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. 

2022 New Years Tips

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

We wish you a Happy New Year! #2022

Happy New Year!

SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia would like to wish everyone a new year full of happiness and free of disaster. Every New Year’s Eve, America gets in the spirit of popping fireworks in celebration of the New Year.

Believe it or not, fireworks are a fire hazard! SERVPRO would like to help you avoid any accidents that could lead to a fire.

Firework Safety Tips:

• If you give kids sparklers, make sure they keep them outside and away from the face, clothing, and hair. Sparklers can reach 1,800°F (982°C) - hot enough to melt gold.
• Never try to make your own fireworks.
• Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby in case of accidents.
• Steer clear of others - fireworks have been known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction.
• It is not safe to throw or point fireworks at someone.
• Aim fireworks towards an open sky – avoid aiming anywhere towards your house, vehicles or trees.
• Light one firework at a time (not in glass or metal containers), and do not relight a dud.
• Don't allow kids to pick up pieces of fireworks after an event. Some may still be ignited and can explode at any time.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them in the trash can

#2022

Live Christmas Trees

12/21/2021 (Permalink)

Dried Christmas trees only take seconds to completely burst into flames.

Reminder:

Water your tree! Dried-out Christmas trees create a potential fire hazard. With the hustle and bustle of the season, we tend to forget to water the tree. When the holidays pass, throw out your tree in a safe way. Because how flammable dried pine trees are, they should not be left in the home or garage near heat sources. Especially avoid placing it outside against the home, even if for a few hours. It only takes one accident to happen. 

Don't forget about bringing outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to further prevent any fire hazards. Plus, doing this also helps your Christmas light last longer.

Tree Light Tips

• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer's instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia will help save your Christmas from going up in flames! 
(601) 823-1100

Holiday Decorating: Fire Stats Edition

12/11/2021 (Permalink)

Here's Why We Take Safety Precautions During the Holidays

Christmas trees aren't the only thing that will make your holiday go up in smoke!

Holiday Decorations: 

That's right, your decorations can be hazardous too! It's averaged, per year, that 790 home structure fires began with decorations in 2015-2019. That's excluding Christmas trees, as most of these fires were started due to decorations being too close to candles. Because of these rising numbers, we are concerned and want to protect our community from being apart of NFPA's statistics.

Candles: 

Yes, our winter-scented candles helps us get in the Christmas spirit, but we also know they can take it away. Though it may be obvious, having candles placed & lit around garland, or whatever decoration, can be very regretting. On average, 20 home candle fires were reported each day between 2015-2019.

60% of those candle fires started when something that could burn, burned by being too close to the candle, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations.

Make sure you place your candles in a safe setting before you light them this month, especially on Christmas Day. Christmas Day is recorded to have the highest amount of candle fires. That's not how we want our family to experience Christmas.

Holiday Cooking:

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, as we've cautioned you about before. But of course, with all the families and friends gathering together again, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve follow right behind Thanksgiving for fires caused by cooking.

Decorations pose a problem here too, causing 19% of home cooking fires. That is one of every five homes that was devastated by the damages of fire. The cause? Decorations that are left on or too close to a stove or other cooking equipment. 

Please don't take this information lightly! We provide these statistics from NFPA to better inform our community, as our wish is to keep you from being one of these numbers.

[via nfpa.org]

Successful Thanksgiving Tips

11/18/2021 (Permalink)

Wishing you and your family a safe & happy Thanksgiving!

Last Thanksgiving was weird enough. But let's talk about this year. Thanksgiving still isn't the same, but at least we can feel some relief from the progression in combating COVID-19. Though things are looking more hopeful, we should still keep up the good work of cleanliness. 

With festivities around the corner, we here at SERVPRO Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia want to share what YOU need to know to keep your family safe this year. We also want to share the other major safety hazard... house fires. House fires can begin in an instant, normally because cooking is left unattended in the kitchen.

Wonder what you can do to stay safe and keep your kitchen under control? Follow these simple safety tips on preventing fires. In addition, due to widespread fear on the pandemic we have also included some safety tips to help prevent the spread of the virus.

