Home Emergency Tips

Here at SERVPRO we clean and restore fire and water damage, but our desire is that you never need to call us.

Harmful Waste (Sewage, Bloodborne Pathogens, Etc.)

Here are some home emergency tips:

Do:

-Stay out of affected areas

-Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life threatening.

-Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated

-Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

Don’t:

-Attempt cleanup of any kind

-Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

-Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

*If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post- exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.

Home Maintenance Checklist

There are tons of ways that you can keep your clean and safe and your SERVPRO team is here to give you tips on how to do so!

Weekly, you can:

1. Vacuum your carpet. (Rule of thumb: vacuum once per week per human inhabitant, twice per pet).
2. Feel plugs/ outlets for warmth. Call electrician if anything appears unusual.

Monthly, you can:

1. Change air filters (if there are no pets, smoking inside the home, or inhabitants with allergies, you may change them quarterly at a MINIMUM).
2. Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms by pushing ‘test’ button.
3. Check faucet and hose connections under sinks and toilets and behind laundry equipment and refrigerator.
4. Look for leaks at shut-off valves.
5. Check walls and ceilings for brown spots. Check painted surfaces for peeling, chipping or blistering. This can be indicative of water damage.
6. Clean dust from molding and baseboards to preserve value.

Quarterly, you can:

1. Check inside basement walls for dampness or water stains.
2. Check to make sure crawl space vapor barrier is in good condition and placed correctly.
3. Examine outside vents and gutters. Make sure properly sealed and clear of obstruction. Recheck vents during and after a snowstorm.
4. Check condition of caulking around sinks, bathtubs, and showers. For extra protection, replace with long-lasting material such as silicone or latex.
5. Clean dirt and dust from around furnaces, air grills and ducts.
6. Have dryer vent cleaned by professional or remove lent with leaf blower to prevent clogging or fire damage. Check vent if clothes aren’t drying properly.

Bi-Annually, you can:

1. Have carpet cleaned by professional cleaner to preserve fabric or warranty.
2. Practice fire escape plan with family. Identify off-site meeting location/shelter.
3. Pull back floor insulation in basement or crawl space to check for leaks, wood damage around supply pipes.

Annually, you can:

1. Change batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Clean detectors/vacuum each grill.
2. Have property inspected and treated for termites by professional technician.
3. Check roof for damaged shingles and flashing.
4. Replace washer/dryer and refrigerator hoses (steel braided hoses are recommended).
5. Have AC unit serviced by professional technician. Condensation drain lines need to be checked for clogging to prevent water damage.
6. Have fireplace inspected and cleaned by professional chimney sweeper.
7. Drain garden hoses and store for winter.

Long Term Reminders:

1. Every 5 years, have ducts cleaned by professional technician.
2. Every 25 years, replace roof shingles.

More general safety tips include:

•  Store emergency contact information (police, fire dept., hospital, etc.) in physical and digital locations. Free apps are available as a resource (see servpro.com/ready).
• Keep rescue ladder(s) for multi-story homes.
• Keep fire extinguisher in kitchen and on every floor. Have all house dwellers practice use.
• Plug a rechargeable flashlight into socket close to bed. May also be used to signal first responders.
• Trim back branches from roof and chimney to prevent fire or structural damage.
• Regularly clean fireplace ash pit.
• Never burn green wood. Burn only dry, well-seasoned hard wood that has been split properly.
• Use dryer sheets when drying clothes to reduce spontaneous combustion. Let clothes cool off before transferring.
• If a rotten-egg type smell is detected, check pipes for possible gas leak.
• Set water heaters no higher than 120 degrees. Keep combustible and flammable material away from heater.
• Consider a sprinkler system in home to prevent fire damage.
• Never plug more than one high wattage appliance in single outlet.
• Keep carpet stretched and healthy to prevent tripping on wrinkles. If wrinkled, check for delamination by pulling carpet back from corner of room. Delaminated carpet is not repairable and must be replaced.

In case of water damage, you should know what to do and what not to do until help arrives. SERVPRO’s got your back. Here are our tips:

DO:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• When access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock, turn off circuit breakers in wet areas of the building.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items.
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushion for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
• Any painting, art object, computers, document and other material that are valuable or sensitive to moisture should be relocated to a safe, dry place.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather good to dry separately at room temperature.

DON’T:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Enter rooms where ceiling is sagging from retained water.

