Cooking with Caution

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

“Cooking with Caution”

• Be on Alert. Do not cook if you are sleepy or have consumed any alcohol. This can potentially create dangerous situations. Do not use the stovetop or stove if you are under the influence.
• Be sure to stay in the kitchen while frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. Always turn off the stove if you have to leave the kitchen, no matter how quick you may be.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in your home while it is cooking, or use a timer so you do not forget about it.
• Be sure your kitchen is free of clutter and no loose items are near the stove. This reduces the chance of anything catching on fire.

If you have a small grease/ cooking fire and decide to fight the fire…

• On the stovetop, smother the flames by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• If the fire is inside the oven, shut the oven off and keep the door closed.

If you have any doubt about fighting a small fire…

• Just leave the house! When leaving be sure to close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
• Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number from outside the house.

Fire Damage Awareness

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Fire can cause more damage than meets the eye. Of course, the fire itself causes much of the damage to a home or business. Did you know that smoke can cause just as much damage too? Smoke and soot can permeate through walls, ceilings, upholstery, and air conditioning vents. Many of these spots are very hard to clean when not properly educated on the issues associated with fire damage.

Not only is there visible damage to the structure, but also damage that can be unnoticed. Structural damage can occur to support beams, weight-bearing walls, studs, etc. and these are places that you would not check unless you know how to properly restore a structure after this type of loss.

SERVPRO uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.

Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
 
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.

Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of King of Prussia anytime at (610) 337-3330 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.

Recognizing The 3 Different Types of Fires

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

Synthetic: A synthetic fire is caused by the burning of oil substances. These materials include plastics and fabrics. Some examples of these materials include furniture, draperies, electronics, and carpet fibers. When these products are burned thick-black smoke often appears. If a synthetic fire takes place in your home the best cleaning method would be to first vacuum the surface. Finish up the cleaning process with a dry-chem sponge.

Protein: A protein fire can be caused by the burning of meat products. These fires will often leave behind a yellowish-brown residue. Cleaning these fires can be very difficult due to their greasy nature. It is best that you use the proper cleaning chemical when dealing with these smoke residues.

Natural: A natural fire is caused by the burning of a wood or paper substance. These fires produce greyish-black smoke and are one of the easiest fires to clean. When cleaning these fires use a vacuum that has a bristled brush followed up by the use of a dry-chem sponge.

Now that you are aware of the different types of fires you may encounter and how to distinguish them. You will be able to apply the proper cleaning procedures stated above.

Top 4 Causes of House Fires

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Fire. It’s one of the scariest dangers for any homeowner, and while the number of house fires in the United States has steadily declined in recent years, these incidents still contribute to thousands of deaths and billions of dollars of damage each year.

While a fire alarm system can alert your family to danger and help you stop the problem before it gets out of hand, understanding what causes a house fire and knowing how to prevent these incidents is essential for protecting your home.

But what are the dangers you should be watching out for and what are the most common causes of house fires? Knowing these answers can help you protect your family and also save you from an insurance headache in the future. Below are the four most common causes of house fires and tips on ways you can help prevent them.

1. Electrical Fires

Electrical fires are one of the most common threats homeowners face. Whether the result of an overloaded electrical outlet or a malfunctioning appliance, electrical fires can start suddenly and cause a lot of damage. The best tips for avoiding an electrical fire are first, be smart with your home’s electricity use! It's best not to overload a circuit or leave your lights on overnight (especially halogen lights and other high-risk materials). Use power strips in areas where you might need to keep several appliances or devices plugged in continually like at a home office desk.

Another great tip for doubling the safety in your home is to conduct an annual inspection of the electrical system to help avoid house fires. Professional electricians can identify faulty wiring, damaged outlets, and other hazards and then provide the repairs to keep your system safe. In older homes, the wiring can often be on a single circuit, which can cause breakers to short often and heighten the risk of an electrical fire. A professional can check your property for this and fix it if needed.

