Recent Posts

Space Heater Safety Tips

2/12/2024 (Permalink)

Fire Restoration, Fire Damage, Fire Safety Space Heater in a Room

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year. These fire result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. 
 
Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home in cold weather. Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly. Fire and electrical hazards can be caused by space heaters without adequate safety features, space heaters placed near combustibles, or space heaters that are improperly plugged in.
 
Safety should always be a top consideration when using space heaters. Here are some tips for keeping your home safe and warm when it’s cold outside:

  • Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
  • Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
  • Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
  • Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
  • Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
  • Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
  • Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
  • Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
  • Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
  • Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.

Frozen Pipe Prevention

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

water restoration, freezing pipes Frozen Pipe

One of the most common reasons why water pipes burst is due to freezing. When the temperature drops, the water inside the pipes can freeze, expand, and cause the pipes to burst. To prevent this from happening, there are a few steps you can take:

  • Insulation. Insulating exposed pipes with insulation wraps or foam sleeves is a common and useful way to prevent pipes from freezing.
  • Seal air leaks. Sealing air leaks around windows, doors, and ventilation fans can prevent cold air from reaching the pipes.

  • Let faucets drip. Running water through pipes helps to prevent them from freezing, so be sure to let faucets drip slightly during cold weather.

Fire Facts: Christmas Trees

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

Safety Tips
  • Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.

  • Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

  • Do not overload electrical circuits.

  • Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

  • Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.

  • Find a recycling program near you.

  • Never burn any part of a Christmas Tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

Tornado Safety

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

Storm Restoration, water mitigation Spring is Tornado Season

Tornado Safety

Keeping informed about the weather is the best way to avoid being caught in a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Your local National Weather Service Forecast Office provides information about dangerous weather in your area, and you should keep a close eye on this information whenever storms threaten your area. A battery operated NOAA Weather Radio with a warning alarm feature should be a part of your information system!

It’s also critical that you think about tornado safety long before there’s a storm on the horizon, and plan what you will do to stay safe no matter where you may be when storms threaten.

When a severe storm or tornado threatens, remember these basic guidelines:

GET IN - get as far inside a strong building as you can, away from doors and windows

GET DOWN - get to the lowest floor

COVER UP - use whatever you can to protect yourself from flying or falling debris

  • A reinforced underground storm shelter, storm cellar, enclosed basement or safe room are usually the safest places in a tornado. Underground shelters get you out of the way of flying and falling debris, which is a tornado’s most lethal weapon.
  • If you cannot get underground, remember the basic guidelines. Get as far inside the strongest building you can find. Stay away from doors, windows and other openings to the outside. Put as many walls between you and the outside as you can.
  • Get as low as you can. Go to the lowest floor of the building you’re in.
  • Cover up to protect yourself from flying and falling debris. Use whatever you can find - pillows, blankets, sleeping bags, mattresses. Wearing a helmet or hardhat will help protect your head from debris.
  • Being outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle are all unsafe in a tornado or severe thunderstorm. Find stronger shelter before the storm arrives and remember to get in, get down and cover up.

Why SERVPRO for Residential Restoration Services

4/3/2023 (Permalink)

water damage, fire damage, 24-7 restoration services Residential Restoration Services

As a trusted leader in the restoration industry, you can depend on SERVPRO, whether you need emergency flood damage restoration or your upholstery cleaned. We have the training, experience, and equipment to make your house feel like home again.

  • 24-hour emergency service
  • Highly trained restoration technicians
  • Faster to Any Sized Disaster
  • A trusted leader in the restoration industry with more than 2,000 franchises
  • Advanced restoration and cleaning equipment

Residential Restoration Services

Fire, water, and mold restoration are the cornerstones of our business. SERVPRO is dedicated to responding to your emergency fast. Our focus on training ensures we have the expertise and skills needed to promptly restore your property right the first time. Our restoration services include the following:

  • Water Damage Restoration
  • Fire Damage Restoration
  • Mold Remediation
  • Storm and Major Events

Residential Cleaning Services

Life happens. Kids spill drinks, pets have accidents, and homes get dirty. SERVPRO offers cleaning services ranging from air duct cleaning to removing biohazard contaminants. Their residential cleaning services will not only ease the burden of the constant maintenance of your home, but will also create a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment for your family. Our cleaning services include the following:

  • Overview of Residential Cleaning
  • Air Ducts & HVAC
  • Biohazard
  • Carpet and Upholstery
  • Ceiling, Floors & Walls
  • Drapes and Blinds
  • Odor Removal
  • Sewage and Toilet Overflow
  • Trauma and Crime Scene
  • Vandalism and Graffiti

Sewer Backup!!!

