Get Ahead of Fire Damage

11/7/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do?

If you receive a call from a client today with a fire loss, what would you do?

You have a fire loss on one of your properties OR you have a fire at your own personal property?

Here is some helpful information that might help you be prepared.

Statistics:

Fire claims spike during the months of November - February.

On average, Fire causes over $12.4 billion in property damage annually.

Top 5 Causes of Fire loss:

• Cooking equipment
• Heating equipment
• Intentional
• Electrical distribution & lighting equipment
• Smoking materials

What to do after the fire is out:

You need a Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration company like SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia.

One Stop Shop

Our services also include:

• Boardup
  Many times, the home or building must be secured immediately BEFORE anything else.
• Reconstruction
  After the restoration process has been completed, our in-house reconstruction team can help with structural construction.

Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia (601) 823-1100

Fire Prevention Week: Fire Aftermath

10/14/2022 (Permalink)

After a Fire

A fire damage can be more involved than you may realize. Smoky residue saturates every opening because of the convection pattern that flames typically form during ignition. The soot constructs up in layers that may end up being solidified and tough to eliminate which is another reason to leave the cleaning to a specialist.

When the cleaning teams arrive, they promptly different salvageable items from charred debris, taking the things creating the strongest odors out for cleaning.

Following a fire, wall surface areas can be harmed by soot. Non-water based cleaners need to be used to remove soot from walls. These kinds of chemicals should be handled by a specialist due to the fumes and toxicity. Water-based cleaning items can cause spots to bleed into plaster walls, which is why a trained specialist should be left to deal with these chemicals.  

"What could possibly happen if I do it myself?" 
A professional restoration team reduces the after-effects a blaze can have on the health of those who return in. If a homeowner does not have the property restored by a professional, the results can be found later on down the line. To an untrained eye, they might believe the issue has been fixed. Homeowners who do it themselves may experience the remaining impacts of indoor air pollution for numerous months later on, which could also form an increased respiratory discomfort.  

We are trained to help remove your belongings as well as cleaning and storing them until your property has been restored to its original condition. We want to save as much as possible.

"Like it never even happened."

Fire Prevention Week: Businesses

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Fire Damage Tips

At SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia, we take fire damages seriously. Fire losses account for approximately $2.3 billion in commercial and industrial direct property loss each year.  At times you can have large-loss fires that affect buildings such as apartments, facilities, and places people work. These types of losses affect multiple lives. It can take a lot of effort on everyone's part to provide support.

Property Owner Tips

• Make sure everyone is safe and away from the property. Safety is the number one concern.
• Get the community involved in helping families or workers that may be affected
• Bring your adjuster in early to help manage things such as photos, mitigation, documenting anything they need to.
• Analyze your policy, including all clauses, additions, extensions, and exclusions.
• Bring in experts to check out the damages
• Communication is key. Everyone should stay in good contact to get the job done as smoothly as possible.
• Know that the process can be long and require a lot of patience.

We hope you never need these expert services but if you do, call us at (601) 823-1100 or send us a message through Facebook.

Fire Prevention Week

10/12/2022 (Permalink)

“Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!”

Seconds Count Seconds can mean the difference between residents of our community escaping safely from a fire or having their lives end in tragedy. That’s why our theme for Fire Prevention Week is: “Every Second Counts: Plan 2 Ways Out!” Everyone needs to have an escape plan. This year we'd like to challenge you, if you haven't done so already, to draw a map of your home with all members of your household, marking two exits from each room and a path to the outside from each exit. Practice your home fire drill twice a year. Conduct one at night and one during the day with everyone in your home, and practice using different ways out. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them. Make sure the number of your home is clearly marked and easy for the fire department to find. Close doors behind you as you leave – this may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire. Once you get outside, stay outside. Never go back inside a burning building. Have you contacted your local fire department? See how you can get involved with them and your community to prevent house fires. Sometimes they will have events or give out smoke detectors for your home. Don't think this could never happen to you because it easily could. We don't have control over everything in our homes! We understand that, and SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia is faster to any size disaster!

[via: www.nfpa.org] 

Bonfire Tips: Fall Fire Safety

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Here in Brookhaven, MS its a tradition to enjoy the cooler nights outside around a homemade fire pit! Many of us are looking forward to spending time gathering around them to enjoy time with family and friends. Before you start dreaming of moonlit nights and toasted marshmallows, take a moment to check out some of these tips from Allstate to remember.

Backyard Fire Pit Safety Tips:

• Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.
• Make sure that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.
• Check wind direction before lighting a fire.
• Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
• To start the fire, use a lighter to ignite crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks. Then, add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning. 
• Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke. 
• Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave the fire unattended, and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby.
• As the fire dies down, use a shovel and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in a specially designated ash storage metal can. 

Power Outage Tips

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Power Outage Effects

• Disrupt communications, water, and transportation.
• Close retail businesses, grocery stores, gas stations, ATMs, banks, and other services.
• Cause food spoilage and water contamination.
• Prevent use of medical devices.

Survive DURING

• Keep freezers and refrigerators closed. The refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours. Use coolers with ice if necessary. Monitor temperatures with a thermometer.

• Have alternate plans for refrigerating medicines or using power-dependent medical devices.

• Maintain food supplies that do not require refrigeration.
• Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Generators, camp stoves, or charcoal grills should always be used outdoors and at least 20 feet away from windows. Never use a gas stovetop or oven to heat your home.
• Do not use a gas stove to heat your home.
• Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are especially vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
• If safe, go to a community location with power if heat or cold is extreme.
• Turn off or disconnect appliances, equipment, or electronics. Power may return with momentary “surges” or “spikes” that can cause damage.

