Tips On How To Prevent Home/Office Fires

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Nobody wants to think about their home or office catching on fire.  Sometimes these things happen and they are totally out of our control, but there are a lot of things that we can do to help prevent them.

FEMA’s records show that just over half (50.2%) of residential fires are caused by cooking-related accidents.  The next three biggest reasons are Heating (9.3%), Electrical Malfunction (6.8%), and Intentional (4.5%). 

Here are a few things that you can do to help prevent a house fire and protect your family.

Pay attention when cooking.  If you need to step out of the room, ask someone to watch the food until you get back, or turn off the stove and stop cooking.

Test your smoke alarms regularly. 

Check the dryers’ airflow.  Pull the lint trap and clean it every time you dry a load of clothes.

Be careful with power cords and strips.  Attaching too many appliances to one power strip can draw more power than the cord is able to handle.  This can cause it to heat up and potentially catch on fire.

Store flammable products away from heat sources.

Place fire extinguishers in key locations around your house.  Make sure that everyone in the home knows how to properly use them.

If you need help after a fire, SERVPRO is here to help.  We can replace the damaged areas, check your electrical system for any potential issues, and can even help you get that smoke smell out of your home.  

Preventative Fire Damage with your SERVPRO of New Orleans & Mid-City team!

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with fire damage can be one of the most difficult things that a family or business goes through.  There will be a loss of structure, valuables, and sometimes even life.  There are some things that cause fire damage that we can’t control (mostly lightning), but there are several things that we can do to help prevent fires from happening at our homes or businesses. 

Cooking - If you have something on the stove top or in the oven, don’t leave the room without asking someone to keep an eye on it.  Kitchen fires are one of the leading causes of home fires.

Power Strips - Did you know that power strips and extension cords are only designed to handle so much electricity?  Did you also know that they are color coded for a reason?  Make sure that you don’t plug too many things into one strip or that you run an electrical cord too far.  Overpowering them can cause them to heat up, melt and potentially start a fire.

Smoke Alarms - Don’t wait for them to start beeping to remind you to replace the battery.  They should be replaced yearly and tested as well.  How old are your smoke detectors?  Are they the same ones that were there when the house was built?  It would a good idea to look into it and update them.

In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire.  Check out what FEMA has to say about fire safety.  If you experience any fire or smoke damage to your home or business, the team at SERVPRO of New Orleans & Mid-City is always here to help!  Give us a call at (5040 468-3047.

The Different Types of Fire Damage!

8/19/2022 (Permalink)

Dealing with the damage from a fire can be a long process.  The fire could have been small, but the smoke from it did the majority of the damage.  On the other side, most of the damage could have been from the fire itself.  Lastly, there could have been another layer of damage caused when the fire was extinguished.  Here are the main types of fire damage that are commonly dealt with.

Flame Damage - This could be from an electrical outlet that caused damage, all the way to a full-blown kitchen fire.

Smoke Damage - Smoke is literally in the air and can (and will) get into everything.  Even after the rebuild is completed, there can still be a lingering smell of smoke to the property unless it is dealt with correctly.

3rd Party Damage - This type of damage comes from any in-house sprinkler system used to put the fire out or from the Fire Department themselves when they get to the scene.

Heat Damage - Even though a part of the structure might have not actually caught fire, it was probably severely heated up.  This can cause structural damage and possible swelling that you might not notice right away.

After a fire, you could be dealing with flame, smoke, water and heat damage at the same time.  FEMA has some great information on what to do after the fire.  The best way to make sure that this is taken care of promptly and properly is to contact the team at SERVPRO of New Orleans & Mid-City at (504) 468-3047 to get on the job!

Addressing the Smoke Smell in Your Home After a Fire

1/27/2022 (Permalink)

When you experience a house fire, the damage can be devastating. Beyond the charred materials from flames is the lingering smell of smoke. Smoke damage can often be one of the most widespread effects to contend within your home after a fire. While there are other concerns to address after a fire that often take precedent for restorations and mitigation, restoring damage to your property should include addressing the smoke to get your home back to normal.

Much of the cleanup and restoration after a fire in your New Orleans home focuses on cleaning and smoke odor removal. Indoor air quality is also a primary focus for our SERVPRO® professionals once the first responders have left. We work quickly to establish our purification equipment such as air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators to run the available air through HEPA filters overtime to begin pulling smoke particles and soot from the environment and reducing hazards or risks of exposure without respirators.

