Space Heater Safety and Home Fire Prevention

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

Space heaters can keep you warm during the colder months, but you have use them properly.

As the weather gets colder, many people turn to space heaters to keep warm. However, space heaters can be dangerous if not used properly. Here are some safety tips to help prevent fires:

• Never leave a space heater unattended. This is the most important safety tip. When you leave a space heater unattended, it can easily overheat and start a fire.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from a space heater. This includes furniture, bedding, curtains, and anything else that is flammable.
• Do not use a space heater in a bathroom or near water. Water and electricity do not mix, and using a space heater in a bathroom or near water is a recipe for disaster.
• Do not use an extension cord with a space heater. Extension cords can overheat and start a fire. Instead, plug the space heater directly into an outlet.
• Inspect your space heater regularly for damage. If the cord is frayed, the plug is loose, or the heater is otherwise damaged, do not use it.
• Turn off the space heater when you leave the room or go to sleep. This is especially important if you have children or pets.

By following these safety tips, you can help prevent space heater fires.

In addition to space heater safety, there are other things you can do to prevent home fires. Here are a few tips:

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and outside all sleeping areas. Test your smoke alarms monthly and replace the batteries every year.
• Have your heating system inspected and cleaned annually by a qualified professional. This will help prevent fires and other problems.
• Be careful when using candles. Never leave a burning candle unattended and always keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.
• Be aware of the dangers of cooking fires. Never leave food unattended while it is cooking and always keep a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency.

By following these safety tips, you can help keep your home safe from fires.

Fire Damage Can Lead To Additional Problems In Your Home

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

If you have fire or water damage in Sanford call SERVPRO of Sanford today at (407) 323-2422.

Fire Damage In Your Sanford, Florida Home

Fire and smoke damage can be devastating to personal property and structures. Swift action is the only way to minimize the damage.
SERVPRO of Sanford provides 24-hour fire and water damage restoration service.

The Right Training And Certifications Are Important

Our technicians are trained and certified. SERVPRO of Sanford is an IICRC firm.
The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, IICRC, is a globally recognized organization whose mission is to establish higher industry standards.

As a referral source for consumers, IICRC-certified firms are more likely to provide a faster, better service than non-certified competitors.

Fire And Protecting Your Home

Immediately after a fire, soot residue settles onto the property. Discoloration of porous materials is permanent, but other surfaces may be properly cleaned to remove the discoloration. Acidic soot begins staining other surfaces if not treated quickly.

Within hours all surfaces begin to suffer from fire and smoke damage. Wooden furniture may require refinishing. Metal begins to rust, pit, and corrode. The painted walls begin to yellow. Clothing can become permanently stained. And finally, flooring may require refinishing or replacement.

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored to 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.

Prolonged soot exposure permanently harms all surfaces and embeds in fibers. If you have fire or water damage in Sanford call SERVPRO of Sanford today at (407) 323-2422. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

Smoke Damage and Its Effect on Your Home If Untreated

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

Water and smoke can combine to form a very caustic substance.

Fires have the potential to ruin your belongings and do permanent harm. The flames jump from object to object, charring everything completely.

The heat from the flames will radiate, melting, crackling, and even shattering nearby objects.

to lessen the adverse effect of the smoke damage, you might want to hit the SERVPRO near my location search button now.

After the flames have been extinguished, smoke damage is what is left. Without proper care, smoke damage can destroy your house and its belongings, even if the fire did not start in the same room.

For instance, during wildfires, homes, and businesses have been destroyed by smoke alone, yet the structures were unaffected by flames.

Your valuables may sustain smoke damage even from a little fire that was put out quite promptly or even odor that you may need a smoke odor removal company’s help.

Additionally, it may have an impact on the basic framework of your house. This is why it's crucial to remove smoke and soot as soon as possible after a fire.

If left unattended for a long time, smoke can work like an acid and will eat away at various materials.

It's best to emphasize the need of acting quickly to minimize losses if a fire breaks out in your home or if you reside nearby an area where a wildfire has broken out.

What Affects Smoke Has On Your Home?

Different materials are impacted by smoke in different ways. Additionally, the fire's temperature and nature will affect the extent of smoke damage throughout your house in different ways.

Given the small size of the smoke particles, one of the worst ways they can harm a structure is by slipping into cracks and crevices. Since they frequently go unnoticed for extended periods, the smell of smoke they leave behind can linger for months.

The only method to get rid of the smell in your house is to get rid of the offending objects, clean the affected areas, and clean the building materials with smell-removing cleaners.

