Stay safe and warm this fall with fire safety tips for your New York home. SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here 24/7, 365 days a year.
As the crisp autumn air settles in, fall BBQs and bonfires become popular activities for enjoying the cooler weather and vibrant foliage. However, with the increase in outdoor cooking and fire use, it’s essential to take precautions to prevent potential house fires.
By following some simple safety measures, you can ensure a fun and memorable fall season while keeping your home and family safe. Here’s how to enjoy your fall gatherings without risking a fire.
Safeguard Your BBQ Area
When grilling outdoors, it’s crucial to set up your BBQ in a safe location to avoid fire hazards. Place your grill on a flat, stable surface, away from flammable materials such as leaves, paper, or wooden structures. Ensure that the grill is positioned at least 10 feet from your home, deck, or any other structures to minimize the risk of a fire spreading.
Regularly clean your grill to prevent grease buildup, which can ignite and cause a dangerous flare-up. Always keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water nearby when grilling. This way, you can quickly address any flare-ups or accidental fires before they become serious.
Manage Your Bonfire Responsibly
Bonfires are a quintessential part of fall, but they require careful management to prevent accidents. Before lighting your bonfire, check local regulations and fire bans to ensure that burning is allowed in your area. Choose a fire pit or fire ring that is designed for safe burning and place it on a non-flammable surface, away from any overhanging branches or structures.
Avoid burning materials like plastics or treated wood, which can produce hazardous fumes. Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby to extinguish the fire if necessary. Never leave the bonfire unattended, and ensure that it is fully extinguished before leaving the area. By adhering to these practices, you can enjoy your bonfire while minimizing fire risks.
Prepare for Fire Safety
Preparation is key to fire safety during fall gatherings. Make sure your home’s smoke alarms are functioning properly and have fresh batteries. Test them regularly to ensure they are in good working order. Have an emergency plan in place, including a clear escape route and a designated meeting spot outside your home.
Familiarize yourself and your family with this plan so that everyone knows what to do in case of an emergency. Additionally, educate your guests about fire safety practices, especially if they will be handling the grill or tending the bonfire. By taking these precautions, you can create a safer environment for everyone involved.
As you enjoy fall BBQs and bonfires, keeping fire safety in mind is essential for protecting your home and loved ones. If an accident does occur and you need professional assistance with fire damage restoration, SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is Here to Help®. Our team of experts is available 24/7 to provide rapid and reliable restoration services, ensuring that your home is returned to its pre-damage condition.
For immediate support and expert guidance, contact SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua today. Enjoy a safe and memorable fall season while knowing that help is just a call away.
3 Ways to Prevent a House Fire | SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua
House fires are a disastrous event for your family. Let SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua help so you can focus on what matters.
We all can agree that suffering a house fire is one of the most unfortunate possibilities of being a homeowner. No one wants to think about their hard-earned possessions and precious keepsakes going up in flames, not to mention the sheer danger that unexpected fires bring.
There are over 350,000 house fires every year in the United States, and most of them are preventable. By knowing what to avoid in your home and how to use fire and heat safely, you can significantly reduce your risk for suffering a house fire.
Stay Present in the Kitchen
Most house fires start in the kitchen, but that should be no surprise since we use heat to cook almost all of our food. Never leave a boiling pot unattended or walk out of the room for any reason if you have something on the stove or in the oven. All it takes is a single spark or a kitchen towel placed just a little too close to the burner to start a huge blaze.
You should cut down on the amount of flammable materials that you have in the kitchen and keep the clutter to a minimum. In addition, you should also have a fire extinguisher that is kept in the kitchen at all times. If a fire does break out, a quick reaction and passing the extinguisher over the flames can take care of the problem instantly.
Control Your Electronics
Electrical fires are also a hazard and account for many house fires across the country. Unplug appliances or electronics when they are not in use, and limit the amount of things plugged into an outlet or extension cord. Never “daisy-chain” extension cords, which entails plugging extension cords into other extension cords.
