Recent Fire Damage Posts

How to Choose a Reputable Restoration Company

1/3/2024 (Permalink)

Here Are Some Ways To Vet Potential Companies

After your business in Harrisonville, MO, sees fire, water, sewage, or mold damage choosing the right restoration professionals is one way to ensure your peace of mind. Here are some ways to ensure you choose the right restoration companies.


Check Their Past Work
The best way to check out a restoration company is to look at their previous work. Ask for a list of their previous clients or read online reviews. Check on the most recent projects. Talk to the clients and ask about their experience with the company. Here are some questions that could potentially vet a restoration company:

  • Did the company give you an accurate estimate?
  • Were you satisfied with their work?
  • Was the project completed on time and within your budget?
  • Were there any mistakes?
  • Do you recommend the company?


Verify Their Licenses
Licenses are important in the restoration industry. For intensive jobs that require structural work or plumbing repairs, you will need to have a licensed professional perform the tasks. Choosing a company that is licensed and insured. Additionally, hiring an unlicensed contractor will make you responsible for any issues that occur on your property. In other words, you are responsible for defective work, property damage, or injuries during the restoration project that could occur to their employees, your family or staff. 


Verify Their Certifications
Most people will only ask to see the contractor's license. They will only hold a general contractor's license because there is no specific restoration license. However, most of the fire damage assessment and restoration work is specialized, and the company should have the appropriate certifications for the work they are doing. 


Check Their Insurance
Restoration companies often work directly with a client's insurance adjuster. Therefore, they know a lot about insurance and how important it is. Accidents can happen during a fire damage restoration project, especially if the fire has caused structural integrity problems. To ensure you are adequately protected, ask for proof of insurance.
Choosing the right fire mitigation and restoration professionals can be a challenging task. However, it is also crucial, as they are restoring your property to preloss conditions. 

If you follow these steps, you should find a restoration and remediation professional who can help you make it, "Like it never even happened". SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore is always there for your restoration, remediation, and mitigation needs. 

Why the Chemical Mercaptan is a Lifesaver

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

The gas that heats many homes and provides energy for water heaters and clothes dryers is colorless and odorless. When it leaks from pipes or hoses it creates a dangerous situation due to its extreme combustibility. To make gas more detectable, engineers have added the chemical mercaptan, making it easily identifiable by its sulfurous, rotten egg smell. This chemical has helped prevent several of serious fires.

When a homeowner smells mercaptan it is a sign that somewhere in your home there is a gas leak. When this happens, steps should be taken to shut off the gas or get people and pets out of the home and call the fire department as soon as noticed. 

The Best Actions To Take With a Natural Gas Leak

Specific actions can reduce the likelihood of a gas fire in a home or apartment. The goal is to stop the gas leak to increase the safety of everyone in the home. Here are the most effective actions to take:

The stove since this is the most likely source, so checking the appliances should be your primary objective. Many times burners do not light, or go out, allowing gas to leak into the home. If you can find the source of the leak. Once the leak is detected and fixed the issue is resolved.

Increase the ventilation of your home by opening windows and doors. This enables the gas to dissipate and not collect in a certain area, reducing the likelihood of a gas explosion.

Don't use electrical devices, or even turn on lights, as this could ignite the gas.

Evacuate the home and call the fire department once noticing the leak.

The Best Way To Handle Fire Damage

Gas fire in your home is likely to cause soot and smoke damage and loss of property. These soot particles are carcinogenic which can cause health issues if not addressed. Call in a fire remediation team that will respond quickly and clean up the damage in a professional manner.

Fire Escape Planning For Your Business

10/16/2022 (Permalink)

An emergency plan is not required for all businesses, however, OSHA recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing a plan. 

Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan. 

Once a plan is developed, post-evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked, well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.

How to Reduce the Chance of a Kitchen Fire

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Though fires can start in any area of the home, many fires often begin in kitchens, and kitchen fires can cause widespread damage to homes. Fortunately, there are various tips you can follow to help to reduce the chance of a kitchen fire occurring in your home.

  1. Don't Leave Cooking Food Unattended

When cooking, it can be easy to become distracted. Though you may be tempted to leave your kitchen while cooking, however, this can result in a fire. Items left on a stovetop can burn and catch fire in a short period of time if high heat is used, and if you are out of the room when the fire begins, you may not be able to stop the fire from getting out of control. For these reasons, it's generally best to stay in the kitchen when cooking.

  1. Clean Your Kitchen Often

When it comes to fire prevention tips, cleaning your kitchen can be beneficial. If grease has spilled on your stovetop or in your oven, or if you use a dirty, greasy pan, a fire can start quickly. A grease fire can be particularly dangerous because it can spread at an accelerated rate and cause major damage to your home. Cleaning your kitchen often, however, can reduce the likelihood of grease causing a fire.

  1. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Though a flame in a kitchen doesn't necessarily spell disaster if it is quickly extinguished, fires that aren't quickly controlled can cause devastation to homes. If a home has been affected by major fire damage, many homeowners find it helpful to contact emergency restoration services. However, the sooner you are able to extinguish a fire, the less likely it is that your home will sustain major damage. Having an ABC fire extinguisher (an extinguisher that can put out fires caused by trash, grease, or electricity) in your kitchen can be wise.

