SERVPRO Space Heater Safety Tips

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

The ability to return to a cozy, heated home after spending time outside will become increasingly important as temperatures rapidly drop this winter in St Clair County. While many homeowners utilize central heating systems to maintain warmth in their homes, many seek additional heat through space heaters. Creating a warm environment, space heaters can be helpful in heating a specific room, but space heaters do not come without safety risks. Space heaters caused an estimated 25,000 residential fires and 300 deaths each year, according to a 2013 study by The Consumer Product Safety Commission. While this statistic is alarming, your home’s individual risk can be decreased and your family can be kept safe with a thorough understanding of space heater safety.

Combustible objects, such as curtains, rugs, clothes, or paper can ignite if they come into contact with a space heater. To prevent a fire from starting, remember to always keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible items while in use. Additionally, you should also be conscious of keeping your space heater situated on flat, level surfaces and away from major walkways in your home, as a fire could ignite if someone were to trip over the heater, knocking it over onto an object. Always be sure to check your space heater, including its cords and plug, for damage prior to usage. Damage increases the space heater’s risk of malfunctioning and creating a dangerous situation. Therefore, if you discover that the space heater has sustained any damage, do not use the unit. Finally, space heaters should never be left unattended during use. A nearby person could most likely detect a fire early on from the smoke smell and initial flames, which would decrease the chances of the fire spiraling out of control and protect the home from potential destruction. Therefore, it is imperative that you power down the space heater and unplug the unit before leaving the room.

Despite your best efforts to use space heaters safely, accidents can still happen. Taking precautions such as installing smoke detectors on every floor of your home can therefore serve as beneficial backup plans and help to protect your home from destruction. Lastly, if you have children or pets in your home, be sure to keep a watchful eye while a space heater is in use, as they could burn or injure themselves if they get too close. If your home sustains fire damage as a result of space heater usage this fall, you can count on SERVPRO for all of your restorative needs.

SERVPRO Tips To Escape Fire

6/21/2022 (Permalink)

Remember to always think ahead by Being prepared, having a plan, and practicing that plan. these are essential to escaping a fire. Craft your plan by taking into account your home's particular layout and your household members. Let's look into the 3 different ways you can escape from a fire: 

1. Have an escape plan and practice it.

Start off by developing a fire escape plan and making sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire. Your plan should include all available exits from each room, and routes that lead from the room to a safe, open-air space. Be sure to designate a meeting space away from your home.

• It's important that your exit routes do not lead to a closed-in area that would prevent being able to escape.
• Make sure that everyone in your household knows how to unlock or unlatch any doors, windows, gates, or fences.
• Practice your escape plan every 2 months.

     2. Plan Around The Abilities Of Everyone in Your Household.

When making an escape plan, Take any handicaps or abilities into account. If you of someone in your household depend on glasses or hearing aids, and will need them in order to find their way out, make sure they're always on a nightstand or other easy access spots.

• It's best for anyone mobility issues to sleep on the ground level of a multi-story home.
• Contact your local fire services non-emergency number and tell them about anyone in your household with special needs that should be kept on file.

     3. Stay Low And Crawl To An Exit To Avoid Smoke Inhalation. 

Stay as low to the ground as possible while you swiftly make your way to the nearest exit, Especially if there is smoke in the area you're located. Smoke inhalation can cause you to lose consciousness, and the freshest air will be closest to the group since smoke, and toxic chemicals rise. In addition, staying low below the smoke will increase your ability to clearly see your escape plan.

5 Common Causes Of House Fires

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Fires are one of the most hazardous types of damages that can wreak chaos on your home. While safety measures may be put in place to combat fire (like having a fire extinguisher handy or a fire alarm system installed), knowing what the most common causes are can be a good first step in prevention of fires.

Cooking Equipment

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are ranked as the number one cause of house fires in the United States. It’s important to always be alert and aware when cooking in your kitchen, and to not leave items unattended. Pots and pans can easily overheat, food can burn, and any time large quantities of grease or oil are involved they can spray and splatter, taking only seconds to ignite into flame. Be sure to keep an eye on your cooking area at all times, and remove any combustible items like dish towels, paper towels and oven mitts so there are no flammable objects within range.

Electrical Equipment

Electrical fires are one of the most common threats homeowners face. From overloaded electrical outlets to malfunctioning appliances, fires can start quickly and grow strong. Be careful not to overload your circuits or leave lights on overnight, and if you can, start conducting an annual inspection of your home’s electrical systems. This will help you identify and locate any faulty wiring, damaged outlets or other issues your system may have.

Smoking

Smoking is a major contributor to house fires that occur in the United States each year. Lit cigarettes accidentally dropped somewhere in the home can quickly ignite its surroundings and build to dangerous levels of fire and smoke. The best way to significantly reduce the risk of this happening is to stop smoking altogether or by smoking outdoors. However, if you choose to smoke inside your home, take proper precautionary measures: don’t smoke in your bedroom or forget to extinguish your cigarette if you become drowsy. Use large, deep ashtrays, and keep them away from anything that will burn. And finally, check around for any fallen embers and properly dispose of them as soon as possible.

Dryers

This one may surprise some people, but your dryer could pose as a major hazard for your home if not properly maintained. When lint and dust build up over time, the dryer vent becomes clogged with highly flammable materials. When you run your dryer, it exposes the vent to high temperatures that can cause the build up to combust. Regularly cleaning your dryer’s lint trap and routinely inspecting the vent for blockage is the best way to avoid this potential danger.

Candles

Candles provide wonderful aromas and stunning ambiance to any room, but can be hazardous the moment you neglect them. Always blow out a candle before you leave a room – an unattended open flame is asking for trouble, and can quickly lead to a house fire. In addition to blowing it out, be sure to clear away any flammable materials from the vicinity of the candle prior to lighting it. Trimming the wick can also help reduce the size of the flame, better containing it.

If you are worried about any of these different types of hazards that may exist in your home or place of business and you have any questions, feel free to call our team of trained professional technicians here at SERVPRO of St Clair County. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!

Don't Doubt Your Fire Extinguishers

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

If something flares up at your St Clair County home or business, act immediately and it will mitigate the amount of chaos and loss a fire can cause. Make sure your evacuation path is safe and will remain so, and the first line of defense is a fire extinguisher. Educating yourself as well as others on the proper containment before flames spread is key to promptly extinguish fire damage. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends the widely used P.A.S.S. acronym for remembering the simplified procedure of operating an extinguisher:

• Pull the safety-pin at the top to break the safety seal
• Aim for the bottom of the fire
• Squeeze the handle or button
• Sweep horizontally while still aiming at the fire’s base

Spraying should continue until the blaze disappears. If the fire is still blazing after the extinguisher’s contents are empty, you should immediately remove yourself and others from the premises. If the roar of the flames continues to grow or presents a threat to the evacuation route, get to safety and let emergency services arrive.

There are multiple different types of fire extinguishers. Some should definitely not be used in certain types of fires as they may worsen the fire damage. They have different labels displaying certain classes so you can easily distinguish their uses.