How we address smoke damage

Smoke damage often depends on the type of smoke that impacted your home during the fire. Dry smoke results from high heat but is also a residue that is much easier for technicians to clean with dry and wet sponges on the coated surfaces. Wet smoke leaves a thick residue on surfaces and contents, which often requires specialized equipment to clean and deodorize fully. This kind of smoke damage is definitely best left to the experts! The heat generated by a fire impacts the actual penetration of soot particles into porous materials like drywall and fabrics.

Getting rid of the lingering smell of smoke

Improving the odors in your home after a fire is also a concern for our team, but these steps often follow reconstruction and other restoration efforts. Waiting for deodorization allows our technicians to leave your home completely cleaned and odor-free. Our thermal foggers can often do the greatest amount of deodorization, as these machines are suitable to use in open areas, fabrics, soft materials, and work to remove odors from surfaces as well. 

If you experience a fire, our team can arrive quickly to help lessen the damage and prolonged impact of a fire emergency, and work to eliminate the presence of smoke damage. Give us a call!

How House Fires Start | SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

1/26/2022 (Permalink)

No one wants to see their home caught in a blazing, unpredictable fire. We all try every day to make wise decisions to help prevent this from happening.

However, despite increased awareness of fire safety, more than a quarter of all reported fires still occur in the home.

Let’s work together in getting that number down by recognizing and staying aware of the top causes of house fires.

Cooking. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires and injuries, with unattended cooking primarily to blame. The best thing you can do to help prevent a fire is to stay in the kitchen while preparing food.

Heating equipment. Heating implements like portable space heaters are another main culprit in helping cause house fires. There can be a combination of things that can cause this, including mishaps and malfunctions. Placing heaters too close to something flammable is also a leading culprit in fires.

Electrical fires. Faulty wiring or a higher usage of electricity (especially in older homes) can also contribute to house fires. Something as simple as placing a higher wattage bulb into a lamp that requires low wattage or having frayed wiring can increase the risk of a house fire.

Intentional fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, arson is the leading cause of fire property damage in the United States.That means someone purposefully set a fire intent on destruction, rather than a fire set for other reasons that simply got out of hand.

Smoking materials. This particular risk is only responsible for 5% of house fire occurrences, but it’s the leading cause of civilian fire deaths. These fires are particularly deadly because they often occur when someone who is smoking falls asleep.

Regardless of the cause, SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City is here for you if your home is affected by fire. Contact your local team today to see how we can help.

Do's and Don'ts of Fire Damage Clean Up in Your New Orleans Home

1/17/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire happens in your home, it’s a scary moment. After your home has been released, and you are allowed to re-enter it, seeing the damage for the first time can be shocking. Your first instinct is to start touching damaged items and attempting to clean them. But we advise highly against that, as it can cause more damage by doing so. There is a lot to know when it comes to a fire clean-up. 

Do:

• Wear gloves before touching anything. Oils in your hands can permanently set soot.
• Limit movement in the house to prevent particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If the electricity is off, empty freezers and refrigerator completely. Prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim, and appliances. Then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant.
• If heat is off during the winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks, and tubs to avoid pipe and fixture freezing.
• Wash both sides of your house plant leaves.
• Change the HVAC filter. Leave the system off until trained professional checks the system out.
• Tape a double layer of cheesecloth over air registers. This stops particles of soot from getting into the HVAC system.

Don’t:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces until you talk to a SERVPRO professional.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without consulting with a SERVPRO professional.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances. They may have been close to the fire, heat, or water source.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to a fire or heat source.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wires may be wet or damaged and it could cause electrical shock. Air movement may cause secondary damage.
• Attempt to clean smoke-damaged laundry. If sending garments to a dry cleaner, make sure they specialize in fire/smoke-damaged materials.

SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City is here for you, to help you during your difficult time. We are trained and certified to assess and restore your loss. Call us at (504) 468-3047 for your free evaluation.

