Recent Fire Damage Posts
When is it time to change smoke alarm batteries?
9/6/2024 (Permalink)
Test the smoke alarm after changing the batteries to ensure it works properly!
To ensure your smoke alarm is up to date and functions properly, it’s advised to replace the batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember when to switch is when the clocks change during daylight savings time and daylight standard time, or during Spring and Fall.
How to switch smoke alarm batteries:
- Gently twist or remove the detector from the base that its attached to by turning counter clockwise, and open the cover
- Take the old battery out – contact your local environmental agency or department of health for updated regulations about disposal methods
- Replace with a brand-new battery (most detectors use 9V batteries)
- Reattach the detector to its base by turning clockwise
This may be a good time to test that the smoke alarm works! Majority of smoke alarms have a “Test” or “Push” button to test it its sound.
- If yours doesn’t have the test button capability, you can test it by lighting two matches and holding them under the alarm
- If yours doesn’t work, replace the device!
The earlier a fire is detected, the less overall damage it may have on your property. Smoke alarms save lives! Remember to switch and test yours twice a year.
SERVPRO of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois is equipped to make smoke and fire damage “like it never even happened”! Trust us to make your house home again after suffering a fire damage.
Deodorization after Fire Damage in your Newburgh Home
8/21/2023 (Permalink)
Smoke and soot can cause significant damage to your home or business during a fire. Even after the flames are extinguished, the residue left behind requires thorough cleanup. Along with structural damage, one of the biggest challenges is the lingering odor. Proper deodorization is essential to restore a fresh and clean environment after a fire.
Understanding Smoke and Soot Damage:
Smoke Residue: Smoke contains tiny particles and gases that can penetrate porous materials, staining surfaces and leaving behind a pungent odor. Different types of smoke, such as wet or dry smoke, require specific cleaning methods.
Soot Residue: Soot is the black, powdery substance that results from incomplete combustion during a fire. It can cover walls, ceilings, furniture, and other surfaces, leaving behind a stubborn residue that requires specialized cleaning techniques.
Deodorization Techniques:
Air Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters are used to remove smoke particles and odor molecules from the air. These filters are capable of capturing even the smallest particles, helping to improve air quality and reduce unpleasant smells.
Thermal Fogging: Thermal fogging is an effective deodorization method that involves using a thermal fogger to release a heated deodorizing solution. This fog penetrates hard-to-reach areas, neutralizing and eliminating odors.
Ozone Treatment: Ozone generators release ozone molecules that chemically react with odor-causing compounds, neutralizing them. This technique is effective in eliminating strong and persistent odors. However, it may require evacuating the premises during the treatment process.
Surface Cleaning: Thoroughly cleaning surfaces is crucial to remove smoke and soot residue that can contribute to lingering odors. Professional cleaning products and techniques are used to safely clean and deodorize affected areas.
WHy use a professional, like SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties?
It is highly recommended to consult with a professional fire damage restoration company for smoke and soot cleanup. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment to properly assess the extent of the damage and determine the most effective deodorization methods.
Smoke and soot damage go beyond structural concerns after a fire. The lingering odor can be very challenging to remove without proper deodorization techniques. Call us today to help with your deodorization needs in your residential or commercial space.
Fire Damage Cleanup in Newburgh Home
8/21/2022 (Permalink)
Newburgh Home Damaged in Fire
A fire can be devastating, but SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties is here to help. Our experts are trained to handle all kinds of properties, including residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. A recent customer left a pot on the stove that boiled over and created a fire in the home. We handled the clean-up after fire damage recoveries.
Fire and smoke damage is one of the most devastating disasters in a home or business, but SERVPRO's team can help get you back on track.
From immediate emergency fire and smoke damage cleaning services to property reconstruction, we are with you every step of the way. Call us at 812-706-2100 for 24/7 emergency services.
Our trained professionals will respond quickly (24/7) to assess your property damage after a blaze has been extinguished, removing smoke odor and soot from interior walls and floors while also protecting against further water damage to carpets, furniture, and other belongings after a fire emergency.
Reduce Fire Risk in your Newburgh Home
4/7/2022 (Permalink)
Keep your home safe with these tips!
The risk of a fire is scary, but there are several ways to keep your home safe. Preventing a fire is not foolproof and always successful but you can help lower the risk. Fires can create minor damages or huge ones, here are a few lifestyle changes to help prevent them both.
Lightning Rods are made to attract lightning to a contained, grounded metal avenue and prevent fires. Make sure your lightning rod(s)is in good condition and, if you do not have one installed, consider a professional to help install it on your property. Trees can also act as a lightning rod, but be careful that they are pruned and taken care of so they do not extend to your home and create bigger damage if it does catch fire.