Class A are water-based extinguishers for cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastic fires. Class B use carbon dioxide to put out fires in flammable liquids such as oil and grease. Electrical fires need either a Class C or multipurpose dry chemical agent. 

A kitchen fire requires a special class K wet and dry chemical extinguisher that is specially made to handle intense deep fryer fires that Class B cannot.

In the aftermath of a fire, there will be damages. Your home or place of business can receive professional restoration from your local commercial fire restoration company. Knowing how to choose and use the appropriate fire extinguisher, you are able to lessen the fire damage to make restoration services even easier and cheaper. Fires don’t have to turn your profits red too. 

Safety For Smoke Alarms

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Properly functioning smoke alarms are a key aspect to general home safety when it comes to potential home fires. Unfortunately, statistics point to the fact that approximately 60 percent of home fire deaths are a direct result of fires in properties without working smoke alarms. While it may seem like an afterthought or a bonus for a home, the reality is that smoke alarms save lives and missing or broken smoke alarms can be the cause of fire deaths or fire injuries. When a fire starts in a home, it spreads incredibly fast. As such, it is absolutely essential for all South Florida homeowners to have working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes to ensure they can get out as quickly as possible.

Some experts say that a family has one minute or less to get out of a home in the event of a fire. Having a smoke alarm in the house in one of the most effective ways to save you and your family’s lives. Keep in mind the following smoke alarm safety tips:

• Make sure your alarm system is interconnected so that when one alarm goes off they all do
• Check your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are functioning correctly
• Get new smoke alarms installed every 10 years
• Smoke alarms should be installed both inside and outside of all bedrooms or other sleeping areas
• Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home
• Replace smoke alarm battery at least one time a year (9-volt battery)
• Practice a fire drill in the event that the alarm goes off
• Once the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must get out of the house fast

An estimated 3,000 people are killed each year in the United States due to fires. Ensure that you and your family are taking every measure to be protected from fire danger. The first step in safeguarding your home is to deploy the above smoke alarm tips right away. If your home has suffered any fire damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO today to learn more!

You Have Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO!

8/9/2021 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered about the work that goes into a fire damage?

Well SERVPRO of St Clair County is specialized with fire restoration training, we work very hard to make every aspect of your disaster as stress-free as possible. With every fire damage there comes a unique set of difficulties, but the process ends up remaining the same – and our trained team of production technicians are fully equipped to deal with every fire damage they come across, even the most challenging of fire damages.

If you look at the items listed below it will help you to better understand the fire restoration process.

1. Emergency Contact 

   The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment 

   We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

3. Immediate Board-up and Roof Tarp Service 

   Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

4. Water Removal and Drying (if water is present) 

   The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces 

   We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing 

   We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

   Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

No matter how challenging your fire damage maybe, SERVPRO of St Clair County is ready to restore your home to preloss conditions. Call us @ 256-378-1319 with any questions you may have. 

During Fires Every Second Counts

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Every second counts during a fire. Fire experts agree; people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out. In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fire, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families and businesses have developed and practiced a fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home or office understands the plan. The best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. Increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing it. The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan:

• Draw a map of each level of your home or business and show all the doors and windows. Find two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.
• Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they’ve escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting area on your escape plan.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home or office, with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.
• Practice your fire escape plan during the day and nighttime.

Call SERVPRO of St Clair County with any questions you may have.

Fire Restoration

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered about the sort of work that goes into remediating a fire?

With SERVPRO of St Clair County specialized fire restoration training, we work to make every aspect of your disaster as stress-free and straightforward as possible. With every fire comes a unique set of difficulties, but the overall process remains the same – and our highly trained team of technicians are equipped to deal with even the most challenging of fire damages.

Take a look at the list below to better understand the fire restoration process.

1. Emergency Contact 

   The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment 

   We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

3. Immediate Board-up and Roof Tarp Service 

   Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

4. Water Removal and Drying (if water is present) 

   The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces 

   We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing 

   We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

   Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Smoke Alarm Safety!!

8/3/2020 (Permalink)

Properly functioning smoke alarms are a key aspect to general home safety when it comes to potential home fires. Unfortunately, statistics point to the fact that approximately 60 percent of home fire deaths are a direct result of fires in properties without working smoke alarms. While it may seem like an afterthought or a bonus for a home, the reality is that smoke alarms save lives and missing or broken smoke alarms can be the cause of fire deaths or fire injuries. When a fire starts in a home, it spreads incredibly fast. As such, it is absolutely essential for all South Florida homeowners to have working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes to ensure they can get out as quickly as possible.

Some experts say that a family has one minute or less to get out of a home in the event of a fire. Having a smoke alarm in the house in one of the most effective ways to save you and your family’s lives. Keep in mind the following smoke alarm safety tips:

• Make sure your alarm system is interconnected so that when one alarm goes off they all do
• Check your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are functioning correctly
• Get new smoke alarms installed every 10 years
• Smoke alarms should be installed both inside and outside of all bedrooms or other sleeping areas
• Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home
• Replace smoke alarm battery at least one time a year (9-volt battery)
• Practice a fire drill in the event that the alarm goes off
• Once the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must get out of the house fast

An estimated 3,000 people are killed each year in the United States due to fires. Ensure that you and your family are taking every measure to be protected from fire danger. The first step in safeguarding your home is to deploy the above smoke alarm tips right away. If your home has suffered any fire damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO today to learn more!

Importance Of Smoke Detector Working

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Importance of a Working Smoke Detector

We took a call from a client who got an unpleasant early morning wake up call: her smoke alarm was going off.  She awoke to discover a small electrical fire had started in her kitchen.  With the early warning, her son and her were able to put out the fire and minimize the damage before it spread.  Now, imagine, if a fire started in the early hours in your home, while everyone was sleeping….and there was no Smoke Detector to awaken you and your family?

Since they came onto the market in the early 70’s, smoke detectors have reduced fire fatalities roughly in half.  Most fire fatalities are from smoke inhalation, a working smoke detector can get you responding sooner!

Here are some Smoke Detector tips to help keep your family safe:

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard of hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

If you and your family do experience a fire, call upon your Fire Restoration Experts at SERVPRO of St Clair County today at 205-525-0332!

Fire Damage, Call SERVPRO!

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered about the work that goes into a fire damage?

Well SERVPRO of St Clair County is specialized with fire restoration training, we work very hard to make every aspect of your disaster as stress-free as possible. With every fire damage there comes a unique set of difficulties, but the process ends up remaining the same – and our trained team of production technicians are fully equipped to deal with every fire damage they come across, even the most challenging of fire damages.

If you look at the items listed below it will help you to better understand the fire restoration process.

1. Emergency Contact 

   The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment 

   We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

3. Immediate Board-up and Roof Tarp Service 

   Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

4. Water Removal and Drying (if water is present) 

   The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces 

   We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing 

   We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

   Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

No matter how challenging your fire damage maybe, SERVPRO of St Clair County is ready to restore your home to preloss conditions. Call us @ 256-378-1319 with any questions you may have. 

Have No Doubts With Fire Extinguishers!