You should also never charge your phone or tablets underneath your pillow. Electronics that cannot properly vent can overheat and catch anything flammable on fire. Consider investing in surge protectors around your home to help control any unexpected electrical surges as well.
Arm Your Smoke Detectors
When was the last time you checked your smoke detector batteries? You should be testing each of your alarms once a month to make sure they are working properly. Each level of your home should have a smoke detector and you should especially be sure that one is located inside each bedroom or sleeping area.
Smoke detectors should also be completely replaced every 10 years, so if yours are older than that or if you recently moved and aren’t sure how old yours are, replace them now to be on the safe side.
Remember, we are always here for you to help if you do suffer fire damage in your home. We can restore and rebuild any part of your home quickly and efficiently.
SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here for you if you experience a fire disaster.
House fires are scary no matter how they happen. While smaller instances can be alarming but manageable, large house fires can be completely devastating and leave behind incredible wreckage.
Fire moves fast, and you often only have a few minutes to control the situation or get out safely. Knowing more about fire and how it spreads can help keep your entire family safe during a true emergency.
The Timeline of Fire
The first 30 seconds: A fire can start and catch the surrounding walls, floor and materials ablaze.
After a minute: The fire will spread and smoke will fill the entire room.
After two minutes: The temperature in the room can reach 400 degrees, and smoke will start pouring into other rooms in the house.
After three to four minutes: A flashover can occur, which means that everything in the room where the fire originated will ignite.
After five minutes: The entire house is engulfed and rescue can be really difficult if you haven’t gotten out safely yet.
What to Do During a Fire
Fires can break out at any time and in any place of your home. Electrical issues, forgotten candles or kitchen mishaps contribute to the majority of house fires across the country, and each instance can cause widespread damage in just a few minutes.
If you are home when a fire breaks out, exit your home as quickly as possible if you are not able to quickly extinguish it or snuff it out on your own.
Your exit may be simple, like walking out the front door, or it may require hopping through a window to safety. In any case, stay low to avoid the toxic smoke.
Crouch or even crawl if you have to in order to stay below the smoke line. Once you are outside, meet up with your family at your pre-determined meeting location. Once the fire is out and your family is safe, give SERVPRO® a call.
Our Fire Damage Restoration Process
We will gather a lot of information from you during our initial phone call. All of this information will allow us to create a more thorough restoration plan and ensure that we pack the right equipment and tools in our trucks.
When we arrive at your home, we will get to work securing your property to prevent further damage. That might include boarding up broken windows or laying tarps over your damaged roof.
Then we will get to work cleaning, sanitizing and restoring your home. We will go from room to room to look for smoke and soot damage as well as focus on the room where the fire started.
We guarantee a full restoration from top to bottom, and we won’t stop working until your home is returned to its preloss condition. We know that suffering a house fire can be scary and overwhelming, but we are here to make sure your recovery is as quick and as smooth as possible.
The garage was a total loss, but thankfully the home was saved!
In early 2021 a garage fire broke out in Walworth, NY! Luckily, the home owners were able to get out of the house and get the fire department on-site in a timely manner. The garage was a total loss, but the home was saved. The fire was started after an accidental gas leak ignited in the garage. As you can see in the picture, the fire spread to the entire garage and took the family van with it.
It is important to know what your plan of action is in a fire. Having a conversation with all family members and people living in the home is the first step. When a fire breaks out, where are your points of exit? Does everyone know where the fire extinguishers are? Answering these questions BEFORE the emergency is key to minimizing loss.
Beyond that, knowing what chemicals are in your storage areas is important as well. A lot of different products are flammable, and should be kept in a place that does not compromise the rest of your home. A small step like this can go a long way to making sure you are not at risk of having an uncontrolled fire in your home!
Professional placed air movers and dehumidifiers are the only way to properly dry out a wet structure.
A leaking pipe over a holiday weekend can prove to be a disaster for a business. Unlike a residential space, businesses don't usually have someone around 24/7 to notice when damaging has occurred.