Water and smoke can combine to form a very caustic substance. This corrosive substance starts to progressively corrode away walls, floors, ceilings, and any other surfaces in your home if they are not cleaned up right away.

Simple cleanup with soap and water is insufficient. To thoroughly eliminate the substance and limit the harm, it must be cleaned properly using the right chemicals.

To Wrap

A competent smoke damage restoration specialist can analyze the damage and build a specific mitigation plan to ensure your house is fully clear of fire-related damages.

Knowing what it takes to be a SERVPRO technician is essential to us especially when people tend to ask about restoration and SERVPRO near my location.

One of the most informed experts in the field of smoke odor removal is a highly trained crew.

Every member is required to finish a training program that includes important workshops and certification to make sure that they are efficient and doing great service.

How to Handle Damage from a Kitchen Fire

7/6/2022 (Permalink)

Cooking is frequently one of the main causes of house fires, and cooking fires can seriously harm your kitchen.

Whether at home or at business, a fire may be one of the most terrifying and distressing events for those caught up in it or affected by it. A fire's intensity and speed can leave you feeling incredibly helpless while also causing significant property loss and damage.

Even after the flames have been put out, harm from fires continues. Families suffering with fire damage frequently see the destruction of their most valued items and the roof over their heads, which forces them to look for a secure location to take refuge.

Businesses may experience financial difficulties and become unable to conduct operations in the interim. Quick fire damage restoration from SERVPRO Sanford may be the key to reducing the psychological and financial hardships brought on by a fire.

As soon as feasible after the damage initially happens, the fire damage repair service restoration method entails water restoration, smoke damage removal, and damage mitigation.

The kitchen is a common place for people to enter and exit during the day, whether they are preparing food or simply grabbing a snack. One of a house's busiest rooms is the kitchen, which is also where families congregate for meals or to host guests. Sadly, that's also where the majority of home fires start.

Cooking is frequently one of the main causes of house fires, and cooking fires can seriously harm your kitchen. Always take the proper safety steps to avoid kitchen fires, and your primary goal should be to keep your family and yourself safe if one does break out. 

Safety Measures

You need to exercise every safety measure imaginable before going back inside your kitchen. Electrical or gas pipes may have hidden damage that could have potentially serious repercussions.

An inspector will look for safety hazards after the fire crew puts out the fire and will let you know when it is safe to enter.

3 Useful Hints For Fire Extinguishers

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

Keeping a small fire extinguisher handy in your Volusia County home can help you prevent small fires from raging out of control.

Keeping a small fire extinguisher handy in your Volusia County home can help you prevent small fires from raging out of control. You may already have one stored under your kitchen sink or in a cupboard. However, if you not prepared to use it, this tool cannot do you much good if a blaze breaks out. Learning how to use your extinguisher before there is an emergency can help you feel more confident about putting out an unexpected fire.

1. Have a Safe Escape Route

Before you try to fight a fire, it is important that you have an escape route in case the blaze re-ignites or grows despite your best efforts. For example, if you are trying to put out a kitchen fire, try to face it with your back toward the nearest exit so you can back away quickly if your extinguisher cannot handle the force of the fire. Trying to put out a fire with no escape route is hand can be foolhardy and put you at risk for serious injury.

2. Inspect the Safety Pin

Any fire extinguisher in your home should have an intact safety pin. This pin must be pulled before operating your unit, as it breaks the device’s safety seal as well as prevents the extinguisher from discharging without warning. You can replace a missing pin if necessary; however, you might want to ask the advice of your local fire station or a qualified fire damage and restoration company if it is safe or advisable to do so.

3. Sweep as You Spray

As you fight a fire, remember to move the extinguisher’s canister from side to side and aim for the fire’s base. This motion may help put the fire out more quickly. If the blaze reignites, sweep the base again.

Keeping a fire extinguisher handy in your Volusia County home can prevent small fires from burning out of control. However, knowing how to use this fire-fighting tool beforehand can help you snuff out a blaze with confidence.

Things You Should Get Rid of After a Fire Disaster

4/25/2022 (Permalink)

If you've suffered a fire, immediately search for 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration to know what items in your home are safe to keep.

After a house fire, you’ll probably be searching for fire damage restoration companies near me or in a hurry to find out what was inside the house that was burned to ashes. You may be able to recover some, but there are some things that you should never bring back after a house fire - even if it means having to do without them for a while. 

Here are five things you should get rid of after a house fire.