Since kitchen fires are incredibly common, knowing tips to prevent this type of fire can be useful to homeowners. Preventative methods can include remaining in your kitchen when cooking, frequently cleaning your kitchen, and keeping a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

Firework Safety

6/11/2022 (Permalink)

A holiday weekend like the Fourth of July brings much fun, but can also lead to disaster if the right precautions are not taken. Here are a few quick and helpful tips to stay safe and enjoy your holiday. 

  • Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
  • Never light fireworks indoors
  • Keep fireworks away from houses and flammable material 
  • Never point or throw fireworks toward another person
  • Only light one device at a time
  • Maintain a safe distance after lighting a firework

Although sparklers are a simple and fun firework for kids to use, they can still be quite dangerous if not handled properly. Sparklers can quickly ignite clothing, and children have received severe burns from dropping sparklers on their feet. Sparkles are not advised to children under the age of five unless accompanied by an adult. Consider using safer alternatives, such as glow sticks, confetti poppers, or colored streamers for children when trying to celebrate safely this Fourth of July!

How to Maintain Your Furnace

6/4/2022 (Permalink)

Keep You Furnace Properly Maintained

As soon as the midwest weather turns from Fall to Winter, you may be ready to turn your furnace on. If you use a furnace, you should be sure to keep it properly maintained to reduce the risk of a house fire that could lead to lost belongings and damage that requires soot and fire cleaning. To ensure that your unit is working you should remember to do the following.

  1. Clean or Replace Filters Regularly

When you are using a furnace to heat your home, it is important that you keep the filters clean and replace them when necessary. It is recommended, with a standard filter to be replaced every 30 days. When filters are not regularly replaced, filters can become overly clogged with dust, dirt, and allergens. When this occurs it does not allow your furnace to breath leaving them backed up causing lack of air flow and often lead to overheating the furnace to enter the air during heating. Overheating the furnace may start a fire. While cleaning your filters may seem like a nuisance, it is a safer option than experiencing a house fire. House fires typically take time to clean the effected areas of soot and particles that contaminate the air. 

  1. Inspect the Unit Before Use

If it has been a while since your furnace has been used, you should inspect the unit before operating it for long periods of time. Make sure that all of the components are clean and working correctly. You should also check that the furnace is receiving power or, if powered by fuel, has enough oil to operate correctly. 

  1. Hire a Professional

The best way to ensure that your device is operating as intended is to call in professionals to inspect and maintain the unit for you. They will have the experience needed to locate any problems before it becomes a bigger issue. To reduce your chances of fire and the consequent need for fire and smoke cleaning, you should have your furnace cleaned and inspected once a year, specifically before switching the furnace on in the winter months.

While properly maintaining your furnace is a good way to reduce your chances of a fire, sometimes unexpected problems arise. If a fire occurs in your residential or commercial property, a fire restoration service will be able to do fire and soot cleaning and address any repairs to get your home to its previous condition.



Fire Escape Planning for Your Business

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

An emergency plan is not required for all businesses, however, OSHA recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing a plan. 

Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan. 

Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked, well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.



How a $10-$20 Investment Can Save Your Life and Property

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Change your batteries to help prevent a fire in your home.

The Power of Smoke Alarms

While smoke alarms may seem loud and obnoxious and go off at annoying times, they can mean the difference between life and death when a fire does break out on your property. A smoke alarm is the cheapest way to limit and avoid fire damage to your property. Believe it or not, 60% of fire deaths occur in properties that do not have active and working smoke alarms. You need to realize that fire on your property is entirely possible and should be treated as such. Make sure your family, possessions, or company are protected using a smoke alarm.

The type of smoke detector in your home will determine how and when batteries need to be replaced. There are three main types of alarms to be aware of: 

  • Alkaline battery alarm
  • Lithium battery alarm
  • Wired smoke alarm

1. Alkaline Battery Alarms

Many smoke alarms are powered by 9-volt alkaline batteries or even AA batteries. DO NOT just wait for the batteries to run out. Instead, replace them yearly or even more often. Doing so keeps your alarm loud and responsive to any threats of fire.  

2. Lithium Battery Alarms

Lithium batteries last much longer than alkaline batteries. However, you cannot simply replace the battery when the time comes. Rather, you will need to replace the entire detector after ten years. Make sure to keep up on this battery type since they give a shorter warning time before dying than other alarm types, and since it dies quickly, you will be given no warning of a fire threat.

3. Wired Smoke Alarms 

Many people opt for wired smoke alarms since they are reliable and reduce fire damage caused by accidental shocks. It is embarrassing calling in a fire restoration specialist because a fire started while changing out an old smoke detector! To avoid this, a wired smoke alarm doesn’t run on an expirable battery. However, you should absolutely put in a backup battery and replace it yearly.

Regardless of the type of smoke alarm, it is a good practice to replace the entire alarm every 10 years. This ensures that there isn’t a mechanical problem within the alarm itself and you always have the newest and most up-to-date technology protecting what matters most. DO NOT wait until you start to hear chirping from your smoke alarm to change your batteries! Keep your home and family safe by following these recommendations.

If you have any questions about fire or smoke cleanup or restoration, SERVPRO is here to help. Call (816) 246-5566 or contact us HERE.

