Fire Damage Emergency Tips

8/22/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO was called to mitigate this dorm room from fire, smoke and water damage.

What you can do until help arrives

The steps you take immediately after a fire, especially within the first 24 hours, can determine whether or not you successfully restore your property and belongings. Your actions also have an impact on your health and safety, as there are many hazards to be aware of during the cleanup and restoration. The smoke and soot left behind after a fire can be extremely hazardous and even cost lives. In fact, smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death amongst fire victims. Soot inhalation can cause severe illness or death as well. Your first priority is to have a qualified fire damage restoration specialist come right away to assess the damage and ensure that the proper steps are taken as quickly as possible.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (903) 238-8100

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep 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 electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop 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.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

How Do Fire Sprinklers Work

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

Sprinkler Systems are among the most useful tools in your firefighting arsenal.

Sprinkler Systems are among the most useful tools in your firefighting arsenal. Today’s systems have been shown to reduce deaths and property loss by more than 65 percent.

For this reason, you certainly want fire sprinklers on your commercial property! But how do fire sprinklers work?

Step 1: Fire Sprinklers Detect Heat

Contrary to popular belief, fire sprinklers are not triggered by smoke. It’s an easy mistake to make since heat is carried upward with smoke from a fire. But if smoke was the trigger, simply burning your toast in the office kitchen could be enough to drench the kitchen with water from a fire sprinkler head.

Fire sprinklers work because high heat triggers the sprinkler system. When a blaze ignites, the air directly above it heats rapidly. This hot air rises and spreads along the ceiling. When the air is hot enough and reaches a sprinkler head, it triggers a chain reaction.

Most sprinkler heads feature a glass bulb filled with a glycerin-based liquid. This liquid expands when it comes in contact with air heated to between 135 and 165 degrees. When the liquid expands, it shatters its glass confines and the sprinkler head activates.

Step 2: Fire Sprinklers Douse The Fire

Each sprinkler head is attached to a pipe that connects to a reliable water source outside the building. When heat activates a sprinkler head, a valve opens, allowing pressurized water from the pipe system to flow out.

It’s important for water in a fire sprinkler system to be pressurized. This allows the water to spray outward in an arc to more thoroughly douse the fire and prevent it from reigniting.

Step 3: Fire Sprinklers Minimize Water Damage

In movies, sprinkler systems operate misleadingly, leading many people to believe a fallacy that all the sprinklers in a system are tied together and when one is triggered by heat, they all activate.

If this was the case, putting out a fire would simply be trading fire damage for water damage, and it’s not how fire sprinklers work.

Fortunately, sprinkler heads function individually. Most of the time, fires can be completely extinguished after just one or two sprinklers activate. This allows water damage to be confined to the small area where the fire started. Plus, since fire sprinklers douse fires with about six times less water than a fire hose, their quick action is less damaging to your property than a visit from the fire department.

It is best to have your sprinkler system on regularly scheduled maintenance and keep their contact information available for your entire staff in case of emergencies.

A Fire Damage Needs a Meticulous Clean

8/9/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Longview can assist you with your home or business after fire - smoke - soot damage.

The dangers of fire damage can last much longer than the initial fire blaze. Two of the most toxic types of damage are the fire itself and the resulting smoke damage. Smoke and soot can damage a home by permeating through the walls, upholstery, ceiling, insulation, air conditioning vents, and other hard-to-clean places.

 
This is why it is important to understand that fire damage in East Texas homes can present itself in many ways. Depending on the type of fire that attacks your home, not only are the apparent soot, ash, and fire damage unsightly but possible structure damage and future contamination are possible.
 
Never Have Your Fire Damage Overlooked Again
For example, depending on where a fire burns in a structure, it can affect support beams, load-bearing walls, and it can wreak havoc on wiring and insulation. Even if your fire emergency seemed localized to a particular area in the house, remember, the attic must be checked for damage as well.
 
SERVPRO of Longview uses our advanced cleanup methods and detection tools to check from closet to closet, room to room, and floor to ceiling, to detect all fire and post-fire damages. We know where to check to make sure your HVAC system will not spread smoke and toxins after a fire. We will make sure that your insulation is intact and that the structure of your home is safe. If we detect any need for replacement and restoration, we provide a range of services, including building services, that can take care of any fire and water damage and debris.
 