Food

Get rid of all remnants of food even if they have not been directly burnt or were located in an area that was not hit by the fire. Smoke and other chemicals could have contaminated all the food items in your home so it is best to not risk consuming them. Bottled food or canned goods may look fine after a fire, but you can't be sure what's growing inside those bottles after they have been exposed to such high temperatures. At the very least, they could lead to a bad smell or taste. But they could also be potentially dangerous to consume.

Medications

Medications, whether they are in tablet or liquid form, can absorb contaminants and smoke from the fire. Not only will they be dangerous to consume, but they may also not be as effective anymore considering the conditions they were exposed to. Even if the medications are expensive, do not be tempted to keep them after a fire to prevent any issues down the road.

Pet Food

Just like human food, it is also not safe to keep pet food that was exposed to smoke and other contaminants from a fire. Even if the pet food is not covered in ash or any dangerous fumes, it is best to get rid of them immediately after a fire.

Burned Textiles

Textiles such as clothing, rugs, bedding, and furniture could absorb so much smoke that most of the time, they are dangerous to keep if not treated properly. Luckily, if you can immediately contact a 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration, you can save your textiles properly and be able to keep them. However, if the textiles have been burnt badly, it is best to throw them out as soon as possible.

Paper Goods

Any paper goods like disposable cups, plates, plastic utensils and even documents should all be thrown out to prevent any further damage. Some of them may have smoke residue left that could be consumed. Or worse, they could potentially ignite another fire. There might be some papers that you want to keep but make sure to store them properly and have them inspected properly to ensure they are safe for storage.

Conclusion

After a house fire, some of us may have to start over with virtually nothing. As much as we want to keep some items, some things are best thrown away for safety purposes. If you've suffered a fire, immediately search for fire damage restoration companies near me to find a 24 hour fire damage repair and restoration company in your area.

Selling Your House with Fire Damage: 5 Tips to Keep in Mind

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Contact a fire damage restoration north Seminole company so you have a high chance of restoring your property and selling it in the future.

After unexpected fire damage to your home, you may not be able to fully comprehend what has just happened until you try to list everything that you lost. As much as you want to, you can’t go back in time and undo the damage. Instead, you’ll need to work with what you’ve got. Before you even think about selling your home, you may want to consider if it’s worth it. 

No matter the cost, you’ll want to make sure your home is worth selling. Here are five tips you can use to sell your home with fire damage.

Make sure to do all fire damage repair first.

In most cases, there will be smoke stains on the walls, floors, and ceilings. You may also have damage to appliances, lighting fixtures, cabinets, countertops, and more. All these issues will make your home unattractive to prospective buyers. Contact a fire damage restoration north Seminole company first to do fire damage repair first so you can make it marketable.

Clean and sanitize the entire home.

The smell and appearance of a dirty house can be off-putting to potential buyers. Fire damage is often associated with smoke and soot from the incident. The amount of sanitization you use depends on the level of contamination in your home.

Set a reasonable asking price.

Fire damage often knocks down the selling price of your home. While you can sell a fire damaged house as is, you can also increase it by doing some repairs. For this reason, start with a realistic price. You need to be realistic with your price and not overprice your house. Overpricing a home can often cause you to get less money than you would have if you had priced it at market value. Remember, it’s important to get as much money for your home as possible. However, it’s also important to find the right buyer.

Make sure to showcase your home's best features.

Fire damage may make your house look older and more worn out. However, you can use this to your advantage by highlighting your home’s best features. Buyers are often drawn to the curb appeal of a home. You can use this to your advantage by using paint, cleaning products, and landscaping for curb appeal.

Don’t be too pushy or make false claims.

One thing that will turn potential buyers off is aggressive and pushy sales tactics. You don’t want to be overbearing and pushy from the start. However, you also don’t want to be too relaxed and laid-back. You need to find a happy medium and show a little bit of each. One thing that will turn off potential buyers is if you make false claims about your house. For example, you shouldn’t claim that your house has never been through a fire.

Conclusion

Fire can cause a lot of damage to your home, but it doesn’t have to stop you from selling it. If your home has been damaged by fire, make sure to contact a fire damage restoration north Seminole company as soon as possible so you have a high chance of restoring your property and selling it in the future.

How to Minimize the Risk of Fire After Flooding

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you need help in dealing with fire damage after your home is flooded, make sure to contact SERVPRO.

When your home is flooded, you might think that you will only have to deal with water damage. But there are other things you should keep in mind. After a flood, the most likely source of ignition for flammable materials is water. Even on dry days, many materials that are stored or displayed inflammable liquids or gasses can build up in flood-damaged homes. This presents a serious fire risk. Floodwater can also cause electrical wires and appliances to spark, which can ignite nearby flammable materials. It’s important to know how to minimize the risk of fire after flooding. 