When the providers came in the morning after the holiday, they were surprised by the amount of standing water and damage that had occurred. SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua responded immediately to clean up the aftermath! The picture shows a fraction of the drying equipment used to dry out the sopping wet structure.
The office didn't skip a beat, and every achy tooth on the schedule was handled without interruption!
When our first responders put out a fire, a substantial amount of water is used to quench the flames. All of that water ends up seeping into the home and in addition to the damage already caused by the fire, water damage also begins to take place. While some home fires are contained to a small area of the home, the water used to put out the fire ends up spreading throughout the rest of the structure. Unaddressed water damage can lead to mold growth, added structural instability caused by wood rot, and a chain of problems following that would otherwise be considered unrelated.
As the crews of SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua begin the restoration process on your home, the first thing we want to address is the water damage. By doing this, we make sure that the water damage doesn’t further compromise the structure.
We understand the stress that is caused by a house fire. And we are trained on how to handle them. SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here to help you restore your property after such a loss. Call us today (585) 393-0310
After a house fire, knowing what to do after doesn’t come instinctively to most people. Of course fire and smoke damage restoration comes to mind, but there are things that need to be done before. Moving on after a house fire may seem impossible, but it doesn’t need to be. Understanding where to begin and the resources available to help you is crucial to putting your life back together.
What To Do After a House Fire
Contact a family member or a close friend to inform them of what happened. They may be able to help you find a place to stay as well. Staying in your home anytime before a home restoration, after the fire is not safe. You can also reach out to the local disaster relief agency’s, like the Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Call your Insurance agent. Begin your claim as soon as possible so that your immediate needs can be met. Your agent should also help to secure your property in addition to recommending a home restoration after the fire company, like SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua. The “Loss of Use” fund from your insurance policy can be used towards your daily living expenses and basic necessities. Keep all your receipts and a detailed record of all your purchases.
If and when you do plan on going back into the home for any reason, be sure to confirm the go ahead from the fire department officials. When given the green light to enter, another thing to do after a house fire is to take pictures and even videos of the damages. You’ll want these to support your claim. You had a house fire, what to do next involves taking inventory of everything affected after the house fire
Home Restoration After the Fire
Home restoration after the fire is your top priority. Reaching out to your trusted fire and restoration company, like SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua to help mitigate early on leading to any reconstruction that may need to be done.
Smoke alarms are a key part of a home fire escape plan. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke alarms give you early warning so you can get outside quickly.
SAFETY TIPS
• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom. They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement.
• 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.
• Current alarms on the market employ different types of technology including multi-sensing, which could include smoke and carbon monoxide combined.
• 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.
Facts
A closed-door may slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire.
Smoke alarms should be installed inside every sleeping room, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level. Smoke alarms should be connected so when one sounds, they all sound. Most homes do not have this level of protection.
Roughly 3 out of 5 fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.
The smell of leaking gas is always a signal to you that there’s a hazard in your home. Natural gas can leak into your home and create the perfect atmosphere for a fire. If you notice the smell of gas, you need to do a few steps to ensure you don’t start a gas fire.
Avoid Sparks
Gas is highly combustible. If you add a spark to the environment, you could set off a gas explosion. You can avoid sparks by keeping all the lights in the house turned off and only use flashlights.
Start ventilation
Allowing the gas to escape can help you avoid a catastrophic gas fire. Open as many windows and doors as possible to air the gas out as best as possible.
Turn off appliances
If you have a gas stove, furnace or dryer, you may be able to slow or stop the leak by turning off your appliances.
Shut off the gas
If it’s possible and safe for you, find the gas meter and turn off the gas supply to the house.
Leave
Safely evacuate your home and call emergency responders. They can safely find the root of the cause and make your home safe.
Smelling natural gas in your home can be scary. Taking smart, precautionary steps can help you avoid a gas fire and keep your entire family safe.
If a fire does occur, call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua at (585) 393-0310 to make the restoration as stress-free as possible.
