Fireplaces are commonly used across the world to help heat interiors and bring a warm ambiance to a space. But like any appliance, they require maintenance and regular upkeep to help stay in optimal working condition.Sometimes, a fireplace may cause a strange smell to infiltrate your space. Beyond the standard smoke smell, this odor might be different, and may be a cause for concern. But why …

Furnaces can be found in homes, businesses, and other properties across the world. Similar to fireplaces, they are used to help heat interiors and ultimately keep you comfortable. But like other machinery, furnaces are susceptible to accidents, due to a variety of causes. But with proper maintenance, and by following safety tips, you can keep your furnace in top shape, and help prevent fires as …

Each year, the month of October is designated as “Fire Prevention Month” in North America. Beyond that, the second week of the month is known as Fire Prevention Week. But what is the significance of holding it in October, and what are some primary fire safety and prevention tips you should know? SERVPRO® has you covered with a history of Fire Prevention Month, and how you can best prepare for, …

Candles are a common decoration found in homes and businesses, including hotels, offices, restaurants, and more. Whether they are used to deodorize a space, light up a room, provide ambiance and a pleasant scent, or more, these common interior features are simple ways to add character to a room. Unfortunately, they can be dangerous if not handled properly. So, how can you safely handle candles …

Did you know there are five different “classes” or categories of fire, based on the substance that fuels them? Beyond that, there are also different ways they should be put out, depending on their class. Along these lines, how can SERVPRO® help with cleanup and restoration if a fire occurs? We are Here to Help® provide this information, so you can be equipped with the knowledge to help avoid (or …

Items like fireplaces and gas stoves are common in households and properties all over the world. Unfortunately, they pose a serious fire hazard and can cause severe property damage, threatening not just your health and safety, but your home, business, structural integrity, and potentially even your livelihood. Whether a gas fire becomes faulty, or user error causes a blaze, how exactly can you …

You might be familiar with the term “lithium-ion battery,” but if not, you may be surprised to learn how much these devices power in our everyday lives. From laptops to cell phones to cars, these handy batteries seem to be in everything…but unfortunately, they also pose a fire risk. Because they are so prevalent in our everyday lives, it is important to know what you should and shouldn’t do with …

There are many different types of fires—wildfires, vehicle fires, structure fires, and more. Whether you experience a fire in your home, business, or other property, they can be devastating, threatening your health, safety, and bringing significant destruction to your assets, space, and more. So, what are structure fires, exactly? What causes them? Beyond that, how can you prevent them, and …

No matter how you intend to use an attic—whether you need extra storage or wish to use the space for a new bedroom—fire prevention should be high on your list of priorities. The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) estimates that 10,000 attic fires occur in the United States each year. Here at SERVPRO®, we have compiled some tips to help keep you, your family, and property safe …

California, Nevada, Arizona, and other southwestern states are feeling the impact of excessive heat warnings. These triple-digit temperatures not only pose a threat to the health of residents but may also increase the risk of a wildfire starting.  According to meteorologists at the National Weather Service, an excessive heat warning is issued, “when the maximum heat index temperature is expected …

Smoke from Canadian wildfires is now causing concern for northern states such as Minnesota and Wisconsin. Meteorologists in Pennsylvania noted their state could also see the effects of the Canadian wildfires if the conditions are right, according to the Associated Press. The Washington Post said smoke and haze from wildfires in Canada began to impact air quality across the United States in early …

California can be struck by extreme fire damage, including wildfires, which can cause severe damage to your commercial property, threatening your health and safety and potentially putting a halt to business operations. But what is it about The Golden State that makes it so prone to wildfires? And how can you prepare your commercial property? SERVPRO® is Here to Help® with this and …

Fires in commercial properties can cause major destruction, threatening the lives of employees and customers, impeding business operations, or even halting production entirely. Whether your commercial property is a hospital, office, manufacturing facility, or more, there are steps you can take to help lessen the chance of a fire.Brainly indicates that a commercial fire is a fire that breaks out …

Commercial fire damage can happen anytime, and sometimes even your best efforts can’t stop it. Whether you run a mom-and-pop shop, a sprawling manufacturing campus, or a storage warehouse, commercial fires can be devastating, threatening human and animal life, and even stopping business operations.Before and after fire damage in your commercial property, there are several things you should keep …

The importance of commercial fire safety can’t be overstated. Whether you manage a single commercial property or multiple industrial facilities, protecting against fire damage could mean the difference between successful operations or danger to life. Warehouses are particularly susceptible to fires since they often store large amounts of flammable materials.Whether you’re researching proactive …