Here are some fire safety tips to reduce the risk of fire.

Don’t store flammable materials in flood-prone areas.

Many materials can be made flammable by exposure to water. These materials include gasoline, paint, oil, and aerosol cans. Even items that aren’t usually flammable, like food, can catch fire if they’re left in floodwater for too long. Before the flood, inspect your home for areas that may flood. If possible, avoid storing flammable materials in these areas.

Keep matches and lighters away from flammable materials.

Even a spark can ignite a flammable substance. Keep matches and lighters away from flammable materials, such as up high or out of reach. Store hazardous materials, like paint, in a separate area that’s also away from flammable materials.

Turn off electrical equipment.

Before the flood, turn off electrical equipment, like refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves, that’s not being used. This will help prevent small fires and provide additional protection against larger fires.

Use alarms and smoke detectors.

Install alarms and smoke detectors on every floor of your home. These devices will go off if there’s a fire, helping to notify everyone in the household and providing early warning. A smoke alarm in the home significantly reduces your risk of dying in a fire by 50%. So, if you have a smoke detector, make sure it is working properly.

Keep fires small, and extinguish small fires immediately.

Fires caused by flooding should be handled with care. Even when a fire is small, it can release a lot of smoke. Keep fires small and extinguish them immediately with a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher. However, avoid undermining small fires as they can spread faster than you think. Call for a fire damage restoration North Seminole to immediately do a fire damage repair if your home has already caught fire. They have the tools and expertise to control the spread of fire damage in your home.

Isolate the area outside of the fire zone.

If possible, move outside the fire zone to avoid exposure to smoke. This will help keep exposure to the area outside of the fire zone to a minimum. Isolating the area will also help prevent the spread of smoke throughout the rest of the house.

Conclusion

Fire safety after flooding is important to prevent fires and maintain good housekeeping. Floodwaters can wreak havoc on your home, leaving it exposed to fire. Follow these tips to minimize the risk of fire after flooding and if you need immediate fire damage repair, make sure to contact a reliable fire damage restoration North Seminole professional.

Fire Safety For College Campuses

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

The preventative measures that campuses must adopt to prevent fires and the associated smoke damage.

Fire damage restoration company gives fire safety tips for college campuses

Whether it is home or a college campus, students must be aware of the precautionary measures that must be taken to prevent fires. However, college campuses are different from homes, with their larger areas and unique protocols. Fires are not only life-threatening, but they also entail huge economic losses. One of the byproducts of fire damage is smoke damage that leaves a long-lasting impact on the affected property. SERVPRO of North Seminole County, a fire damage restoration company, shares some statistics about campus fires across the United States as well as critical fire safety measures that the college staff and students must know and follow. 

Campus fires across the country

• 94 percent of fatal campus fires do not begin on campus.
• Smoking was the cause of 29 percent of the fatal campus fires.
• 76 percent of fatal campus fires were due to alcohol.
• Smoke alarms were absent or tampered with in 58 percent of the fatal campus fires that failed to alert authorities or the fire department. 
• There was no fire sprinkler installation in 85 fatal campus fires.
• 70 percent of fatal campus fires occurred on the weekend while 73 percent occurred between midnight and 6 am.
• April was the month when 13 percent of the fatal fires occurred in the campus housing.

The National Fire Protection Association or NFPA and its partners offer vast resources of fire safety information to educate staff, students, and parents. It is crucial to be aware of these facts and preventative measures to prevent fire and smoke damage as well as avoid the fire damage restoration costs. 

6 Fire Safety Tips to Prevent Fire Damage on College Campuses

1. Learn the evacuation routes: Students and staff must regularly participate in all fire drills and memorize the evacuation protocols and evacuation routes. Constant review of this information is necessary to ensure correct routes are followed if and when a fire does occur. 

2. Identify the nearest fire alarm: Students or staff must be aware of the location of the fire alarm to be able to alert the campus and the fire department at the earliest. In case the fire alarm is too far or can’t be located at the time of the fire, dorm authorities must be immediately informed.

3. Smoke detectors can save the day: Fires often go unnoticed until it's too late to control them or evacuate. With the help of a well-maintained smoke detector in every living room and dorm room, the campus residents and visitors can be alerted and evacuated in a timely and safe fashion. These smoke alarms must be constantly checked to ensure they have not been disabled by students. If the alarm has been disabled due to some problem, the college’s safety or maintenance department must be informed promptly.

