What You Need To Know About Fires

12/6/2022 (Permalink)

Timing is everything. In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

• Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a serious fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames - impairing vision and breathing.
• Fire is HOT! Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes on your skin. Always crawl on the floor!
• Fire is DARK! Fires start bright but quickly produce black smoke and complete darkness.
• Smoke is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that disorient you. Asphyxiation (suffocation) is the leading cause of death from home-related fires.

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a bit different, each one requires a customized solution tailored to the specific conditions. Our SERVPRO Team has the necessary equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire or smoke-damaged property. Most importantly, we will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Fire and Smoke Damage - What to do Until Help Arrives

1/5/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various surfaces in your home.

DO:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Wash both sides of leaves on house plants.
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• 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 your SERVPRO® franchise professional.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO® franchise professional.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Consume any 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 and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

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

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call SERVPRO® of Licking County today at 740-587-0938

Peak Season - Residential Fire Risks

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

Cooking is the #1 cause of home fires

Peak Season – Residential Fire Risks

The holidays are here again and most of us are hustling and bustling to get everything done. This time of year, can be overwhelming for many people and a fire in your home is probably the last thing on your mind. Did you know, nearly 50% of all residential fires occur during the months of November, December, January and February?

 Four Common Causes of Home Fires

1. Cooking - Cooking fires account for nearly 49% of all reported home fires. Ranges or cooktops are the cause of three-fifths of home cooking fire incidents.

2. Heaters - Heating is the second leading cause of home fires. Failure to clean and maintenance heating equipment was the leading cause followed by having heating equipment too close to things that can burn, such as upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding.

3. Electrical - Electricity helps make our lives easier, but there are times when we take its power and its potential for fire-related hazards for granted. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment, such as wiring, lighting, cords and plugs are to blame for nearly 10% of reported home structure fires every year.

4. Candles - On average, 20 home candle fires are reported each day and roughly 37% of those fires started in bedrooms. Three of every five home candle fires occur when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.

Source: NFPA

Please Stay Safe this holiday season! Our highly trained professionals at SERVPRO of Licking County are always, “Here to Help!” If you do experience a fire loss, whatever the cause, call our office at 740-587-0938.

3 Halloween Fire Safety Tips to Ensure Festivities End With Success, Not Flames

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Happy Halloween!

SERVPRO of Licking County wants all residents and business owners alike to enjoy the flood of enjoyment that the fall season, specifically Halloween, brings. Whether this is the year for that big, non-stop talked about Halloween party your family is throwing or just setting up a few Jack-O-Lanterns to pass out candy to the neighborhood kids; SERVPRO has put together 3 helpful tips to ensure the only firefighters knocking on your door are party guests and Trick or Treat-ers, not the real ones.

1. Use battery operated candles or glow sticks when decorating.
2. If using open flame, ensure dried flowers, cornstalks, flammable paper and plastic are kept at a safe distance.
3. When choosing a costume, be cautious with long trailing fabrics so you do not become the candle.

SERVPRO of Licking County wants their residents to enjoy all the festivities of the season, but also wants to ensure they’re being enjoyed safely. Everyone knows that accidents still can happen to even the most cautious of folks, rest assured knowing that SERVPRO of Licking County has your back. We will arrive to the scene quickly to render any and all necessary aide. Our trusted Fire & Smoke Restoration Technicians have a ‘restore first’ mentality so that your home or office has the "Like it never even happened," appeal once again. Our highly trained technicians also specialize in odor control, upholstery and fabric cleaning and of course any secondary water damage that may have taken place during the extinguishing efforts. Your time and property is important to us which is why we work efficiently and effectively.

Call SERVPRO of Licking County today at (740) 587-0938 for a quote or so we may answer any questions. Your friendly neighborhood SERVPRO is always here to help. Happy Halloween!

What Are Those?! They’re Soot Webs!

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

Perfect example of a formed soot web, post-fire disaster.

