The Importance of Smoke Alarms

6/18/2024 (Permalink)

Did you know that a working smoke alarm significantly increases your chances of surviving a deadly home fire? We're sharing a few tips from Ready.gov in today's blog.

• Replace batteries twice a year, unless you are using 10-year lithium batteries.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
• Replace the entire smoke alarm unit every 10 years or according to manufacturer’s instructions.
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.
• Audible alarms are available for visually impaired people and smoke alarms with a vibrating pad or flashing light are available for the hearing impaired.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

Tips to Create a Fire Escape Plan

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know that a fire can become life-threatening in just two minutes? In just five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames. Time is of the essence when it comes to house fires. Let this blog serve as your reminder to create your fire evacuation plan for your home today! Or, if you already have one, be sure to plan to practice it with the rest of your family members this week. 

Having an escape plan in place can help you get out of your home quickly and safely. Make sure to practice your home fire escape plan twice a year. Consider the following tips when preparing your plan:

• Find two ways to get out of each room in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
• Check that windows are easily opened and screens can be removed quickly.
• Practice feeling your way out of the house with your eyes closed, in case visibility is limited due to smoke.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters.

Thank you to our friends at Ready.gov for providing valuable information on escape plans.

We understand that dealing with fire damage can be overwhelming and stressful. Our highly-trained technicians will treat your family with empathy and your home with great care. If your home or business has been impacted by fire damage, please don't hesitate to give us a call. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year to assist you.

Top Five Causes of House Fires

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

House fires can be devastating, causing property damage, injury, and even loss of life. Understanding the top causes of house fires and how to prevent them can help keep you and your loved ones safe. Here are the top five causes of house fires and tips for preventing them:

1. Cooking Fires: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires. Never leave cooking food unattended, and keep flammable items, such as oven mitts, dish towels, and paper products, away from the stove. Use a timer as a reminder, and never cook under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

2. Heating Equipment: Heating equipment, such as space heaters and furnaces, can also cause fires. Ensure that all heating equipment is installed and used according to the manufacturer's instructions. Keep flammable items at least three feet away from heaters, and turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to bed.

3. Electrical Fires: Electrical fires can be caused by faulty wiring, overloaded outlets, and damaged electrical cords. Ensure that all electrical equipment is in good working condition, and never overload outlets or extension cords. Consider having a licensed electrician inspect your home's electrical system if you experience frequent electrical issues.

4. Smoking: Smoking is a common cause of house fires. If you smoke, do so outside, and never smoke in bed or when you're feeling drowsy. Use a deep ashtray and ensure that cigarettes are fully extinguished before disposing of them.

5. Candles: Candles can create a cozy ambiance, but they can also cause fires if not used properly. Never leave candles unattended, and keep them away from flammable items such as curtains and paper products. Consider using battery-operated candles instead.

By following these tips, you can help prevent house fires and keep your home and loved ones safe. Remember to have working smoke detectors installed throughout your home, and test them regularly. In case of a fire, ensure that everyone knows the emergency escape plan and practice it regularly.

What To Do During a Home Fire

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

House fires kill over 2,600 people each year, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

But this does not have to be the case. There are fire safety precautions to keep your family safe in the case of a house fire. Of course, prevention is the ideal approach to fire safety, but if a fire breaks out in your house, you'll need to know what to do. 

Let's go through the steps. 

1. Use a fire extinguisher.

If you hear a fire alarm in your house, do not ignore it; instead, grab your fire extinguisher as a one-stop preventative precaution.

This single act may assist to put out the fire quickly, but if your efforts fail after using the fire extinguisher, leave immediately.

Fire extinguishers are critical and should be put in all homes, whether residential or commercial. If the fire extinguisher does not successfully extinguish the flames, call 911 as you begin escaping to safety. If your phone is not nearby, focus on getting to safety first and then asking a neighbor to use their phone.

2. Let everyone know.

Scream out loud to alert others in the home of the fire situation; do not depend on smoke detectors and alarms to alert others, since they could potentially malfunction due to battery failures and other factors. It can also be important for others to know that this is not a drill or an accidental alarm. 

3. To escape, crawl under the flames.

Fire creates smoke and harmful chemicals that, if breathed, may induce lightheadedness or loss of consciousness—both of which can be dangerous if you're attempting to escape a burning structure. 

To escape a fire, crawl to the nearest exit, keeping in mind that it may be a window. Staying low to the ground can help prevent you from breathing hazardous gases and smoke.

4. Examine the doors and door knobs for heat.

If you have to walk through a door to get to an escape, check the door and door knob before opening.