2. Cooking Fires

Cooking fires rank as the number one cause of house fires in the United States, with the majority of incidents occurring when food is left unattended after cooking. Most commonly this happens when frying food, or any time when large quantities of grease are involved. Most of us are aware of proper kitchen and cooking safety, but sometimes we can be forgetful.

Your best bet to avoid a cooking fire is simply to keep an eye on your food at all times. Just like when you’re driving, don’t take your eyes off the road—well, the stove in this case. If a fire does occur, your key to fire safety is to cut off the fire’s oxygen and fuel supplies. There are three things that cause a fire to continue one is the heat, the second is fuel, and the third thing is the oxidizing agent (most often oxygen). Get rid of one of these sides of the triangle and you can kill the fire. The best tip to stopping a kitchen fire, or another fire on your property is to suffocate it by removing the oxidizing agent. Grease fires in kitchens should be covered with a lid over the pan, never use water to get rid of a grease fire-throwing water on a grease fire will actually make it worse. An oven fire can be handled simply by closing the oven door and turning the oven off.

Be smart and train others who live in your home or on your property to know how to respond the second a flame gets started. Taking the time to train and teach your family members is one of the best ways to avoid an insurance claim and protect your property, home and family.

3. Dryers

You may not think of your clothes dryer as a fire hazard, but this kind of equipment accounts for tens of thousands of house fires each year. The problem most frequently occurs when lint and dust are allowed to build up over time. This can cause the dryer vent to become clogged with highly flammable materials, which easily combust when exposed to high temperatures.

Your best tip for dryer safety is to clean the lint trap each time before you use the dryer and to inspect and clean the dryer vent area to remove lint buildup and other potential blockages. Regular cleaning can ultimately make all the difference in avoiding a house fire. If other people in your house do the laundry, make sure they know to clean out the lint trap each time also. This simple practice can cut down on one of the main causes of so many different house fires.

4. Candles

Candles may seem like the perfect fit for a romantic evening or a blessing in a moment of a blackout, but the minute you leave a lit candle in an unoccupied room you’re asking for trouble. We have two tips: always blow out a candle if you’re going to leave a room, and never place a lit candle in a spot near combustible items or where it could be tipped over.

Conclusion

It’s easy to assume you’re already practicing each of these safety tips in your home, but it’s easy to get lackadaisical and before long you might find yourself filing an insurance claim; something you never want to have to do. Take the time to sit down with your family and walk them through the risks and each of these tips. Teach them the proper steps to prevent a house fire and also the proper way to put out a fire in the home (remember, water isn’t always the answer). As you watch out for these common house fire hazards and take the necessary preventative steps, you can have peace of mind as you keep your family and property safe.

Causes of Dryer Fires

11/23/2021 (Permalink)

According to the US Fire Administration, nearly 2,900 residential fires are caused by dryers, and 34% of those fires are likely caused by a lint fire, meaning a failure to maintain or clean the appliance. Therefore, dryer fires can be prevented, and the best way to ensure your safety from these appliance disasters is to follow the three keys of ownership.

Proper installation
Routine cleaning
Inspection and maintenance

A dryer fire can occur because of poor installation. A professional installer will ensure that all electrical components are correctly connected and that all plugs and outlets are compatible. Also, while using a third-party installer is wise, you should also make sure you read all the manufacturer's warnings and instructions before use.

If you fail to clean your dryer regularly, then you are putting yourself and your family at risk of a lint fire. To prevent such an issue, you need to not only clear the lint filter but ensure that lint is removed from any other likely areas. For example, you can develop a lint buildup in the back of the dryer at the exhaust connection. Also, lint can build up in the vent pipe. For any difficult cleaning call on a professional.

Inspection and Maintenance

Most remediation companies and other appliance repair professionals in St Michael, MN recommend performing routine checks on dryers, typically every three to six months. These inspections should cover the cleaning, testing, and possibly replacing integral components.

