How to avoid fire damage in your home?

5/26/2023 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or business can happen fast and unexpected. There is something little or no warning, so knowing how to help avoid it is a very smart idea.

Test your smoke alarms.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Make sure curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never rest towels or a cookbook on the stove.

Stay in the kitchen.

Don't leave a hot cooking surface unattended. Whether it’s a pot on the stove or an electric griddle, you need to be close by. If you have to leave the room, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first.

Check the dryer.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords and watch out for frayed wires: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

To keep errant sparks from escaping, install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container that isn’t used for any other household refuse.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Stock key areas of your home with fire extinguishers. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

 If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties a call today at (360)533-8667

How to avoid fire damage in your home?

5/26/2023 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or business can happen fast and unexpected. There is something little or no warning, so knowing how to help avoid it is a very smart idea.

Test your smoke alarms.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Make sure curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never rest towels or a cookbook on the stove.

Stay in the kitchen.

Don't leave a hot cooking surface unattended. Whether it’s a pot on the stove or an electric griddle, you need to be close by. If you have to leave the room, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first.

Check the dryer.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords and watch out for frayed wires: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

To keep errant sparks from escaping, install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container that isn’t used for any other household refuse.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Stock key areas of your home with fire extinguishers. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

 If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties a call today at (360)533-8667

Fire, smoke and soot restoration

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

We have the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore your home to pre-fire condition. After the fire trucks leave, your home likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts.

Every fire damage event is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

• Step 1: Emergency Contact
• Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
• Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
• Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
• Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
• Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing
• Step 7: Restoration

Have Questions About Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Today – (360)533-8667

Fire Services

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Board-ups 

SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties provides board-up services. In some cases it may be important to secure openings to your home or structure using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect it from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders. 

Inventory

Utilizing Contents Tracker technology, SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties can generate comprehensive room-by-room inventories. Contents are categorized as salvageable, non-salvageable and questionable - allowing for easier contents settlement.

Move-Outs

If prolonged exposure to the loss event could cause additional damage to your contents, your contractor requests relocation of the contents, or the safety of your contents is a concern, a move-out may be recommended. In these situations, SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties is trained to properly inventory, move out and control the contents from the structure during the cleaning, restoration and deodorization process.

Electronics Cleaning 

Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces when moisture is also present. If the residues are not removed, corrosion can eat away at the metal casing and can ultimately cause electronic failure in the device. We can clean the outside casing correctly, as well as refer your equipment to a qualified electronics vendor.

Is it really that bad? It was just a small fire.

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Even a small fire can cause odors for years to come if the affected areas are not properly cleaned and deodorized.  Fire, smoke, and soot damage in your home or business can create unpleasant and potentially permanent problems.

As various materials burn, the smoke produced travels throughout the structure, leaving odorous residues and deposits on surfaces and in hard-to-reach places.  Unless fast, professional action is taken, these residues and deposits can cause permanent damage to contents and may result in resurfacing odors.  

SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties technicians are provides specialized services that can rid your home or business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage.  SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties technicians do not cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out and remove the sources of odor.  

Remember to call your SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific County for your needs.  We will be there for you anytime and any day.  (360) 533-8667

Tips to prevent a fire!

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a fire in your home or business can be costly, time-consuming, and emotional. This is why it’s important to take certain precautions to prevent or decrease the likelihood of a fire. These helpful tips can reduce the probability of a fire in your home or office;

1.       Watch your cooking!  You should always stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Remember to never let young children near the stove or oven while you are cooking.

2.       Give space heaters space! It’s best to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.

3.       Keep matches and lighters out of reach! The safest place to keep matches and lighters is in high cabinets, preferably under a child lock.

4.       Inspect electrical cords! You should replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs, or loose connections.

