taken in much less information and are much more likely to freeze or panic in an emergency, how much more important is it for us to take special care to teach and inform them about fire safety? Sadly, children younger than age 5 are twice as likely to die in fires as adults and older kids.

Here are a few essential things preschoolers need to be taught about how to think and react in a fire situation:

Firefighters aren’t scary.

Young children can be spooked by first responders—hey, if somebody four times your size walked up to you in a weird costume, you’d be intimidated, too. Familiarizing young children with who firefighters are and why they wear what they wear can keep them from becoming frightened when they come face to face with one.

You can also take a tour of local fire stations and teach them how firefighters can help kids in the event of a fire. Trust us, they’ll love the trucks.

Stay under the smoke.

When’s the last time you crawled around on your hands and knees? It’s probably been a while, but to your preschooler this style of moving through the house isn’t all that far removed. Teach them to assume the crawling position to stay under the smoke that comes from a fire in the house.

Tell them why breathing in smoke is dangerous, and crawl around with them—you can even make a game of it.

Stop, drop and roll.

A young child’s first reaction to having clothing catch fire will probably be to run, which can cause the fire to spread more quickly. Teach your preschooler to cover his or her face, drop to the floor, and roll side to side until the fire is safely smothered and put out.

Repeat this often, because it’s an unnatural action.

Nobody wants to think about fires burning in the home, but it’s an unfortunate reality. If fire should take over and do damage in your home, SERVPRO is here to help.

How Grill Fires Get Out of Hand

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

If your home has been damaged due to a fire, count on SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington to help you out with our proven fire restoration techniques.

If you love to grill as much as we do, hearing about a grill fire taking place can be quite alarming. There are many reasons why grill fires can start, and they are far more common than people typically realize—the U.S. Fire Administration has found nearly 6,000 grill fires occur each year, with the most instances occurring during the summer.

While grill fires can happen to anyone, regardless of how careful they are being, taking the proper precautions can significantly reduce the chances that they will occur at your next cookout. Below, we examine the science of how these fires spread so you can consider how to best prevent them when you grill.

How Grill Fires Spread and Cause Damage

A grease fire starts due to improper cleaning. Cleaning your grill is one of the most important parts of grill owner maintenance, both because it helps your food cook better and reduces the chances that you will have a fire. If your grill grates and grease traps are not cleaned, a grease fire can start and quickly envelop your grill. You should always grill with a fire extinguisher nearby just in case, but cleaning your grill is the best step to prevention.

A flare-up ignites an object too close to the grill. Flare-ups are a normal part of grilling and they are typically not severe. Unfortunately, if you have your grill too close to a flammable object, a small flare-up can cause a disastrous fire. It is recommended you keep at least three feet around your grill empty of all flammable materials—this includes porches, siding and plants, as well as children or pets that could get injured.

An accident happened with an unattended grill. Fires can start and spread with a moment’s notice, and if your grill is unattended when one happens, you may not notice it until it has become too late. Never leaving your grill unattended is the best choice—even if you are just taking a quick break, always have someone take your place and watch it.

If your home has been damaged due to a fire, you can count on us to help you out with our proven fire restoration techniques. Learn more today and get in touch at any time of day to receive a quick response from our experienced team.

Destroy Odors with Deodorization

8/29/2021 (Permalink)

If you or a customer suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact SERVPRO® of Conyers/Covington.

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized. Fire, smoke and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.

As various materials burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard-to-reach places. Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.

With technicians certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC), SERVPRO® of Conyers/Covington professionals provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO® of Conyers/Covington professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the source of the odor. Once the source is found, SERVPRO’s own proprietary line of cleaning products is used to treat and prevent the odor from returning. Any restorable item in affected areas will also be professionally cleaned and deodorized, including furniture, draperies and upholstery, electronics, art, flooring, walls, ceilings, HVAC air ducts and more.

Ask SERVPRO® of Conyers/Covington to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you.