If the door (or doorknob) feels warm to the touch, there may be a fire on the other side, you should not open this door and should instead find an alternative exit if possible.  

5. Keep your nose covered.

During a home fire, cover your nostrils with a shirt or a moist cloth to prevent smoke from entering your lungs. This is important to keep in mind to remember to cover the faces of children as much as possible, particularly while assisting in getting them to safety. 

6. Close the doors.

Close the door behind you after you've crept out of a room. Research shows that closing doors stops fire from spreading or at least slows the spreading, which simply implies that the fire will be confined to a certain location for a short period.

7. Hurry to safety.

When you go outside, run away from the flames to your pre-determined safety spot.

Run across the street to safety if a section of the home or apartment, such as the roof or siding, catches fire. There is potential for dangerous debris to fall around the perimeter of the structure. 

Notify the fire department officials as soon as possible if you believe any loved ones (including pets) are still inside the home and advise them to where they could be. 
 

Fires are terrifying, but learning what to do ahead of time can help us remain cool if it happens to us. 

Can Candles Cause Home Fires?

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

From 2015-2019 U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated 7,400 home structure fires that were started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 90 deaths, 670 injuries and $291 million in direct property damage, according to the NFPA.

Candles can be nice to look at but they are a cause of home fires. Remember, a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.

If you're not interested in using flameless candles in your home, how can you enjoy your candles safely? 

• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and won’t tip over easily.

• Put candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface.

• Light candles carefully. Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame.

• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the
  bottom of the container.

• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage to avoid using candles at that time.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

NPM 2021: Week Four "Teach Youth About Preparedness"

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Welcome to the fourth and final week of 2021 National Preparedness Month! This week's theme is teaching youth about preparedness. You made it all the way to the end of this weekly series and we can't thank you enough for joining us! We love getting to share important resources with our local community.

Whether you’re a kid or teen yourself, a parent or loved one, or work with youth, Ready Kids has tools and information to help before, during and after disasters.

Ready.gov has a special website dedicated to educating youth called Ready Kids. We are so excited to share this website because it is filled with AMAZING tools to help teach kids and teens about preparedness. It includes resources, games, and so much more! Be sure to check it out and let us know on social media what you think.

Disasters happen everywhere, and every member of the family can prepare. Preparedness for the future starts today.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

Grill Safety for Football Season

9/20/2021 (Permalink)

Football season is in full swing! We wanted to share some grill safety tips because we can’t forget that grills are responsible for thousands of home fires a year. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers these general grilling guidelines:

• Only use propane and charcoal grills outdoors.
• Place grills away from your home (remember, this counts deck railings!)
• As always, keep children and pets away from the grill area
• Make sure you keep your grill clean by removing the grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill (keep in mind that the leading cause of a grill fire is failure to clean)
• NEVER leave the grill unattended

Stay safe y'all and enjoy this football season! Who are you pulling for? If you haven't liked us on Facebook yet, be sure to join us there each week for our game of the week where we pick a game and you tell us who you think will win!

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

Make A Fire Escape Plan for Your Harris County Home

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that in just TWO minutes a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

Every moment counts when it comes to house fires. 

Escape plans help you get out of your home quickly. Twice each year, practice your home fire escape plan. Some tips to consider when preparing this plan include:

• Find two ways to get out of each room in the event the primary way is blocked by fire or smoke.
• Make sure that windows are not stuck, screens can be taken out quickly and that security bars can be properly opened.
• Practice feeling your way out of the house in the dark or with your eyes closed.
• Teach children not to hide from firefighters

Thank you to our friends at Ready.gov for providing such great information regarding escape plans. 

We understand you may be feeling confused, stressed, and more than a little vulnerable. Our highly-trained technicians will treat your family with empathy and your home with great care. If your home or business is impacted by fire damage, please give us a call. We are here for you 24/7, all 365 days of the year. 

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!

Weekend Fires in Harris County, Georgia

3/9/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that more home fires occur on Saturday and Sunday? According to the Red Cross, they do! In fact, they refer to home fires as America's biggest disaster threat.

We all know that home fires are the most likely to begin in the kitchen. Do you know what the leading cause of home fires in the winter is? You may be thinking space heaters but the answer is actually still cooking! We want to stress that no matter what the weather is like outside that you have to be careful in the kitchen. 

On top of home fires, business fires can be absolutely devastating as well. Thankfully, we are here to help if disaster strikes your Harris County, Georgia, home or business.

SERVPRO of Harris, Meriwether & Stewart Counties is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We make disaster "Like it never even happened." Give us a call today at (706)-575-1930!