Why The Chemical Mercaptan is a Lifesaver

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

The gas that heats many homes and provides energy for water heaters and clothes dryers is colorless and odorless. If it leaks from pipes or hoses it creates a dangerous situation due to its extreme combustibility. To make gas more detectable, engineers have added the chemical mercaptan, making it easily identifiable by its sulfurous, rotten egg smell. It is hard to estimate how many times a gas fire has been prevented by this chemical.

When a homeowner smells mercaptan it is a sure sign that somewhere in your home there is a gas leak. When this happens, immediate steps should be taken to shut off the gas or at least get people and pets out of the home and call the fire department. 

The Best Actions To Take With a Natural Gas Leak

Specific actions can reduce the likelihood of a gas fire in a home or apartment. The goal is to stop the gas leak or increase the safety of everyone in the home. Here are the most effective actions to take:

Check all the appliances that use natural gas, beginning with the stove since this is the most likely source. Many times burners do not light, or go out, allowing gas to leak into the home. If you can find the source of the leak and stop it the emergency is over.

Increase the ventilation of your home by opening windows and doors. This enables the gas to dissipate and not collect in a certain area, reducing the likelihood of a gas explosion.

Don't use electrical devices, or even turn on lights, as this could ignite the gas.

Evacuate the home and call in the fire department

The Best Way To Handle Fire Damage

Gas fire in your home is likely to cause soot and smoke damage and loss of property. Call in a fire remediation team that will respond quickly and clean up the damage in a professional manner.

Fire Escape Planning for Your Business

10/16/2021 (Permalink)

An emergency plan is not required for all businesses, however, OSHA recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employees, and your business during an emergency. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing a plan. 

Organize an Emergency Preparedness Procedures review with employees to review your company’s emergency plans. You may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan. 

Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked, and well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuating personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head count. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.



How to Reduce the Chance of a Kitchen Fire

9/4/2021 (Permalink)

Though fires can start in any area of the home, many fires often begin in kitchens, and kitchen fires can cause widespread damage to homes. Fortunately, there are various tips you can follow to help to reduce the chance of a kitchen fire occurring in your home.

  1. Don't Leave Cooking Food Unattended

When cooking, it can be easy to become distracted. Though you may be tempted to leave your kitchen while cooking, however, this can result in a fire. Items left on a stovetop can burn and catch fire in a short period of time if high heat is used, and if you are out of the room when the fire begins, you may not be able to stop the fire from getting out of control. For these reasons, it's generally best to stay in the kitchen when cooking.

  1. Clean Your Kitchen Often

When it comes to fire prevention tips, cleaning your kitchen can be beneficial. If grease has spilled on your stovetop or in your oven, or if you use a dirty, greasy pan, a fire can start quickly. A grease fire can be particularly dangerous because it can spread at an accelerated rate and cause major damage to your home. Cleaning your kitchen often, however, can reduce the likelihood of grease causing a fire.

  1. Keep a Fire Extinguisher Nearby

Though a flame in a kitchen doesn't necessarily spell disaster if it is quickly extinguished, fires that aren't quickly controlled can cause devastation to homes. If a home has been affected by major fire damage, many homeowners find it helpful to contact emergency restoration services. However, the sooner you are able to extinguish a fire, the less likely it is that your home will sustain major damage. Having an ABC fire extinguisher (an extinguisher that can put out fires caused by trash, grease, or electricity) in your kitchen can be wise.

Since kitchen fires are incredibly common, knowing tips to prevent this type of fire can be useful to homeowners. Preventative methods can include remaining in your kitchen when cooking, frequently cleaning your kitchen, and keeping a fire extinguisher in your kitchen.

How Can I Prevent Fire Damage To My Property?

6/11/2021 (Permalink)

Fire extinguishers are a cheap and quick way to prevent some basic property fires.

How to Avoid Fire Damage

No one wants to have a smoke or fire disaster in their home or business. It is messy and interruptive to your life. Here are three tips to minimize or avoid this altogether:

  1. Alarms

This is the easiest way to prevent fire and smoke damage on your property. It makes a loud beeping sound to warn of potential smoke and fire danger. It’s a good idea to test your alarms every month and replace batteries every year. SERVPRO recommends replacing your smoke detectors at least every 10 years. This ensures your alarm is always up to date and working properly. It is a good idea to at least consider a carbon monoxide detector as well.

  1. Appliances

The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) cites that nearly half of house fires occur in the kitchen. So when you’re using the microwave, stove, oven, dishwasher or other appliances, keep an eye on them. Keep your towels and chemicals far away from the heat. Stay in the kitchen while your appliances are on and active. It doesn’t hurt to have a properly rated and charged fire extinguisher nearby.

For your washer and dryer, or if you have heaters or fans in your home, make sure they do not have any frayed cords exposed plug-ins. Dryer vents should be cleaned frequently as well.

Outdoor hazards include campfires, fireworks, and grills and must be maintained. If you walk away from a fire or hot grill, it isn’t too hard for a stray spark or flame to catch and a disaster to ensue.

Combustible materials should be kept in their original containers. For example, keep gasoline in a container designed for gasoline. If the container has leaks, transfer it into a new and properly rated container. Labels are your friend. Keep everything labeled as much as possible to avoid any cross contamination or unwanted mixtures. 

  1. Habits

Basic precaution measures decrease the severity and likelihood of a property fire. For example, be careful when cooking or using the appliances and keep an eye on them. When using candles for any occasion, make sure you use them carefully with drip trays and never leave them unattended.