3/2/2023 (Permalink)

Sewage Cleanup, water mitigation, Toilet overflow, restoration Toilet overflow

Sewer backups should be considered an emergency since the water may contain viruses, bacteria, and other microbes that cause serious illnesses. SERVPRO has the specialized training and equipment to quickly and safely clean contaminants like sewage.

Water damage can be classified by the three types of contaminated water. SERVPRO will inspect your home or business to determine the appropriate plan of action for the type of water encountered.

The three types of contaminated water:

Category 1:

Category 1 water is from a clean source like a broken water supply line or leaking faucet. If not treated quickly, this water can turn into category 2 or 3, depending on length of time, temperature, and contact with surrounding contaminants.

  • Water from a clean source like a broken water line
  • If left untreated, can degrade into category 2 or 3

Category 2:

Category 2 water is contaminated and could cause discomfort or illness. Examples include washing machine overflow; toilet overflow with some urine, but no feces; or dishwasher overflow.

  • May contain bacteria and viruses
  • Can quickly degrade into category 3 if left untreated

Category 3:

Category 3 water is grossly contaminated and could cause severe illness or death if ingested and any contact should be avoided. Examples include flooding from rivers or streams, water from beyond the toilet trap, water from the toilet bowl with feces, or standing water that has begun to support microbial growth.

  • May contain untreated sewage, harsh chemicals, and microbes
  • Water from flooding rivers or sewer backup

24-Hour Emergency Service

Water contaminated with sewage backup should be considered an emergency situation and dealt with as quickly as possible. SERVPRO of Mayes & Wagoner Counties is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They are water damage restoration specialists with specialized training, equipment and protective gear to safely restore your home or business.

Mold In Crawl Spaces

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Mold Remediation, Mold, Mold Prevention, Mold in Crawl Space Mold in your crawl space?

What Causes Mold in a Crawl Space?

Excessive moisture can cause mold growth in your crawl space. That moisture can occur naturally from the soil and dirt underneath your home. A leaky pipe or condensation can also contribute to higher moisture levels. Without proper ventilation, moisture can build up and cause mold growth.

6 Ways to Prevent Mold Growth in Your Crawl Space

You can be proactive and prevent mold growth by taking a few precautionary steps. We’ve included six tips that can help avoid mold from forming in the first place. 

Tip 1: Inspect your foundation walls.

The first step in crawl space mold prevention is to inspect the foundation walls. Look for cracks or leaks in walls, as well as holes or cracks in the ceilings. Even the smallest gap can allow moisture to seep in. 

Tip 2: Check your gutters and downspouts. 

You want to make sure to channel rainwater away from your house properly. If it’s flowing toward your home, then it’s a surefire recipe for mold. Ideally, you should direct water flow at least six feet from your home to prevent rainwater from pooling at or near your foundation. 

Tip 3: Look for any leaks.

You might have to get your hands dirty for this one, but we recommend checking your crawl space two to three times per year. Inspect the pipes to ensure that none of them are leaking. You should also look for any plumbing leaks above ground too. Since water travels downward, a leak upstairs can easily make its way into your crawl space. 

Tip 4: Insulate crawl space pipes.

Earlier, we mentioned that condensation collecting on pipes from fluctuating temperatures could elevate moisture levels in your crawl space, leading to mold. One way to prevent this from happening is to insulate the pipes. 

Tip 5: Consider a vapor barrier.