Winter Heating Tips To Prevent Fire

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

It is common knowledge that the older homes in New Orleans do not have adequate heating or insulation. When the temperature drops in New Orleans, some people may be tempted to use alternative heating methods. We are here to offer these heating safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Never use your oven to heat your home
• Have a qualified professional install stationary space heating equipment, water heaters, or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Install wood-burning stoves following the manufacturer’s instructions or have a professional do the installation. All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Install and maintain CO alarms to avoid the risk of CO poisoning. If you smell gas in your gas heater, do not light the appliance. Leave home immediately and call your local fire department or gas company.

Call Us!

If your home or business experiences a fire damage emergency, SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City highly trained technicians can help. We’ll clean and restore your fire damage in Logan Heights, “Like it never even happened.” Call us today at (504) 732-9597.

Don't Fall Victim to Fire Damage | SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

8/25/2021 (Permalink)

"A person who fails to plan, plans to fail."

Even when taking safety precautions, you can fall victim to a house fire at a moment's notice. In order to be prepared for a devastating event such as a house fire, it is important to have a plan in place and make sure all family members know what to do during a fire.

A fire damage cleanup plan for your New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City home should include:

• Install the right number of smoke alarms. Test them once a month and replace the batteries at least once a year.
• Teach children what smoke alarms sound like and what to do when they hear one.
• Ensure that all household members know two ways to escape from every room of your home and know the family meeting spot outside of your home.
• Establish a family emergency communications plan and ensure that all household members know who to contact if they cannot find one another.
• Practice escaping from your home at least twice a year.
• Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.
• Plans for where you and your family will stay after a fire.
• The details of your insurance company.
• A file of important information about your family and pets, including medical needs.
• Emergency contact details such as your doctor, vet, and a fire damage cleanup company.

Never enter your home until you have clearance from the fire department. Many homes are not structurally sound after a fire. The next step is to call SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City. We can take care of every aspect of fire damage cleanup, from removing soot stains and smells to overseeing redecorating and structural repairs.

If you need a fire damage cleanup company, you can trust, call SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City (504) 468-3047.

New Orleans Home Cleaning and Fire Safety

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

Spring is in full swing and if you haven’t started your spring cleaning, now is the time! Not only will it get your house in tip-top shape, but you can also look for any areas that can cause fire damage in your New Orleans home.

Replace batteries in your home.

Batteries can die in items even if you aren't using them often. Start with replacing the batteries in your smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and flashlights. Other batteries that may need to be changed are security cameras, alarm systems, and smart locks on your home.

Dryer Vents

Other than routinely cleaning your lint filter out before and after loads, you should also be making sure that the outdoor dryer flaps are not blocked by build-up or animal nests. This can be a DIY project or you can hire a professional. 

Check on any extension cords.

Check to make sure that extension cords are not overloaded, frayed, or cracked. Replace where needed and try to move electronics if too many are in one extension. 

Propane/charcoal grills should remain outside.

Your propane/charcoal grill should be stored and used outside only. Make sure that the grill is routinely cleaned and someone is always tending to the grill when in use. 

Clean outside debris

Make sure to clean up dead leaves and trash from around your house. These items may be dangerous if exposed to heat, and in the event, there is a fire it will exacerbate it. 

SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City is here to help with any preventative cleaning needs or fire needs. If emergency services are needed due to a fire or any other disaster give us a call 24 hours a day at (504) 468-3047.

Experience a Fire? Call Us SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

When it comes to restoring or replacing your home’s contents after a fire, the first 48 hours are extremely crucial. SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City understands this timeframe is important and will show up to help with fire, smoke, soot, and any contents remediation your home may need.

The restoration process cannot begin until you call us. Our representatives will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Once on the scene, our technicians will inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. Because so much water is used to put out the fire, we must begin to dry the property with our dehumidifiers and air movers. We then can use our equipment to remove smoke and soot from all areas of the home. We are also able to remove the contents of your home and keep it safe at our facility while the mitigation is in process. To maintain security and protect against further damage, our team will board up any missing windows and place tarps over damaged roofs. 

Once the home is free of debris, water, and smoke we can start to clean up and sanitize the property. For items that can be restored, we can remove odor and bring it back to pre-fire condition. After these steps, the restoration process can begin and you can get your home and life back to normal. We will walk through your home to make sure everything is up to your standards and you are completely satisfied. 