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

If something flares up at your St Clair County home or business, act immediately and it will mitigate the amount of chaos and loss a fire can cause. Make sure your evacuation path is safe and will remain so, and the first line of defense is a fire extinguisher. Educating yourself as well as others on the proper containment before flames spread is key to promptly extinguish fire damage. 

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends the widely used P.A.S.S. acronym for remembering the simplified procedure of operating an extinguisher:

• Pull the safety-pin at the top to break the safety seal
• Aim for the bottom of the fire
• Squeeze the handle or button
• Sweep horizontally while still aiming at the fire’s base

Spraying should continue until the blaze disappears. If the fire is still blazing after the extinguisher’s contents are empty, you should immediately remove yourself and others from the premises. If the roar of the flames continues to grow or presents a threat to the evacuation route, get to safety and let emergency services arrive.

There are multiple different types of fire extinguishers. Some should definitely not be used in certain types of fires as they may worsen the fire damage. They have different labels displaying certain classes so you can easily distinguish their uses.

Class A are water-based extinguishers for cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastic fires. Class B use carbon dioxide to put out fires in flammable liquids such as oil and grease. Electrical fires need either a Class C or multipurpose dry chemical agent. 

A kitchen fire requires a special class K wet and dry chemical extinguisher that is specially made to handle intense deep fryer fires that Class B cannot.

In the aftermath of a fire, there will be damages. Your home or place of business can receive professional restoration from your local commercial fire restoration company. Knowing how to choose and use the appropriate fire extinguisher, you are able to lessen the fire damage to make restoration services even easier and cheaper. Fires don’t have to turn your profits red too. 

There Are Five Common Causes Of House Fires!!

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fires are one of the most hazardous types of damages that can wreak chaos on your home. While safety measures may be put in place to combat fire (like having a fire extinguisher handy or a fire alarm system installed), knowing what the most common causes are can be a good first step in prevention of fires.

Cooking Equipment

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are ranked as the number one cause of house fires in the United States. It’s important to always be alert and aware when cooking in your kitchen, and to not leave items unattended. Pots and pans can easily overheat, food can burn, and any time large quantities of grease or oil are involved they can spray and splatter, taking only seconds to ignite into flame. Be sure to keep an eye on your cooking area at all times, and remove any combustible items like dish towels, paper towels and oven mitts so there are no flammable objects within range.

Electrical Equipment

Electrical fires are one of the most common threats homeowners face. From overloaded electrical outlets to malfunctioning appliances, fires can start quickly and grow strong. Be careful not to overload your circuits or leave lights on overnight, and if you can, start conducting an annual inspection of your home’s electrical systems. This will help you identify and locate any faulty wiring, damaged outlets or other issues your system may have.

Smoking

Smoking is a major contributor to house fires that occur in the United States each year. Lit cigarettes accidentally dropped somewhere in the home can quickly ignite its surroundings and build to dangerous levels of fire and smoke. The best way to significantly reduce the risk of this happening is to stop smoking altogether or by smoking outdoors. However, if you choose to smoke inside your home, take proper precautionary measures: don’t smoke in your bedroom or forget to extinguish your cigarette if you become drowsy. Use large, deep ashtrays, and keep them away from anything that will burn. And finally, check around for any fallen embers and properly dispose of them as soon as possible.

Dryers

This one may surprise some people, but your dryer could pose as a major hazard for your home if not properly maintained. When lint and dust build up over time, the dryer vent becomes clogged with highly flammable materials. When you run your dryer, it exposes the vent to high temperatures that can cause the build up to combust. Regularly cleaning your dryer’s lint trap and routinely inspecting the vent for blockage is the best way to avoid this potential danger.

Candles

Candles provide wonderful aromas and stunning ambiance to any room, but can be hazardous the moment you neglect them. Always blow out a candle before you leave a room – an unattended open flame is asking for trouble, and can quickly lead to a house fire. In addition to blowing it out, be sure to clear away any flammable materials from the vicinity of the candle prior to lighting it. Trimming the wick can also help reduce the size of the flame, better containing it.

If you are worried about any of these different types of hazards that may exist in your home or place of business and you have any questions, feel free to call our team of trained professional technicians here at SERVPRO of St Clair County. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you may have!

3 Questions About Fire Alarms

5/6/2020 (Permalink)

You as a home owner probably have at least one or two smoke alarms in your home, but how often do you really think about that? For many people, the answer is probably “never.” Your alarm can help prevent all sorts of fire and smoke damages in your home by warning you at the first indication of a blaze of fire, but only if you follow the correct and proper procedures. The next time you find yourself thinking about your fire alarm, ask yourself these 3 questions:

1. Do you have the right number of smoke alarms in your home?
It is unlikely that you only have one fire alarm in your home, but it is possible that you still don’t have as many as you should. There is no set number of alarms that you should have in your house as the answer depends on the size of your residence. Each level of your home, including basements and attics, should have at least one alarm. There should be an alarm placed inside each bedroom as well as in the hallway outside each sleeping area.

2. When is the last time you replaced your alarms?
While you might think about changing the batteries in your smoke alarms, at least when they start beeping at you as a reminder, you might not have considered that the alarms themselves need replacing as well. The detectors in a fire alarm will start to wear out between eight to ten years after you’ve started using it, so it is important to replace them around this time.

3. Are you taking proper care of your alarms?
In order to keep your alarms working properly, they should be well maintained. Be sure to replace the batteries immediately when the reminder sounds so that you know they will work in case of an emergency. Each fire alarm should be cleaned regularly and tested at least once a month.

A fire damage restoration service can help in the event of a fire but keeping properly maintained alarms in the necessary areas of your home can help prevent significant damage and keep you safe.

Avoiding Fire Hazards in the Kitchen

3/12/2020 (Permalink)

Cooking fires are rated as the No. 1 cause of home fires and injuries.

Has your kitchen been designated as a place for family and friends to gather and spend quality time together as, perhaps, a cozy comfort food meal is cooking? Well, the kitchen is also a space where many home fires occur.

Cooking fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires and injuries with the leading cause of these kitchen fires being unattended cooking.

State Farm paid out a whopping $130 million for homeowners insurance claims related to grease and other cooking fires in just 2017 alone. According to the insurance company, these are the worst states for kitchen fires:

• North Carolina
• Texas
• Pennsylvania
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• Maryland
• New York
• Alabama
• Georgia

<h4fire-safety-tips">Kitchen Fire Safety Tips

Staying in the kitchen while cooking is not the only fire safety tip you should be following. Here are some other helpful tips to observe while cooking:

1. Are you wearing loose-fitting clothing or long sleeves? They could catch on fire if you aren’t careful while cooking over the stove. It’s best to wear short or close-fitted sleeve shirts and make sure any baggy shirts are tucked in or tied back.

2. Do you keep flammable items away from the stovetop? Make sure kitchen towels, oven mitts, appliance cords or even curtains aren’t too close to the stovetop when cooking. Ideally, anything flammable should be moved away from the stovetop.

3. Do you have a fire extinguisher readily accessible to the kitchen? Hopefully you have at least one fire extinguisher located in your home, ideally one that is near your kitchen. Make sure you know how to properly use the extinguisher, just in case it is ever needed.

