Tips for Reducing Your Fire Risk at Home | SERVPRO of North Naples

11/20/2023 (Permalink)

If your home is in bad condition from an unexpected fire, our team is Here to Help®. Call SERVPRO of North Naples today!

No one wants to think about the potential of suffering a house or property fire, but unfortunately, it happens all of the time across the country. In fact, there are more than 340,000 home or structure fires each year in the United States.

While fire situations may not be able to be completely prevented, knowing what to do ahead of time can help reduce your risk around your home and your garage. Incorporate these tips below into your everyday life and regular routine. 

Prep Your Outdoor Equipment

Grilling is certainly a favorite pastime for many families in our community, which means there are many different charcoal and propane grills in backyards and neighborhoods. We have also seen an increase in those outdoor tabletop skillets! 

While grilling is a great way to enjoy being outside while making food, there is always the risk of starting a fire. 

You should check your grill every time before lighting it for signs of wear and tear or other issues. If you have a gas grill, check the drum and lid for dents and be sure the vents can move freely. Dump out excess ash regularly, and keep it clean. 

If you have a propane grill, check the gas lines every time and tighten any connections that have loosened. You should also be checking the propane tank itself as a single dent or small leak could become really dangerous.

If you have a backyard bonfire pit, you should regularly be cleaning it out and clearing the area around it. Overhanging trees or grass that has grown up into the pit can quickly lead to a dangerous fire situation. 

Reducing Your Fire Risk Inside 

The majority of house fires start in the kitchen, which should be no surprise since that is where we use heat and flame most often! Keeping a fire extinguisher in your kitchen can help you respond to issues faster. 

You should also take the time to reduce clutter in your kitchen. Flammable materials like kitchen towels, pot holders and even knickknacks can easily become fuel to a growing fire.

Another common location for fires is around filters and vents, especially near your clothes dryer. Clean the lint trap after every use, and have your vents cleaned professionally on a regular basis to remove built-up lint, dust and other debris. 

Where Our Team Comes Into Play

Even if you do everything right to safeguard your home against fire disasters, the unexpected can happen at any time and you could be left with significant fire damage. Call us as soon as the flames are out so we can start on your recovery plan.

We are here 24/7 to respond to your call, and we will arrive at your door right away to start cleaning, removing debris, and sanitizing your space. Once your space is prepped and ready to be rebuilt, we will deodorize it and start on your repairs. We can handle everything from minor fire damage repairs to full reconstructions of rooms or sections of your home. 

When you suffer fire damage, SERVPRO of North Naples is the fire damage restoration team for you. 

Counting the Cost: How Much Revenue Can Your Business Lose After a Fire Damage?

4/13/2023 (Permalink)

Property damage, business interruption, restoration time are critical for factors that can impact revenue loss.

A fire can cause extensive damage to a business, resulting in loss of revenue and increased expenses. The amount of revenue that can be lost depends on various factors, such as the extent of the damage, the type of business, and the length of time it takes to restore the property. In this blog, we will discuss how much revenue can be lost after a fire damage.

Property Damage

The extent of property damage is one of the most significant factors in determining the amount of revenue lost. A minor fire may only cause cosmetic damage, whereas a significant fire can destroy the entire building. The cost of repairing or replacing the damaged property can be expensive and take time. During this period, the business may be forced to close temporarily, leading to a significant loss of revenue.

Business Interruption

In addition to property damage, a fire can disrupt business operations, resulting in a loss of revenue. For instance, if the business needs to shut down temporarily to facilitate repairs or investigation, they may lose customers who may choose to go to their competitors. In some cases, customers may lose faith in the business, leading to long-term losses. A fire may also disrupt supply chains, leading to a shortage of goods, further affecting revenue.

Restoration Time

The amount of time it takes to restore the property after a fire damage can also impact revenue. If the business is forced to close temporarily, the longer it takes to restore the property, the more revenue will be lost. The restoration process may involve dealing with insurance adjusters, contractors, and suppliers, which can take time. During this period, the business may need to find alternative sources of revenue or reduce expenses to stay afloat.

Business Type

The type of business can also determine the amount of revenue lost after a fire damage. For example, a restaurant that experiences a fire may lose more revenue than a law firm. A restaurant depends on foot traffic and customer loyalty, whereas a law firm may not have as many walk-ins. Thus, it is essential to consider the type of business when calculating the amount of revenue lost.