Vapor barriers are unique materials that keep moisture out of your crawl space. Vapor barriers are made of a plastic or foil sheet designed to resist water through the floor, ceiling, wall, or roof. They prevent both the invasion of moisture and the condensation on surfaces.

 If you already have a vapor barrier (also referred to as crawl space encapsulation), ensure you remove the original barrier to prevent odor or moisture from being trapped between the two layers. 

Tip 6: Adequately ventilate your space.

Good ventilation airs out your crawl space, and in conjunction with a vapor barrier, is very effective in keeping everything perfectly dry. There are multiple ways to ventilate the area, such as: 

  1. Divert a minimal amount of heated air from your HVAC system to the crawl space.
  2. Install a dehumidifier. Humidity levels shouldn’t be above 30-50%.
  3. Install an exhaust fan to move crawl space air outside.
  4. If you have a clothes dryer in your home, ensure the vent flows outside the crawl space.

Preparing for a Winter Storm

1/2/2023 (Permalink)

Storm Restoration, water mitigation To keep yourself and your loved ones safe, you should know how to prepare your home and your car before a winter storm hits.

Make a Plan
Be prepared before a winter storm hits by planning ahead. If you are in an area prone to winter weather, be sure to create a communication and disaster plan for your family ahead of time.
Weatherproof your home.
  • Insulate any water lines that run along exterior walls so your water supply will be less likely to freeze.
  • Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows.
  • Insulate walls and attic.
  • Install storm or thermal-pane windows or cover windows with plastic from the inside.
  • Repair roof leaks and cut away tree branches that could fall on your home or other structure during a storm.
Have your chimney or flue inspected each year.

If you plan to use a fireplace or wood stove for emergency heating, have your chimney or flue inspected each year. Ask your local fire department to recommend an inspector or find one online.

Featured Resource

Check out our infographic, Be Ready! Winter Weather for tips on getting your family, home, and car ready for a winter storm.

pdf iconMore >
Install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector.
  • If you’ll be using a fireplace, wood stove, or kerosene heater, install a smoke detector and a battery-operated carbon monoxide detector near the area to be heated. Test them monthly and replace batteries twice a year.
  • Keep a multipurpose, dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby.
  • All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside.
  • Each winter season have your furnace system and vent checked by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.
For older adults, keep an easy-to-read thermometer inside your home.

If you or a loved one are over 65 years old, place an easy-to-read thermometer in an indoor location where you will see it frequently. Our ability to feel a change in temperature decreases with age. Older adults are more susceptible to health problems caused by cold. Check the temperature of your home often during the winter months.

Create an emergency car kit.

It is best to avoid traveling, but if travel is necessary, keep the following in your carexternal icon:

  • Cell phone, portable charger, and extra batteries
  • Items to stay warm such as extra hats, coats, mittens, and blankets
  • Windshield scraper
  • Shovel
  • Battery-powered radio with extra batteries
  • Flashlight with extra batteries
  • Water and snack food
  • First aid kit with any necessary medications and a pocket knife
  • Tow chains or rope
  • Tire chains
  • Canned compressed air with sealant for emergency tire repair
  • Cat litter or sand to help tires get traction, or road salt to melt ice
  • Booster cables with fully charged battery or jumper cables
  • Hazard or other reflectors
  • Bright colored flag or help signs, emergency distress flag, and/or emergency flares
  • Road maps
  • Waterproof matches and a can to melt snow for water

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

12/5/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Restoration, Fire Damage, Fire Safety Christmas Tree Myth: A Christmas Trees is a fire hazard.
Safety Tips
  • Use of lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, will reduce drying of the tree.

  • Always inspect light sets prior to placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

  • Do not overload electrical circuits.

  • Always turn off the lights when leaving the house or when going to bed.

  • Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.

  • Find a recycling program near you.

  • Never burn any part of a Christmas Tree in a wood stove or fireplace.

Provided by the National Christmas Tree Association: It's that time of year again.  We'll all probably see the local TV news team do a Christmas Tree fire story. It'll show a dramatic image of a tree burning and the reporter will say with consternation, "If you get a Real Christmas Tree, this could happen to you….blah blah blah.”