Educating Kids About Fire

Photo Credit: http://servprograndjunction.blogspot.com/

Have you educated your kids about fire safety? Do you know how to talk about fire safety with your kids? Here are a few tips.

-Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.

-Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters.

-Develop a home fire escape plan. Practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.

-Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time.

-Take the mystery out of fire by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.

-Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY!

-Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.

-Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out in the case of fire.

-Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help.

FACT.

Even a small fire can cause odors in your home for years to come. 

Any fire in your home is bad. But when you try to clean it up yourself, it can be a disaster. Especially considering that smoke and soot from even a small fire can cause odors that may resurface for years. So, before you risk doing more damage by attempting to clean it up yourself, call us, your local fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration experts at SERVPRO.

Photo Credit: http://nocleaning.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/32047941.jpg

The Facts on Wildfires and What You Can Do

From coast to coast, wildfires across the country have been making national news. Thousands of acres, homes and businesses have suffered and even faced destruction in lights of these flames.

Southern California isn’t the only area of the country that faces this threat. In 2008, 29 states had more than 10,000 acres scorched by wildfires, as a total of 5.2 million acres burned across the country. In fact, South Carolina ranked number 8 in the nation for number of wildfires in 2008. Though thousands of wildfires are started every year by natural causes—lightning strikes for example—many more are man-made disasters. Returning to the 2008 statistics, 8.856 fires were attributed to lightning strikes, while humans caused 70,093 fires.* Man-made wildfires can be more dangerous than natural fires, because they tend to occur in more populated areas.

Through we may never be able to eliminate wildfires, there are steps we can take to help lessen the danger of damage to our homes and businesses. As a National Preparedness Coalition member, your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional encourages you to follow these safety tips, courtesy of FEMA.

• Always build fires away from nearby trees or shrubs.
• Create a 30-foot safety zone around the house or business, clearing all flammable and combustible objects.
• Remove debris from under decks and inside gutters.
• Prune branches and shrubs within 15 feet of chimneys and stove pipes.
• Replace highly flammable vegetation such as pine, eucalyptus, junipers and fir trees with lower growing, less flammable species. Check with your local garden store or fire department for suggestions.
• Use fire-resistant siding.

*Statistics provided by the National Interagency Fire Center.

Tornado Tips

With the crazy weather that has hit Oklahoma last week and with a small (EF1) tornado that touched down in Orangeburg county, we felt that it was time to do a refresher course on Tornado tips. 

15. Beware of fire hazards.

Never strike a match until you're sure you haven't had a gas leak. Anything that holds gas can rupture and be vulnerable to explosions if you see (or smell) leakage after a storm. If you think there might be a gas leak, open all doors and get out of the house. Also watch out for severed electrical wires, which can spark debris piles. Check appliances to see if they are emitting smoke or sparks.

14. What to do when the storm has passed.

Treat injuries with your first-aid kit, but don't attempt to move anyone who is severely injured. Use the phone only for emergencies, such as calling for an ambulance. Then, listen to the radio for emergency information. If the building you are in is damaged, beware of broken glass and downed power lines as you evacuate. Check on neighbors who might need assistance, but otherwise stay out of the way so that emergency crews can do their work.

13. What if you're outdoors?

Finding a building is your best bet, but if there's no time, follow the same instructions in the next step.

12. What if you're in a vehicle?

Never try to outrun a tornado. Get out of your vehicle and try to get inside a building. If there isn't time, lie down flat in a ditch or any low-lying area away from the vehicle. (Hiding below an underpass isn't safe because you're still exposed to flying debris.) Use your hands and arms to protect your head.

11. What if you're in a public building?

The first choice is always a basement or lower level. If that isn't an option, avoid wide-open spaces such as cafeterias or auditoriums -- there's just not enough physical support for you there. Look for an inside hallway, or a small closet or bathroom (with no windows).

10. Mobile home residents need to take extra precautions.

If you live in a mobile home, never try to ride out a severe thunderstorm at home; go to a prearranged shelter. As a last resort, go outside and lie flat on the ground using your hands and arms to protect your head. It might be hard to believe that you're safer outside, but since your mobile home isn't built into the ground, it can be picked up and turned into an airborne missile.

9. Get in position

Once you're in your shelter, find a sturdy piece of furniture, such as a workbench or table, and stay under it. Curl into a ball on the floor, and lock your hands behind your head to protect it from flying debris. If you can't find a table to get under, crouch under a door frame because the beams will offer some protection.