If fire does break out in your house you should always have fire department numbers handy and a plan to deal with the situation ahead of time. It’s a good idea to have a plan of escape and review how fire extinguishers work. 

If smoke or fire does damage your property, or you have any questions, SERVPRO of Harrisonville / Belton / Raymore is here to help.  Contact us HERE or call anytime at 816-884-2240.

"Fire Damage Isn't That Hard to Cleanup, Is It?"

6/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has the products and training to remove smoke and fire damage from your property.

Why You Should Hire SERVPRO for Fire/Smoke Cleanup

No one wants their property harmed or destroyed by fire. So, when fire damage does occur, the main goal of the property owner is to get back to normal immediately if possible. However, if done incorrectly, this can result in further damage to property or the exposure to harmful smoke particles.

When our SERVPRO team arrives, we know that fire and smoke damage creates tiny, visible & invisible soot particles that can cause odor and a frustration for the property owner. This is why we focus on containing all the fire damaged areas in order to keep all of the soot particles in the original area. The purpose is for the odor and damage to not spread.

Fires often burns at different temperatures within a single room and the incomplete combustion and lack of oxygen can create complex residues. Some objects are more restorable than others, depending on the damage the object has taken. This is shown in the amount of residue from smoke on each object or structure. Our technicians have the appropriate products to clean smoke and fire damage. If the smoke areas are saturated in water, the smoke can be pressed deeper into the surface, causing additional difficulty in removing smoke odor and proper surface cleaning.

If your property is damaged by fire and smoke, calling SERVPRO is the first step to minimizing the interruption. SERVPRO technicians know how to solve fire and smoke damage. Our technicians are fully trained for any disaster. Call us at (816) 884-2240 or contact us HERE.

How a $10-$20 Investment Can Save Your Life and Property

5/19/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms can be the difference between saving & losing everything.

The Power of Smoke Alarms

While smoke alarms may seem loud and obnoxious and go off at annoying times, it can mean the difference between life and death when a fire does break out on your property. A smoke alarm is the cheapest way to limit and avoid fire damage to your property. Believe it or not, 60% of fire deaths occur in properties that do not have active and working smoke alarms. You need to realize that a fire on your property is entirely possible and should be treated as such. Make sure your family, possessions or company are protected using a smoke alarm.

The type of smoke detector in your home will determine how and when batteries need to be replaced. There are three main types of alarms to be aware of: 

  • Alkaline battery alarm
  • Lithium battery alarm
  • Wired smoke alarm

1. Alkaline Battery Alarms

Many smoke alarms are powered by 9-volt alkaline batteries, or even AA batteries. DO NOT just wait for the batteries to run out. Instead, replace them yearly or even more often. Doing so keeps your alarm loud and responsive to any threats of fire.  

2. Lithium Battery Alarms

Lithium batteries last much longer than alkaline batteries. However, you cannot simply replace the battery when the time comes. Rather, you will need to replace the entire detector after ten years. Make sure to keep up on this battery type since they give a shorter warning time before dying than other alarm types, and since it dies quickly, you will be given no warning of a fire threat.

3. Wired Smoke Alarms 

Many people opt for wired smoke alarms since they are reliable and reduce fire damage caused by accidental shocks. It is embarrassing calling in a fire restoration specialist because a fire started while changing out an old smoke detector! To avoid this, a wired smoke alarm doesn’t run on an expirable battery. However, you should absolutely put in a backup battery and replace it yearly.

Regardless of the type of smoke alarm, it is a good practice to replace the entire alarm every 10 years. This ensures that there isn’t a mechanical problem within the alarm itself and you always have the newest and most up to date technology protecting what matters most. DO NOT wait until you start to hear chirping from your smoke alarm to change your batteries! Keep your home and family safe by following these recommendations.

If you have any questions about fire or smoke cleanup or restoration, SERVPRO is here to help. Call (816) 884-2240 or contact us HERE.

What To Look For In a Mold Remediation Company

12/14/2020 (Permalink)

Seek out a certified mold damage restoration company in Harrisonville, MO

When mold is growing in a residence in Harrisonville, MO, hiring a certified mold company for remediation is the best option for a homeowner. Learn more about the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification and how a major restoration company keeps cleanup specialists at locations across the continent at the top of the mold cleanup game.

IICRC Mold Certification

The American National Standards Institute publishes standard S520 and the IICRC publishes the coordinating restoration industry standard R520. The ANSI/IICRC S520 standard includes all of the following information:

  • Building and material science
  • Mold cleaning equipment
  • Inspection procedures
  • Mold remediation principles
  • Potential complications

A technician who has mold certification may specialize in structural, HVAC, or content remediation. Indoor environmental professionals are trained in taking air, batch or surface samples to be submitted for laboratory analysis to identify the species of mold present in a home. At least one IICRC-trained technician may work at each franchise location of a certified restoration company.

Continuing Certified Mold Training
A major restoration franchise can provide continuing education based on the latest IICRC standards to technicians. Technicians are trained in proper use of the latest antifungal solutions, mold cleaning equipment and methods to provide consistent, industry-leading service at any location.