If you are in the market for a new dryer or are concerned about the possibility of a dryer or lint fire, then follow the advice above. Dryer fires are often preventable fires. Therefore, ensure that they are correctly installed, cleaned regularly, and inspected every three to six months. Your home does not have to become a part of the statistics. Be an educated appliance owner.

Keep Your Office Safe By Knowing The Sounds of Fire Safety

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

Every year, Fire Prevention Week is given a theme it focuses on. This year’s theme is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety.” And it’s no surprise that the sounds of fire safety were chosen as this year’s theme. It is well documented that smoke alarms and carbon monoxide (CO) detectors can profoundly affect fire safety if we know what to listen for.

For example, the NFPA reports that working smoke alarms reduce the risk of death during a fire by over 50 percent. They also found that 41 percent of household fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarm and that 16 percent happened in homes with alarms that failed to activate.

And though smoke alarms have been instrumental in saving countless lives, there are still steps we can take to make them even more effective and keep our workplaces even safer.  Though mainly our company works closely with other businesses to meet their fire and life safety needs; we all have our own personal dwellings and families to protect as well.

Below we’ll discuss what you need to know about smoke alarms and CO alarms and some tips for keeping yourself and your coworkers safe.

Smoke Alarms

• If you hear a set of three loud beeps (BEEP BEEP BEEP), the alarm has detected smoke or fire in the building. Your next steps should be to get out of the building, call 9-1-1, and stay out.
• If you hear just one chirp from your smoke alarm every 30 or 60 seconds, this means its battery is low and needs to be replaced.
• If you replace the battery and your smoke alarm continues to chirp, this means the alarm itself is due for replacement. No matter what, all smoke alarms must be changed after 10 years.

CO Alarms

• If you hear four loud beeps (BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP), your CO alarm has detected carbon monoxide in your building. After you hear these beeps, leave your building, call 9-1-1, and stay outside.
• If your CO alarm chirps once every 30 or 60 seconds, the battery must be replaced.
• If your CO alarm continues chirping with a fresh battery in place, this means the alarm must be replaced.

Fire Safety Tips

• Because you don’t know who may be visiting your business or residence, it is best to make sure all of your smoke and CO alarms throughout the property work for those with physical and sensory disabilities.
• Install a low-frequency alarm for those with mild to severe hearing loss.
• Encourage everyone in your building to keep their glasses and phone on them at all times.
• Make sure all stairways and hallways are adequately lit and have a clear walking path so everyone can evacuate safely.

Make sure your coworkers know all of the above sounds and tips for fire safety, so everyone remains safe at your place of business.

Why you need Emergency Fire Protection Service Provider

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

When choosing a long-term fire protection company, it can be difficult to know what the right choice is for your facility. One thing to consider is whether the company offers emergency fire protection services. Partnering with a fire protection provider that offers 24-hour emergency service has many benefits.

1. Protect Your Assets, No Matter the Time of Day

If something goes wrong with your fire protection system, you will be able to call up your fire protection company to solve the problem, no matter the time of day! Emergencies can happen at any time, even in the middle of the night. If you have a pipe burst, you are not going to want to wait until morning to get it fixed and risk having water flood your building.

2. Unexpected Problems Happen

You can’t count on everything going smoothly all the time. Even if you are getting your fire protection systems inspected and tested on a regular basis, emergencies can still occur. If you have a pipe burst, alarm set off, leaking sprinklers, or a sprinkler freeze-up, you’ll want a fire protection service provider that can help address these issues. 

3. Familiarity with System and Facility

In an emergency, you’ll want the situation addressed as quickly and efficiently as possible. When your long-term fire protection provider is also the company you call for emergency service, they will already be familiar with your system and facility.

4. Service Even on Holidays

Your fire protection system does not wait until it’s a convenient time to start causing problems. If your system needs attention on a holiday, an emergency fire protection provider can address the issue. The holiday season often brings cold and snowy weather. It is during the winter when your fire sprinkler systems can freeze up. If your system freezes up, you’ll want it to get attention right away, even if it’s during the holidays! 