4. How are you disposing of your hot grease? Even if the grease is not on fire, it could be hot enough to cause something in the trash to catch fire. You should let the grease cool a bit and then dispose of it in an old coffee can. Also, know the smoke points of the oils you cook with. Be sure to never subject a low-smoke point oil to high heat when cooking, as it could catch fire.

5. Have you created a fire escape plan for an emergency? No one wants something bad to happen, but it’s better to be safe rather than sorry if an emergency were to occur. Review exit routes and designated meeting points with your family, making sure that everyone knows what to do.

Fire safety in the kitchen is an absolute necessity, as it can help prevent dangerous and destructive cooking fires. If your home has experienced damage from a cooking fire, know that SERVPRO of Clair County is here to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Why Professional Restoration Services are Necessary After Fire Damage

3/11/2020 (Permalink)

It is tempting to remove debris after a fire, but you can unintentionally spread soot. SERVPRO knows how to remove debris and restore your home.

Reasons DIY Fire Damage Cleanup is a Bad Idea in St Clair County Homes 

After fire damage occurs in a home, the number one priority of most homeowners is to get life back to normal as rapidly as possible. One of the biggest mistakes they make is cleaning up the smoke damage and removing charred items themselves. Both of these actions have the capacity to make the situation worse.  

When homeowners work on a fire damage in their homes on their own, the outcome can be less favorable than they expected. Some cleaning products or incorrectly used methods can increase the loss and render items unrestorable.  

Stop the Spread of Soot

Setting up containment is something that rarely gets done in DIY cleanups. SERVPRO technicians know soot particles can exist smaller than the human eye can see. If the fire loss area does get contained, it can spread throughout the home and require more cleanup to remove the soot and odors. 

Improper Cleaning Makes it Worse

It is vital to test smoke residues on surfaces before cleaning. Because a fire can burn at different temperatures in a single room and various types of items get charred, an array of residues get left behind. While sheetrock and wood structural elements tend to leave behind a light, powdery residues called dry smoke, plastic, and rubber items produce wet smoke, which is thick and can prove challenging to remove from surfaces without the proper cleaning agents.  

SERVPRO techs carefully test and use methods such as dry cleaning sponges to carefully lift away dry smoke. When wet cleaners come into contact with wet smoke, it drives the particles deeper into the surface, and this can mainly ruin painted walls and require further restoration efforts such as ceiling over painted walls to lock in the soot and odor and ready the wall for repainting. 

SERVPRO of St Clair County when you need fast, complete fire damage cleanup and restoration service. The certified technicians have the tools and knowledge to make the fire loss "Like it never even happened." 

Every Second Counts

1/22/2020 (Permalink)

Practice your fire escape plan during the daytime and nightime

Every second counts during a fire. Fire experts agree; people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it’s too late to get out. In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fire, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families and businesses have developed and practiced a fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home or office understands the plan. The best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. Increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing it. The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency escape plan:

• Draw a map of each level of your home or business and show all the doors and windows. Find two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.
• Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Only purchase collapsible ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.
• Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they’ve escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting area on your escape plan.
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home or office, with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.
• Practice your fire escape plan during the day and nighttime.

Call SERVPRO of St Clair County with any questions you may have.

Space Heater Safety

1/16/2020 (Permalink)

Dangers of plugged in space heaters

The ability to return to a cozy, heated home after spending time outside will become increasingly important as temperatures rapidly drop this winter in St Clair County. While many homeowners utilize central heating systems to maintain warmth in their homes, many seek additional heat through space heaters. Creating a warm environment, space heaters can be helpful in heating a specific room, but space heaters do not come without safety risks. Space heaters caused an estimated 25,000 residential fires and 300 deaths each year, according to a 2013 study by The Consumer Product Safety Commission. While this statistic is alarming, your home’s individual risk can be decreased and your family can be kept safe with a thorough understanding of space heater safety.

Combustible objects, such as curtains, rugs, clothes, or paper can ignite if they come into contact with a space heater. To prevent a fire from starting, remember to always keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from combustible items while in use. Additionally, you should also be conscious of keeping your space heater situated on flat, level surfaces and away from major walkways in your home, as a fire could ignite if someone were to trip over the heater, knocking it over onto an object. Always be sure to check your space heater, including its cords and plug, for damage prior to usage. Damage increases the space heater’s risk of malfunctioning and creating a dangerous situation. Therefore, if you discover that the space heater has sustained any damage, do not use the unit. Finally, space heaters should never be left unattended during use. A nearby person could most likely detect a fire early on from the smoke smell and initial flames, which would decrease the chances of the fire spiraling out of control and protect the home from potential destruction. Therefore, it is imperative that you power down the space heater and unplug the unit before leaving the room.

Despite your best efforts to use space heaters safely, accidents can still happen. Taking precautions such as installing smoke detectors on every floor of your home can therefore serve as beneficial backup plans and help to protect your home from destruction. Lastly, if you have children or pets in your home, be sure to keep a watchful eye while a space heater is in use, as they could burn or injure themselves if they get too close. If your home sustains fire damage as a result of space heater usage this fall, you can count on SERVPRO for all of your restorative needs.

How to Have a Warm and Safe Winter

12/10/2019 (Permalink)

Have a safe winter this year!

Everyone loves to be cuddled up on the couch with your favorite blanket feeling the warmth of your beloved space heater, right? According to NFPA’s latest U.S. Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment report, released in 2018,heating equipment is the second-leading cause of U.S. home fires and the third-leading cause of home fire deaths. 

What if I told you that more than half (53%) of all heating fire deaths resulted from fires that began when heating equipment was too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.

SERVPRO of St Clair County wants to ensure your holidays are merry and bright, and your homes are filled with joy. Here are seven precautionary tips you can take when using a space heater:

1. Keep heaters at least 3 feet away from any flammable materials, including furniture, blankets, and wastebaskets.
2. Buy a space heater that includes an automatic shutoff. 
3. Do not plug space heaters under your desk on in other enclosed areas.
4. 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..
5. Never leave a space heater unattended.  Turn off and unplug heaters when not in use.
6. Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
7. Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.

If you do happen to experience fire loss of any sort in your home or business, we are here to help. Give us a call at (256)-378-1319, where we are available 24/7! Happy Holidays!

How Fire Smoke Can Affect Your Health

8/24/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles when wood and other organic matter burn. The biggest health threat from smoke comes from fine particles. They can get into your eyes and respiratory system, causing such health problems like burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. These particles can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases, and are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions.

Some people are more susceptible than others. If you have heart or lung disease, you may experience health effects earlier and at lower smoke levels than healthy people. Older adults are more likely to be affected by smoke and children are more susceptible to smoke for several reasons: their respiratory systems are still developing and they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults.

Smoke can irritate the eyes and airways, causing coughing, a scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes and more! With a heart or lung disease, smoke will make your symptoms much worse. Heart disease patients can experience chest pain, palpitations, or fatigue. Lung disease patients may not be able to breathe as deeply or as usual, and they may experience symptoms such as coughing, phlegm, chest discomfort, and wheezing. When smoke levels are high enough, everyone (healthy or non-healthy) can experience some of these symptoms.