Make Sure You Are Prepared for the Aftermath of a Fire

1/26/2021 (Permalink)

Making sure that you are prepared for a fire (and its aftermath) is a great way to gain peace of mind and keep your household safer. First, you should prioritize a plan for evacuating to safety in case a fire breaks out.

After this is settled, move on to planning for the aftermath of a house fire—assessing the damage, filing an insurance claim and getting a restoration company are all much easier when you know exactly what to expect from the process.

Planning for the Aftermath of a House Fire

Prepare yourself for what to expect. There is no way to predict the damage your home will contain after a fire, but knowing general fire damage patterns can help you prepare. You will generally see spots of charring around where the flames broke out and anywhere they traveled to, but it is also important to note that smoke and soot can travel much farther throughout the home.

Wait to enter your home. Always listen to officials regarding when it is safe to re-enter your home. Ceiling supports, walls and floors can all be damaged by fires and cause structural concerns, so going back in prematurely can cause unnecessary damage both to you and to your home.

Contact your insurance company. Starting the claims process quickly is recommended, and your insurance company will work with you on what this looks like. Every claims process is different based on your provider, so conferring with them directly will help you know what to expect.

Document the damages. Having thorough documentation of the damages is a great way to stay organized and on top of everything as you work to recover. A list is a helpful way to itemize your belongings, and pictures of the damages can come in handy both for you and for your insurance claim.

Contact your restoration company. Prioritizing your emotional and mental well-being after a house fire is important to the healing process, and when you do not have to worry about restoration, that is much easier to do. Work with a company that you can put your faith into so you can gain peace of mind that your home is being restored well.

If your home is damaged in a house fire, you can count on us to help you. Get in touch at any hour for a quick response!

Stopping Household Fires with SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

1/18/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire is never a pleasant experience, but did you know there are ways to lessen the chances that one will occur? Prevention is the best strategy for dealing with house fires because of how rapidly they can spread through the home and how destructive they can be once they start.

Ensuring that you are doing all you can to protect your home can go a long way in making sure you never have to go through the house fire experience. You can keep your family much safer and have the peace of mind that you are doing all you can to not have to experience a fire at all.

Doing What You Can to Reduce Your Fire Risk at Home

Check your smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are always the first step in improving your household fire safety, as they will be the thing that notifies you if a fire has started. Be sure to do a monthly test to make sure they are operational, and keep track of when they were installed so you know when to replace the unit altogether.

Create a fire escape plan. A fire escape plan is an important component of safety, as your family should know what to do if the smoke alarm sounds. It should take under two minutes to escape, which is why it is so important to formulate a solid plan and practice it regularly as a family.

Limit your fire risks. Your daily habits can go a long way in reducing the chances that a fire will ever occur. Small tasks, like cleaning your dryer’s lint tray with every load, avoiding placing towels next to your stove and not leaving your cooking unattended, can cut down on some of the most major fire risks that there are.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. While fire extinguishers should only be used if it is absolutely safe to do so, they can prevent a small mistake from turning into a household disaster. Any time there is an open flame present, it is good to have an operational fire extinguisher nearby and be sure you know how to use it just in case things get out of hand.

If your home is damaged by a house fire, we are here to help. Our expert fire restoration technicians are here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action as soon as you call. Contact us at any hour to report your damage and receive a quick response.

Cooking Safety with SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

Fire prevention is very important, and that is why SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City wants to share our top cooking tips to prevent household fires and injury. Cooking can be a way to come together as a family, but did you know most house fires are caused in the kitchen from the stovetop?

Stovetop fires are normally caused when food is left unattended. Always be sure to pay attention to what you are cooking, especially if cooking with oil or at high temperatures. Be sure to remove food packaging, dish towels, paper towels, wooden utensils, and oven mitts away from the stovetop that can easily be burned or catch onto an open flame.

Make sure all appliances are in working order and unplugged when not in use. Crumb trays should be emptied, and fallen food should be cleaned from the oven and microwave when cooled. Be sure to never use metal in the microwave as it can easily spark and cause a fire. 

When cooking, it is best to wear tight-fitting clothing and tie long hair back. Baggy clothes, long hair, and dangling sleeves can easily catch the hot burner or open flame. If your clothes or hair catches on fire, be sure to STOP - DROP -  and ROLL to smother the flame. It is also best to keep your cooking zone “child-free” so children do not touch hot appliances, or get burned by hot liquids or flames. 