If you or a customer suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact SERVPRO® of Conyers/Covington. Whether it’s fire, water, or mold damage or just a stubborn odor that refuses to go away, we’ll help make it “Like it never even happened.”

How Long Are Embers Dangerous?

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

When fire strikes at home, no matter the cause, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is on call to help.

There’s a serious amount of grilling going on. With the rise in popularity of smokers and pellet grills, combined with the always popular charcoal and propane models, more families are grilling more food than ever.

Add to that the ascension of backyard fire pits as a summer and fall hangout spot, and you’ve got multiple potential sources of fire outside at home, and all the more need for fire safety and awareness.

Any fire that burns needs fuel to keep it burning. If there’s nothing to consume, the fire goes out.

If you’re cooking with charcoal or pellets, or if you’re burning wood for your fire pit, those materials are your fire’s fuel, and the fire intends to burn them completely. But if a piece of fuel isn’t completely consumed, the remaining part is what we call an ember.

Embers Are Both Useful and Dangerous

Those glowing red or orange embers mean that there is a low level of combustion still happening inside the fuel material, be it wood, charcoal, etc., but not at a high enough level to create a flame (because there’s not enough oxygen available). Even so, the embers from a fire can burn as hot as the fires that bore them, and they can remain hot for a very long time.

Embers can be used to reignite a fire that has faded by stoking them and providing them with oxygen to consume. This is a good thing if you’re in an outdoor survival situation and ignition sources are scarce, but it can turn dangerous quickly in many situations.

A typical fire pit creates embers that can last hours or even days if not properly extinguished, and extreme situations are possible as well: A Sequoia tree in California that was burned in the August 2020 Castle Wildfire was found still smoldering an incredible nine months later, with live embers burning even after rain and snow covered it in the time since the fire began.

It’s Not Safe Until It’s Safe

The bottom line is that embers are dangerous until you are absolutely sure they aren’t. If you haven’t proactively prevented your ashes or embers from being able to reignite, you’re not finished at your grill or fire pit.

Responsible home ownership means ensuring all potential fuel is extinguished.

When fire strikes at home, no matter the cause, SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington is here to help. Click or call to experience the total SERVPRO fire solution.

Training Your Employees on Fire Safety in the Workplace

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage to your business, you can depend on SERVPRO of Conyers/Covington.

Owning a business presents a large liability for multiple reasons. While you have many things you must plan for, planning for an emergency event such as a fire should certainly be part of your routine. Every year, fires lead to around $10 billion in overall damages, and if your business is not prepared before one happens, these damages can devastate you.

One of the best ways to boost the overall fire safety of your workplace is by training your employees to be conscious about it. When they are empowered to practice fire safety themselves, you can significantly lower your risk and ensure everyone is working together to create a safer office space.

Tips to Empower Your Employees to Be Fire-Safe

Create a fire safety committee. Installing a properly equipped fire safety committee in your office is a great way to tackle fire safety problems and allow you to delegate some of the planning so it does not all fall on you. A fire safety committee can plan evacuation drills, suggest improvements around the office and communicate other fire safety efforts with the staff at large so everyone is in the loop.

Make sure everyone knows the fire protocol. Fire alarms can incite panic in even the most prepared of individuals, but knowing what to do can significantly reduce the fearful instincts they might inspire. Be sure that you have regular workplace fire evacuation drills in order to help your employees be prepared for a real-world fire scenario. Everyone in your building should feel comfortable navigating emergency exit routes and getting to safety when a fire starts anywhere in the building.

Have a fire extinguisher seminar regularly. Fire extinguishers are an effective way to stop an electrical or other small fire in its tracks before it becomes out of hand—but only if your staff knows how to use them. Make sure to train everyone on their operation (you can often have local fire officials pay a visit to do this), and clearly mark where they are throughout the office so everyone is empowered to take action at the first sight of a spark.

If you have fire damage to your business, you can depend on us. Contact us at any hour to learn about our commercial restoration process.