Fire Safety Tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking and check on frequently on your dishes.
• Keep children away from the stove by at least 3 feet.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

COVID-19 Safety Tips

• Save the fine china. Disposable utensils/cups/plates not only keeps germs from piling in your sink, but also less cleanup afterwards.
• Keep two trashcans out to help prevent germy trash laying around.
• Have germ-x available at your entrance and the beginning of the food line.
• Avoid crowding around in the kitchen or any other food-preparation areas.
• Use single-use options, like salad dressing and condiment packets.
• If the weather is right, why not put up tables and eat outside?
• If that's not an option, bring in fresh air by opening windows and doors to allow circulation.
• Ideally, we suggest keeping your guest list minimal.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items between use.
• Call us to aid your cleaning needs!
  (601) 823-1100

We are here for all of your cleanup and fire restoration needs. Make sure that you're practicing fire safety this Holiday season and exercising precaution with company this year.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Fire Prevention Week: Fire Aftermath

10/6/2021 (Permalink)

Trust the professionals to help get your life back to normal.

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 Restoration—What to Expect

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has not only the professional products but also the eye for detail to restore your fire damage content.

Fire Damage

Smoke and soot affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia understands your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the very things that make a house a home.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals specialize in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Their expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. They pretest your belongings to determine what items they can restore to pre-fire condition.

Move-Outs/Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia can conduct an organized, efficient move-out of the affected area. A move-out has several benefits, including:

• A quicker remodeling process
• Protecting items from potential damage
• Protecting contents from further on-site damage

When restoration is completed, they will work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage. 

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. 

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician

Document/Photograph Drying

When you're valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO Franchise Professionals can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage. Learn more about our document restoration services.

Call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia for your fire remediation process! (601) 823-1100 

Fire Pit Safety Tips

4/19/2021 (Permalink)

Mississippian's favorite weather

1. Clear all flammable materials away from your fire pit. Make sure it’s kept 10 feet away from the home or building. 
2. Pile dirt or rocks to keep the fire on the ground from escaping 
3. Before lighting your fire, check the wind direction. If it’s too windy, do not light your fire pit as the wind can cause the flames to travel.
4. Contrary to popular belief, lighting fluid is not safe for lighting a fire pit. Use a commercial fire starter kick with kindling on top. 
5. Once the fire pit is lit, never leave it unattended and never leave children or pets near the fire pit without adult supervision.
6. Avoid  softwoods like pine or cedar to prevent flying sparks and flame “pops”, 
7. Only put enough fuel to keep the fire burning gently to prevent flare-ups and uncontrollable flames. 
8. To extinguish the flames, use water to drown out the fire and stir it with a shovel to make sure it’s fully extinguished. Use the shovel to extinguish any escaped flames as well
9. Dispose of the ashes in a metal can use only for fire pit ash storage. Careful, even after a few days the ashes are still hot enough to cause a fire. 
10. Accidents happen, even with the correct preventative measures taken. Having a fire extinguisher nearby can greatly reduce the risk of the fire getting out of control. 

A Warm & Safe 2021

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

No one likes to be cold! Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home or work place during cold weather. Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly.

How to keep your home safe and warm:

• Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
• Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
• Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
• Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you're leaving a room or going to sleep, and don't let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
• Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
• Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
• Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
• Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
• Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
• Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
• Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

(via esfi.org)

What To Do After A Fire

9/10/2020 (Permalink)

Prevent yourself from further damage.

Fire Damage Tips

Here are some important tips after you have a fire damage in your residence or business:

1. Keep your hands clean. It is easy to spread soot and you do not want to make a bigger mess than there already is.
2. Limit movement in the home to also prevent further damage.
3. Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on carpeted traffic areas to prevent more soiling.
4. If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
5. Wipe soot from chrome on faucets and appliances then protect with a light coating of lubricant.
6. Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia.
7. Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting us.
8. Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire or water without a repair service.

"Save as much as possible!"

We aim to return damaged areas and items to preloss conditions. We want to make your fire damage “Like it never even happened.” In this business, it is crucial to act fast. Our professional technicians arrive sooner for the chance to reduce damage and save money.  We are proud to serve Lincoln, Pike, Lawrence, Walthall and Marion counties. We are only a call away! (601) 823-1100

Valentine's Fire Hazards!

2/12/2020 (Permalink)

Don't Let Your Romance Go Up in Smoke!

Your friends here at SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia want to spread some love by cautioning you on this Valentine’s Day. Today is all about love and happiness, what could go wrong? Well believe it or not, accidents still happen on this lover’s holiday and we want to make sure you are prepared.