5. Peace of Mind with 24 Hour Support

When you choose to work with a fire protection contractor that offers 24-hour emergency service, you will have peace of mind knowing who you should call if something goes wrong with your fire protection system.

Types of Fire Detection

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

One of the most important components of fighting a fire is ensuring that the fire is detected early on. Early detection of fire allows building occupants to safely exit the building sooner and allows for a faster response from fire suppression systems. When it comes to fire detection, there are several detection methods that are available to choose from. The main three forms of fire detection include heat detection, smoke detection, and flame detection.

1. Heat Detection

Heat detectors are activated when a fire occurs and causes the temperature in the area to rise. Once the area reaches a certain temperature, the heat detectors are activated. Heat detectors usually have fewer false alarms, but they can take longer to identify a fire than other forms of detection. Heat detectors are best suited for areas that are not frequently occupied and in areas that are not well suited for smoke detection such as steamy, humid, or dusty environments.

2. Smoke Detection

Smoke detectors are activated when smoke is created by a fire. There are several types of smoke detectors that use different methods to detect smoke.

• • Ionization

Ionization detectors use radioactive material to create an electric current between two electrodes. When a fire creates smoke, the smoke disrupts the ionization and causes the alarm to go off. This type of smoke detection may result in false alarms as it can be triggered by things like humidity. These types of smoke detectors do a good job of detecting fast-burning fires.

• • Photoelectric

These alarms use a light beam to detect smoke. When smoke particles from fire cross through the beam, the detectors are activated. This type of detector is reliable and has few false alarms. Photoelectric detectors work well on small smoldering fires.

• • Combination

Combination detectors use the technology from both ionization and photoelectric detectors to identify both fast-burning and smoldering fires.

• • Aspirating Smoke Detectors

Aspirating smoke detection is a method of detecting a fire very early on. This type of detector samples and tests the particle levels in the air and is activated when the level of smoke particles rises above normal levels. This type of smoke detection is resistant to false alarms and works well around sensitive equipment as the fire can be detected before it can cause damage.

3. Flame Detection

Flame detectors are used to detect a fire when flames are present. This type of fire detection includes UV detectors and/or infrared detectors to identify a flame and trigger an alarm.

Fire Damage Often Leads to Water Damager Cleanup!

2/8/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Restoration Often Includes Water Damage Cleanup

Being prepared in case of a fire in your King of Prussia, PA business is key for the safety of everyone onsite as well as keeping damage to a minimum. After following proper fire protocols, the next step is fire cleanup. Along with that, water cleanup will likely be part of the process.

Extinguishing the Flames Leaves Water Behind

Although smoke cleanup and rummaging through burnt items is to be expected after a fire, many may forget the massive amounts of water required to extinguish the flames. Depending on the extent of the fire, it could result in more water clean up than expected. The main water damage concerns include:

Wood Damage – Floors, furniture, and other items made from wood quickly soak up water. As it retains the water, buckling and other damage can take root. Items severely damaged will likely need to be replaced.

Ceilings – Along with inspecting for any fire damage to the structure of the building, ceilings with water damage will need to be repaired immediately.

Drywall – The walls of a building often take the brunt of both fire and water issues. If they made it unscathed from the flames, there could still be hidden water issues. Any areas affected will need to be replaced to avoid further deterioration and mold growth.

Electrical – Water can find its way into electrical equipment and outlets without being detected. A close inspection of all electrical components should be conducted.

Count On Professional Help

Lingering water left unattended can cause big problems long after the fire has taken place. A water damage specialist has the expertise to properly dry, clean, and restore your business back to new. Along with repairing physical issues, they can also help with the restoration of items such as documents, furniture, paintings, and more.
While you might not be expecting water cleanup after a fire, it’s important to make sure water damage doesn’t go unchecked. Getting the right help can help get your business back to normal.

King of Prussia Soot and Smoke Clean-up

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow 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 King of Prussia 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.