If you’d like to learn more about protecting yourself from a house fire and how our restoration services can help you recover, get in touch today to learn more.

How You Can Reduce Your Household Fire Risk | SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

9/13/2020 (Permalink)

If you experience any property damage due to a fire, we are here to help. Contact SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City to learn more.

We would all like to say that we never want to experience a fire in our home, but how many of us are actively working to prevent one? A house fire can start and begin to spread in under a minute, leading to devastation that is often quite sudden and unexpected.

However, by working to lower your fire risk, you can significantly improve the overall safety of your home. Preparing your household and your family members, paired with practicing good fire safety habits, can go a long way in making sure you never have to deal with the complicated aftermath of a house fire.

Avoid Dealing With the Aftermath of a House Fire

Check your smoke detectors. Any time households are hoping to increase their fire safety, installing adequate numbers of smoke detectors is the very first step. Smoke detectors are key for alerting your family if a fire has begun, ensuring you will never be caught by surprise and can execute a swift escape when they sound.

Create a fire escape plan. Making sure that your family members feel comfortable escaping your home quickly in case of a fire is so important. Fire escapes should be done in under two minutes to avoid dangerous smoke inhalation. By drafting a solid plan and practicing it often, you can be certain that everyone will know exactly what to do.

Limit your fire risks. Your daily habits have a lot to do with the overall fire risk in your household, too. By being vigilant about things like not overloading electrical outlets, replacing frayed cords and avoiding leaving cooking food unattended, you can cut down significantly on your overall household risk.

Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Having a fire extinguisher nearby is a must any time you will be dealing with an open flame, such as when you are cooking, grilling or using your fireplace. If it is safe to use one, knowing how to and acting swiftly can stop a fire in its tracks, turning a potential household disaster into a near-miss, instead.

If your home is damaged by a house fire, we are here to help. Our expert fire restoration technicians are here ²⁴⁄₇ to spring into action as soon as you call. Contact us at any hour to report your damage and receive a quick response.

A Few Grill Fire Safety Tips That Go a Long Way | SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

8/24/2020 (Permalink)

You truly can’t beat a meal that has been cooked on your grill on a summer evening. Cooking outside is a great way to take advantage of your outdoor space and keep the kitchen clean, but as with anything involving an open flame, using caution is key to keeping the activity fun and safe.

Grill fires occur the most in the summer months, but by simply being careful, you can significantly reduce the chances of having one occur.

Reports from the U.S. Fire Administration have found that over 5,000 grill fires happen yearly, making them a more common occurrence than many realize. Remembering fire safety basics when you fire up the grill can go a long way in keeping a disaster from occurring.

Fire Safety Basics for Firing Up the Grill

Create a safe zone around your grill. You are probably used to seeing grills placed on decks up against homes, but this is actually not the recommended solution. A three-foot buffer is the advised amount to have around your grill. This way, if a flare-up occurs, fire is less likely to spread to your deck, railing, or home and cause further damage.

Clean your grill grates often. When grease and food particles get stuck on your grates, you may find the temperature of your grill becomes less consistent—and that you have an increased chance of a fire on your hands. These particles can ignite if the temperature gets too high, but using a scraper tool to clean your grates after each use can prevent this.

Never leave the grill unattended. As with any open flame, grills should never be left unattended, even if the lid is closed. If a flare-up occurs, you can quickly douse it with a fire extinguisher before it becomes an emergency scenario if you are nearby. That is why it is never advised to leave your grill unattended, even for just a moment.

Inspect the grill regularly. Every time you use your grill, do a simple visual inspection to ensure everything appears to be in good shape. With propane-powered grills, there is always a potential that a gas leak could develop, which can be disastrous if an open flame is introduced. Doing your due diligence to check these things is a smart way to be fire safe.

If you have a grill fire that does damage to your home, we are here to help. You can call us any time, day or night, to have a quick response from our restoration experts.

Clueless After A Fire Loss?

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

If you are in need of fire assistance call SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown and Mid-city 504-468-3047

Don't Know What To Do After A Commercial Fire Loss? It's Okay We've Got You Covered!