Professional Mold Cleaning Equipment
The equipment that a large damage restoration and mold remediation company with locations across North America has access to surpasses most local remediation services. If mold cleaning equipment is in use or being serviced, the same model of equipment can be sourced from another franchise location. A large IICRC-affiliated certified mold remediation provider is a homeowner’s best option for complete and fast mold removal and restoration.
Homeowners should seek out a certified mold damage restoration company near Harrisonville, MO. A service that specializes in residential properties can provide all of the containment and cleaning equipment and expertise needed for successful remediation.

How Do I Keep My Building Secure After a Fire?

10/26/2020 (Permalink)

Having a camera on your building can provide your property with a significant security boost during a fire cleanup

Reasons You Should Have A Plan In Place To Protect Your Building After a Fire

Having a fire in your commercial property can be a devastating reminder that things can change quickly. Once a fire has been extinguished, your property becomes vulnerable to looters and vandals looking to take advantage of your misfortune. This is why you should have a plan in place to protect your remaining possessions after your building has sustained fire damage.

1. Relocate Valuables
This may sound obvious, but there are probably items in your property that you haven't even considered removing. Important documents, hard drives, and other items that you can easily move should be relocated to a more secure location. Take a moment to consider which documents, data, or valuables would be missed if lost to looting.

2. Board Up Doors and Windows
If your building has visibly suffered fire damage, it is a potential target for looters. Boarding up windows and weakened doors with plywood is a simple, cost-effective way to prevent unwanted intruders from entering your property. Sealing entryways will prevent rain and other precipitation from damaging interior surfaces. It will also prevent animals from mistaking your space as a convenient location to nest or hide in.

3. Invest in Inexpensive Surveillance Equipment
Having a camera on your building—even a fake one—can provide your property with a significant security boost during a fire cleanup. Criminals are often easily deterred by the presence of a camera. Similarly, signs indicating that an area is under surveillance can make a potential robber think twice before trespassing. Functioning security cameras are cheaper than ever before and having one installed can help you to reclaim your valuable possessions if lost.
If your Harrisonville, MO, commercial property has suffered a fire, you are probably overwhelmed by the restoration process. Securing your property can be difficult, and a fire restoration professional can help advise you on steps you can take to prevent further loss.

What To Know About Smoke Alarm Maintenance in Your Home

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

Maintaining a smoke alarm involves a few simple things

Smoke Alarm Maintenance

Many fire damage restoration services recommend smoke alarms as an important prevention measure as they can alert you to a possible fire in your Harrisonville, MO, in time to put it out. However, in order to do its job a smoke alarm must be properly maintained. Here are a few things you should know about this process.

1. What May Need To Be Done

When maintaining a smoke detector it’s important to understand what may need to be done. In most cases the process is as simple as keeping the unit clean so it can properly sense a fire, and changing the batteries annually.

2. When To Do Perform Maintenance Tasks

Most professionals recommend service your smoke alarm annually. Many people choose to do so at daylight savings as this day occurs at approximately the same time every year and is easy to remember. If a different time works better for you you can choose that day instead. It’s also important to keep in mind that most alarm units last for about eight years, so if your alarm is older than that you should replace it entirely.

3. How to Take Care of Your Alarms

Knowing how to maintain your alarms can be equally important as you don’t want to damage the electronics. The outside of the units can be wiped off with a damp cloth while the slides will need to be dusted out with compressed air. In some cases, the manufacturer will have additional instructions. After cleaning you may want to test the alarm to ensure it remains functional. You can do this by pressing the test button and listening for the appropriate sound.

Maintaining a smoke alarm involves a few simple things. Know what may need to be done with the smoke detectors such as batteries, cleaning, and installation locations. Understand that these tasks should be done at least once a year, and know what the best methods are to keep them maintained. Remember, a working alarm can help keep your home safe.

Treating Workplace Burns

7/1/2020 (Permalink)

Minor Burn First Aid

Burns can happen almost anywhere, and those that happen in the workplace can be as destructive to productivity as fire damage. Understanding basic first aid can ease pain and help you return to work quickly.

Burns That Require Emergency Assistance

Some burns are too serious to be safely handled at home or at work. Always seek emergency medical assistance if you or another person have any of the following:

  • Leathery, dry skin
  • A wound that is deeper than the upper layer of skin
  • A burn that covers the surface of extremities, or is wider than 3 inches
  • Black, brown, or white charring

If you or someone else require medical assistance, always make sure that the person is safe and responsive until medical help arrives. Elevate affected areas, and use a moist, clean dressing at room temperature or below to cover wounds.

Minor Burn First Aid
Minor burns are burns that are minor enough to be treated without the attention of a medical professional. These burns are generally less painful than serious ones, but can be diagnosed when the following signs emerge:

  • Limited surface area, normally less than 3 inches wide
  • Reddish appearance
  • Bubbling or blistering
  • Discomfort

Many causes of burns, such as hot plates, boiling water, or open fire damage skin even after the heat source is removed. You can cool a burn by applying a moderately cool compress, or holding the burn under moderately cool water. It is always important to avoid damaging burned areas, as breaks in the skin can introduce bacteria that cause infections. As with any surface injury, applying a medical quality bandage will protect skin from further wear.
If you or a co-worker have sustained a burn during a workplace fire in Harrisonville, MO, you should first contact appropriate authorities to ensure that all personnel is properly cared for. The next step will often include a consultation with a restoration specialist to assess the extent of fire damage. By taking safety seriously, you make sure that you and your team can get back to business.