In conclusion, the amount of revenue lost after a fire damage depends on various factors. Property damage, business interruption, restoration time, and business type are some of the critical factors that can impact revenue loss. It is essential to work with insurance adjusters, contractors, and other professionals to assess the damage and develop a plan to minimize losses. The business should also develop a contingency plan to deal with any future fire damages, such as having backup suppliers and data recovery systems. By doing so, the business can recover quickly and minimize the amount of revenue lost.

Avoid These Four Common Causes of House Fires

8/29/2022 (Permalink)

Candles might look and smell nice, but they can lead to a fire if not used correctly.

Four Common Causes of House Fires

Experiencing a home fire is the last thing any homeowner wants to experience, but the presence of so many fire hazards in most houses leaves little room for error. While some fire causes might seem unavoidable, many of the homes addressed by a fire cleaning and restoration company are affected by preventable reasons. It is essential you are proactive and intentional in preventing a fire from starting in your home in Barefoot Beach, FL. A great place to start is by avoiding these four common causes house fires.

1. Cooking Fires

Whether caused by leaving cooking unattended, cooking while fatigued, or broken appliances, the kitchen is a common place for fires to start. Cooking with lots of oil can also lead to problematic grease fires that can be difficult to put out. It is important to always read the instructions when heating food and to keep flammable objects far away from the stove or oven when turned on.

2. Smoking Indoors

Lighting a cigarette indoors, especially in a bedroom, is a quick way to cause a home fire. Many belongings and furniture are flammable, which can be dangerous if butts aren't put out correctly or not placed in an ashtray.

3. Heating Appliances

Both portable heaters and home furnaces are major fire causes that can be prevented with proper use and maintenance. Heaters should never be placed in close proximity to flammable objects or used around pets and children. Make sure to get your furnace inspected yearly and quickly address any issues.

4. Candles

Candles might look and smell nice, but they can lead to a fire if not used correctly. Keep candles away from cats and young children, never leave lit candles unattended, and keep candles far away from curtains, carpet, and other flammable materials.
Being vigilant in removing potential fire hazards from your home and always being aware of your surroundings is the first step in keeping your house and family safe from a home fire. Start with these four common house fire causes.

3 Things To Include in Every Fire Escape Plan

6/14/2022 (Permalink)

Map out several routes out of your home.

Three Things To Include In a Fire Escape Plan

A fire can happen out of nowhere and devastate your life. While you likely hope that nothing bad ever happens to your South Naples, FL, home, you always want to err on the side of caution and prepare for the worst. That way, you and your family will know exactly what to do if disaster strikes. Here are three things to include in your fire escape plan. 

1. Know the Exit Routes
Because you won't know where the fire is coming from when you put your fire preparation plan in place, you need to map out several routes out of your home. If you have windows on the second floor, make sure you plan for ways to get down to the ground. If necessary, purchase emergency ladders to keep in multiple rooms upstairs, so there is always one accessible. 

2. Gather Home Fire Mitigation Items
No fire escape plan is complete without ways to alert you of a fire and help you try to control it. Install smoke detectors in each bedroom and the main living areas. Additionally, it's always helpful to have a fire extinguisher on hand. Depending on the size of the fire, it may not put it out completely, but it could give your family the time they need to get out safely. 

3. Compile a List of Important Numbers
Fires can spread quickly, and you might not have time to grab your phone while escaping. Instead of only keeping all of your important numbers on your phone, write down a list of emergency contact numbers to use in case of a fire and keep the list near multiple emergency exit points. Include phone numbers of friends and family members and a fire damage restoration company that will address the fire's aftermath. 
Putting together a fire escape plan might seem like an unnecessary step. However, if a fire hits your South Naples, FL, home, you'll be thankful you took the time to prepare. 

Protecting Your Commercial Building After a Fire

3/29/2022 (Permalink)

If a fire breaks out in your building, first thing is to get everyone out.

In Pelican Bay, FL, your business is your lifeline, so it is understandable that following a fire, your desire is to protect it from further destruction. Fire damage can also mean it is a safety hazard, so in the first place, you don’t want anyone getting inside and becoming hurt or looting your building – a common problem following damage to a business. Fire cleanup needs to wait until your insurance company is alerted, but there are some things that need to be done right away.