8. Don't bother opening windows.

It's true that air pressure equalizes when there's an opening in the building, but the American Red Cross says that it's far more important to get to safety than to open windows. If there's flying debris, the windows will most likely break on their own.

7. Stay away from windows.

At 320 miles per hour, shards of glass can be deadly. You can eliminate this risk if you make sure your shelter area is free of windows. If this isn't possible, protect yourself with a heavy blanket.

6. Know the difference between a "watch" and a "warning."

There's a big difference in the danger level between the two terms used during stormy weather. A watch simply means that conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. Be alert, but you don't need to take shelter. If there's a warning, a tornado has been spotted. When a warning is posted for your area, take shelter immediately.

5. Know how your community sends its warnings.

If it's a siren, stay inside and take cover. Know where the designated shelters are in the buildings where you and your family spend time.

4. Make an inventory of your possessions.

For insurance purposes, videotape or photograph everything you would need to replace in case you lose it all. When you're sure that you've included everything, keep the inventory somewhere away from the premises, such as a safe-deposit box.

3. Prepare an emergency supply kit.

Experts recommend that each person (and pet) has supplies for at least three days, including bottled water (two quarts per person, per day), nonperishable food, and a first-aid kit that includes prescription items as well as aspirin and antacids. Make sure you have tools such as a can opener, utility knife, wrench (for turning power valves), whistle, battery-powered radio, several flashlights, and batteries. Each person will need blankets, clothing, rain gear, and heavy-soled shoes or boots. Lastly, stash away some cash and a copy of credit cards, passports, social security cards, phone numbers, and insurance information. Once a year, check your supplies and determine if family needs have changed.

2. Conduct tornado safety drills with your family.

Make learning quick and fun, and children will remember the basics of what to do, especially if you go through the motions several times. Just as most kids know what to do if their clothes are on fire, the same drill could be applied for tornado safety -- instead of "Stop, drop, and roll" try "Run, duck, and cover!”

1.Determine the best locations for shelter at home and work.

The safest location is always a basement, below the deadly wind and projectile objects. If you can't go underground, find a small interior room or hallway on the lowest level of the building.

-Denea Duran 

Educating Kids about Fire

Have you educated your kids about fire safety? Do you know how to talk about fire safety with your kids? 

Here are a few tips:

-Keep matches and lighters in a secured drawer or cabinet.

-Have your children tell you when they find matches and lighters.

-Develop a home fire escape plan. Practice it with your children and designate a meeting place outside.

-Supervise young children closely. Do not leave them alone even for short periods of time.

-Take the mystery out of fire by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.

-Teach children the nature of fire. It is FAST, HOT, DARK and DEADLY!

-Demonstrate how to stop, drop to the ground and roll if their clothes catch fire.

-Show children how to crawl low on the floor, below the smoke, to get out of the house and stay out in the case of fire.

-Teach children not to hide from firefighters, but to get out quickly and call for help. 

-Denea Duran

Smoke 101

Fire damages are complex due to the unique nature of different types of smoke. Some things you may not know about smoke.

-Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.

-Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.

-They type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

-Once at a fire scene, a SERVPRO Professional tests the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred.

Types of Smoke:

Wet Smoke Residues: result from smoldering fires with low heat. Residues are sticky and smeary with a pungent odor. Smoke webs can be difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke Residues: result from fast burning fires at high temperatures. Residues are normally dry, powdery, small, nonsmeary smoke particles.

Protein Residues: are virtually invisible residues that discolor paints and varnishes. They have an extreme pungent odor.

Fuel Oil Soot:  occur when furnances puff back, distributing fuel oil soot.

Other Types of Residue: include tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residues, all requiring cleanup. 

For more information: http://www.servprolexingtonsc.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration

-Denea Duran

Photo Credit: Google Image

What we can do for YOU

So you know that SERVPRO does “fire and water cleanup and restoration,” but do you know what that entails? Don’t miss out on all that we can do for you.

Restoration:

-Fire, Smoke and Soot

-Water Removal and Dehumidication

-Mold Mitigation and Remediation

-Catastrophic Storm Response

-Move out sand Contents Restoration     

-Electronics and Equipment

-Document Drying

-Contents Claim Inventory Service

Cleaning:

-Air Ducts and HVAC

-Biohazzard, Crime Scene and Vandalism

-Carpet, Upholstery, Drapes and Blinds

-Ceilings, Walls and Hard Floors

-Odor Identification

-Deodorization

We’re here to serve you and make it like it never even happened.