Be Safe AFTER

• When in doubt, throw it out! Throw away any food that has been exposed to temperatures 40 degrees or higher for two hours or more, or that has an unusual odor, color, or texture.
• If the power is out for more than a day, discard any medication that should be refrigerated, unless the drug’s label says otherwise. If a life depends on the refrigerated drugs, consult a doctor or pharmacist and use medicine only until a new supply is available.

via www.ready.gov

Your friends here at SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia wants you to be prepared for this hurricane season. Power outages can be costly, but hopefully these tips will help prepare and instruct you during unpredictable situations.

SERVPRO Values Your Time

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia when you need it done right and done fast. Did you know when you hire us for your damage restoration needs, we work around your schedule and strive to get your business up & running ASAP? Quality cleaning and quick response - that is the SERVPRO way. Can't figure out how to get the job done? We're here for you during your emergency restoration needs. When you experience a fire, water or mold damage in your home or facility, you need fast response and the expertise to get the job done right, ensuring you can get back into operation as quickly as possible. Through it all, you expect the most reliable information and the very best service at a fair price. We are here for you.

Thorough Disinfectants and Deep Cleaning

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

One of our products SERVPROXIDE^TM is our proprietary hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the EPA. It is a stabilized chlorine dioxide-based antimicrobial which carries the EPA’s lowest toxicity rating. The product itself doesn’t carry any fragrances other than a mild cleaning odor which dissipates quickly making it a great product for people with chemical or odor sensitivities. There are many different applications for SERVPROXIDE^TM. It can eliminate odors through disinfecting and oxidation rather than just covering them up. That can be done by applying the product directly with towels or through misting or spraying which is often used when we clean HVAC systems. It has even been utilized in electrostatic spraying for an even application on surfaces inside buildings. In fact, SERVPROXIDE^TM is the disinfectant we have used when we have been asked to clean and disinfect COVID-19 in homes and businesses here in Brookhaven, McComb or Columbia areas. The CDC recommends the usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar types of organisms to COVID-19 and SERVPROXIDE has EPA-approved claims against things like Feline coronavirus, Canine coronavirus, staphylococcus, E.coli, Salmonella, Rotavirus, and Swine flu. When you use SERVPRO, you can have rest at ease knowing that our team is using hospital-grade disinfectant registered with the EPA. Our chemists are even able to advise us in unorthodox situations to utilize our suite of cleaning products to clean and deodorize even the strongest and strangest combination of smells and soils.

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

This month we wear pink. SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia supports the pink ribbon. We dedicated this blog to Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Are you aware?

Breast cancer is the second most common kind of cancer in women. About 1 in 8 women born today in the United States will get breast cancer at some point.

The good news is that most women can survive breast cancer if it’s found and treated early. A mammogram – the screening test for breast cancer – can help find breast cancer early when it’s easier to treat.

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a chance to raise awareness about the importance of detecting breast cancer early. We support making a difference! Spread the word about mammograms, and encourage communities, organizations, families, and individuals to get involved.

How can National Breast Cancer Awareness Month make a difference?

We can use this opportunity to spread the word about steps women can take to detect breast cancer early.

Here are just a few ideas:

• Ask doctors and nurses to speak to women about the importance of getting screened for breast cancer.
• Encourage women ages 40 to 49 to talk with their doctors about when to start getting mammograms.
• Organize an event to talk with women ages 50 to 74 in your community about getting mammograms every 2 years.

Water Damaged Furniture

10/7/2022 (Permalink)

Even if it looks ruined, SERVPRO has the products and equipment to try to salvage your upholstery!

Salvaging Upholstery 

Whether it's your grandmother’s mother’s antique chair or a new chair from your local furniture store, don't assume the water damage has ruined it! It doesn’t matter if it is fittings, furniture, or other decorative accessories such as carpets and curtains, water has no mercy.

It’s Not “Just Water”

• If the water spreads to the upholstery, it can stain or leave watermarks on the fabric.
• Mud and silt can also penetrate the fabric and padding if the furniture stays in the water for several hours.
• Water buildup can lead to the growth of mildew both internally and externally.
• Finished wood surfaces become cloudy, while joints in the frames turn loose.
• If the disaster is a flood, it can also lead industrial chemicals, pesticides, and sewage into the house.

What Could Possibly Happen?

Upholstery:

Water damage can affect your upholstery in several ways. Wooden framing, in particular, is susceptible to cracking and swelling. Water can also compromise glue and cause damage to your furniture. In case there are water spots on the fabrics, we may have to wet the entire piece of furniture to avoid water lines. This process can lead to stains on the floors or carpets. Our technicians apply spot removal procedures to get rid of these stains. This step is important to prevent the color bleed from causing a permanent tint.

SERVPRO also follows IICRC guidelines to carry out mildew control procedures when restoring upholstery affected by water damage. This step involves rapid drying to eliminate the source of water. For this purpose, we use dehumidifiers and air movers to speed up the drying time.

Wood Furniture:

Excessive water can leave water spots on your furniture or cause cracking, swelling, or weakening of the joints. To deal with the water spots, our specialists use specialized wood care products to clean and dry the surface. Water damaged furniture frames are slightly more expensive to repair – sometimes even more costly than replacing them. SERVPRO technicians can assess and advise accordingly.