Because secondary fire damage, such as water use from firefighting efforts can also be an issue, our specialists pay much attention to a full, detailed analysis of your home’s damage before making a plan of action and beginning cleanup and restoration.
 
Contamination is not always seen by the untrained eye. It can be hidden in places such as your HVAC (air conditioning and heating) systems. SERVPRO of Longview inspects the home from attic to basement, to ensure that all vents and air circulating systems are completely clean. If you were to neglect this part of fire damage cleanup, there is always the possibility of blowing toxic dust, ash, and soot, even on the microscopic level, into your cleaned home, effectively re-contaminating it and exposing residents to its dangers.

Our 24/7 Emergency Service line is at your disposal. Contact SERVPRO of Longview anytime at (903) 238-8100 for a quick response to your fire emergency, or to ask questions.

Dryer Vent Dangers in Longview Texas

6/5/2022 (Permalink)

Dryer vent maintenance can keep you safe from an unsuspected fire.

Did you know that a dirty dryer vent is one of the biggest fire hazards in your home?

The removable lint filter traps a lot of the lint produced while drying your clothes but does not get all of it. This lint that slips through your filter or lint trap gets trapped in nooks and crannies deep inside the dryer ductwork that allows hot air from your dryer to escape your home. This build-up of lint can make it harder for your dryer to work and can lead to overheating. This excess heat can ignite the lint and cause house fires.

Other than the fire hazard clogged vents present, congested dryer ducts can introduce other problems. A clogged dryer vent can waste your time, energy, and money by causing your dryer to take longer to dry your clothes. Not only is this bad for your wallet, but they need to run the dryer for longer amounts of time is also bad for the environment.

While there are some maintenance tasks that you can do regularly to keep your dryer vent and ducts clean, much of the work of getting deep into the ducts and vents to deep clean the system can be difficult if you don’t have the proper training and equipment. Read on to find out what maintenance tasks you can perform on your own and what is best left for the pros.

WARNING SIGNS THAT YOUR DRYER VENTS ARE BECOMING UNSAFE

Most laundry-doers dutifully clean their dryer’s lint screen before each new load of clothes. No matter how diligent you are with your lint cleaning, lint will still be able to get past the lint screen, building up to dangerous lint clogs in the hoses or ductwork that carries hot air outside your home.

There are several warning signs to look for that may indicate that your dryer vents are clogged and should be taken care of immediately to avoid any accidental fires in your home. If you notice that your clothes are taking longer to dry, are still damp at the end of a full cycle, or if you notice that your clothes are hot to the touch when the cycle is over, it may be time to call in the pros. Other signs that your vents need to be cleaned include the dryer itself running hotter than usual or your dedicated laundry room (or the air surrounding the dryer itself) being humid or damp.

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAINTAIN YOUR DRYER VENTS

The first step of cleaning any appliance is to unplug the dryer from the wall. If your dryer is powered by natural gas, this process is a bit more complicated and should be left to professional dryer vent cleaners like SERVPRO of Longview. 

Call us at 903-238-8100 and schedule a cleaning appointment today! 

Longview Texas Smoke and Soot Cleanup

5/31/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Longview Home.

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Longview will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 903-238-8100

Fire Damage Restoration

5/16/2022 (Permalink)

After removing all the smoke, soot, and damaged material only the studs remain and are now ready for reconstruction.

Restoring your home or business after fire damage to its pre-fire condition is our main goal. As a leading fire damage restoration company, we specialize in fire and water damage restoration, removal of smoke odors, and deep-cleaning soot from walls, carpets, and upholstery.

We Can Help in the Aftermath of Fire Damage

Beyond just the fire damage, smoke and soot can be toxic, creating a hazardous situation. Even if a fire is contained in one area, smoke and soot can travel throughout a structure. Our professionals are highly-trained, with the experience, tools, and knowledge to clean up fire and smoke damage. In keeping with our goal to restore your home and cherished possessions to their pre-fire condition, we use appropriate personal protective measures to safely clean, deodorize and restore your property. 