Fire Protection in Retail Stores

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

In a retail business, providing excellent customer service is important to the success of your business. Excellent customer service includes helping them find the product they want, but it also means promoting their safety and wellbeing. One great way to improve the safety of your customers is to have a fire protection system installed in your retail facility.

Fire Protection Systems

Making sure your facility is equipped with the right fire protection system will improve safety and help protect your inventory during a fire.

• Fire Alarms – Fire alarms are very important in retail stores. If you have a large store, you must have a fire alarm system that will alert customers who are in all parts of the store that there is a fire. You may also want to consider fire alarm monitoring for your store in case a fire breaks out at night when no one is around. Fire alarm monitoring systems will alert the fire department that there is a fire at your facility, even if no one is around to call 911.
• Fire Sprinkler Systems – Fire sprinkler systems are important to protect the safety of the customers and prevent extensive damage to inventory. When heat from a fire activates a sprinkler system, it will release water onto the flames to prevent the fire from spreading.
• Fire Extinguishers – Fire extinguishers should be placed throughout the store, especially near flammable products. Depending on the materials present, you may need different types of fire extinguishers. In most cases, ABC fire extinguishers will be adequate because they put out fires from flammable liquids, electronic equipment, and burning paper or plastic. Make sure your staff is trained on how to use fire extinguishers, so they can use them if a small fire breaks out.

Inspections & Testing

Regular inspection and testing of your fire protection systems are necessary for a retail store. If your fire alarm or fire sprinkler systems are not working properly, it can have devastating consequences during a fire. Inspecting and testing your systems will also help your business comply with the fire code so you can avoid costly fines. Many fire protection companies will provide regular inspection and testing of your systems with minimal disruption to your business.

The Importance of Fire Extinguisher Inspections

11/6/2020 (Permalink)

While at work, school, or at home, you may not even notice the fire extinguishers that are placed throughout the building. Many people probably don’t think twice about fire extinguishers until there comes a time when they need to use one. Imagine how unfortunate it would be if a small fire breaks out in your home or at work, so you grab the fire extinguisher and attempt to use it, only to find out that it is broken. Having your fire extinguishers inspected regularly can help you avoid this scenario.

Inspections Keep your Extinguishers Working

Performing quick inspections of your extinguishers on a monthly and yearly basis can go a long way in keeping your extinguishers working. It may seem like a waste of your time, but fire extinguishers can help you prevent a small fire from growing into a large fire that causes a lot of expensive damage to your property. Over time, fire extinguishers can become damaged without you realizing it. Regular inspections are necessary to be sure that your extinguisher will work when a fire breaks out.

Inspections for Code Compliance

NFPA standards require that your fire extinguishers be inspected on a regular basis. To remain code compliant, you should hire a fire protection professional to perform brief visual inspections on a monthly basis and a more in-depth inspection on a yearly basis.

Monthly Extinguisher Inspections

A monthly inspection of your extinguisher is a visual inspection that makes sure your extinguisher is charged and ready to use. During a monthly inspection make sure that:

• The fire extinguisher is in the right place, well-marked, and easily accessible
• The pressure gauge is showing the fire extinguisher is fully charged
• The pin and tamper seal is intact
• The fire extinguisher is not visibly damaged or corroded
• Make sure nameplate and operating instructions are facing outward
• Check the service tag on the extinguisher and sign and date to record the inspection

Yearly Fire Extinguisher Inspections

Yearly fire extinguisher inspections are more in-depth inspections. On a yearly basis, fire extinguishers components must be checked to make sure they are working correctly. Yearly inspections include:

• Check the extinguisher for damage to the exterior
• Check the service date for six-year maintenance and hydro test.
• Making sure the agent is loose and not settle.
• Look at the pressure gauge to make sure it is charged and not leaking
• Make sure the pull pin on the extinguisher works
• Reseal the pull pin
• Clean the fire extinguisher

IICRC And Fire Damage

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

The IICRC explains why Fire Restoration is important after experiencing a fire in your home or business. When a home or business owner prolong the restoration of their home or business after a fire, they extend the effects brought on by the smoke and soot exposure. Professional restoration technicians know that damage increases and restoration costs escalate the longer neutralization, corrosion control and cleaning are delayed. The following is a timeline provided by the IICRC of the effects of fire and smoke on a home.