4 Tips for Better Use of Fire Alarms

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

You should replace batteries as needed and replace the entire alarm about every 8 to 10 years

Tips To Help You Protect Your Home

You might think you are doing everything right when it comes to having a fire alarm in your home in Harrisonville, MO. However, many people make assumptions about fire protection that turn out to be erroneous and that could even put their house and their family at risk. After all, a home fire is a scary event that can cause thousands of dollars of damage. Here are a few tips to help you protect your home.

1. Have Enough Fire Alarms. Having only one fire alarm is not nearly enough. The National Fire Protection Association recommends an alarm in each bedroom, one outside each sleeping area and one on every level of the home.

2. Replace Batteries and Alarms. To ward off fire damage, you should replace batteries as needed and replace the entire alarm about every 8 to 10 years. To be sure, check the packaging instructions and make a reminder on the inside of the alarm with a permanent marker.

3. Know-How Much Time You Have. When a fire strikes, it is important to get everyone out of the house quickly. Studies have shown that for increased safety you and your family members and pets should evacuate the home in little more than three minutes.

4. Understand How Fire Alarms Work. You can buy either an ionization alarm or a photostatic one and they detect a fire in different ways. For the best protection, buy some of each or an alarm that uses both methods.
A fire alarm is a critical tool to help you avoid or minimize the worst effects of a fire. A fire remediation franchise can help you recover from fire and smoke damage in your home. Experienced technicians will use the latest technology to remove soot and odors, and they will restore or replace damaged belongings. They have a proven process that restores your home to its original condition.

Fires Could Happen in Your Home in an Instant

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

Leaving your oven on accidentally can do more damage than you think.

Leaving your oven on accidentally can do more damage than you think. Leaving the house with your oven on seems like something that most of us have done and will continue to do.

A family recently had the worst-case scenario happen to them when they left the oven and left the house for no more than 15 minutes and it erupted into flames.  Luckily, they came quickly and were able to stop it with a fire extinguisher. But if they had just simply left the house to go to the grocery store and were gone for  just 15 minutes more, their entire home could have been affected.

Just remember to double check before leaving your home.  Fire damage to your home could be detrimental but the restoration process begins when you call us, SERVPRO of Harrisonville/ Belton/ Raymore. Our representatives will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with all the appropriate equipment and resources.

How can SERVPRO help me

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect the restorable items and structure that were damaged by the fire.  We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Tips for Safely Using Candles in Your Home

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

Candles can add a cozy and welcoming touch to any home

Candles can add a cozy and welcoming touch to any home. However, they are also one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States. If you choose to burn a candle in your Belton, MO, house, it’s crucial to take the proper precautions to prevent a candle fire from occurring. Here are some essential tips for safely using candles in your home.

Keep Candles Away From Flammable Items

To ensure that your candles don’t cause severe fire damage, be sure to keep them far away from highly flammable items. This can include any of the following:

  • Mattresses & bedding
  • Paper
  • Aerosols
  • Cooking oils
  • Dryer lint

It’s also likely that there are many combustible liquids found throughout your home, such as rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and nail polish remover. Always make sure that your candles are kept at a safe distance from these materials.

Never Leave a Flame Unattended

You might quickly leave your spot in the living room to check on the food in the kitchen, thinking that your candle is safe. However, this simple oversight may end up being the cause of a candle fire. When it comes to basic candle safety, never take your chances. Always keep an eye on the candle and make sure that no pets or children are able to reach it.

Follow the Instructions

Most candles come with a set of instructions from the manufacturer. These instructions are meant to be followed carefully to prevent damage from taking place. In most cases, a candle shouldn’t be burned for more than two hours straight. You should also never let your candle burn all the way down under any circumstances. This may cause fire damage that can lead you to call for a smoke cleanup.
Burning a candle responsibly helps to ensure that your home stays protected from harm. In the event that a candle fire takes place despite your best efforts, be sure to call emergency restoration services as soon as possible.

3 Alternatives to Burning Candles

11/24/2019 (Permalink)

Battery-operated and fashioned to look like traditional candles

Candles Without the Risk of Fires

Candles have gone from special occasion decor to everyday centerpieces in many American homes. Yet in homes where there are pets or small children, the risks of burning candles often outweigh the benefits. Not to worry - if you love the look or scent of these attractive decorations, but can’t risk a candle fire in your Belton, MO, home, there are many alternatives. Here are just a few.

Why Not Burn Candles?

Whether burned for holidays, religious observances or simply for ambiance, candles bring an undeniable allure to the home. Yet for all their beauty, candles don’t come without a few risks. Fire safety experts estimate that:

  • About 23 home candle-related fires occur every day in America
  • Roughly 3 percent of home fire deaths are related to candles

Perhaps most sobering is that nearly a quarter of home candle fires involve unsupervised children. That alone can make many homeowners wary of burning candles. But what are their other options?

Flameless Candles

Battery-operated and fashioned to look like traditional candles, flameless candles have become an extremely popular option in situations where open flames are not a good idea.

Wax Warmers

If the scent rather than the soft glowing light is what draws you to candles, wax warmers can be an easy alternative. These devices work by using an electronic heat source to gently warm scented wax.