Get Back to Business Quickly After a Fire

As a business owner, you know that any disruption in business affects your bottom line. We have large loss teams that work alongside our local SERVPRO experts. These professionals understand your unique set of problems when faced with fire damage and can respond immediately to your call. Our goal is to help you get your business up and running again as soon as possible after a fire emergency.

Why a Closed Door Can Save Lives During a Fire

5/3/2022 (Permalink)

A Closed Door Can Save Lives During a Fire

Fire officials say that closing the door can be one of the most critical actions people can take to stop the spread and save lives when confronting a fire.  Closing doors can cut off the pump, slowly starving a fire of much of that fuel. It can also provide one of the most effective barriers to temporarily inhibit the spread of flames and smoke, giving firefighters crucial time to respond.

FSRI research on fire service horizontal ventilation began in 2008, and analyzed the effect of doors and windows on a fire’s spread. Bedrooms on the first and second floors of a home were tested during the scenario. Using thermal imaging cameras, researchers found that closed-door rooms on both floors during the fire’s spread had average temperatures of less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit versus 1000+ degrees in the open-door rooms.

The Close Before You Doze public fire safety education program comes because of over a decade of research conducted by UL’s Fire Safety Research Institute (FSRI). After proving that a closed-door could potentially save lives in a fire, FSRI has committed to sharing this finding with the world.

Practice, practice, practice… Families do the drill.

Put one adult in charge of sounding the smoke alarm and running the drill. Next, sound the smoke alarm, start the timer, and have everyone book it to the safety spot. Once everyone gets to the safety spot, stop the timer. If you all made it in under two minutes, you each get an imaginary gold medal.

Fire Damage Prevention Tips For Air Conditioning Units

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – (903) 238-8100

Now that the summer heat is hitting its peak, most Texans are using their Air Conditioning units moe than ever. Using our air conditioning units is one daily routine that we should prepare for with the proper precautions. 

Like many household appliances, air conditioners have a risk of starting a fire.  They also cause a substantial amount of household fires during the summer.  Therefore, it is important to hire a certified professional to inspect and repair any issues with the unit before the warmer weather begins.  Below, we list a few preventative actions you can take to prevent fire damage in your Elkton home or facility due to an air conditioning unit.

• Avoid using the AC unit at all hours of the day.  Overuse can cause the unit to overheat.  Therefore, turning off the unit when the temperature begins to cool down, or when you are not home is a smart and safe way to prevent the unit from heating up.

• Regularly have your unit inspected and cleaned by a professional.  The unit should be checked for technical malfunctions as well as for dirt and debris that can build up and cause a fire hazard.  The filter in the unit should also be changed each month.

• Flammable materials such as leaves should be cleared away from the unit.  The buildup on an AC unit can potentially cause fire damage.

• If you have a window unit, make sure that rain will not drip onto the electrical components.  Extension cords should not be used for window units, since they can overheat.

SERVPRO of Longview provides complete fire restoration services to our local community.  We offer cleaning, smoke and soot removal, and full reconstruction services in addition to other fire damage needs.  Should your Gregg County property experience a fire due to an air conditioner disaster or other issue, our fire restoration professionals are always prepared to help restore your property!

Bonfire Safety Tips for the Summer

8/13/2021 (Permalink)

If you experience any type of fire damage, our fire restoration professionals are here to help with our 24/7 emergency services.

SERVPRO of Longview hopes that everyone is enjoying the summer season, which is a great time to enjoy the warm days and cool nights with friends and family.  One popular way to do just that, is with a bonfire. We would like to remind you to always follow the proper safety precautions when participating in a bonfire, so that you can remain safe.

• Never light a bonfire during high winds that can cause the flames to spread onto a roof or other structure.
• Fires should be watched at all times, and children should be kept away from the flames.
• A hose or other source of water should be stored nearby in the event of an emergency.
• Flammable chemicals should never be burned, including products such as hairspray or paint.  These chemicals can create an uncontrollable fire quickly in addition to causing toxic fumes.
• Gradually add what you are burning; do not add everything all at once as this can cause a sudden large flame.
• Before walking away from your bonfire, pour water over the flamed area and brush the ashes around the pit with a tool such as a shovel to ensure that they will not pose a risk.