At SERVPRO of St Clair County we are trained and certified by IICRC to mitigate and clean structures affected by fire or smoke, to request an inspection call us at 205-525-0332 or go to 

3 Ways To Escape From A Fire.

8/19/2019 (Permalink)

Remember to always think ahead by Being prepared, having a plan, and practicing that plan. these are essential to escaping a fire. Craft your plan by taking into account your home's particular layout and your household members. Let's look into the 3 different ways you can escape from a fire: 

1. Have an escape plan and practice it.

Start off by developing a fire escape plan and making sure everyone in your household knows what to do in case of a fire. Your plan should include all available exits from each room, and routes that lead from the room to a safe, open-air space. Be sure to designate a meeting space away from your home.

• It's important that your exit routes do not lead to a closed-in area that would prevent being able to escape.
• Make sure that everyone in your household knows how to unlock or unlatch any doors, windows, gates, or fences.
• Practice your escape plan every 2 months.

     2. Plan Around The Abilities Of Everyone in Your Household.

When making an escape plan, Take any handicaps or abilities into account. If you of someone in your household depend on glasses or hearing aids, and will need them in order to find their way out, make sure they're always on a nightstand or other easy access spots.

• It's best for anyone mobility issues to sleep on the ground level of a multi-story home.
• Contact your local fire services non-emergency number and tell them about anyone in your household with special needs that should be kept on file.

     3. Stay Low And Crawl To An Exit To Avoid Smoke Inhalation. 

Stay as low to the ground as possible while you swiftly make your way to the nearest exit, Especially if there is smoke in the area you're located. Smoke inhalation can cause you to lose consciousness, and the freshest air will be closest to the group since smoke, and toxic chemicals rise. In addition, staying low below the smoke will increase your ability to clearly see your escape plan.

Facts about fire

8/5/2019 (Permalink)

Home fires in the United States are continuously a safety issue. In fact, more than 80 percent of all fire deaths occur in home fires. As such, being as educated as possible about home fires is important to protecting your loved ones and your house from potential fire hazards. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year throughout the country over 2,500 people die and 12,600 people are injured as a result of a home fire. While they certainly range in severity, fires are something that must be treated seriously no matter the size. Most natural disasters are scary due to their unpredictability, fires, on the other hand, are entirely preventable. The ability to prevent a fire from occurring lies largely in one’s fire education.

Keeping in the mind the following facts about fire can make a huge impact on staying safe in the event of a fire emergency or in preventing a fire from starting in the first place:

• 60 percent of home fire deaths happen when there are no smoke alarms or the smoke alarms are not working
• Every home should have a fire escape plan in place, but only 30 percent of Americans have one
• Each day, an average of 7 people in the U.S. die in a home fire
• The leading cause of home fire deaths is smoking materials
• The leading cause of home fire injuries is cooking equipment
• About 50 percent of home fires deaths are reported between the hours of 11pm and 7am
• The risk of dying in a fire is cut in half when there is a working smoke alarm present
• In the event of a home fire, everyone must get low to crawl under the smoke towards the nearest exit of the home
• Once a smoke alarm goes off, you only have a few seconds to escape the home

It is important to remember that after a fire no one should go back into the building unless instructed to do so by a firefighter. Fire damage can be especially upsetting and destructive for your family to process. You may feel stressed, confused, and vulnerable, so you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO specializes in fire damage restoration and we’ll treat you with respect and empathy, and we’ll always treat your home and belongings with care. We have the specific damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Smoke Alarm Safety for Your Home

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

Properly functioning smoke alarms are a key aspect to general home safety when it comes to potential home fires. Unfortunately, statistics point to the fact that approximately 60 percent of home fire deaths are a direct result of fires in properties without working smoke alarms. While it may seem like an afterthought or a bonus for a home, the reality is that smoke alarms save lives and missing or broken smoke alarms can be the cause of fire deaths or fire injuries. When a fire starts in a home, it spreads incredibly fast. As such, it is absolutely essential for all South Florida homeowners to have working smoke alarms installed throughout their homes to ensure they can get out as quickly as possible.

Some experts say that a family has one minute or less to get out of a home in the event of a fire. Having a smoke alarm in the house in one of the most effective ways to save you and your family’s lives. Keep in mind the following smoke alarm safety tips:

• Make sure your alarm system is interconnected so that when one alarm goes off they all do
• Check your smoke alarms every month to make sure they are functioning correctly
• Get new smoke alarms installed every 10 years
• Smoke alarms should be installed both inside and outside of all bedrooms or other sleeping areas
• Smoke alarms should be installed on each level of the home
• Replace smoke alarm battery at least one time a year (9-volt battery)
• Practice a fire drill in the event that the alarm goes off
• Once the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must get out of the house fast

An estimated 3,000 people are killed each year in the United States due to fires. Ensure that you and your family are taking every measure to be protected from fire danger. The first step in safeguarding your home is to deploy the above smoke alarm tips right away. If your home has suffered any fire damage, contact the professionals at SERVPRO today to learn more!

The Right Smoke Detector

7/11/2019 (Permalink)

Having a smoke detector in your home is vital to making sure you and your family are safe. You should have one in every bedroom and on every floor of your home. You probably already knew how important these little alarms are, but do you know how to make sure that your smoke detector is a good one?

Smoke detectors can come in any size and shape, and they can be as cheap as $5 or as expensive as $150, so with all of these options, how do you know what to choose? First, there are two different types of detectors: ionized and photoelectric. Some devices are a combination of these two types.

Ionized smoke detectors work best when there are actual flames present. They are quick to sound the alarm when a lot of heat is produced.

Photoelectric smoke detectors work well with fires that start slow and tend to smolder and create a lot of smoke. Smoldering fires like these are usually pretty silent, so people do not always notice them at first; some people will actually develop breathing problems and pass out before they realize that a fire is occurring.

Both types of alarms are designed to detect fire no matter what, and both will be sufficient to get you and your loved ones out of the house in time as long as you keep up with maintenance such as testing the alarms and replacing batteries when needed. If you feel the need, you can put a mixture of the two types of alarms throughout your house. Regardless of what type you choose, make sure you have them in the kitchen, bedrooms, and any other important places in your home.

If your house or office suffers from a fire loss, call SERVPRO® of St Clair County at (205)-525-0332.

Avoiding fire damage while grilling

7/10/2019 (Permalink)

Late Summer Grilling Can Lead To Fire Damage In St Clair COunty

The barbeque and grilling season is far from over in St Clair County. Cooking outdoors is popular for creating a festive atmosphere and delivering delicious, smoke-infused food to the dining table. Wood, charcoal, or gas grills do pose an elevated risk of household fire. If the flames jump to an exterior or interior portions of your home we can help with cleanup and restoration.