String Lights

If the soft lighting of candles is what you’re after, string lights are a safe option. Also called fairy lights, these strands feature tiny light bulbs that give off just enough light. They’re powered by batteries or electricity, so you don’t have the risk of candles.
Unfortunately, candles aren’t always ideal in homes with pets, children or other high risk factors for candle fires. Try one of the above for the look of candles without the risk of fires, smoke cleanup and other headaches.

How To Prevent and Recover From a Clothes Dryer Fire

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

A lint fire caused by your dryer can be prevented

Ways You Can Properly Maintain Your Dryer in Order to Prevent a Fire

While smoking materials are the greatest cause of residential fire deaths each year, it’s surprising to learn that, according to the United States Fire Administration, clothes dryer fires cause an estimated 2,900 fires annually in residential buildings. Many individuals fail to recognize the importance of maintaining their clothes dryer. Here are some ways you can properly maintain your dryer in order to prevent a fire.

Prevention

No one wants to experience the devastating effects of a fire. While most individuals are aware of how to prevent fires caused by smoking, cooking, and lighting candles, many people are ignorant of how to prevent a fire caused by a dryer. Here are some things you should do to prevent a dryer fire:

  • Have your dryer installed by a professional. This ensures proper installation.
  • Wipe the lint filter clean after each cycle.
  • Check behind the dryer for lint accumulation and that the venting system isn’t bent or crushed.
  • Make sure your outdoor vent is protected from weather elements.
  • Ensure that the cover for your vent opens when the machine is operating.
  • Snake the dryer exhaust periodically. This ensures clear ductwork and decreases your chance of a lint fire.

Recovery

If you or someone you know have experienced a fire caused by a clothes dryer, there is help available. Because fires can cause significant damage, they necessitate professional help. Work with fire restoration specialists to get your home smoke-free. There are several steps a professional will take to restore your home:

  • Inspection
  • Boarding up compromised windows and doors
  • Removing smoke and soot from all surfaces
  • Cleaning
  • Restoring walls, paint and carpet

A lint fire caused by your dryer can be prevented. Take the necessary steps to properly clean and maintain your clothes dryer. If you’ve experienced a dryer fire, work with restoration specialists in Harrisonville, MO, to get your home clean again quickly and safely.

Creating a Fire Escape Plan to Keep Your Kids Safe

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

A fire escape plan is key for your kid's safety in the event a home fire occurs

Put a Fire Escape Plan Into Place

The attention span of most children is almost nonexistent and proving to wrangle your offspring is a lesson in patience most parents can only aspire to. However, when it comes to your kid's safety keeping their focus directly on you is your primary concern. A child will more than likely be confused and afraid in a dangerous situation. In the horrible event of a house fire, the best proactive measure is to put a fire escape plan into place. The following list is meant to instill confidence that your children will reach safety in case of a house fire.

1. Recognize the Fire Alarm

The noise of a fire alarm is loud and scary but is essentially a life saver. Test the alarms by pressing the button to make sure they are in working order. Ensure the kids are familiar with the sound and know what to do when it goes off.

2. Pick a Meeting Place

Decide on a place to meet where everyone can congregate as they leave the house. The meeting place should be at a safe distance in front of the home. A tree or light pole can serve as a spot to gather.

3. Visit Each Room

Take the time to visit each room in the house. Have the kids pay particular attention to all the routes out of the home. Each room should have two exit points.

4. Practice

Your kid's safety is paramount. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that the family practice the fire drill during both the night and the day, at least twice a year.
A fire escape plan is key for your kid's safety in the event a home fire occurs. Put the procedure in place and practice it until your family feels comfortable with the strategy. A specialist in emergency restoration services in Harrisonville, MO, can help you and your family make a plan for such an emergency.

Cleaning Up Your Company After a Fire

6/27/2019 (Permalink)

Cleanup after fire damage in Belton, MO

How to Manage the Remediation Process of Fire and Smoke Damage

A fire at your Belton, MO, commercial property can be an overwhelming process. It starts with panic and safety concerns and ends up leaving you wondering about the cost of cleanup. Although it’s difficult to plan for a fire, there are several steps you can take to manage the remediation process to effectively handle fire and smoke damage.

1. Contact the Insurance Company

The first step after any fire is to contact your insurance company. They will be able to answer detailed questions about exactly which items they will replace and get you immediate funding for cleanup. If there are questions about damage to employee property, your insurance agent will be able to give you direction on what to tell them.

2. Secure the Building

It’s often an overlooked step, but you need to make sure to secure the property. There could be looting or trespassers in unstable areas, and you are liable for injuries that occur. Make sure any windows, walls or roofs that were broken by firefighters are boarded up and warning signage is posted.

3. Cleanup Fire Damage

The next step is to call professional fire restoration specialists. Items not obviously damaged in the fire might have incurred smoke damage. Walls and carpets can have a gray or black tint from soot damage, and they could be harboring invisible contaminants as well. At a minimum, they will have a smell that needs professional smoke cleaning. A competent restoration company will leave your property looking “Like it never even happened."
No owners want to deal with a fire in their business. However, the cleanup process doesn’t have to be especially complicated. The first step is to contact your insurance company and then secure the premises to prevent further damage. A fire restoration company will walk you through the process to remove all smoke damage and get your facility back up and running quickly.