The holidays are always a special time to be with our family. We want to eat well and relax and enjoy the time. Every family has a tradition on who and how to cook their turkey. Everybody knows that it’s risky to fry their turkey, but to some its totally worth it. Just keep in mind that Thanksgiving is the biggest day of the year for house fires. Accidents happen, which is why it’s important to practice fire safety.
We put together some fire safety tips for deep frying your turkey with the help from FEMA below:
Keep outdoor fryers off of decks and a safe distance from your home and surrounding trees.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed or it will cause hot water to splatter
Wear goggles to shield your eyes and mitts to cover your hands
Make sure your turkey fryer is on a level surface so it won’t tip over and spill hot oil
Most importantly, please cook with caution and be prepared. The holidays shouldn’t be spent scrambling to get out of your home safely. Always remember that SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is always here to help! You can reach us at (585) 393-0310.
Winter is upon us and now is the time everyone will start enjoying their fireplaces or wood stoves! However, accidents do happen and fire can get out of control quickly. Luckily for this family, it was contained before it spread throughout the home.
A fire can create endless headaches, but those can only worsen if the company you choose to do the restoration doesn’t have your back. That’s why SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua works with you through-out the entire process, keeping your best interests in mind.
In the wake of a fire, your property will need to go through a restoration process which may include: emergency board up of broken windows or doors; restoring utilities; water damage mitigation; smoke cleanup and deodorization; and possibly repairs. Since the severity of fire damage is different on every loss, each job requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.
If you ever have a fire loss in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua at (585) 393-0310!
Who to trust with dealing with a fire or smoke damage in your home?
Fire damage can leave you reeling from considerable losses that may be hard to recoup depending on how long you wait to remedy the problem. After contacting first responders to handle a fire accident, the next call should be to a professional fire damage restoration service. The time you wait to have a restoration company to come and clear up the resulting destruction will dictate how bad the situation gets.
Smoke damage and soot damage will continue to devastate your property the longer it goes uncleared. The advanced equipment and techniques that restoration services utilize are a few reasons to call a fire cleanup crew. However, you must be certain that the people responsible for the restoration process are suitable. Even though you may not have enough time to do proper research, keep a few tips in mind:
Range of Service
Certifications
Experience
Training
Trust your local SERVPRO® of East Monroe County with your fire or smoke damage. Call today for more information at (585) 641-0040.
October 6 – 12, 2019 is National Fire Prevention Week. Unfortunately, SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua performs fire damage remediation and sees too many properties and lives go up in smoke. We urge you to take some time NOW to prepare.
The National Fire Protection Week 2019 Campaign is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!” There are 4 planning tips to incorporate in your fire plan:
Draw a map of your home and identify 2 ways to escape from every room.
Test your fire alarms.
Establish a safe meeting place outside.
Post the plan in your home.
In a typical home fire, you may have as little as one to two minutes to escape safely from the time the smoke alarm sounds. For more information on Fire Prevention Week, visit www.nfpa.org.
In a fire, mere seconds can mean the difference between a safe escape and a tragedy. Fire safety education isn’t just for children. Teenagers, adults, and the elderly are also at risk in fires, making it important for every member of the community to take some time during Fire Prevention Week to make sure they understand how to stay safe in case of a fire.
Ask whether it is safe to enter the home. Do not enter if the fire authorities deem it unsafe. They may establish a safety zone, but never assume a room is safe, until it has been cleared to enter.
Know who to call.
Contact family members and let them know you are safe, and unharmed.
Contact your insurance agent. They will be able to talk you through the necessary steps, including proper documentation and emergency lodging and living expenses (keep all of your receipts!) The insurance company may assist in securing a company to help with clean up options.
You may request SERVPRO at this time for contents cleaning, restoration etc. Contact
Another call may be to your landlord if applicable, and to your local American Red Cross. SERVPRO is the preferred restoration partner to The American Red Cross.
Secure the property to prevent possible looting. SERVPRO is available to assist with securing property/ Board Ups.