4. Clear the fire exits: Dorms can be limited in space and therefore their entries, lobbies, and exits must always be clear of any hindrances as this can delay the evacuation and escape. 

6. Train to use a fire extinguisher: A fire extinguisher can be a lifesaver in situations where a fire blocks the exit. During an evacuation, students or staff can use the extinguisher to save their lives and those around them. Learning how to use fire extinguishers as a part of the fire safety training can be very helpful because during a fire emergency understanding instructions and implementing them correctly can be challenging. 
7. No pranks: Practical jokes that can endanger lives or property must be avoided. Fake alarms can lead to real fire events being taken lightly. This “cry wolf” scenario must be avoided at all costs. 

Why SERVPRO?

Faster to Any Size Emergency

No matter where and how big the disaster is, SERVPRO offers fire damage restoration services across 1,700 US and Canadian franchise locations swiftly. The vast network of resources available to SERVPRO enables it to act immediately and efficiently. A 24/7 emergency response gives SERVPRO the ability to arrest any disaster quickly and save huge amounts of money, time, and energy. 

Advanced Technology 

SERVPRO is a fire damage restoration company that uses state-of-the-art equipment to bring the damaged property back to its original state. SERVPRO of North Seminole County is always updating its fleet and equipment so clients in Sanford or anywhere else can quickly access the services. 

Certified Professionals

The SERVPRO staff is highly trained in the fire damage restoration process and other restoration services. They receive initial in-house training and constant skill up-gradation at the corporate training facility and also acquire the regular IICRC-industry certification.

Can You Restore Property Contents After a Fire?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Bringing in a fire damage restoration North Seminole professional is important so you can preserve the contents of your home quickly and effectively.

The aftermath of a fire can be extremely devastating especially if it happened in your home. Not only will it take time to recover emotionally, but you will also have to deal with what's left of your possessions. You will also need to take into consideration what steps you need to for insurance purposes. After a fire, it is important to have an understanding of what was lost and what can be restored so you can move forward to your next steps. This guide will provide you with some tips to help you through this process.

How smoke and fire damage can affect your property?

Smoke and fire damage can affect your property in several ways. The most common is damage to the structure, which can include roofing, windows, tiles, and other critical areas of the home.

Apart from structural damage, it can also result in several unpleasant effects on your home such as:

• Soot residue
• Ash residue
• Smoke stains
• Unpleasant smoke odors

Fire and smoke can also damage your HVAC system especially if there was electrical fire damage. From 2014 to 2016, 12% of electrical fires in residential properties occurred most often in January due to increased use of lights and heating appliances during the winter months, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. If your HVAC system has been affected, you will need to have it cleaned and repaired right away.

Identify what items can be restored.

The first step after a fire is to identify what can be restored. This includes everything from your clothes to your furniture. Once you have this information, you can create a plan of action and start the process of restoring your belongings.

Oftentimes, people think that once your home caught fire, everything is now ruined. While it will certainly depend on the severity of the damage, that is not necessarily true. Among the items that can still be rescued and restored in your property includes:

• Electronics
• Documents
• Furniture
• Artwork
• Photos
• Jewelry and Heirlooms  

Using the right equipment is crucial.

Fire departments always recommend using the right equipment when fighting a fire. This includes not only the firefighting tools you need, but also water hoses, adders, and other rescue equipment. And when it comes to fire damage repair, you need the right equipment. Otherwise, it can lead to even further damage. Bringing in a fire damage restoration North Seminole professional is important so you can preserve the contents of your home quickly and effectively.

It's important to act quickly.

When it comes to fire damage repair and restoration, time is of the essence. You need to act fast if you want to save as much of the contents of your property. Your ability to restore as many items in your home will depend on one thing – time. If you're the property owner, your priority is to ensure that all of your belongings are safe and unharmed. Make sure to contact a fire damage restoration North Seminole company before it’s too late.

7 Tips for Getting Rid of Smoke Smell at Home

9/8/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke odor can be very tricky to remove!

The weather in Sanford, Florida is changing throughout the year. The summer is long, hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy while the winters are short, cool, and partly cloudy.  With this type of climate, accidents may happen like fire. Just recently, a fire destroyed a Seminole residence while the family was not at home. In cases like this, you will need fire damage restoration services after the accident.