Halloween time brings about a wide array of spooky items and curious spectacles, soot webs however, are no Halloween decoration (even though they may look the part). If you’re still asking yourself, ‘what in the world is a soot web?’ let me elaborate.

Soot webs, which are also referred to as “Soot Tags”, are a common occurrence following the unfortunate run-in with a house or office fire. As one can imagine there are all kinds of different materials that catch fire and burn during fire disasters. The soot that generates from petroleum and synthetic based materials are carried with the heat of the smoke/fire to colder areas and will bond together once they reach areas with low circulation. These soot particles are so charged that they begin to create these bonded ‘web-like’ strands that can stretch from wall to wall. They’ll continue to build on themselves and the result can resemble a spider web that merely collected soot, this is not the case. These are entirely new structures that form on their own.

This is where SERVPRO® of Licking County takes action, with our heroes always at the ready. Our SERVPRO® specialists have encountered the curious spectacle of soot webs on many occasions during our 25 plus years of service. They are thoroughly trained in fire damage restoration and cleaning to bring your home or office back to life with the "Like it never even happened," feeling.

Don’t wait for any spiders to take up residence in these webs, call SERVPRO® of Licking County today at (740) 587-0938 for more information on how to get your home or office Halloween party ready! Let’s get you ‘Certified: SERVPRO® Cleaned’ today!

Space Heater Safety While Staying Warm During Winter

1/6/2021 (Permalink)

When the weather is cold outside, it is nice to be warm and toasty indoors. For many people this means using an electric space heater. Here are some safety tips to ensure fire safety while staying warm this winter, according to the NFPA:

• Purchase a heater with the seal of a qualified testing laboratory. 
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet (1 metre) away from anything that can burn, including people.
• Choose a heater with a thermostat and overheat protection.
• Place the heater on a solid, flat surface.
• Make sure your heater has an auto shut-off to turn the heater off if it tips over.
• Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
• Keep children away from the space heater.
• Plug the heater directly into the wall outlet. Never use an extension cord.
• Space heaters should be turned off and unplugged when you leave the room or go to bed.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Source: https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/PortableHeaterSafety.ashx

Winter Holiday Fire Safety Tips

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

Winter holidays are best spent with family and friends. Unfortunately this means there is a greater risk of fire between decorating and entertaining. Here are some safety tips to ensure fire safety while you enjoy your Winter Holiday plans, according to the NFPA:

Holiday decorating 

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. 
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn. 
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. 
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. 
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

 Holiday Entertaining 

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan. 
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles. 
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet. 
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. 
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. 
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Source: https://www.nfpa.org//-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/Winter_Holiday_Safety.pdf

Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips

11/23/2020 (Permalink)

For many people Thanksgiving means bringing family and friends together with cooking. But did you know that the leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking? Here are some safety tips to ensure fire safety in the kitchen while you enjoy your Thanksgiving plans, according to the NFPA:

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop. 
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove. 
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. 
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop. 

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to fight the fire... 

• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. 
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. 

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire… 

• Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. 
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the home.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Source: https://www.nfpa.org/-/media/Files/Public-Education/Resources/Safety-tip-sheets/CookingSafety.ashx

Halloween Safety Tips

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

It’s hard to believe the end of October is already here! Halloween is right around the corner with candy, costumes and fun! According to the NFPA, from 2013-2017, an average of 780 home structure fires began with decorations per year. Don’t let your Halloween be spoiled by a fire. Here are some tips to ensure fire safety while you enjoy your Halloween plans, according to the NFPA:

• Use a battery-operated candle or glow stick in jack-o-lanterns
• When choosing costumes, stay away from long trailing fabric
• Teach children to stay away from open flames, including jack-o-lanterns with candles in them.
• Dried flowers, cornstalks, and crepe paper catch fire easily. Keep all decorations away from open flames and other heat sources like light bulbs and heaters
• Provide children with flashlights to carry for lighting or glow sticks as part of their costume. 
• Remember to keep exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes. Make sure all smoke alarms are working.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Source: https://nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Halloween

Bonfire Safety

10/14/2020 (Permalink)

Now that fall is here, that means bonfires for many people. It’s nice to keep warm and cozy next to a bonfire with your family and friends. Unfortunately, many people do not realize how dangerous bonfires can be. Stay safe around your bonfire with these tips: 

• Wet down any grass in the area surrounding the fire.
• Have a live hose or water supply nearby.
• Select a site away from trees, bushes, and man-made structures.
• Be wary of nearby dead grass, dry leaves, branches, and bark.
• Keep small children a reasonable distance from the fire.