If water hoses were used to exterminate the fire, drying your home is critical. It is best to call the professionals at SERVPRO to do water/ fire cleanups. Water can lead to mold damage if not dried properly. SERVPRO is an approved restoration contractor for many major insurance carriers and adheres to the highest standards in the restoration industry.
Seek counseling if needed. Children and adults can feel a traumatic sense of loss, and may need help to avoid a lasting sense of sadness and disorientation after a house fire. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. A house fire is a traumatic event and individuals need to be treated with respect and compassion by those close to the process of rebuilding.
For more information on contents and structural drying, extinguisher residue and soot removal call SERVPRO at (585) 393-0310.
Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow 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.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Burbank will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
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.
Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (585) 393-0310
According to data from the NFPA, fire departments responded to an average of 45,000 home fires caused by electrical failure or malfunction every year between 2010-2014. In fact, home electrical fires are the most common fire in a home accounting for nearly 60% of all fires.
While you can’t prevent all electrical fires from occurring, there are a lot of things you can do to reduce the risk of an electrical fire from happening at your Victor home. Below the NFPA will cover some electrical safety tips you can follow that may help prevent an electrical fire from happening to you.
Protect Children from Exposed Outlets
If you have young children in your home, it’s important that you use child-proof outlet covers on unused receptacles. You can find outlet covers and tamper resistant outlets at your local hardware store. If you replace your standard outlets with tamper resistant outlets, be sure to hire a professional electrician to install them. Another tip to keep young kids away from outlets is to block access to the outlets using furniture like a couch or table or shelving.
Don’t Overload Outlets
Do you have an outlet that is powering a couple power strips and a dozen electronics? This can be dangerous. Don’t overload your outlets with too many powered electronics or appliances. Try to move some to another outlet. If you aren’t using an electrical appliance, like a blender or toaster, unplug it when you don’t need it. Overloading an outlet can trip the circuit or worse, it can lead to a fire.
Turn Off Appliances Before Turning Circuit Back On
If you do experience a tripped circuit from overloading an outlet or a power surge, be sure to turn off any appliances that the circuit is powering. Also, unplug anything that is powered by the circuit. Once you have flipped the circuit back on, you can then turn on the appliances or the electronics that the circuit is powering.
Check Cords and Plugs
Over time cords can kink, tear and fray. A small fray in a cord can cause sparks which can lead to a fire pretty quickly. Make it a habit of always taking a look at any cords or power outlets that you are near. Not only make sure that the cords are in good condition but that the plugs are plugged into the outlets all the way. A loose plug on an outlet can also cause sparks or a short which can cause an electrical fire.
Light Bulb Safety
Light bulbs are the most commonly used electrical item in a home. With light bulbs located in every room of your home, it’s important to follow a few tips to ensure they don’t become a fire hazard. Always use the recommended wattage of bulb for each fixture. Using a higher wattage bulb can cause the fixture to overheat. Be careful with light bulbs near curtains or other fabric. The fabric can be blown on top of the bulb which can quickly lead to a fire.
If You Should Suffer a Fire, Contact the Professionals
Following the above tips should help reduce the risk of a house fire, but it can’t eliminate the risk. If you should suffer from a house fire, call the fire professionals at SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua. They have the knowledge, expertise, and equipment to handle any size disaster.
Just call and we will be ready. We offer emergency fire board up services and free estimates on all services!
According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death. To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured’s home or business, make sure you maintain and clean out your dryer vent. Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles. For more information on cleaning dryer vents contact your local SERVPRO. Your local SERVPRO Team is available 24 hours a day, do not hesitate to call, day or night you are guaranteed to reach our office – (585) 393-0310
Ask whether it is safe to enter the home. Do not enter if the fire authorities deem it unsafe. They may establish a safety zone, but never assume a room is safe, until it has been cleared to enter.
Know who to call.
Contact family members and let them know you are safe, and unharmed.