In addition, you might have a housemate who smokes tobacco and cigarettes and the odors from smoke can give you unwanted feelings like if it got stuck into your hour house, it might give you a nauseous feeling or headaches as well as an overall sense of annoyance at the constant smoke irritation or even triggers asthma. The smoke infiltrates the home and the lingering order persists because of the tiny microscopic particles that cling to walls, furniture, floorings, clothing, and so on inside your house. 

Removing the smell of smoke can be a difficult job involving time, money, and effort. To remove the smell permanently, we must know the source of the smell. Burning scented candles and perfume aerosols can take away the odor temporarily. Though ventilation can help remove the smell, it just dilutes the odor and does not remove the smell permanently. And so we are giving these 7 tips for getting rid of smoke smell at home: 

1. Since smoke lingers in all exterior surfaces like walls, washing, disinfecting, and scrubbing with mild soap or other cleaning solutions and products in these areas might help. Exterior surfaces include tables, windows, screens, etc.
2. Laundry or dry clean all clothing at least once a week.
3. Have your air conditioning units and all ductwork professionally cleaned by a fire & smoke restoration technician to remove soot, ash, and smoke residue. Change filters before it’s too late. 
4. Displaying plants inside your house can be a great help too. They will absorb the carbon dioxide inside the house including unwanted smells. To name a few plants that kill smells are aloe vera, pathos, and snake plants. 
5. Increase air circulation. You can open all your windows from time to time to let the airflow around the house. 
6. Used coffee grounds can be a great deodorizer. Yes, you heard it right, used coffee grounds can be a good odor absorbent as they contain nitrogen which helps neutralize odors in the air quickly and safely.
7. Ask for help from experts. There are fire damage restoration services who have fire & smoke restoration technicians who know how to get rid of smoke smell. If you are a busy person, it is advantageous to leverage their services. 

At SERVPRO - North Seminole County, our job is to restore your home or place of business to pristine condition after the damage has taken place. We are committed to walk you through the process from beginning to end. Our goal is to provide you with a level of customer service that goes unmatched that is why we are also a 224-hour emergency service. Call Us Today at (407) 323-2422.

How To Prevent Dryer Fires

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

Dryer fires can cause serious damage.

Did you know that according to the U.S Fire administration 2,900 home dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss? The leading cause of home clothes dryer fires is a failure to clean them which causes lint to accumulate and cause a fire. Home fires happen more often during the fall and winter season. Here are some ways to avoid fires within your home:

• Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes.
• Clean the dryer vent at least once a month to avoid lint accumulation.
• Use metal dryer ducts to help prevent dryer fires.
• No matter the kind of duct is installed in your dryer, make sure to regularly clean it.
• Occasionally wipe the sensor with a rag or cotton ball.

Common Causes Of House Fires

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

Take precautionary measures now to protect your home from fires.

Fire damage may result in ways you least expect. Take precautionary measures now to protect your home from the following fire instigators.

• Cooking equipment: Cooking equipment is the number one cause of house fires. Pots and pans can quickly overheat when left unattended or mishandled. Be sure to always turn your handles towards the middle of the stove to avoid children from accidentally grabbing it. When leaving the house, always remember to turn off stove and oven.
• Smoking in Bedrooms: Avoid smoking in bedrooms. A cigarette butt can stay lit for hours and cause a flame after coming into contact with clothes or furniture. Open flames such as candles can also pose a danger for many residents.
• Old electrical equipment: Older lampshades and light fittings may build up heat, and weak bases could pose a tipping hazard. Electrical equipment such as these should be checked for faulty cords, and the power point must not be overloaded with double adapter plugs.
• Flammable liquids: Liquids such as petrol, kerosene, or methylated spirits should be kept away from heat sources and stored properly according to their label.

Preventing A Fire

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can cause serious damage to your home.

Fires can occur in your home or place of business no matter how many safety measures you take. However, by following a few simple safety tips, you may greatly reduce the risk.

SERVPRO of North Seminole County is committed to helping you and your home or business prevent fire damage. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Regularly check your smoke alarms to ensure safety in the event of a fire.
• Make sure to regularly have your home heating system evaluated by a professional. 
• Avoid using outlet extenders when at all possible. They increase the chance of overloading an electrical circuit. 
• Remove lint from the dyer after one to two loads of laundry. A clogged filter can force lint into the heated coils of the dyer. 
• Make sure to properly extinguish smoking materials. In other words, don't walk away from the candle you just blew out until you are sure that the fire is completely out. 
• Safely store flammable items away from all sources of heat.
• Lastly, always have a fire extinguisher in your home.

While we hope this is never the case, in the event of fire damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of North Seminole County is here for you. Give us a call at 407-323-2422.