Within Minutes: Acid soot residues cause plastics to yellow and can cause small appliances located close to the source to discolor in addition highly porous materials like marble may discolor permanently.

Within Hours: Acid residues stain grout in bathrooms while fiberglass bath fixtures may yellow and uncoated metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow and finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators, may yellow in addition furniture finishes may discolor.

Within Days: acid residues may cause painted walls to yellow permanently and metal can corrode, pit and rust; wood furniture may require refinishing while vinyl flooring may require replacement; clothing can become soot stained and upholstery stains may be stained permanently.

Within Weeks: Restoration costs escalate quickly. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently while silver plate can be corroded permanently in addition glass, crystal and china may require replacement due to severe etching caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.

Cleaning up soot residue must be done as quickly as possible. The IICRC explains that during combustion, soot residue and volatile vapors are carried by rising and expanding air to surfaces throughout a structure, and are then deposited onto structural surfaces in the home or business. This process occurs repeatedly until combustion ends, during which soot residue continues building up on surfaces layer by layer. This can make the soot very difficult to remove once restoration technicians arrive on site.

Tortoise Sets House on Fire

2/15/2020 (Permalink)

Despite its dour demeanor, an “angry-looking" tortoise in England actually had a “very lucky Christmas Day,” after firefighters rescued the reptile from a house it had set on fire, officials said.

The unnamed 45-year-old reptile was alone in its Essex home when it knocked a heat lamp onto its bedding, which caught on fire, Essex Fire and Rescue said Wednesday in a news release.

Neighbors heard the smoke alarm and called an emergency number around 5 p.m., officials said. Firefighters scrambled to the scene and found smoke filling the home and a fire in one of the rooms.

Firefighters extinguished the fire and cleared the house of smoke within 25 minutes, the BBC reported.

"This incident shows just how important it is to have smoke alarms on every level of your home - even if you're not home they will alert anyone close by to the first sign of fire,” said Watch Manager Gary Wain of the Great Dunmow Fire Station.

TV Sets Fire

2/10/2020 (Permalink)

WESTPORT - A TV at a commercial property on Bluff Point started a fire that extended inside the wall of the building.

The call came in around 7:30 p.m. Monday.

The initial dispatch was for Engine 4, Engine 2, Truck 1 and the Shift Commander.

Assistant Chief Brian Meadow said in a release when Engine 4 arrived, firefighters were met by a property representative who stated seeing flames through a window on the second floor and using a fire extinguisher.

“Crews made entry and found evidence that the TV fire had extended to the wall of the structure. Members from E4 and E2 worked together to stretch a 300-foot attack line while the Truck Company opened the wall to check for extension and shut off power to the building.”

Engine 5 and Engine 6 were added to the assignment as well as mutual aid from Fairfield and Norwalk.

  “The fire was confined to the wall in the area of the TV with no other extension,” Meadows said.

The Westport Fire Marshal’s office was on scene to investigate the cause of the fire.

Additionally Westport EMS and Eversource responded to the scene.

The scene was turned over to the property manager. The last Fire Department unit cleared at 9:01 p.m.

Protect your house from smoke

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

Fall is here! With the change in seasons, people will be active both outside and indoors. According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), cooking inside is the #1 cause of house fires. Consider the following tips to ensure your family is safe!

• Test Smoke Detector batteries every month
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement, both inside and outside of sleeping areas.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Never use a stove range or oven to heat your home.

Smoke Damage Cleanup

Smoke damage can leave a lasting impact on your house and make rooms unbearable to breathe in.

Before you begin cooking inside, it is important to understand the risks of smoke damage.

SERVPRO can help you eliminate smoke and fire damage professionally.

Summer Safety & Cleanup!