5.       Be careful when using candles! Be sure to keep candles at least one foot away from anything that will burn.

Not all fires are caused by things we have control of. Some fires can be caused by unavoidable acts of nature or unpredictable accidents. Just in case one of these catastrophes may happen, keep in mind that a fire escape plan for your crew or family is always a good idea! Try practicing it at least twice a year. In the event of fire damages SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties is available around the clock to offer exceptional response time and trained professionals ready to restore your property!

Smoke & Soot

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Knowing the Difference: Smoke & Soot

Most people do not know this but there are two types of smoke and they are day and wet because of this there are two types of soot residues after fires. Even though there are little differences between each one has different procedures for each condition. SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties will be able to test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage has occurred and what procedure to use on the present smoke or soot residue.

Types of Smoke and Soot Residue

• Wet Smoke: Plastic & 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. 

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today 360-533-8667

House Fire

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Once your home or business is damaged by a fire, your top priority is getting your property cleaned and repaired. In many cases, this desire leads people to pursue DIY cleanup projects. If this were your planned method, you should reconsider this course of action.  Can you do all of this yourself and can you do it properly? 

1. Water Removal: Standing water left behind by the fire extinguishing efforts of the local fire department have several important ramifications. The resulting water damage can affect furniture, electronics, clothing, drywall, ceilings, flooring, and more. Water removal must be done quickly. SERVPRO of Grays Harbor &Pacific Counties utilizes water pumps, wet-vacs, high-velocity fans and dehumidifiers to extract the water and moisture quickly, thereby mitigating the damage. 

2. Smoke Damage: The smoke damage that results from a fire can be quite substantive. In fact, the smoke left behind can become embedded in your furniture, flooring, carpets, and walls. If left unaddressed, this can remain in your property for years. Soot, another by-product of specific fires, needs special attention for proper clean up to avoid staining of walls and furniture. Effectively removing smoke necessitates the use of professional procedures and products  SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties  crews have in their arsenal.

3. Salvageable Goods: In many cases, homeowners who seek to complete the remediation process on their own will throw away items that are salvageable. Don't make this mistake. Instead, allow SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties  to assist you with this aspect of the restoration process. We will assess, inspect and track all of your items in our content tracker.  This inventories affected household items and classifies them into non-salvageable, salvageable or questionable lists. Items can be containerized and cleaned at our facility.

4. Time Efficiency: If you attempt to complete the fire restoration process without professional assistance, the project will take a lot of time and probably lack positive results. However, hiring SERVPRO of Grays Harbor &Pacific Counties to put your home back in a healthy condition after fire damage enables you to feel confident in the restoration. Consider the effort, equipment, and training involved in successfully restoring your home to its pre-fire condition.

How to avoid fire damage in your home?

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or business can happen fast and unexpected. There is something little or no warning, so knowing how to help avoid it is a very smart idea.

Test your smoke alarms.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Make sure curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never rest towels or a cookbook on the stove.

Stay in the kitchen.

Don't leave a hot cooking surface unattended. Whether it’s a pot on the stove or an electric griddle, you need to be close by. If you have to leave the room, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first.

Check the dryer.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords and watch out for frayed wires: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

To keep errant sparks from escaping, install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container that isn’t used for any other household refuse.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Stock key areas of your home with fire extinguishers. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

 If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties a call today at (360)533-8667

How to avoid fire damage in your home?

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

Having a fire in your home or business can happen fast and unexpected. There is something little or no warning, so knowing how to help avoid it is a very smart idea.

Test your smoke alarms.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Make sure curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never rest towels or a cookbook on the stove.

Stay in the kitchen.

Don't leave a hot cooking surface unattended. Whether it’s a pot on the stove or an electric griddle, you need to be close by. If you have to leave the room, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first.