What To Do Immediately After the Fire

The first things you should do if a fire breaks out are to get everyone out of the building as quickly as possible and to call 911 to send firefighters. No attempts should be made to re-enter the building once the fire is out. Even though you may be tempted to go look around, you should notify your insurance company and call for local fire restoration professionals to come and board up and secure the building against the weather and looters. There are several methods that can be used to close openings.

The roof can be tarped to prevent wet weather from entering
Sheets of plywood may be fastened over doors and windows
Lay wooden studs in the tracks of windows and doors to prevent them from opening
Remove valuables to a secure location for storage

Fire damage can make your building more vulnerable to looting and weather damage as openings may be created by segments of the structure falling during a blaze, a firefighters battering ram through a wall or door to get water inside or even exploding chemicals. All of these openings are a potential threat to security and an invitation to a looter. Boarding up is critical to help maintain a secure building.
If you are dealing with fire damage in Pelican Bay, FL, get the help you need to walk you through the process and stay by your side until the restoration is complete. Fire cleanup and rehabilitation of your commercial building can help make things as good as new.

What Is the Best Kind of Fire Extinguisher for Your Home?

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared to stop a fire before it spreads can be the difference between a great fire restoration job and a quick cleanup.

What Type Of Fire Extinguisher Is Best For Your Home?

The chance of a fire occurring in your home in North Naples, FL, is higher than you’d think. Being prepared to stop a fire in its tracks before it has chance the spread can be the difference between a big fire restoration job and a quick cleanup. One great tool in combatting fires is a fire extinguisher. Use this guide to help determine which extinguisher is best for your home.

Extinguisher Classification

The first step in choosing the best extinguisher to prevent a home fire is understanding how they are classified. Extinguishers used in homes are labeled depending on what types of fires they are effective at fighting. Here are the most common ones you’ll see:

• Class A: used in fires caused by wood, paper, plastic, and textiles
• Class B: put out flammable liquid fires
• Class C: Used if a fire that is caused by a live electrical source
• Class A-B-C: Can be used on any of the fires that a Class A, B, or C extinguisher can put out

UL Rating System

Apart from an alphabetical classification system, each fire extinguisher has a numerical rating on the label. For this rating system, the higher the number the more effective the extinguisher. An A rating reveals how many gallons of water it is equivalent to, and the B rating reveals how many square feet the extinguisher can cover.

Disposable or Rechargeable

Extinguishers come in either disposable or rechargeable models. While disposable models are cheaper initially, rechargeable extinguishers are cheaper in the long run.

Sizing Options

There are four main options when choosing what size fire extinguisher you need:

• Two Pound: For the car
• Five Pound: For the laundry room
• Ten Pound: For the garage
• Stove-Top: For the kitchen

Practice fire preparedness in your home by getting a fire extinguisher! Pay attention to the label before you buy it, consider your budget, and choose the size that’s ideal for the location you’re putting it in.

Ensuring Security: Steps To Take After a Fire`

1/14/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage in Vanderbilt Beach, FL.

Ensure Your Building Is Secure After a Fire

A fire in your commercial building in Vanderbilt Beach, FL, will likely leave you with a long task list. One of the first things on that list should be security. Fire damage can make your property vulnerable to inclement weather, vandalism and theft. There are three main steps to ensure your building is secure after a blaze.

1. Make Necessary Calls

One of the first contacts you should make after you call your insurance agent is to a fire restoration company. Not only does this get the fire cleanup process started quickly before secondary damage can occur, it also enlists experts who can advise you on how to best secure your building. While you may have thought to lock the doors and board up the windows, you may not be thinking about the damage a rainstorm could cause through the new hole in the roof. Certified specialists are trained to identify every step needed to protect your property well.

2. Enact Protection Plan

The safety plan for your building should include securing it after fire damage occurs. Know who is in charge of completing the walkthrough with emergency personnel and preparing the subsequent report. Delegate a specific person to make sure the structure is boarded up. It’s also a good idea to have a watch team that acts as a guard against would-be intruders until experts can secure the area properly.

3. Remove Valuables

Some people look at buildings in vulnerable states as targets for their next crime. Looting is a real possibility after a fire. Fortunately, there is an easy way to prevent this problem. The best way to protect your valuables is simply to remove them from the compromised structure. Thieves can’t steal something that isn’t there.

Fire damage is enough of a problem itself. You don’t need to add to your worries by leaving your building open to other issues. Securing your property while it is being restored may protect it from further risk.