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be one of the most gut-wrenching moments of your life. Outside of safety concerns for your loved ones, pets, and/or employees, watching your belongings and memorabilia potentially go up in smoke is something you wish you didn’t have to experience.Consider this article your “guide” to what happens when SERVPRO® arrives to provide restoration and …

Just about everyone agrees cigarette smoke is not a nice smell and the lingering effects of cigarette smoke can be seen, and smelled, for years after smoking has stopped in a home or business. That's why removing cigarette smoke from your personal space is essential to improve the overall living environment. Smoke remediation is just one of the many services SERVPRO® provides.Cigarette smoke …

As winter sets in and cold weather starts to grip the country, lots of us break out a space heater to keep our home and office warm. While a portable space heater is a great way to supplement heating costs, it also poses a serious fire damage risk. Fire officials say space heaters are one of the largest fire hazards, especially if they are used in the wrong way. So, what should you not do with a …

Some of us remember coming downstairs each morning after spending the night at our grandparents’ home, only to find them sipping coffee with the oven door wide open. As easy as this “solution” to heat the house may seem, it is incredibly dangerous and a serious fire hazard. So, what are some common reasons you should never use an oven to heat your home? You’ll find them below, along with safe …

The debate happens every year. Should you get a real Christmas tree or an artificial Christmas tree? Here’s a breakdown of the benefits, and possible dangers, of both.A real Christmas tree provides more than just a wonderful pine scent. The Texas A&M Forest Service points out that real Christmas trees benefit the environment and the economy. Each year, an average of 20 to 25 million real …

Thanksgiving is a time to be together with friends and family, share stories, good food, and maybe even enjoy a nap afterward with a full stomach! For most people, the turkey is the centerpiece. In fact, approximately 45 million turkeys are consumed each Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.Outside of traditionally cooking a turkey in the oven, more and more folks have …

On November 5, the majority of the United States will “fall back” an hour to observe the end of daylight saving time. Although it can be a hassle to do this every six months or so, the benefit is, this time we get an extra hour of sleep, and it is a great reminder to change the battery in your smoke detectors. The recommendation was first made by the National Fire Protection Association. Not …

How to Prepare Your Fireplace for WinterWinter is coming, and with it, a significant drop in temperatures across the United States and Canada. So, what better way to warm up than to gather around the fireplace with a blanket and warm beverage? Like many household appliances, a fireplace requires maintenance and safety considerations to operate properly. So, how do you get your fireplace ready …

The impact of a house fire can linger long after the flames are extinguished. Homeowners coping with loss and shock must juggle a number of tasks to get back to everyday life. If a candle, faulty wiring, or cooking accident causes the unthinkable, it helps to have a plan for your response. Your first priority after a house fire is to make sure all family members (pets included) are safe and …

Each summer, people across the country venture outside to catch up on some much-needed sun. Unfortunately, those bright rays can bring with them a danger all their own in the form of excessive heat. While enjoying the sun is a healthy practice which can often have many benefits, people of all ages should still take precautions to help stay safe from the sun’s emissions.There are four important …

After a fire, extinguisher residue needs cleaned as soon as possible; some types, depending on the extinguisher, can damage metal surfaces and electronics if left to sit. While SERVPRO® is always available to provide emergency fire damage cleanup services 24/7/365, you may wish to begin the cleanup process yourself. This article provides a step-by-step guide for cleaning fire extinguisher …

Since late April, smoke from wildfires in Canada has continually drifted south into the United States. By early summer 2023, the northeastern half of the country was bathed in an orange haze from wildfire smoke. As the fires continue to burn, hazy air is still a risk, and eastern cities are still experiencing bad air quality and smoky conditions caused by the wildfires that started in early …

Excessive heat can be a danger to you, your pets, and your property. But what, exactly, can happen to your property in the event of extreme heat? And is there any way to prepare? This article covers six parts of your property that can be affected by excessive heat, as well as suggestions that can help prepare you for the summer season or anytime your local weather spikes to extreme levels.While …

Fires are usually unexpected, and can be devastating to your home or business. Having a safety plan in place is an important step toward increasing the chances of survival for your family and employees.A key component to any fire safety plan is a smoke detector. These small yet critical devices play a vital role in safeguarding lives and property. Smoke detectors are designed to detect the …

There are many different types of smoke detectors. Choosing the right one is an important decision you will make whenever you move into a new home, start a business, or find yourself renting out a space. Maybe you simply wish to update some older detectors or have faulty ones that need replacing. Read on to learn more about the six primary types of smoke detectors, and how to decide which one is …