Check the dryer.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords and watch out for frayed wires: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

To keep errant sparks from escaping, install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container that isn’t used for any other household refuse.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Stock key areas of your home with fire extinguishers. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

 If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties a call today at (360)533-8667

Home Heating Tips

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Safe Home Heating Tips

Home fires often occur during the cold winter months due to dangerous heating equipment or unsafe practices. Here are some important safety tips to help keep your home safe and warm this winter:

Never use flammable liquids or excessive amounts of paper to start or accelerate a fire.
Keep flammables away from heat sources. Wood stoves require a 36” clearance from combustible surfaces.
The use of kerosene heaters inside the home is prohibited in California (Sec. 19881, Health and Safety Code).
Keep children away from heat sources.
Never leave a fire unattended.
Wood stoves should be UL approved.
Never attempt to heat a structure with a device that was designed for outdoor use, such as a camp stove.
Charcoal gives off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide. Do not burn it indoors.
Have a professional inspect and clean your chimney, stovepipe and/or furnace annually.
Do not attempt repairs yourself.
Keep a metal or glass screen in front of the fireplace opening. Make sure the damper is open before lighting.
Check furnace control and emergency shut-offs to be sure they are working properly.
If using a fossil fuel for heating, install and maintain carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms as well.

Holiday Tips

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Most of us can agree that Holidays are a beautiful time of year, Christmas trees are a big help when it comes to the beauty of Christmas. SERVPRO is here to help you keep them that way. Just by looing at these safety tips and precautions could help us keep your Christmas beautiful and safe all at the same time.

Picking Your Tree & Placing Your Tree

• If you have a fake tree or a real tree it is important to pay attention to where it is set up
• When picking a tree choose a fresh and green tree, one that when touched the needles do not fall off
• Keep away from heat sources
• Don't allow your tree to block an exit
• Keep your tree watered, a dry tree is an Ugly tree and a potential fire hazard.

Decorations

• Pay attention to whether they are indoor lights or outdoor lights.
• Make sure to replace any worn or broken cords
• Do Not Use Candles to decorate your tree
• Even though the tree looks beautiful in the window for all the neighbors to see, it is important to remember to turn it off when leaving your home or when you are going to bed.

After Christmas

• There are places that will pick up your tree and dispose of it such as, boy scouts, the Aberdeen City Council, and many more.
• We would not recommend leaving your tree in your garage or out side near our house, it is extremely dangerous because one little spark to that dry tree could make your wonderful and beautiful Christmas turn into a ugly one.

Accidents do happen and if one happens to you don't worry to much. SERVPRO is here to help keep your Christmas beautiful. If and accident with your tree or house happens during your Christmas joy don't be afraid to call us. The SERVPRO Franchise professionals are available 24 hours/7 days a week and are ready to restore or clean your property.

Arson in Aberdeen, WA

5/25/2018 (Permalink)

In a disaster know matter how big or small the SERVPRO team will be there for you every step of the way.

On June 19, 2017, SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties was called to a home in ­­­Aberdeen, WA for a house that caught fire and luckily was only partially burnt.  The fire started outside the front door and went into the rafters and burning quite a bit of the home. The cause of the fire wasn’t an accident, the fire was arson. SERVPRO arrived on scene to help the home owner get her home back to the way it was before the incident “Like it never even happened.” Just 4 months later on  October 16,2017, SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties was called to a home in ­­­Aberdeen, WA for a house that caught fire the SERVPRO team quickly realized it was the same home they had just finished demoing and was in the process of its rebuild. The man who caught the house on fire the first time came back for another round and caught the house on fire again but this time the house was burnt to the ground. The arsonist was caught and is now spending life in prison. Luckily the woman who was in the home when the fires occurred got out safely without any injuries. After about a year the house will finally be completely rebuilt, and the home owner will finally be able to live in home.

Fire Classificaitons

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Hopefully this helps you think about the proper ways to put out a fire if the time comes. Just remember we are just one call away. (360) 533-8667

If there is a fire in your home weather its big or small, SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties can help get your home back to the way it was before “Like it never even happened.” Everyone knows what fire is but what a lot of people don’t know is that there are different classifications of fires.   