Lights Off is another way to keep the risk of an electrical fire low. Sometimes light bulbs can create a spark or catch fire during a power surge, or burn out. Try to use LED lightning when you can, and even flip the lights off when you do not need them.
Avoid Candles is one of the biggest ways to keep fires at bay from your Newburgh home. Candles create a huge risk because they are often forgotten. Never leave a candle lit in a room you are not in, or if you are leaving your home. Better than anything keep candles out of your home and use other forms to keep your home smelling good.
SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties are here to help with fire damage, but use these tips to keep your home fire and smoke-free this spring.
Odor Damage after a Fire Damage in your Newburgh Home
4/7/2022 (Permalink)
Odor damage in your home.
Odor lingering after a fire?
There are several reasons for lingering odors after you have fire damage. The fire damage professionals at SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties are here to help educate you on why you could be having bad smells throughout your house after the fire is put out at your home. Here are a few:
- Type of Fire - The type of fire is determined by the heat and spread. Dry smoke will move fast throughout a home and destroy more structural pieces. Whereas, wet smoke is slower and smolders. Both of these types can produce different smoke types, but wet is the worst when it comes to odor.
- Material Affected - What materials burn or char throughout the property can also impact the lingering odors present in the building, which can get determined by tracking the migration of fire loss effects throughout the structure.
- Time of Exposure - A big factor is the amount of time these smoke odors sit in your home and on your contents and even structure. The conditions that exist in the property can amplify their spread and severity. The longer your home is exposed, the worse the odor becomes.
Newburgh I Jasper: How to Keep Fire Damages from your Commercial Property
2/15/2022 (Permalink)
SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties is here to help with fire damage clean-up.
Fire Damages in Commercial Property
Businesses and commercial property have several reasons why they need to stay up-to-date on ways to help prevent fire damages. When it comes to employees and customers, you want to prevent emergencies and keep them safe. There are several ways to implement regulations in your commercial business so your employees and customers are safe:
- Make sure flammable items are kept in according to guidelines
- Always keep regular maintenance on your commercial property
- Keep extension cords clean, and throw away frayed extension cord
In addition, to following these tips, consider an Emergency Readiness Profile (ERP) for your business. An ERP is a free profile that along with you or your business manager will put together a list of emergency contacts, photos, and other information necessary.
Keep all of these in mind to keep your business safe. For more information on Emergency Readiness Profiles, visit our blog.
Emergency Ready Profiles: Why are they important?
2/14/2022 (Permalink)
Call us today to see how you can get an ERP for your business.
Do you have a plan if your commercial property catches on fire?
In many cases, the person on duty when an emergency strikes do not have all the information they need necessary to properly stop a disaster in its tracks. When an emergency occurs you always need a plan and a list to aid in implementing the plan. We have just what you need to make those important pieces happen in case of an emergency.
There's never a great time for water or fire damage to happen to your home or business. Emergency Ready Profiles (ERP) are here to help.
ERP's can be in a paper or app file. One of our team members, typically a marketing representative, will come to you to get all the information. They will comprise photos, water shut-off information, contacts, and surrounding emergency numbers into one place.
They will walk you through how to access the information and who needs access to this in case of an emergency.
Schedule an Emergency Ready Profile today for your Commercial properties.
Winter Fires Spreading- Keep your Newburgh Home Safe
12/20/2021 (Permalink)
If you have fire damages, call our office to see how we can help!
Fire Safety Plans
Does your family have a plan?
In a matter of seconds, a small flame can become a dangerous fire. The best way to plan for what can be a disaster is to create an escape plan for your family. After creating the plan, it is best to implement this by practicing twice a year. Other ways to better your chance of surviving a fire is by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing the escape plan. The following are a few steps to help you develop an emergency escape plan:
- Get a drawing of the inside of your home, including if you have levels in your home. Find a variety of ways to get out of a certain room, and make sure those windows or doors could easily be opened.
- Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Store them near the window where they will be used.
- Pick an outside meeting place. Make sure the entire family knows the plan. Make sure the meeting place cannot be easily moved. Make sure to mark the meeting location on your escape plan. Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.
If you need more information on fire escape plans, check out the Red Cross website.
Newburgh Fire Damage Clean-up
8/20/2021 (Permalink)
Lightning Strike Fire Damage
A few weeks ago a Newburgh home was the target during a storm for a lightning strike. The strike hit the basement light fixture and caught flame immediately. The fire began while the family was upstairs when one member went downstairs and saw the flames.
The structure of the home was damaged from the basement ceiling all the way up to the second floor. The smoke coated every inch of the home especially the basement and second floor.