How to Determine the Number of Smoke Alarms You Need

5/15/2019 (Permalink)

A fire alarm should be present in every home

Ask the Following Questions to Determine How Many Smoke Alarms You Need

A fire alarm should be present in every home, but one usually isn’t enough. If you are wondering how many smoke alarms you need in your home, then there are a few other questions that need to be answered first. The number of alarms required for your Belton, MO home depends on multiple factors. Ask yourself the following questions to determine exactly what you need.

1. How Many Floors Is Your Home?

While you will likely need more, the minimum number of alarms you should have is one per floor. If you live in a single-story home, then you should have at least one fire alarm. If your home has two floors, you will need at least two. A good place for this alarm is in the kitchen as this is where many fires start.

2. How Many Bedrooms Are There?

This is where the additional alarms come in. Because fire damage can spread quickly, there should be an alarm in each bedroom to alert everyone in case a fire starts during the night. You should also have one outside of every sleeping area. Having detectors here will make it more likely that you are able to make it out of the house in time.

3. Do You Have a Basement or Attic?

When you are determining the needs of your home, don’t forget about the areas outside of the main floors. Your attic and basement are just as vulnerable as the rest of the house and should each have a fire alarm as well.

While you may be able to stop a small fire on your own if you are alerted quickly enough, sometimes this may not be the case. If it is too large or spreading quickly, you should get out of the house immediately. A fire remediation service can take care of any fire and smoke damage after the danger has passed.

4 Important Steps you should Take to Reduce Space Heater Fires

4/25/2019 (Permalink)

Avoid Fire Damage from your Space Heater.

Space heaters can be very convenient, especially if you have one room in your home that never seems to get enough heat from your central HVAC system.  Whether you use a space heater regularly or you only pull it out on the coldest winter days, here are four important steps you should always take to prevent fire damage from a burned space heater.

4 Important Steps to prevent Fire Damage

  1. Clean It Thorouyghly

Before you use your space heater for the first time, make sure you clean all visible surfaces thoroughly.  Dust and other small particles tend to build up on the heater's surface and could potentially cause the unit to overheat or catch fire if not removed regularly.

  1. Leave Plenty of Empty Space Around your Heater.

Never put your heater up against a blanket, piece of furniture or any other item.  If you do, you're likely to have a burned space heater before long. Space heaters should always have at least three feet of empty space around them, free from furniture, carpets and other items.

  1. Keep Heater Away from Kids

Don't operate a space heater in an area where kids frequently play.  To reduce the risk of fire if a child does accidentally knock over the heater, make sure you purchase one that has an emergency shut-off mechanism.  You should also keep pets away from heaters whenever possible.

  1. Never Leave a Heater Unattended

Never leave a space heater unattended.  If you plan to leave the room for a few minutes or a few hours, turn space heater off beforehand.  You can easily turn it back on when you return.

Following the preventative steps will minimize your chances of fire damage while warming your home.  If you experience a burned space heater or fire damage even after taking these preventative steps, a fire damage restoration professional can help with your smoke cleanup and restoration needs. Just call SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore at (816) 884-2240

Need Smoke and Soot Cleanup

4/18/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Damage at a local residential 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 insect and accurately asses the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Smoke and Soot Facts:

  • Hot smoke migrates to cooler ares and upper levels of a structure.
  • Smoke flows around around plumbing systems, seeping through 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 tow types of smoke-wet and dry.  As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire.  Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred.  The cleaning procedures will them be based on the information identified during pretesting.

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 that from the 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 at (816) 884-2240.  24-Hour Emergency Service

Smoke and Soot Clean-up

4/10/2019 (Permalink)

Dry and wet smoke on this portable heater.

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 Harrisonville/Belton/Raymore 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 – (816) 884-2440

How Often Do the Batteries in Your Fire Alarm Need To Be Changed?

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

Don’t wait until you start to hear chirping from your smoke alarm to change your batteries!

While you might take your smoke alarm for granted, it can be the difference between life and death if a fire does occur in your home. In fact, 60 percent of fire deaths occur in buildings without working smoke alarms. The truth of the matter is that a fire in your home in Harrisonville, MO, is possible and needs to be taken as a serious risk. Be proactive in ensuring your family’s safety by making sure you change your fire alarm’s batteries on time!

Types of Fire Alarms

The type of smoke detector in your home will determine how and when batteries need to be replaced. There are three main types of alarms to be aware of:

  • Alkaline battery alarm
  • Lithium battery alarm
  • Wired smoke alarm

Alkaline Battery Alarms

Many fire alarms are powered by 9-volt alkaline batteries, or even AA batteries. Rather than waiting for the battery to run out, replace alkaline batteries yearly. You will need to replace the entire detector every 10 years. This will ensure your alarm will be loud enough to warn you if a fire does occur in your home.

Lithium Battery Alarms

Lithium batteries last longer than alkaline batteries; however, you cannot simply replace the battery when the time comes. Rather, you will need to replace the entire detector after ten years. Make sure to keep up on this battery type since they give a shorter warning time before dying than other alarm types.

Wired Smoke Alarms

Many people opt for wired smoke alarms since they are reliable and reduce fire damage caused by accidental shocks. You definitely don’t want to have to call in a fire restoration specialist because a fire started while changing out an old smoke detector! For these types of alarms, replace the backup battery yearly and the entire alarm every 10 years.

Don’t wait until you start to hear chirping from your smoke alarm to change your batteries! Keep your home and family safe by following the recommendations in this guide.