• Never start a bonfire with accelerants like lighter fluid, gasoline, or kerosene.
• Tinder, kindling, and wood should be the only materials in your fire and should be strategically placed.
• Start putting out your fire at least 20 minutes before you plan to leave the area.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

10 Fire Summer Safety Tips

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Here are 10 tips to ensure fire safety in the home while you enjoy your summer plans, according to the United States Fire Administration:

1. Build campfires at least 10 feet away from homes and at least 25 feet away from tents, plants, and overhanging branches.

2. Do not set off your own fireworks or sparklers, as these can reach up to over 1000 degrees Fahrenheit and can result in third-degree burns. If you would like to see fireworks, go to a public showing produced by experts.

3. Make sure to only use grills outdoors. Using them indoors can cause house fires or carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep a three foot safety zone around your grill, keeping children, pets, and the house safe.

4. Only use grills on the ground floor. Using them on porches and balconies leads to a higher risk for house fires.

5. Keep a three foot safety zone around your grill, maintaining the safety of children, pets, and the house.

6. Open your gas grill before lighting.

7. Do not walk away from your lit grill, keep an eye on it at all times to prevent fires.

8. Clean your grill after each use, removing grease that has the potential to start a fire.

9. Place coals from your grill in a metal with a lid once they have cooled.

10. Wear short sleeves or roll them up and use long-handled barbecue tools while cooking on the grill.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Source: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/summer.html

Licking County Smoke and Soot Cleanup

7/31/2019 (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.

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 Licking County 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.

If fire or smoke damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Firework Safety for Independence Day

6/28/2019 (Permalink)

Firework Safety and Facts

With the Fourth of July approaching, many people in the U.S. will be celebrating by watching or setting off fireworks. Fireworks are beautiful to watch but can be dangerous if handled improperly. More fires are reported on July 4 than any other day of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Each year, fireworks cause on average 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires and nearly 17,000 other fires resulting in thousands of injuries.

Whether you’re celebrating in your red, white and blue, or just enjoying a backyard firework show this holiday, knowing firework safety might help protect you and your loved ones from the potential harms of mishandling fireworks. If fireworks are legal to buy where you live and you choose to use them, be sure to follow the following safety tips from the National Safety Council:

• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eye wear
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire

The safest way to enjoy fireworks it to attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals, however if you choose to put on a fireworks display please be safe and remember these tips.

If fire damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Grilling Safety

5/24/2019 (Permalink)

Stay Safe This Memorial Day Weekend With These Helpful Tips

Memorial Day is right around the corner, which means cookout season is upon us. As exciting as it is to break out the grill for the official start of the summer season, we have to always consider the safety that needs to be taken when preparing to light up the grill. Remember to keep grills 10 feet away from siding and out from under eaves or roofs.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in 2013-2017, fire departments went to an annual average of 10,200 home fires involving grills, hibachis or barbecues per year, including 4,500 structure fires and 5,700 outside or unclassified fires. These fires caused an annual average of 10 civilian deaths, 160 civilian injuries and $123 million in direct property damage.

A barbecue is a great way to bring the family together. Keep the ones you love safe with the following grilling tips from the NFPA:

SAFETY TIPS

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

CHARCOAL GRILLS

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.  
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

PROPANE GRILLS

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
• Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

If fire damage has impacted your home or business this cookout season, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

7 Things to Know About Smoke Alarms

5/20/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained. Below are a few tips to take into consideration when thinking of your home or businesses fire alarms.  