Watching those stories every year, I can only wonder at the ethical standards of the TV station. This is clearly an example of sensational and misleading journalism. While I applaud efforts to teach people how to properly care for their farm-grown Christmas Tree and warn people about potential fire hazards, journalists have a responsibility to get the facts right.  

A natural tree, especially a tree that is kept watered, is extremely difficult to ignite from an accidental ignition source found in a home. In fact, newspapers, magazines, boxes, bags and drapes are far more likely to be involved in a fire, but mentioning these before natural trees would still “miss the mark.” Media focus should be on the source of the fire in the first place.  Educating the public about unattended or poorly placed candles, overloaded circuits and faulty wiring should be your priority. A cut Christmas Tree has NEVER, ever, ever in history CAUSED a fire.  Fires are caused by sparks, flames, heat or chemical reactions.  A plant (which is what a Christmas Tree is) can NOT cause a fire.

According to published reports of the National Fire Protection Association, a confirmed average of 111 fires per year in the U.S. were ones in which a cut tree was the first item ignited in a residential fire.  During the same period of the report, an average of 28 million cut Christmas Trees were displayed.  Divide 111 by 28 million.  You get 0.0000039.  Or 0.0004% rounded up.  But watching local news reports on the topic, one would think it happened all the time.

Another item in the NFPA report you might find interesting is that fire officials state clearly that artificial trees also catch on fire every year.  There is no testing lab or standards for those products to meet in order to print the words "flame retardant" on their packaging.  They're really just words on a box.  Fake trees catch on fire every year. Not very many, just like farm-grown trees.  However, according to the NFPA report, 28% confirmed residential fires where a Christmas tree was the first item ignited involved a fake tree.

I hope these journalists realize just how erroneous and misleading and dramatized their stories like this are, and how scaring people with dramatic images of trees burning doesn't help to constructively provide tree care tips. It only hurts local farmers who grow the trees. Media stories that exaggerate the danger of a consumer item – or worse yet media stories that intentionally fake an event such as pouring gasoline over a Real Christmas Tree to demonstrate its flammability – can influence consumer behavior in a way that is unfair and unfortunate.  It is journalistic sensationalism and does a disservice to the public and the product. Don't think they fake it?  Just a few years ago, on The Tonight Show, Jay Leno showed a clip of a fireman pouring four gallons of gas on a tree just prior to doing one of those "this could happen to you" Christmas Tree fire stories for local TV news.

My hope is that consumers are not fooled by media who show these news reports.  You can get the facts, including proper tree care practices, at www.realchristmastrees.org Have a safe and Merry Christmas!

Space Heater Safety Tips

12/2/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Restoration, Fire Damage On average, fires caused by portable heaters cause 65 deaths and 150 injuries a year.

Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year. These fire result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. 
 
Portable electric space heaters can be a convenient source of supplemental heat for your home in cold weather. Unfortunately, they can pose significant fire and electric shock hazards if not used properly. Fire and electrical hazards can be caused by space heaters without adequate safety features, space heaters placed near combustibles, or space heaters that are improperly plugged in.
 
Safety should always be a top consideration when using space heaters. Here are some tips for keeping your home safe and warm when it’s cold outside:

  • Make sure your space heater has the label showing that it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory.
  • Before using any space heater, read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels carefully.
  • Inspect heaters for cracked or broken plugs or loose connections before each use. If frayed, worn or damaged, do not use the heater.
  • Never leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you’re leaving a room or going to sleep, and don’t let pets or children play too close to a space heater.
  • Space heaters are only meant to provide supplemental heat and should never be used to warm bedding, cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
  • Install smoke alarms on every floor of your home and outside all sleeping areas and test them once a month.
  • Proper placement of space heaters is critical. Heaters must be kept at least three feet away from anything that can burn, including papers, clothing and rugs.
  • Locate space heaters out of high traffic areas and doorways where they may pose a tripping hazard.
  • Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
  • Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on cabinets, tables, furniture, or carpet, which can overheat and start a fire.
  • Always unplug and safely store the heater when it is not in use.