Contact your insurance agent. They will be able to talk you through the necessary steps, including proper documentation and emergency lodging and living expenses (keep all of your receipts!) The insurance company may assist in securing a company to help with clean up options.
You may request SERVPRO at this time for contents cleaning, restoration etc. Contact SERVPRO.
Another call may be to your landlord if applicable, and to your local American Red Cross. SERVPRO is the preferred restoration partner to The American Red Cross.
Secure the property to prevent possible looting. SERVPRO is available to assist with securing property/ Board Ups.
If water hoses were used to exterminate the fire, drying your home is critical. It is best to call the professionals at SERVPRO to do water/ fire cleanups. Water can lead to mold damage if not dried properly. SERVPRO is an approved restoration contractor for many major insurance carriers and adheres to the highest standards in the restoration industry.
Seek counseling if needed. Children and adults can feel a traumatic sense of loss, and may need help to avoid a lasting sense of sadness and disorientation after a house fire. Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. A house fire is a traumatic event and individuals need to be treated with respect and compassion by those close to the process of rebuilding.
For more information on contents and structural drying, extinguisher residue and soot removal call SERVPRO at (585) 393-0310
Very often, when a fire or smoke damage occurs, the air ducts in your home can be affected. Here is some information on getting them cleaned from Home Advisor: The cost of cleaning your air ducts is determined by the size of your air duct system and the extent of contamination. On average, homeowners spend between $265 and $471, with $352 being the national average.
Did you know that cleaning your ducts and vents can help airflow and increase energy efficiency? According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), keeping your air ducts and vents clear can increase energy efficiency and indoor air quality. While the cost to clean ducts and vents might sound high, the benefits to homeowners?especially those sensitive to allergens?is worth considering.
When looking to have your ducts cleaned, or any other part of your home, for any reason, give SERVPRO® of Victor/Canandaigua a call (585-393-0310)! We are here to help you make it "Like it never even happened."
I don't know about you, but the first thing I think about when someone says 'soda blasting' is a bunch of kids running around shaking up cans of soda and spraying them at each other. If you were thinking along the same lines as me, you will be surprised to find out that soda blasting is a very helpful way to clean a fire damaged house.
Soda blasting is a process in which sodium bicarbonate is applied against a surface using compressed air. Soda blasting is a non-destructive method for many applications in cleaning, paint & varnish stripping, automotive restoration, industrial equipment maintenance, rust removal, graffiti removal, oil removal, soot remediation and much more.
Fun Fact:An early use of soda blasting was to restore the Statue of Liberty in the 1980s!
We have used this method of cleaning in many homes in the Victor/Canandaigua area. So whether your business is vandalized by graffiti or if your home has experienced soot damage from a fire, call your restoration professionals at SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua located in Canandaigua NY to come soda blast your problems away!
Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Home.
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.
Different Types of Smoke
There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:
Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber
Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.
Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood
Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.
Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire
Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
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.
Kitchen fires generally begin at the stove. However, damage caused by the fire may affect the entire kitchen, including the walls, ceiling, air ducts and appliances. Once the fire is out, you are left with smoke, soot and water damage to clean up. The damage to your home and personal belongings may be devastating. Handling the damage properly could prevent long-term effects.
After contacting SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua, the following steps can be taken to help prevent further damage:
Limit movement to prevent further damage.
Place clean towels or old linens on carpeted traffic areas to prevent additional soiling.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets and appliances with a light coating of petroleum jelly.
SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is trained in the line of cleanup and care of your home and personal belongings following a fire incident. Before attempting to clean up the fire damage yourself, contact SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua today! (585) 393-0310
Residential fires during the holiday season are more frequent, more costly, and more deadly than at any other time of the year. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year’s Day. And when those fires occur, they do more damage: Property loss during a holiday fire is 34% greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70% higher. When the source of the fire is a highly flammable Christmas tree, the toll in property and lives is even greater.
To keep your household from becoming a holiday fire statistic, here are some safety tips to follow.