Outdoor grilling needs constant monitoring to avoid fire damage to your home. Even when you exercise caution variables such as wind gusts, or rambunctious pets can cause an accident that quickly turns into a crisis. During the relatively dry months of late summer, the grass or gardens near your house can ignite fast, spreading the line of fire to the exterior or inside of your dwelling. We respond to many fire cleanup scenarios where the source of the residue on surfaces in your home was an outdoor blaze.

SERVPRO warns that overhanging eaves, an awning, or roof can accelerate the transfer of heat and flames from even a small accidental outdoor fire from grilling. Despite burning just a few minutes before it is extinguished, the smoke and soot of a fire that escaped its containment system can make their way indoors, especially if open windows or heating or cooling intake vents are nearby. Think of how the aromas of your or a neighbor’s grilling waft into your house even when the cooking fuel is contained, and no emergency occurs.

Add to that the increase in smoke and soot if an outdoor fire jumps to the ground or the structure of your home. Fires started outside can grow in intensity if they catch the siding or trim of your home, and if a fire just outside the kitchen, where the majority of grilling spaces are, seeks and finds a burst of oxygen when the door opens, it travels inside with frightening ease. Firefighting efforts, both with fire extinguishers and water, may put out the fire but damage your home on their own. Fortunately, SERVPRO is a full-service restoration company, handling water, fire, and many other disasters.

If a gathering around the grill takes a turn for the worse, SERVPRO of St Clair County is ready to help clean up and restore any areas of your home affected. Give us a call at (205) 525-0332 to get the recovery started.

We have right equipment!

7/7/2019 (Permalink)

There is never a convenient time for fire of water damage to strike your home or business. When you need thorough sanitizing call SERVPRO of St Clair County and we'll be there fast with the help to get your property back to its preloss condition. 

We are trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. Our technical expertise and industrial grade air scrubbers and fogging equipment go well beyond simply masking odors and other shortcuts that don’t work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

We clean all of the restorable items and structures damaged by fire or water. We are adept at cleaning contents using a number of techniques. Our professionals are trained to provide sanitizing treatments and to remove odors and deodorize your property.

SERVPRO of St Clair County understands that using professional equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. The right tool for the right job is vital to timely mitigation and restoration. 

SERVPRO of St Clair County Professionals have the right equipment to Sanitize your property:

Ultra Low Volume (ULV) Foggers will atomize liquid disinfectant agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. Low pressure is applied to a high volume of air to push solution through a nozzle to create precisely sized tiny droplets.  The purpose is to create and disperse a disinfectant aerosol to reduce the numbers of airborne micro-organisms and also to apply disinfectant to surfaces that may be difficult to reach.  Ultra low volume sprayers, are lightweight, portable aerosol sprayers that allow you to disinfect areas quickly. The disinfectant hangs in the air before settling on and disinfecting the objects in the room.

Thermal Foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume creating dense fogs suitable for sanitizing confined areas.  The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles. When properly created and applied, thermal fogging delivers excellent sanitation and odor control.

Thermal Fogging Devices quickly penetrate hard to reach areas with thermal fogging. Thermal fogging devices use heat to create a visible, fog-like dry mist. These fogging machines produce a large amount of fog, and are useful in a large variety of settings. The heat from the device does not affect the chemicals in the disinfecting solution, so it does not lose effectiveness. Thermal fog reaches difficult areas such as cracks in the ceiling and crevices in furniture, walls and the floor. Use thermal foggers without risking exposure to the chemicals by standing in one location and allowing the fog to spread into the room.

Ozone Generator: The portable ozone generator eliminates a variety of odors caused by animals, cigarette smoke, mold and mildew, fire, and water damage. This machine generates “ozone”, which consists of unstable oxygen molecules (containing three oxygen atoms). Ozone chemically reacts with odor-causing molecules to oxidize residues and remove the odors. When using this piece of equipment, we follow the absolute and necessary guidelines of use. Once the deodorization process is complete, ozone quickly reverts to the normal oxygen molecule, leaving no residues. Once the odor is gone, the results are permanent. One of the features of the ozone generator is that it is made to be compact and portable, yet also be a durable and professional unit.

SERVPRO Professionals utilize several methods of cleaning your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned. 
• Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product. 
• Antimicrobial and Antibacterial Treatments - Depending on the scenario, we may use antimicrobial, antibacterial, or disinfectant treatments to clean your property.

Water, Flood, Fire or Mold Damage?

Call Today – (205)-525-0332

A Fire Loss Estimate of Your St Clair County Property

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

The fire trucks are gone and now your St Clair County home and belongings are likely suffering from not only fire and smoke damage, but also extensive water damage from the firefighting efforts.  The restoration of your home and estimation of your fire loss begins when you call your local SERVPRO of St Clair County.

Our SERVPRO Professionals in Electronics, Structure, and Contents Restoration arrive to conduct pretests,  while inspecting the property to determine the extent of fire damage and the scope of needed cleaning, restoration, and repairs. These professional experts need to identify and consider the following and are only few to mention:

• The materials, and items affected by smoke or fire and the proper method for cleaning; 
• If your personal belongings need to be relocated while your house is being restored
• The areas that were not affected by soot and odor and protect those areas as soon as possible to avoid contamination 
• If the smoke residues are cleanable
• Conduct a complete inventory of items that are damaged beyond repair as a complete inventory is invaluable
• The amount of time needed to perform the cleanup with the most effective cleaning methods

Once the fire damage mitigation begins, you will be kept informed and your questions will be answered throughout the process. #AlwaysHereToHelp

Need an estimate for fire damage? Call our office at (205)-525-0332

Importance of a working smoke detector!

7/1/2019 (Permalink)

Importance of a Working Smoke Detector

We took a call from a client who got an unpleasant early morning wake up call: her smoke alarm was going off.  She awoke to discover a small electrical fire had started in her kitchen.  With the early warning, her son and her were able to put out the fire and minimize the damage before it spread.  Now, imagine, if a fire started in the early hours in your home, while everyone was sleeping….and there was no Smoke Detector to awaken you and your family?

Since they came onto the market in the early 70’s, smoke detectors have reduced fire fatalities roughly in half.  Most fire fatalities are from smoke inhalation, a working smoke detector can get you responding sooner!

Here are some Smoke Detector tips to help keep your family safe:

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard of hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

If you and your family do experience a fire, call upon your Fire Restoration Experts at SERVPRO of St Clair County today at 205-525-0332!

Three Questions To Ask Yourself About Fire Alarms

5/24/2019 (Permalink)

You probably have at least one smoke alarm in your home, but how often do you really think about it? For many people, the answer is probably “not often.” Your alarm can help prevent fire and smoke damage in your home by warning you at the first indication of a blaze, but only if you follow proper procedures. The next time you find yourself thinking about your alarm, ask yourself these questions.

1. Do you have the right number of smoke alarms in your home?
It is unlikely that you only have one fire alarm in your home, but it is possible that you still don’t have as many as you should. There is no set number of alarms that you should have in your house as the answer depends on the size of your residence. Each level of your home, including basements and attics, should have at least one alarm. There should be an alarm placed inside each bedroom as well as in the hallway outside each sleeping area.