Fire Safety Tips For Your Central Florida Home

4/9/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in kitchen.

A fire could spread at a moments notice, so it is good to have a plan and be prepared. It is equally as important to practice fire safety. Here are a few tips on how to stay prepared and safe in the event of a fire.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
• Test smoke alarms monthly, and replace batteries at least once a year.
• Use flashlights opposed to candles in the event of a power outage.
• Never leave a candle burning.
• Have a family escape plan and practice it yearly.
• After you are in a safe place out of the home and away from the fire, call 911.
• Keep flammable items away from anything producing heat.

Give us a call: 407-323-2422

Here's What To Do If Fire Damaged Your Home

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Seminole County can help with odors left after a fire.

After A Fire Loss in Sanford, Test The Pros for Fire and Odor Cleanup

The high rate of damage that is left once a fire is put out can be a costly and tragic loss for you and your home. Besides burned personal items, hard to remove odors can remain in your home after a severe fire loss. It may be difficult to repair your home and remove these scents using DIY methods alone, which is why calling a professional crew to come out and do some tougher cleaning and restoration is generally always worth it. 

When you need fire and odor cleanup in Sanford after a fire, there are a number of factors such as lingering airborne particles that a normal homeowner may be unaware of, or just not know how to get rid of. That's where SERVPRO of North Seminole County comes in. When you call us, our specialized fire damage team in Sanford completes a through walkthrough of the property to examine and identify all damage and potential hotspots for more damage to occur. From there, they come up with a proper way to proceed and keep the homeowner up to speed on everything they are going to do make it seem "Like it never even happened." 

We use high-tech equipment to remove smoke and soot residue to destroy those foul odors that the fire may have left behind. It is always our goal to make sure that fire damage is dealt with properly and effectively as some odors are incredibly difficult to remove, and we want to get the job done right the first time around. 

What To Do After A Fire Loss

After you have experienced a fire and everything is deemed safe, the next thing to do after a major fire loss would be to remove any and all loose debris on the property that is beyond salvageable. Debris removal is also apart of our fire loss service as we can safely remove any optionally hazardous materials so you don't have to. 

It may be a good idea to separate your personal property items into what us salvageable and what isn't, so our crew of professionals can begin the fire damage restoration process without removing any of your personal property that you may want to keep despite being slightly damaged. FEMA has a lot of great tips on how to properly bounce back after a fire. 

Fire Damage Restoration

Fighting the onset of soot and smoke is elemental after a fire. SERVPRO takes pride in professional odor removal. Our teams employ the use of dry and wet cleaning methods as well as eco-friendly cleaning solutions and specialized technology to clean items and remove odors. The combination of abrasives, cleaning sprays, or immersion cleaning used depends on the project and the level of fire damage.

Not only can we do odor removal, fire damage restoration can also include reconstructing an entire part of the property. SERVPRO of North Seminole County has a rebuilding division that can replace and parts of your home that may have been damaged beyond basic repair. 

If you require help with fire and odor cleanup, SERVPRO of North Seminole County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call our office at (407) 323-2422, and we will send out a team as soon as possible.

What You Should Know: Fire Aftermath

5/9/2020 (Permalink)

A destructive force like a fire can make it difficult to gauge what your first move should be. Here is a list of actions to take in the event that you are affected by a fire. 

•  Immediately contact the fire department and evacuate to a safe location
• Determine if anyone needs medical attention, and respond appropriately
• Find a safe place to stay if necessary, or if this proves to be difficult you may contact your local disaster relief agency, such as Salvation Army or American Red Cross which can help you find a temporary place to stay.
• Make sure doors and windows are secure, and secure any valuables as well. 
• Call SERVPRO of North Seminole County to begin restoring your home or bussines.

SERPVPRO will clean any affected items you wish to restore. SERVPRO is also equipped to clean any of four different soot types, dry smoke, wet smoke, protein smoke, as well as fuel oil smoke residues. 

For more information on fires and ways you can be prepared to deal with this or other natural disasters, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/. 

Preventing A Fire

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

It's important to begin this article by letting you know that fires can occur in your home or place of business no matter how many safety measures you take. However, by following a few simple safety tips, you may reduce the risk.

SERVPRO of North Seminole County is committed to helping you and your home or business prevent fire damage. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Make sure to regularly have your home heating system evaluated by a professional. 
• Avoid using outlet extenders when at all possible. They increase the chance of overloading an electrical circuit. 
• Remove lint from the dyer after one to two loads of laundry. A clogged filter can force lint into the heated coils of the dyer. 
• Make sure to properly extinguish smoking materials. In other words, don't walk away from the candle you just blew out until you are sure that the fire is completely out. 