From family photographs and albums to legal identification documents and property records, your home and business is full of important documents in need of safeguarding. But what if these were damaged in a disaster, such as water damage, storm damage or fire damage? Would you know what to do or who to call? SERVPRO®'s document restoration specialists are available 24/7.Restoration of important …

Wildfires are dangerous weather events that occur at random times throughout the year and are not specific to any one region or country. Everything from smoldering cigarettes to abandoned campfires, along with natural events like lightning, can all contribute to the sudden start of a wildfire. This article outlines the board-up and fire damage restoration services SERVPRO® provides, so you can …

A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire which often burns in rural areas such as forests, prairies, and expansive grassland where there is plenty of vegetation. With this foliage readily available to consume, these hazardous weather events are quick to start and very dangerous. Most of us are all too familiar with images of burning terrain, homes, and businesses after these fires abruptly start. But …

Fire sprinklers are a great way to help ensure blazes are mitigated while you wait for firefighters to arrive. While putting out a fire as quickly as possible is a necessity, firefighting efforts or a sprinkler accident may leave your home or business with significant water damage, like soaked carpets, walls, and more.But how can you tell if you’re at risk of a fire sprinkler accident? If you …

While it is easy to forget to clear dryer lint between loads of laundry, this small oversight can have severe consequences. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, there are approximately 2,900 dryer-related fires each year, accounting for $35 million in property loss, five deaths, and 100 injuries. Additional facts include:Keeping an eye on your dryer lint is an easy way to prevent …

Whether a fire causes your home or business to be covered in black soot, a cooking accident in your kitchen leaves you with severe soot damage, or a rogue candle goes haywire, your walls require upkeep and maintenance to ensure they are successfully cleaned after damage. But what are the steps for cleaning black soot from walls? This article outlines initial steps you can take to clean black …

Grilling is a popular pastime, reaching peak popularity in the spring and summer months. Unfortunately, grills can be dangerous. Whether the result of user error or some kind of malfunction, a grill can pose a serious hazard, potentially causing fire damage or other issues in your home or business. So how do you make sure you’ve taken the steps to keep your grill in proper condition and use it …

Smoke detectors are an essential part of any home or business’s fire safety plan, but they can sometimes seem to go off for no reason at all. This can be frustrating and even alarming, but it's important to understand why it happens and how to fix it. In this article, we'll explain how smoke detectors work, common reasons why they go off, and what you can do to prevent false alarms.Smoke …

Removing fire smoke odor isn’t easy. After a fire, big or small, the smell can stick around for a while—and the longer it sits, the longer it can set into your furniture and belongings. The good news? Your house doesn’t have to smell like a bad campfire forever. Our experts have compiled all the best information on removing smoke smells for good.Before beginning any odor removal or cleanup, it …

Fire extinguishers are an important part of fire safety, and should be placed in every home, business, school, and more. They can be used to put out small fires before they have a chance to spread, and also allow you to safely evacuate the area in case of an emergency. But with so many different types of fire extinguishers on the market, it can be difficult to know which type is right for your …

After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO® has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition.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 …

Everyone loves a good candle to bring warmth to the room. Candles can provide a beautiful ambiance and aroma, whether by your bedside or in the bathroom, but they don’t come without hazards. Candle soot on walls, furniture, or other surfaces can do serious damage if ignored. Here’s a quick guide to help you recognize the early signs of candle soot, remove it from your space and help prevent …

We all know what soot is: that black smudge that often follows a fire, big or small, inside your house. You may have seen it after a candle loses its flame or the last ember dies out in your fireplace. However, when cleaning up an emergency fire’s aftermath, you may notice a strange string of web-like chains across your wall. At first glance, it may look like you might have a spider infestation …

Regardless of a fire’s size, soot is an often-overlooked problem that can have significant repercussions down the road. Those little black smudges can cause considerable damage to your property and health. At SERVPRO®, we provide both comprehensive home and commercial cleaning services that give our clients the peace of mind that the little details—like soot stains—are taken care of. To help you …

Whether a fire is big or small, you’ll likely have to deal with soot damage in the aftermath. Soot may seem like an insignificant hazard in comparison, but if left alone, it can become a significant health hazard. Don’t get your cleaning supplies out just yet. Without the help of professionals, your soot cleanup may cause even more damage. Here’s what you need to know about soot removal and how …

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

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house, but also your belongings. SERVPRO® understands your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the very things that make a house a home.SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money …