Recent Fire Damage Posts

Safety Tips for Holiday Lighting

12/27/2023 (Permalink)

Christmas themed decorated fireplace. Keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe by following these tips.

To help keep your holidays bright and your home and family safe, use common sense with candles and tree placement and follow home decorating guidelines. 

In addition to exercising caution with candles and heat sources, it is important to follow manufacturers’ guidelines for holiday lighting. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical distribution, or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires. Though Christmas tree fires may not be common, they can be devastating to more than the house itself. They can destroy irreplaceable photos, mementos, and family heirlooms and even cost lives. 

  • Only use decorations that are flame-retardant or not flammable.  
  • Check holiday lights each year for frayed wires or excessive wear.  
  • Don’t link more than three strands of holiday lights.  

In recent years, when so many of the things we take for granted have changed, we know people will still come together – in person or virtually – to celebrate family and holiday traditions. 'Stay safe' has become a common expression in the context of public health, but this holiday season, we urge all Mid-Michigan home and business owners to think about ‘staying safe’ in their homes as they prepare for and enjoy the holiday season. 

Unexpected Fire Hazards in Your Home

8/31/2023 (Permalink)

Dust and lint in a home Some of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home are things you might not think about on a daily basis.

Not all fire hazards are so predictable like leaving a candle unattended or smoking inside your house. Some of the most dangerous fire hazards in your home are things you might not think about on a daily basis. Here are some unexpected fire hazards in your home that you should pay attention to:  

  • Dryer Lint – Excessive heat and lint buildup is just asking for trouble. It is important to clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct regularly.  
  • Dust – Dust can be a fire hazard if it collects near floor heaters, electronics, and sockets. If sparks fly, dust piles can ignite and start a house fire. Be sure to look under appliances and remove dust buildup.  
  • Gas Water Heater – Clothes piled too close to a gas water heater can ignite when the water heater comes on.  
  • Laptops – Laptops running for long periods of time tend to get hot. A hot laptop that is left on a bed, couch, blanket, or other soft surfaces can prevent air flow in and out of the cooling vents. This can produce enough heat to ignite and start a fire.  
  • Crumbs in the Toaster – Have you checked your toaster crumbs recently? As crumbs pile up on the bottom, a spark can easily catch fire and start a flame that catches on to items surrounding the toaster.  
  • Leaves in Gutters – Allowing leaves to gather up in your gutters or bushes to over grow can cause a major fire risk. Be sure to clean your gutters and your lawn regularly to reduce the risk of a fire.

What to Do After a Fire

8/30/2023 (Permalink)

A home damaged by fire Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.

Below are things home and business owners can do after experiencing a fire in a property. 

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. 
  • Keep your hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork. 
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas. 
  • If the electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and prop its doors open. 
  • Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil. 
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves. 
  • Change HVAC filter. 
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers. 

To address the rest of the fire damage to a property, you’ll want a team of highly trained specialists who have the necessary equipment that can get your property back to preloss condition. Call us today at 586-480-2400.

Cleaning Up Fire Damage

8/27/2023 (Permalink)

Damage from a kitchen fire Fire and smoke damage can be the most devastating things to happen to your home.

Fire and smoke damage can be the most devastating things to happen to your home. Once the fire is put out and everyone is safe, it is important to act quickly on cleaning up the damage.

The first 48 hours after a fire can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings. Our SERVPRO® team can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems. We provide timely response with mitigation services after firefighters extinguish the fire and work through the project to completion, including removing smoke and soot removal to contents. These services help to ensure your property, belongings, and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible.  

We understand that after fire damages your home, you may be feeling confused, stressed, and more than a little vulnerable. Our technicians will treat your family with empathy and your home with great care. Our main goal is to help your family or property as fast and efficiently as possible. Call our team today at 586-480-2400 if you need assistance with fire damage. 

Always Prioritize Safety as You Grill

4/18/2023 (Permalink)

Chicken on a grill. The risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up.

For us, enjoying summer is all about getting outside with family and firing up the grill, but safety is key to making sure this stays a fun activity. Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up. Fortunately, a bit of prevention goes a long way.

It is reported by the U.S. Fire Administration that grill fires occur at least 5,700 times every year, making them more prevalent than many realize. But grilling can be a fun and safe activity if you follow the proper fire safety protocols when you do it.

Keep Grilling Fun, Safe and Fire-Free

  • Create a safe zone around your grill. It is convenient to place your grill in a spot close to your home but giving yourself plenty of surrounding space is important in case of flare-ups. Three feet is the recommended distance to have around your grill, free from wood, siding or any other flammable materials.
  • Clean your grill grates often. By keeping your grill grates clean, you can keep the temperature inside your grill steadier and reduce the chances of a sudden fire starting. Built-on food particles can get extremely hot when the grill is in use, even suddenly igniting in some cases. A quick scrape after each grill session can go a long way in reducing this danger.
  • Never leave the grill unattended. There is no safe way to ever leave a grill unattended, even if the lid is closed. Fires only take a second to start, so your best bet to circumvent damage is by always being nearby with a fire extinguisher just in case. Even for a quick break, it is best to have someone take over your grill station to keep a vigilant eye out.
  • Inspect the grill regularly. The components of a grill are not made to last forever, and even if you are using yours regularly, you never know when something could finally give out. Before you ever light your grill, do a visual inspection to make sure everything looks like it is in good shape and there are no areas that could lead to a gas leak on your connectors.