In your lifetime, you must have heard about, seen, or experienced a fire tragedy. Fire is usually accidental, apart from a few instances of arson, but once it hits a building, the outcome is enormous grief. When a fire hits a business premise, among the first persons you see are local firefighters. A firefighter responds quickly to the scene and he/she arrives with colleagues in a fire truck that contains the necessary equipment such as a fire hose to carry out the fire suppression.

Commercial fire damage can pull your business steps behind, and in order to avoid that, you need to call fire restoration experts as soon as possible. Commercial fire damage mostly results from electrical fires and with it; comes soot damage and smoke damage. The firefighters in their fire suppression efforts also cause water damage. The water comes from the fire hose, a long flexible tube that is part of the fire truck. The fire hose utilizes high pressure pumping to put out the fire.

As a result, the ordinary tools commonly used for janitorial services cannot handle a commercial fire damage. You need to call a fire restoration company to mitigate the fire damage. A professional fire restoration company has qualified and experienced personnel with the right equipment to handle any commercial fire damage incidence. These experts should be called not long after a fire suppression has been carried out to avoid further damage to your business premises.

Fire damage resulting from electrical fire can be very hectic to deal with especially if it is a utility room fire. Therefore, it is imperative for the fire restoration process to be handled appropriately. The firefighters are also adequately trained to carry out fire suppression processes in any setting regardless of whether it is a utility room fire or an electrical fire. The firefighters use fire trucks fitted with the appropriate equipment to put out any fire in a commercial property.

Apart from fire damage, the restoration company you call also has the capacity to trace the hidden damages such as smoke damage and soot damage. Failure to handle smoke and soot damage can shift the damages from primary to secondary. Once the smoke damages have reached a secondary level, they may result to the closure of your business.

The fire restoration experts advice those who own commercial properties to install a fire sprinkler system in their buildings. The fire sprinkler system can be quite effective especially if it’s a utility room fire. Just like a fire hose, the fire sprinkler system releases water under pressure to put off the fire within a room in the building. Therefore, the fire sprinkler system could save you from huge losses especially when a utility room fire strikes because most of the things stored in a utility room are of value to your business.

Fire damage incidences are caused by a number of factors, the most common being electrical fires. Regardless of the cause, the restoration company experts follow the same process to rid your premises of fire, soot, and smoke damage. This process entails six steps, and they are as follows.
• Emergency Contact: The first step involves you calling the professional experts to remedy the damages.
• Assessing the damages: The skilled experts inspect your commercial property to determine the extent of fire, smoke, and soot damage
• Boarding up and roof tarp service: When fire strikes your commercial property, the roof, walls, and windows are damaged. The professionals put in tarpaulin to prevent more damage.
• Removing and drying the water: In their fire suppression efforts, firefighters leave water from the fire truck that could cause further damage if not removed.
• Removal of smoke and soot: Fire tragedies leave behind soot and smoke damage and it is vital to remove the smoke and soot from all the surfaces.

Fire Prevention Safety Tips

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

For more fire prevention tips, or if a fire does occur in your home call SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City 504-468-3047.

As the temperature drops throughout New Orleans, we find ourselves staying bundled up and inside  warm and cozy in our homes. However, this is also the time of year when people start to bring out extra sources of heat to warm their home. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) gives us a list of other heat sources available, as well as how to stay safe this winter while using them.

• Space heater
  • Keep anything that can burn or catch fire at least three feet away at all times.
  • Buy a space heater that has an automatic power-off, especially for if the heater tips over accidentally.
  • Do not keep the heater on when unattended or while sleeping.
  • Plug the heater directly into an outlet instead of using an extension cord or power strip.
• Fireplace
  • Do not burn paper in your fireplace. This can cause small, burning particles to fly into the living area.
  • Keep a screen in front of your fireplace to prevent embers from flying out into the living space.
  • Never leave a fire unattended while sleeping or when out of the house.
  • When cleaning out the ashes from the fireplace, make sure to dispose of them in a metal can with a lid that’s at least three feet away from your Nashville home.
• Wood-burning stove
  • The wood-burning stove is treated much like a fireplace with the same rules that apply, but with a wood-burning stove, there is also the chimney that comes into play.
  • Have your chimney inspected and cleaned at least once a year by a professional.

Don't Let The Soot Settle In Your Home!

