Fire Damage Resources

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.The Benefit of a Real Christmas TreeA 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 av...

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 sta...

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 only ...

As winter sets in and cold weather starts to grip the country, lots of us break out our space heaters to keep our homes and offices warm. These portable heating devices are great to supplement heating costs, but they can pose a serious risk. In fact, fire officials say space heaters are one of the largest fire hazards, especially if they’re used incorrectly. So, what should you not do with a space...

Cigarette smoke is more than just an unpleasant smell. It contains several hazardous chemicals and particulates that can cause health effects, especially if it lingers in a home or business for years. Removing cigarette smoke from a space, whether it’s a new or old infestation, is essential for protecting the health of the occupants and restoring the property. SERVPRO® provides smoke remediation s...

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 for ...

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. What to Do After a House Fire Your first priority after a house fire is to make sure all family mem...

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 cons...

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.Four Important Heat TermsThe...

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 residue ...

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 spring...

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.When is ...

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 presenc...

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 b...

Smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to impact air quality across the United States. The thick haze from the fires that started in early April is still being detected as far south as Georgia, as far east as New Hampshire, as far west as Montana, and even in Nebraska and Missouri.  Earlier this year, the northeastern half of the country was bathed by an orange haze from the wildfire sm...

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 doc...

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 be ...

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 do...

Four walls, a foundation, a roof, windows, and a door. Whether large or small, that’s the basic definition of a home or business. But a tornado, flood, or another type of disaster could put you in a position to need damage restoration services. Whether you experience minor damage or need extensive construction services in the aftermath of fire damage, SERVPRO® can help no matter what type of remed...

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 expe...

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:34% of people regularly fail to clean their dryers, making it ...

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 soot ...

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 cor...

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.How Do Smoke De...

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.How to Get Rid of Fire Smoke SmellBefore beginning a...

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 nee...

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 future...

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 infestati...

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 b...

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 to...

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!What To Do After A FireLimit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets....

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.Contents Restoration SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Our expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can h...