2. When is the last time you replaced your alarms?
While you might think about changing the batteries in your smoke alarms, at least when they start beeping at you as a reminder, you might not have considered that the alarms themselves need replacing as well. The detectors in a fire alarm will start to wear out between eight to ten years after you’ve started using it, so it is important to replace them around this time.

3. Are you taking proper care of your alarms?
In order to keep your alarms working properly, they should be well maintained. Be sure to replace the batteries immediately when the reminder sounds so that you know they will work in case of an emergency. Each fire alarm should be cleaned regularly and tested at least once a month.

A fire damage repair service can help in the event of a fire but keeping properly maintained alarms in the necessary areas of your home can help prevent significant damage and keep you safe

We’re Experts on Fire Remediation

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered about the sort of work that goes into remediating a fire?

With SERVPRO of St Clair County specialized fire restoration training, we work to make every aspect of your disaster as stress-free and straightforward as possible. With every fire comes a unique set of difficulties, but the overall process remains the same – and our highly trained team of technicians are equipped to deal with even the most challenging of fire damages.

Take a look at the list below to better understand the fire restoration process.

1. Emergency Contact 

   The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment 

   We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

3. Immediate Board-up and Roof Tarp Service 

   Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

4. Water Removal and Drying (if water is present) 

   The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces 

   We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces

6. Cleaning and Sanitizing 

   We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

7. Restoration

   Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Extinguish all doubts on how to use a fire extinguisher!

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

If something ignites at your St Clair County business, acting immediately will mitigate the amount of mayhem and loss a fire can cause. If your evacuation path is safe and will remain so, the first line of defense is a fire extinguisher. Educating yourself and others on the proper containment before flames spread is key to promptly preventing fire damage. 

Simplify the Steps for Easy Recollection in Stressful Times

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends the widely used P.A.S.S. acronym for remembering the simplified procedure of operating an extinguisher:

• Pull the safety-pin at the top to break the safety seal
• Aim for the bottom of the fire
• Squeeze the handle or button
• Sweep horizontally while still aiming at the fire’s base

Spraying should continue until the blaze disappears. If the fire still roars after the extinguisher’s contents are empty, you should immediately evacuate yourself and others. If the blaze grows or presents a threat to the evacuation route, get to safety and let emergency services arrive.

Be Prepared With the Correct Class Within Grasp

There are multiple types of fire extinguishers. Some should not be used in certain fires as they may worsen the fire damage. They have labels displaying certain classes so you can easily distinguish their uses.

Class A are water-based extinguishers for cloth, wood, rubber, paper, and plastic fires. Class B use carbon dioxide to put out fires in flammable liquids such as oil and grease. Electrical fires need either a Class C or multipurpose dry chemical agent. 

A kitchen fire requires a special class K wet and dry chemical extinguisher that is specially made to handle intense deep fryer fires that Class B cannot.

Do Your Best and Let Professionals Handle the Rest

In the aftermath of a fire, there will be damage. Your business can receive professional restoration from your local commercial fire restoration company. Knowing how to choose and use the appropriate fire extinguisher, you are able to lessen the fire damage to make restoration services even easier and cheaper. Fires don’t have to turn your profits red too. 

5 Common causes of house fires

5/17/2019 (Permalink)

Fire is one of the most hazardous types of damage that can wreak havoc on your home. While safety measures can be put in place to combat fire (like having a fire extinguisher handy or a fire alarm system installed), knowing what the common causes are can be a good first step in preventing fire.

Cooking Equipment

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are ranked as the number one cause of house fires in the United States. It’s important to always be alert and aware when cooking in your kitchen, and to not leave items unattended. Pots and pans can easily overheat, food can burn, and any time large quantities of grease or oil are involved they can spray and splatter, taking only seconds to ignite into flame. Be sure to keep an eye on your cooking area at all times, and remove any combustible items like dish towels, paper towels and oven mitts so there are no flammable objects within range.

Electrical Equipment

Electrical fires are one of the most common threats homeowners face. From overloaded electrical outlets to malfunctioning appliances, fires can start quickly and grow strong. Be careful not to overload your circuits or leave lights on overnight, and if you can, start conducting an annual inspection of your home’s electrical systems. This will help you identify and locate any faulty wiring, damaged outlets or other issues your system may have.

Smoking

Smoking is a major contributor to house fires that occur in the United States each year. Lit cigarettes accidentally dropped somewhere in the home can quickly ignite its surroundings and build to dangerous levels of fire and smoke. The best way to significantly reduce the risk of this happening is to stop smoking altogether or by smoking outdoors. However, if you choose to smoke inside your home, take proper precautionary measures: don’t smoke in your bedroom or forget to extinguish your cigarette if you become drowsy. Use large, deep ashtrays, and keep them away from anything that will burn. And finally, check around for any fallen embers and properly dispose of them as soon as possible.

Dryers

This one may surprise some people, but your dryer could pose as a major hazard for your home if not properly maintained. When lint and dust build up over time, the dryer vent becomes clogged with highly flammable materials. When you run your dryer, it exposes the vent to high temperatures that can cause the build up to combust. Regularly cleaning your dryer’s lint trap and routinely inspecting the vent for blockage is the best way to avoid this potential danger.

Candles

Candles provide wonderful aromas and stunning ambiance to any room, but can be hazardous the moment you neglect them. Always blow out a candle before you leave a room – an unattended open flame is asking for trouble, and can quickly lead to a house fire. In addition to blowing it out, be sure to clear away any flammable materials from the vicinity of the candle prior to lighting it. Trimming the wick can also help reduce the size of the flame, better containing it.

If you are worried about any of these hazards that may exist in your home or have any questions, feel free to call our team of professionals here at SERVPRO of St Clair County. We’ll be happy to assist you!

EXTREME HEAT

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

As summer approaches, it is time to consider safety precautions for extreme heat in the coming months. Heat affects all people, but especially the young, elderly, sick, and overweight. Urban area residents also have a greater chance of being affected than those who live in rural areas due to the heat island effect. 

According to the EPA, "the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50-90 degrees Fahrenheit hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces--often in more rural surroundings--remain close to air temperatures." These surface heat islands are strongest during the day when the sun is shining, while the atmospheric heat islands are more likely after sunset "due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure." Whether you are in an urban or rural area, there are several things you can do to prepare for and prevent extreme heat from affecting you. If possible, stay indoors in air conditioning. Be sure to check on your pets who may be outdoors or bring them inside. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine intake. If you must go outside, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and be sure to apply sunscreen often. Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion, which are heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin; nausea or vomiting; and fainting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life threatening. Signs of heat stroke are a high body temperature (103+), rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately and move the person somewhere cool. Reduce body temperature with cool, wet cloths or a bath. Do not give a person with heat stroke fluids, and treat the situation as a serious medical emergency (CDC). If you live in humid climate, be aware of the heat index. The heat index factors in the humidity, which can make the temperature feel 15 degrees hotter. Extreme heat is a serious danger.

Destroy Odors with DEODORIZATION!

7/2/2018 (Permalink)

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 (IIRC), SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the sources of the odor. If you or a customer suffer a fire damage or some other accident and require deodorization services, contact SERVPRO of St Clair Co Franchise Professionals @ 256-378-1319! Whether its 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."