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City for any of your soot removal needs! 504-468-3047

The time to act on fire damage restoration is unfortunately right after the disaster happens. At the time of the devastating incident, many people are not in the right state of mind to act quickly and get the area cleaned up and restored. This is where companies, such as SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City, come into play and help take care of the damage that has been done. According to the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, delays in fire damage clean up can have serious consequences. Acidic soot residue can cause permanent damage to areas of the household over time.

Within minutes of the fire being extinguished: The residue can cause a discoloration to materials such as, plastic, marble and alabaster.

Within hours: The acidic soot residue can cause permanent discoloration or yellowing of furniture in the household, such as bath fixtures, countertops and unpolished metals.

Within days: Walls and flooring can start to be affected. The soot will cause discoloration of walls and corrosion of metals throughout the home. Flooring that is made out of vinyl or wood must be replaced or refinished and any clothing or upholstery will most likely be permanently stained.

Within weeks: Carpet can become unsalvageable and objects such as silver-plated fixtures, glass, crystal or china will become etched due to the long exposure to the residue.

Although the restoration process can be done with extensive vacuuming and cleanup, it is a process that sometimes requires the proper equipment and time to get the job done. Restoration companies have the equipment to help save you hundreds of dollars in valuables and time to get the job done effectively and efficiently. With the proper tools, there is more chance for the removal of stains, damage and odor removal to take, leaving you with less of a headache and salvaged items.

Tips and Tricks to Cleaning a Small Kitchen Fire

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown and Mid-City for any of your fire cleaning needs.

Do you like to cook? If so, you probably know the risks involved when in the kitchen preparing a tasty meal. Sometimes, we can get distracted and leave a hot pot on the stove or item in the oven. These little mistakes don't typically cause problems unless forgotten about. Especially so, if there is grease involved.

It is recommended to stay alert while cooking. Also, make sure your smoke detector is up to date. Unfortunately, fires still occur and must immediately be put out.

If you live in an apartment, there might be a sprinkler system. If at home, you may have pulled out the fire extinguisher before the fire department arrived. Regardless, there was probably even more damage done when the fire was put out. So, that's why we have put together a check list of what to clean after a small kitchen fire has been put out.

1. Walls and ceilings likely have smoke or water damage. They will need to be wiped/dried thoroughly.

2. Dishes near or involved in the fire may need to be thrown away.

3. Furniture and floors depending on how large the fire was will need a deep scrubbing.

4. If the fire got out of hand, there may be a need for remodeling or replacing of appliances and more.

5. Lastly, there may be hidden places where water is standing. Grab a fan to make sure the area gets completely dry to prevent mold from growing.

While these things may take a few days to clean, they will save you from more damage in the future. If you need any help call us at 504-468-3047

Trust the Professionals of SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City With Your Fire Damage

1/3/2020 (Permalink)

Trust the professionals of SERVPRO of N. Kenner, Harahan,& Lakeview to restore your home!

SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City Can Help Make the Fire Damage Restoration Process Easier on You

Fires are not entirely uncommon to New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City homes, but each one presents a unique look at the same kinds of effects for professional restorers. Finding a way to overcome the specific issues that make comfortable living a challenge in your home is a hurdle for any restorer to overcome, and much of that comes with going the extra mile for the customers and clients. One way of doing this is keeping an open dialogue with the homeowner to ensure that needs and milestones are getting met throughout the restoration process.

While you might not ever get prepared for fire damages to your  residence, SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City is always here to help you through every piece of restoring the house back to preloss conditions. As was mentioned above, our team works hard to keep an open dialogue with every customer and client we serve to ensure that things are getting done to their specific specs and expectations, addressing the most pressing and property damaging elements before other restoration tasks occur.

Another step forward towards making your life a little more comfortable through this challenging time is our ability to work directly with insurance adjusters for your home to coordinate the work needing to get completed with the claim getting filed. Ultimately, our goal is to make this process as streamlined as possible for you, as this time in your life is trying enough as it is. It is also beneficial to have experts in the restoration field negotiate this battle for you in getting your claim pushed through because we have a credible reputation as a leading company in this niche of business.

While fire damages might occur in different ways from house to house in the area, fighting their effects and getting the fire damage restoration process does not have to be a drawn out and involved ordeal. Trust the experienced technicians we have at SERVPRO® of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City to help you clean up the mess and get your house back to the way it should be. We can be reached anytime at 504-468-3047