Cooking
Cooking is the top cause of holiday fires, according to the USFA. The most common culprit is food that’s left unattended. It’s easy to get distracted; take a pot holder with you when you leave the kitchen as a reminder that you have something on the stove. Make sure to keep a kitchen fire extinguisher that’s rated for all types of fires, and check that smoke detectors are working.
If you’re planning to deep-fry your holiday turkey, do it outside, on a flat, level surface at least 10 feet from the house.
Candles
The incidence of candle fires is four times higher during December than during other months. According to the National Fire Protection Association, four of the five most dangerous days of the year for residential candle fires are Christmas/Christmas Eve and New Year’s/New Year’s Eve. (The fifth is Halloween.)
To reduce the danger, maintain about a foot of space between the candle and anything that can burn. Set candles on sturdy bases or cover with hurricane globes. Never leave flames unattended. Before bed, walk through each room to make sure candles are blown out. For atmosphere without worry, consider flameless LED candles.
Christmas Trees
It takes less than 30 seconds for a dry tree to engulf a room in flames, according to the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute for Standards and Technology. “They make turpentine out of pine trees,” notes Tom Olshanski, spokesman for the USFA. “A Christmas tree is almost explosive when it goes.”
To minimize risk, buy a fresh tree with intact needles, get a fresh cut on the trunk, and water it every day. A well-watered tree is almost impossible to ignite. Keep the tree away from heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator, and out of traffic patterns. If you’re using live garlands and other greenery, keep them at least three feet away from heating sources.
No matter how well the tree is watered, it will start to dry out after about four weeks, Olshanski says, so take it down after the holidays. Artificial trees don’t pose much of a fire hazard; just make sure yours is flame-retardant.
Decorative Lights
Inspect light strings, and throw out any with frayed or cracked wires or broken sockets. When decorating, don’t run more than three strings of lights end to end. “Stacking the plugs is much safer when you’re using a large quantity of lights,” explains Brian L. Vogt, director of education for holiday lighting firm Christmas Décor. Extension cords should be in good condition and UL-rated for indoor or outdoor use. Check outdoor receptacles to make sure the ground fault interrupters don’t trip. If they trip repeatedly, Vogt says, that’s a sign that they need to be replaced.
When hanging lights outside, avoid using nails or staples, which can damage the wiring and increase the risk of a fire. Instead, use UL-rated clips or hangers. And take lights down within 90 days, says John Drengenberg, director of consumer safety for Underwriters Laboratories. “If you leave them up all year round, squirrels chew on them and they get damaged by weather.”
Kids Playing with Matches
The number of blazes — and, tragically, the number of deaths — caused by children playing with fire goes up significantly during the holidays. From January through March, 13% of fire deaths are the result of children playing with fire, the USFA reports; in December, that percentage doubles. So keep matches and lighters out of kids’ reach. “We tend to underestimate the power of these tools,” says Meri-K Appy, president of the nonprofit Home Safety Council. “A match or lighter could be more deadly than a loaded gun in the hands of a small child.”
Fireplaces
Soot can harden on chimney walls as flammable creosote, so before the fireplace season begins, have your chimney inspected to see if it needs cleaning. Screen the fireplace to prevent embers from popping out onto the floor or carpet, and never use flammable liquids to start a fire in the fireplace. Only burn seasoned wood — no wrapping paper.
When cleaning out the fireplace, put embers in a metal container and set them outside to cool for 24 hours before disposal.
Limit the movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
Place dry, colorfast towel and rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
Keep hands clean, Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open.
Clean soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances and protect with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.
Pour RV antifreeze into sinks, toilet bowls and tubs if heat is off during freezing season.
Change HVAC filters.
Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
Don't:
Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of the Fingerlakes!
Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of the Fingerlakes.
Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV, Radio, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first contacting an authorized repair service.
Consume any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. (they may be contaminated)
Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.
Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
24/7 Emergency Service
Stay safe and warm this fall with fire safety tips for your New York home. SERVPRO of Victor/Canandaigua is here 24/7, 365 days a year.
