Fire Damage Prevention and Tips

Well it's Friday and the long weekend is here! I'm sure everyone out there has some great plans, with a majority of it taking place around a bbq or some sort of cooking device to sear large portions of meat! Be sure to have fun but also make sure yourself and your home are protected from any risk of fire damage. As is the case with any situation involving fire be sure to follow proper safety precautions to prevent fire or smoke damage to your home and property. If you find yourself in the unfortunate incident of experiencing fire related damage, here are some helpful tips to follow:

1. If the temperature (after the fire) is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
2. Clean Formica, chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
3. Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
4. Tape a damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
5. Discard any open food packages.
6. If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open.
7. Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner
8. If barbecuing outdoors, keep one full bucket of water on hand for emergency

What NOT to do:
1. Do NOT touch anything with your bare hands! Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.
2. Do NOT use electrical appliance until having them checked.
3. Do NOT attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.


We hope that these tips will prove to be useful, should you find yourself in any of these situations. As always, it is best to call a restoration company to provide fire damage services. We are just such a company and are available throughout the Bay Area on a 24/7 basis, and YES that includes holidays! Call us anytime to have our technicans assist you in getting back on track: 1-800-439-8833 or 1-415-584-6100 or 1-650-965-1003. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

Water Damage-Prevention Tips

What to do in water damage situations?                

By ServiceMaster Restoration & Recovery Services

As is the case with many disasters, they can occur when you least expect them. One source of damage to many homes and properties is water. Water damage can cripple business, and force home owners out of their homes, and run a large expensive bill to all parties involved. An effective way of working against the costs associated with water damage is to have the right prevention measures and response tips. Here are some tips for your clients to use for their properties, should they find themselves victims of water damage.

-         Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.

-         Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings not permanently attached. Do NOT attempt to remove your wall-to-wall carpet.

-         Lift draperies off the floor, loop through a coat hanger and place the hanger on the drapery rod.

-         Wipe furniture, prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.

-         Move photos, painting, and art objects to safe, dry location.

-         Do not remove books from shelves. Rather pack them tightly to prevent warping of pages until a restoration professional can begin this specialized drying.

-         Open drawers, closet and cabinet doors to enhance drying.

-         Contact a professional for help.

What NOT to do:

-         Do NOT enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.

-         Do NOT use a regular household vacuum to remove water.

-         Do NOT use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring

-         Do NOT disturb visible mold

**Tips and advice provided by ServiceMaster Clean

For more information and tips contact:

ServiceMaster Restoration & Recovery Services

439 Eccles Ave, S. San Francisco, CA 94080

Office: 415-584-6100

Fax: 650-873-6334

Toll Free: 1-800-439-8833

www.svmrecovery.com

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