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Safety First 

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is also important to keep safety in mind.  Consider the following tips, provided by the National Fire Protection Association to keep you and your family safe as we wrap Summer and head into Fall (tailgates and bonfires are not far away!)

• When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals have been lit.
• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire. Extinguish the fire before going to sleep or leaving the campsite.
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.

Summer Cleanup 

As we transition seasons, many of the ugly remnants of summer seem to stick around forever. This may be a great time to get rid of the muddy footprints, dirty stairs, and all the sticky spills of summer.  

Contact SERVPRO of                                        King of Prussia (610-337-3330)

Don't Let Winter Fires Ruin Your Dinner!

11/21/2019 (Permalink)

There were three house fires in Montgomery County overnight Wednesday into Thursday and since Dec. 1, 2017, there have been 21 house fires, including two that were multi-alarm. That is an unusually high number that may be attributable to the exceedingly cold temperatures the region has been experiencing recently.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and can easily be prevented.

We urge all of our residents to follow these important steps to prevent winter home fires.

• Never leave food cooking on the stovetop unattended.
• Keep a close eye on what’s cooking, particularly if you are frying food. If you see any smoke or the grease starts to boil, turn the burner off.
• Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby and use it to cover the pan if it catches fire.
• Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so they aren’t bumped or pulled over accidentally. The steps people sometimes take in an effort to heat their homes, particularly during power outages, can also lead to house fires. The following steps can prevent house fires in those instances.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet from heat sources, such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters.
• Use flameless candles, flashlights and glow sticks in the event of a power outage.
• Don’t use an oven, stovetop or bring an outdoor grill inside to inside to heat your home. Those pose a serious risk of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and/or fire.
• Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. Don’t use more than one space heater at a time and don’t run extension cords to them.
• If you use a portable generator during a power outage, make sure it is outdoors in a well-ventilated area away from doors, windows and vents, make sure you have working carbon monoxide detectors in your home and never refuel your generator when it is running.

If you have mold or water damage, call SERVPRO at 610-546-2484 to schedule a cleanup.  Your SERVPRO of King of Prussia professionals have the training, certifications, and equipment to remediate mold.

Call today for a free estimate, and mention this post and get 10% off all your cleaning needs.

Leading cause of houses fires! Electrical Heaters!

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Electrical heating-related fires most often occur in December, January, and February. Purchasing a cozy electrical space heater is a cost-efficient solution when temperatures drop, however, can be a devastating disaster when used improperly. According to the NFPA (National Fire and Protection Agency), electrical space heaters are the leading cause of most house fires. Here are a few tips on how to properly use your electric space heater and avoid fire hazards:

• Electrical Fires: Electrical fires occur when the heating unit is not properly plugged into the wall outlet, most often plugged into an extension cord or power strip. To avoid fires:
  • Give your space heater space; at least 3 feet away from combustible materials
  • Do not plug other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
  • Plug the heater directly into the outlet
  • Avoid leaving the unit running overnight
• Fire Starters: Electrical units placed too close to other combustible materials contribute to 79% of fatal home heating fires. Combustible materials include:
  • Household furniture
  • Clothes
  • Bed Mattress
  • Bedding materials

Before running your electrical heater, it’s important to understand the risks of fire and smoke damage. Fire damage can leave a lasting impact on your house and may cause additional smoke damage.

If you have mold or water damage, call SERVPRO at 610-546-2484 to schedule a cleanup.  Your SERVPRO of King of Prussia professionals have the training, certifications, and equipment to remediate mold.

Call today for a free estimate, and mention this post and get 10% off all your cleaning needs.

SERVPRO FIRE RESTORATION™

11/8/2019 (Permalink)

Did you know, 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 real disaster.  Especially considering that smoke and soot from even a small fire can cause odors that may resurface for years to come.  So before you risk doing more damage by attempting to clean it up your self, call SERVPRO of King of Prussia.We are your local fire, smoke and soot cleanup and restoration experts.We are always here to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week every single  day of the year.