Our team has handled these types of jobs for years and knows how to help customers during these times of need. The best way to efficiently work this job was to cover everything from mitigation (from the water to put out the fire) to the smoke remediation, to the reconstruction. Our team helped put this family's home back together "Like it never even happened."
Our reconstruction consulted on this job because our team was taking care of the reconstruction as well. When damages of this nature occur you want a team that is compassionate, efficient, and trustworthy with such in-depth damage.
Fire Damage Safety
4/10/2021 (Permalink)
Follow These Fire Safety Tips
Residents of Newburgh, Jasper, Santa Claus, and surrounding local areas: when it comes to fire safety there are a few precautions to help protect against fire damage. Here are a few tips to think of to protect against fire damage:
- Do not leave the stove area unattended while cooking or with the stove on.
- Watch what you wear-- long sleeves that drape or other free-flowing clothes can catch on fire.
- Do not have dish clothes or fabric over the cooking area, like dish towels.
- Do not keep grease on the stove where it can get hot, and do not hot grease down in the trash or down the sink. This can cause damages and damage to your pipes in the long-run.
Call us when fire damages occur, but keep your home safe with these tips.
Fire Damage --Smoke and Soot Damage
4/9/2021 (Permalink)
The Different Types of Smoke Damage
Residents of Newburgh, Jasper, Santa Claus, and surrounding local areas: when smoke or soot damage occurs there can be a variety of types. The difference between the smoke types depends on how to clean it efficiently and correctly. Here are the different types of smoke damage for your home:
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.
If you have fire damages in your home, call the professionals to help. Call SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties to help.
Fire Extinguisher Safety
2/15/2021 (Permalink)
P.A.S.S.
Fire damages can be extremely dangerous. The best way to combat a fire damage that is controlled is through a home fire extinguisher. It should be part of your safety kit in your home to have a fire extinguisher.
Using an Extinguisher Correctly
Using a fire extinguisher is simple, but it is important to do it correctly. The best way to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher correctly is through, P.A.S.S.:
- Pull the pin
- Aim at the fire's base
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep at the base until it is gone
If a fire is out of control, it is best to call your local fire department for safety concerns. Do not tackle a fire on your own that is not controlled or extinguished immediately by a fire extinguisher.
Fire Damages in Basement
2/15/2021 (Permalink)
In this home basement, the home had a fireplace that had not been adequately cleaned.
The smoke and soot buildup caused a fire. The basement walls were covered in smoke and soot. The fire place itself even had severe smoke damage. When the fire was put out they knew they needed professionals for cleaning.
We did our ice blasting technique on the fire place of the basement. It blasts the smoke and soot of places that cannot be cleaned with standard products and cleaning methods.
When we were finished with this basement, it was ready to be introduced to our reconstruction team for all the outback. The owner was thrilled with the outcome of the basement. She got to choose some upgrades, and she got to replace the fire hazards hiding out.
Here to Help with Fire Damage
12/22/2020 (Permalink)
During the holiday season, fires can happen more frequently than usual. Everyone is cooking, and busy and things can get overlooked. There are a few ways to help prevent these kinds of accidents and emergencies.
SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties is bringing you tips on how to keep the household cooking fires at bay during this holiday season:
- Pat down poultry.
- Don't wear billowy clothing.
- Don't put out a grease fire with water.
- Close the oven door if your oven catches on fire.
- Always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
- Use baking powder.
We hope you don't have any fires occur this cooking season, but remember, SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer, and Dubois Counties is here to help if you have fire or smoke damage.
Fire Damage --Try Dry Ice Blasting
8/21/2020 (Permalink)
What is Dry Ice Blasting?
Dry ice blasting is a type of blasting method that uses dry ice pellets (CO2 in solid form) as the blasting material that cleans off the char and smoke debris. The process is environmentally friendly and provides a fast and effective alternative to traditional methods of cleaning.
Typically, the technician puts on PPE before performing this task depending on the severity of the smoke and char. The ice blast can create a dirty environment once it is blasted off the wall or smoke damaged items.
Why Dry Ice Blasting?
Dry Ice Blasting has become the preferred method to remove smoke soot, vaporized synthetic resins, and char. Dry ice blasting can reduce or eliminate the musty burnt smell that results from fire and smoke damages in a home.
There is typical fire cleaning, but sometimes fire damages create a thick char and smoke damage that creates a need for a different type of cleaning.
The process can take several days or weeks to complete depending on the severity of the damages. It takes a trained technician to complete this process. We have several technicians who are trained in dry ice blasting. They know exactly what Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to wear, where to start in the home, the most effective techniques and more.
When you have a fire damage, the last problem you want to have is worrying about how it is going to be cleaned. You have so many other details to be concerned about --let us handle the mess. Call SERVPRO® of Warrick, Spencer and Dubois Counties for help.
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