Give us a call: (803)755-9774

For more information: http://www.servprolexingtonsc.com/

-Denea Duran 

Carpets to Catastrophes

Do you want to know what exactly we do?

• Fire, Smoke and Soot Cleanup and Restoration
• Water Removal and Dehumidification
• Crime Scene, Biohazard and Vandalism Cleanup
• Mold Migiation and Remediation
• Contents Claim, Inventory Service
• Air Ducts and HVAC Cleaning
• Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaning and Care
• Stain Removal, Stain Resistance Applications
• Odor Identification and Deodorization
• Upholstery and Drapes: Wet or Dry Cleaning Methods

-Over 40 years of experience as a leading fire and water cleanup and restoration provider.
-A SERVPRO Franchise is nearby- more than 1,500 Franchise nationwide.
-More locations for faster responses. A uniformed technician will arrive on-site usually within four hours of notification.
-Quick response time to help ensure the damage is contained and the restoration process begins promptly.
-Large loss capabilities- no fire or water damage is too big.


-Denea Duran

Fire Damage Tips

“When fire and water take control of your life we help you take it back”



Many times when a tragedy strikes our first state is shock. Your first responsibility as a home owner is to contact SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia & Lexington. (803)755-9774.

SERVPRO Professionals understand your home is more than four walls. Your home includes your memories and personal belongings. Our SERVPRO response team is trained in caring for both you and your home.

Do:

*Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring.

*Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery.

*Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.

*Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

Do Not:

*Wash any walls or painted surfaces.

*Shampoo carpet or upholstery.

*Clean any electrical equipment.

*Send clothing to dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Photo Credit: google.com

-Denea Duran

The Big 3.

When it comes to fire, smoke, and soot restoration... we've got some all star services. I like to call them The Big 3.

1. Structural Cleaning -- After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. Your experienced local SERVPRO Professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, and then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found in your structure. Depending on the amount of soot, we may even be able to reduce the cost of recovery by cleaning lighter soot deposits found on some surfaces, eliminating the expense incurred with repainting or refinishing. In other cases, we will clean to "prepare for painting." This process deodorizes and ensures the new paint will adhere properly to the surface.

2. Contents Cleaning -- All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be profesionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery. We begin by carefully inspecting and testing all fabrics in the structure to determine which cleaning methods are most appropriate. We can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to preloss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, bric-a-brac and much more. Finally, we can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items if requested.

3. Deodorization -- We provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage. We do not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance, rather we seek out the sources of the odor and remove them. Ask us to explain the various deodorization methods available and which will work best for you!

Sandy Hayden

The Right Stuff

Yesterday we talked about mold cleanup and the overwhelming importance of calling a professional. This is mainly because professional equipment does far more extensive cleanup than is possible with household products. We understand that our equipment makes a measurable difference in reducing claims loss expense. When time matters, the right technology and equipment are vital. So not only do we answer your call with fast action and trained, uniformed personnel, but also with the right equipment for the job!

When it comes to fire damage, we train our teams thorougly. For instance, knowing the different types of smoke and their behavior patterns are vital to proper restoration.

Wet Smoke -- Plastics and Synthetics; Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
Dry Smoke -- Paper and Wood; Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, nonsmeary residues.
Protein -- Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
Fuel Oil Soot -- Furnace Puff Backs
Other Types -- Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

Pretesting determines the proper cleaning method and allows us to focus on saving your precious items (what really matters).

Two amazing pieces of deodorization equipment include ultra low volume (ULV) foggers and thermal foggers. ULV foggers will atomize liquid deodorizing agents, producing a fine mist that easily penetrates sites where odor-causing residues accumulate. The device can also be used to apply fungicides and disinfectants. Thermal foggers dispense solvent-based products in large volume, dense fogs suitable for confined areas. The fog consists of tiny particles of deodorant solution that pair with and neutralize odor-causing particles.

We've got the right stuff.

Sandy Hayden

Home Emergency Tips: Part 1

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives

June is kicking off the SERVPRO West Columbia blog with Home Safety Month. According to the Citizen Corp website, "Some 20 million medical visits were required for treatment of home injuries last year." Simple steps can go a long way to minimize risk, so tune in for our 4-part Home Emergency Tips.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Do:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets.


• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.


• Blow or brush vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.


• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.


• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open.


• Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances with light coating of Vaseline or oil.


• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.


• Change HVAC filter.


• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Don't:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.


• Use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water (they may have been contaminated).


• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.


• Send garments to ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.