Candle Safety Stats

Candle fires caused an annual average of:

• $295 million in direct property damage
• More than 37% of home candle fires began in the bedroom, although the National Candle Association found that only 13% of candle users burn candles in the bedroom most often
• 58% candle fires started when burnable items (furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations) was too close to the candle.
• In 16% of the fires, the candles were unattended or abandoned.

In movies, they might line hallways, tables, and bathtubs with candles on Valentine’s Day, but that is a guaranteed fire hazard. Don’t let your romantic ambience become a romantic fire hazard.

Candle Safety Tips

Avoid candle fires by:

• NOT leaving candles unattended or abandoned. Blow out all candles when you leave a room or before you go to sleep
• Putting out any candles before you go to bed.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn or catch on fire
• Placing candles in sturdy holders made of glass, metal or ceramic. (If you’re not sure about something, don’t do it.)
• Placing candles on a flat surface where they could not be knocked over
• Keep all candles out of reach of children and pets
• Make sure fire alarms are in working order before you light your candles.
• When possible, use battery-operated candles.

source: http://www.nfpa.org

Gas Fireplace Hazards

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

It could happen to anyone.

Did You Know? 

Gas fireplaces might be safer than wood burning fireplaces, but everyone should still take precaution. Fire damage is possible even though you are not burning wood in your fireplace. The misleading thought of “Oh, it won’t happen to me” causes people so much heart ache when it does happen to them. Do not be left in the dark about your gas fireplace. Know the risks and be prepared. Some things you need to know about your gas fireplace is:

The Possible Faulty Gas Valves

Fireplace explosions exist with gas fireplaces. Scary right? Faulty gas valves leak flammable gas into the air and cause explosions that leads to major fire damage in your home. 
How does fire place explosions happen? Well, when the valve's "On/Off" switch fails, it continues to seep gas into the fireplace pilot light area. Any little spark or flame can cause the gas in the air to immediately catch fire, and create a powerful explosion.

Chimney and Flue Design Mistake

Another cause of fire explosions in gas fireplaces may be because of chimney and flue design. If you don’t know what a flue is, it’s a duct for smoke and waste gases. Some chimneys are unable to withstand high temperatures, contributing to soot and creosote buildup, because they are designed for natural gas. Creosote is a black, sticky substance formed from liquefied gas. According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, creosote is the leading cause of chimney fires. Double venting systems worsens the issue and can cause gases to back up into flues connecting to other stoves or furnaces. The resulting backup causes an explosion or leaks carbon monoxide into the home.

Accidental Plugged Burners

Paint and building materials can form over the burner hole port. Ceramic coals or mineral wool may inadvertently be placed over the ports, creating a blockage and unbalanced flame. Consequently, the plugged burner hole can delay fireplace ignition, and cause gas in the fireplace to explode.

Precautions

Call a professional service technician to remove creosote buildup from chimneys and fireplace walls. Gas valves and hose connections leading to the fireplace burner and tank should also be inspected by a professional technician. Moreover, check for cracks in the flue lining and firebox, and look for signs of rust and corrosion. Your fireplace should also be equipped with a thermocouple, which shuts off the gas in case the pilot light is extinguished.

At SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia, we are eager to help you in any way possible! If this unfortunate disaster happens to you, call us immediately! "Faster to Any Size Disaster"
(601) 823-1100

Via Hunker.com

Saving Your Home from Thanksgiving Disasters

11/25/2019 (Permalink)

Having fire damage can make your holiday harder than it should be. Take the easy route by following our safety precautions!

Making This Thanksgiving Easier 

"What could possibly go wrong at Thanksgiving, besides Uncle Eddie eating all the sweet potato pie?" Fire. Did you know fire damage is particularly higher this time of year? We need to keep fire safety top of mind in the kitchen during this joyous but hectic time. It is important, especially when there’s a lot of activity and people at home. As you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing that large family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips you can enjoy time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire.

Thanksgiving Facts
Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day, Christmas Eve, and the day before Thanksgiving.

• In 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 1,600 home cooking fires on Thanksgiving.
• Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths.
• Cooking equipment was involved in almost half of all reported home fires and home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths. 

Thanksgiving Safety Tips

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

(via www.nfpa.org)