Classification A

• Basic fire involving sold materials such as wood, paper or textiles.
  • Put fire out by just using water, or your basic fire extinguisher

Classification B

• Fire involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.
  • Put fire out by smothering it (taking out all the oxygen)

Classification C

• Fires involving gases such as motors, appliances and electric components.
  • Put fire out by shutting off all sources of power and using an extinguisher

Classification D

• Fires involving metals
  • Put fire out by adding a dry powder by doing so it smothers the fire causing it to burn out

Classification K

• Fire involving liquids use in food preparation
  • Put fire out by using a wet chemical fire extinguisher.

Fire is not a nothing to play around with the soot from the fire will hurt your home just as bad as the fire itself will. If a fire does occur at your home call SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties.

Fire In Your Home

5/17/2018 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties for your fire damage needs, today! (360) 533-8667

If you’re experience fire damage in your home, call SERVPRO. Here at SERVPRO we handle all fires with care, no matter the size. We understand your devastation when something like this happens and handle your home like it was our own. Once you are certain everyone is accounted for and you’re all safe, it’s now time to start thinking about the next step. We understand your stress and anxiety, but it is important you think clearly and quickly to prevent any further damage to your home. First, call your insurance company and let them know your situation. Next, call SERVPRO, we will get a crew together immediately and start the board up process and do what we can to get your closest belongings to you. We will work closely with you to assure you that you are getting the best care and are aware of the situation. This is never an easy situation for a homeowner, but we like to make the process as smooth as possible and help to make it look “Like it never even happened.”

Precautions For Home

5/17/2018 (Permalink)

By following these precautions it will help keep you and you loved ones safe. We are just one call away.

There are many reasons a home could catch on fire, but here are some ways to prevent fires and be aware of your surroundings.
Fireplace: In different seasons, homeowners turn to a fireplace or stove for heat. However, the fire could pop and send embers out onto nearby kindling, furniture, paper, or rugs. If this was to happen, it’s possible that it could strike a fire. If not properly taken care of, could result in fire damage throughout the home. Make sure all fires are not left unattended, close stove/fireplace doors when not feeding the fire and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
Home Electrical System: If your electrical is not up to date or there is something wrong with your electrical and you are unaware, this could result in damage that can go unseen until there is a bigger fire loss. Always check if outlets are overloaded. Regularly check your crawl space or attack to see if any rodents have chewed on any wires.
Extension Cords: These are very helpful when you cannot reach a regular plug in but can be very dangerous if multiple items are plugged in the same extension cord. If needing to use these cords, make sure they are turned off regularly. Also, make sure you are using a high-quality cord when needing to use it for multiple items.
Space Heaters: Just like a fireplace, space heaters are used in different seasons for extra warmth throughout the house. These can become extremely dangerous because of how hot they can get. When using a space heater, make sure it is three feet away from any furniture throughout the home. Also, make sure it is out of the way of any foot traffic. These could easily get knocked face first onto a carpet or rug and start a fire with direct heat. Only stand a heater on a flat hard flooring. Do not set a space heater up on a table or counter, this makes it easier for it to be knocked over.
If you do end up in a situation where you’re needing help with your fire damage. Call SERVPRO of Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties (360) 533-8667. We will be there for you and help you along the way. Fires are dangerous and the best way to protect against them is knowing the most vulnerable places are throughout your home and inspect them regularly.

SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties: Smoke & Soot Clean up

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Call us and we can help. We will make it look "Like it never even happened."

Knowing the Difference: Smoke & Soot

Most people do not know this but there are two types of smoke and they are day and wet because of this there are two types of soot residues after fires. Even though there are little differences between each one has different procedures for each condition. SERVPRO of Grays Harbor & Pacific Counties will be able to test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage has occurred and what procedure to use on the present smoke or soot residue.

Types of Smoke and Soot Residue

• Wet Smoke: Plastic & 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. 

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today 360-533-8667