1. Test smoke alarms monthly.

Hold down the test button to hear the alarm sound. If faint or non-existent, it’s time to replace the batteries.

2. Know when to replace the batteries and the unit.

Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten.

3. Identify how many smoke alarms you need.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), smoke alarms should be on every level, including the basement. It is recommended to install a smoke alarm in every bedroom.

4. Do not paint your smoke alarm.

Smoke alarms are designed to have airflow. Painting your alarm may cause issues with fire detection.

5. Smoke alarms should be interconnected.

All of the alarms in the home should sound, not just one. This keeps all quarters notified.

6. Consider a combination alarm.

Carbon monoxide gas is extremely toxic and dangerous. It is odorless and tasteless, making it very difficult to detect. Purchase a fire alarm that includes a carbon monoxide sensor.

7. Ask a professional to install detectors.

If you need help installing, testing or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact your local fire department, an electrician or the American Red Cross.

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. And remember, when in doubt throw it out. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If fire damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Electrical Fire Safety

5/13/2019 (Permalink)

Overloaded Electrical Circuit Safety Tips

Electrical circuits can become dangerous when overloaded.  Though it may be easy to simply plug in another power strip or extension cord when adding equipment, the wiring in some buildings often isn't capable of supporting too many high powered electronics.  Older office buildings and homes, in particular, often suffer from lack of electrical outlets.

Overloaded electrical circuits are a major cause of residential fires. Help lower your risk of electrical fires by learning the warning signs and not overloading your electrical system.

Overloaded circuit warning signs:

• Flickering, blinking, or dimming lights
• Frequently tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses
• Warm or discolored wall plates
• Cracking, sizzling, or buzzing from receptacles
• Burning odor coming from receptacles or wall switches
• Mild shock or tingle from appliances, receptacles, or switches

How to prevent electrical overloads:

• Never use extension cords or multi-outlet converters for appliances
• All major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall receptacle outlet. Only plug one heat producing appliance into a receptacle outlet at a time
• A heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have a qualified electrician inspect your home and add new outlets
• Power strips only add additional outlets; they do not change the amount of power being received from the outlet

Source: https://www.esfi.org/resource/don-t-overload-your-home-545

If fire damage has impacted your home or business, please call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938. Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

What To Do Until Help Arrives: Fire Damage

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

Fire & Smoke Damage: 

Do: 

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet. 
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork. 
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. 
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor. 
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant. 
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures. 
• Wash both sides of leaves on house plants. 
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system. 
• 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 your SERVPRO Franchise Professional. 
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO Franchise Professional. 
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV sets, radios,  etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service. 
• Consume any 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 and cause electrical shock, and air movement may created secondary damage. 
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor. 

SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938….here to help! Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Cooking Fires and Safety Statistics

3/5/2018 (Permalink)

"In 2010-2014, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 166,100 home structure fires that involved cooking equipment per year. These fires caused an average of 480 civilian fire deaths, 5,540 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage."

"Cooking by the numbers (Based on 2010-2014 annual averages)

• Two-thirds (66%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials.
• Clothing was the item first ignited in less than 1% of these fires, but these incidents accounted for 18% of the cooking fire deaths.
• Ranges accounted for the largest share (62%) of home cooking fire incidents. Ovens accounted for 16%.
• More than half (55%) of reported non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurred when the victims tried to fight the fire themselves."

The above information was quoted from https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/By-topic/Top-causes-of-fire/Cooking/Reports-and-statistics-about-cooking-fires-and-safety. Please click the link to continue reading the online article.

Remember to cook without distractions. 

SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938….here to help! Let our professional team do the cleanup with the proper procedures to keep you, your home or company safe.

Signs of Outdated Electrical Wiring

2/25/2016 (Permalink)

Electrical problems can be a big factor in home fires. Make sure you take time to notice some of the signs of outdated wiring. 

Signs of outdated wiring: 

1. Frayed wires

2. Smoke

3. Tripping breakers

4. Scorch marks

5. Loose connections 

Call SERVPRO of Licking County at 740-587-0938 if you need our help.