Other Odors that may require DEODORIZATION:

• Cigarette Smoke
• Pet Odors
• Decomposition
• Mold

Fire Damage Restoration

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage is especially devastating for a business or commercial property. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, significant water damage from firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If your business experiences a fire loss, call the fire and water damage restoration experts and we’ll respond immediately to get you back to business.

• 24 Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Fire and Water Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises
• Highly Trained Fire and Water Damage Restoration Specialists

Commercial Fire Damage? Call Us Today – (256) 378-1319

Commercial Restoration Presents Unique Challenges

SERVPRO of St Clair County has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, or office building, we will respond quickly to mitigate the damage and manage the restoration project through to its completion. 

• Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of St Clair County can respond immediately to your commercial fire damage emergency regardless of the size or scope of the damage. We are part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large scale events and disasters.

SERVPRO Fire Damage

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

• 24 Hr Emergency Service
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• Locally Owned and Operated
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry Highly Trained Technicians

When your St Clair County home or business suffers fire damage, it can be especially devastating. In addition to the fire and smoke damage, your property may have substantial water damage from firefighting efforts. You may feel stressed and confused after such a disaster and you’ll need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. SERVPRO of St Clair County has the specialized fire and water damage equipment and expertise to help you through this tough time.

We’ll treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions? Call Us Today – (256) 378-1319!

Why Choose SERVPRO of St Clair County?

We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster 

SERVPRO of St Clair County is dedicated to responding immediately to your Birmingham fire damage emergency. A faster response is the key to help prevent additional damage and reduce the restoration cost.

We’re Fire and Water Damage Specialists

We specialize in fire and water restoration. We’ve received advance training in restoration techniques, and we have the experience and specialized equipment to quickly restore your property.

• Fire & Smoke Restoration Technician
• Odor Control Technician
• Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• Water Damage Restoration Technician

Our Restore vs. Replace Mentality

We focus on restoring versus replacing because restoring the affected areas of your property is substantially less costly than demolishing and replacing those areas. This “restore first” mentality also allows us to get your home or business back to pre-fire condition quicker and with less disruption.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

SERVPRO of St Clair County is locally owned and operated and we are proud to be part of this community. We are also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises with special Disaster Recovery Teams placed strategically throughout the country to respond to large-scale fire, water, and storm disasters.

Fire Damage!

5/11/2018 (Permalink)

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

Have A Fire or Smoke Damage Emergency? 
Call 256-378-1319!

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

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

Fire Damage Process

4/3/2018 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of St Clair Co. have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (256) 378-1319

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Smoke & Soot Cleanup

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

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

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.

• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.

• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Fire Restoration

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

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

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals

• Provide 24/7 Emergency Service
• Highly Trained Fire and Water Restoration Specialists
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry with over 1,700 Franchises

Preferred Vendor for Many National and Local Insurance Companies

If you need any Cleaning and Restoration Services call us at 256-378-1319!

Fire Devastation

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

It's devastating to experience the chaos of a fire in your St Clair County. Not only is it difficult to deal with the loss, but the clean up too. If it is a small isolated fire, getting the area cleaned and repaired should be a priority.

The first thing to consider is the ash and smoke damage that occurred. These can lead to corrosion, discoloration and unpleasant odor. Getting ash and smoke cleaned up immediately will prevent any of these from leading to an even larger problem. 

Take action and follow these steps if you find yourself handling the aftermath of a house fire. 

1. Contact your insurance company.
2. Contact your local fire restoration company – SERVPRO of St Clair County.
3. Take photographs of the damage.
4. Keep a record of all conversations with your insurance company.
5. Make a list of everything you lost or that was destroyed.
6. Find a place to stay while your restoration company cleans up your property.

While a house fire is a trying experience, it helps to have a game plan in place. So remember these steps for the next time you or a loved one is handling the aftermath of a house fire and call SERVPRO of St Clair County 256-378-1319

Smoke Alarms Are Needed

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms. Most of us forget we have them in our homes until the battery gets low. Most people do not even realize their homes do not have smoke alarms installed, or worse they do not have enough installed to reach critical points in the home. Our owners’ sister passed from not having had working smoke alarms in the home and it was very tragic. He is very persistent about making sure people have working smoke alarms in their homes. All of us never thought about here at SERVPRO of St Clair County but its truthful, having smoke alarms determines a life or death situation. You are helping someone keep from risking their life by making sure they have working smoke alarms in their home.

Fires!

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Offers Tips for Preventing Fire Damage to Your St Clair County Kitchen

The kitchen is the number one "hot spot" for fires leading to fire damage in your home. Cooking with grease and oil can be hazardous to your health for reasons other than nutrition and diet. One of the most dangerous incidents that can happen in your home is a grease fire. There are several preventative measures that you can implement to decrease the likelihood of a grease fire in your kitchen. Access the information below, provided by SERVPRO, to minimize an accidental kitchen fire.

Keep It Clean. Because most of us have numerous domestic and professional responsibilities, there is often little time to clean everything as thoroughly as we'd like to. Nevertheless, it's important to know that cleaning up all drips and spills from the stove area each day is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent fire damage in your kitchen from a grease fire. Large spills are easy to spot and can be cleaned up quickly. As you cook, remember to wipe away substances that spill over the side of the pan. Also, keep the area around a burner or flame free of spills and grease all the time.

Be Safe With Cooking Oils And Fats. When you cook with oil, be sure that you know what your temperature rating is. Not all oils and fats are alike. Refined fats can be safely heated to higher temperatures because there are few impurities. However, allowing your cooking oil to become too hot can cause it to ignite. If you note that oil is starting to smoke, be sure to take it away from the source of heat immediately. If a fire ignites within the frying pan, never throw water on top of it.

Know Your Fire Extinguisher. Type ABC or B extinguishers contain proper chemicals and propellants to put out grease fires. Your kitchen extinguisher should be a C02 or a dry chemical extinguisher. Each year check for the expiration date of use for the fire extinguisher. Keep one close at hand, perhaps under the kitchen sink base cabinet. However, you should never utilize a water-based extinguisher for this type of fire. Water will not blanket the flames causing oxygen deprivation and will splash and spread the flames to other areas. Minimize smoke and fire damage by quickly extinguishing the flame.

Call SERVPRO for Fast, Friendly Fire Damage Restoration Services

Awareness of the above tips will make your kitchen and household a safer place. However, happenstance can still allow a fire to occur in your Tuscaloosa home. If this should happen, make the call to a company you can trust – SERVPRO. Our IICRC-certified technicians are skilled in restoring your property quickly and safely. Moreover, we offer the friendly, detailed customer service necessary to keep you calm and confident throughout the fire damage restoration process. Our aim is to return your home to its preloss condition ASAP.

DEODORIZATION!!

3/30/2017 (Permalink)

DESTROY ODORS WITH DEODORIZATION!

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 (IIRC), SERVPRO Franchise Professionals provide specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the sources 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 us today 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 us at 256-378-1319. 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."