While we hope this is never the case, in the event of fire damage to your home or business, SERVPRO of North Seminole County is here for you. Give us a call at 407-323-2422.

Heat Index and Dry Days...What You Need To Know Living In Florida

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fireworks are a common cause of fires in July.

If there is one thing that comes to mind when we think of summers in Central Florida, it's the HEAT! The beginning of July 2019 has been so exception. In fact, according to professionals, we have seen a heat index with recording setting numbers for this month. 

With heat like this, it is no surprise that everything is dry. So what are we getting at? The dryness in the air, the heat, both create the perfect atmosphere for one spark to light an unintentional fire that can spread faster than you may think. 

Did you know that the 4th of July sees at least a 20% increase in fires due to fireworks? Summer night bonfires also lead to an increase in fire damage due to a dry environment.

So why do we share this information? SERVPRO of North Seminole County wants to help you have the information you need to stay safe and prevent fire damage to your home or place of business. We also want to do our part to spread awareness of the potential of widespread damage a fire may cause. 

Always pay attention to fire watches and warnings in your area. Be mindful of the environment you are in before you start a bonfire, controlled burn, etc. 

Know that in any situation, we are here to assist you with fire damage.  

Christmas Home Hazards

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

It's the most wonderful time of the year! With Christmas only a couple of weeks away, trees are up and decorated, Christmas candles are filling the house with smells of sugar cookies or cinnamon, and lights are up outside to add that extra sparkle after dark. 

While all of these are beautiful ways to delight in the spirit of the season, we want to ensure that you take the proper safety precautions to keep your family and home safe. 

Did you know that December being the peak period for home fires started by candles or misuse of lights? 

Here are a few tips that may help prevent a fire hazard in your home: 

1. Keep those Christmas tress watered! Make sure that you check the water level each day, to help avoid the tree drying out and becoming a fire hazard. 
2. Do not leave outside Christmas lights on while you sleep. Turn them on for a few hours a night, and then turn them off. (This saves electricity too!) 
3. 40% of home decoration fires are started by candles. Make sure you place candles in a safe location when burning and do not leave unattended. 

We encourage you to always be mindful of potential fire dangers and remain cautious no matter what time of year. However, we ask that you be EXTRA careful during this season. 

However, if you were to find yourself the victim of a home fire - you can trust SERVPRO of North Seminole County to have you back to normal in no time!

What You Should Know: Dealing With A Fire Aftermath

11/16/2018 (Permalink)

A destructive force like a fire can make it difficult to gauge what your first move should be. Here is a list of actions to take in the event that you are affected by a fire. 

•  Immediately contact the fire department and evacuate to a safe location
• Determine if anyone needs medical attention, and respond appropriately
• Find a safe place to stay if necessary, or if this proves to be difficult you may contact your local disaster relief agency, such as Salvation Army or American Red Cross which can help you find a temporary place to stay.
• Make sure doors and windows are secure, and secure any valuables as well. 
• Call SERVPRO of North Seminole County to begin restoring your home or bussines.

SERPVPRO will clean any affected items you wish to restore. SERVPRO is also equipped to clean any of four different soot types, dry smoke, wet smoke, protein smoke, as well as fuel oil smoke residues. 

For more information on fires and ways you can be prepared to deal with this or other natural disasters, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/. 

Fireworks and Fire Safety

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

The 4th of July is just days away!

SERVPRO of North Seminole County wants to help you celebrate safely with your family, so here are a few firework safety tips we think you should be aware of:

1. It is important that you know about and abide by the local firework laws set in your area. (This can help avoid putting a damper on your holiday with a ticket or violation fee.)
2. Have an adult read the instructions on the fireworks before lighting. (This can help to prevent a small mistake, with a potential big consequence.) 
3. Adults should ALWAYS assist their kids when setting off fireworks. (This will help keep the process safer.)
4. Set off your fireworks in a clear area. (Keep away from trees, homes, people, buildings, etc.)
5. Finally, clean up when your done! (Please don't litter.)

These simple tips can go a long way in helping prevent you from getting hurt or accidentally starting a fire when operating fireworks.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at SERVPRO of North Seminole County!

Remember, if you experience a holiday mishap, SERVPRO is always Here To Help! Click here to learn more about Fire Damage Restoration.

SERVPRO of North Seminole County: 407-323-2422