Bonfires can be a fun but dangerous event when it comes to you and your home.  We hope you will follow these safety tips in order to keep everyone safe during this fall season.  If you experience any type of fire damage, our fire restoration professionals are here to help with our 24/7 emergency services.  In addition to fire restoration, SERVPRO of Longview is proud to service our local area for water damage, mold remediation, general cleaning, and more!  For more information, give us a call today at (903) 238-8100.

SERVPRO of Longview and Hydroxyl Deodorizing Equipment

7/19/2021 (Permalink)

Hydroxyl machines have proven to be effective for almost any odor. Call SERVPRO of Longview if you need odors removed 903-238-8100

As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO of Longview is trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a number of sources both inside and outside a structure.

SERVPRO teaches IICRC technical classes in the proper removal of odors. Masking and other shortcuts don't work when your odor problem is serious or persistent.

 We have the training and equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. By identifying the cause of the odor, and determining the conditions where it contacts surfaces, the odor can often be removed over time without a trace. Our technicians have access to several odor removal products capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an unpleasant odor thoroughly.

SERVPRO of Longview professionals are prepared with the training, experience, and equipment needed to restore homes, retail shops, education institutions, healthcare facilities, foodservice operations, and historic sites. 

The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call, and leave the restoration to us.

SERVPRO of Longview can clean smoke damaged clothes

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Longview can clean smoke damaged clothes

People often ask us if we can save smoke-damaged clothes? The answer may surprise you. If clothing has not been burned in a fire, there's a good chance smoke, and soot have damaged it. Even still, you can still restore your clothes to their original fresh state. However, this takes special care that often takes the expertise of fire damage restoration professionals.

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals understand your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the very things that make a house a home.

SERVPRO Franchise Professionals specialize in restoring contents damaged by water, fire, or mold. Their expertise and “restore” versus “replace” mentality can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that can’t be replaced. They pretest your belongings to determine what items they can restore to pre-fire condition.

What to do if You Smell Natural Gas in Your Longview Home

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

If your Longview, Texas home uses gas for heating or cooking, it's important to know what to do in the event of a gas leak.

If your Longview, Texas home uses gas for heating or cooking, it's important to know what to do in the event of a gas leak. On its own, natural gas doesn't have a smell, so providers infuse additives in that give it a scent in order to protect consumers. If you smell gas inside or outside of your home or hear a hissing sound, there are steps to take to ensure that you protect yourself and your family.

1. Don't Touch the Lights
When you first smell gas and you're not sure what's happening, the first step is to NOT turn on the lights. If there is a leak, turning a light switch on or off can trigger a reaction that causes a gas fire. Similarly, don't use matches, start or stop appliances, or use the phone.

2. Check the Stove
Check the stove to make sure that all the burners are off. One common reason that you smell gas but a gas explosion isn't necessarily imminent is that a burner was accidentally bumped on.

3. Open the Windows
If you can verify that the natural gas smell was caused by an improperly closed burner, it's safe to open the windows and doors to air out the house. However, if you've checked the stove and no burners are on, it's important to leave the windows closed to prevent oxygen from getting to a flame.

4. Leave the House
When the stove is ruled out as the cause of the smell, it's time to leave the house — and quickly. Worry only about getting the people in your home out; don't try to take extra items with you. A potential gas fire is an emergency!

5. Call for Help
Once you're safely away from the house (at least across the street), call 911 for help. In the event of an explosion that causes damage, an emergency restoration team will work with you to get you back in your home quickly.
A gas fire is a common way that homes sustain damage. If you think you smell gas, protect your family by leaving the house and calling for help.

How to Grill Safe This Summer in Longview

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

Anytime you are working with fire, be sure to keep safety in mind.

Now that summer is in full swing, and you probably feel like it’s time to bring out the grill and get grillin’. According to the National Fire Protection Association, July is the peak month for grill fires. So when you do have that delicious cookout, be sure to keep safety in mind:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

When Using A Charcoal Grill:

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container

When Using A Propane Grill:

• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.
• Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose.
• A propane leak will release bubbles.
• If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Specialized Fire Damage Mitigation for Your Gregg County Property

6/10/2021 (Permalink)

For any fire damage in your Lufkin home or Business, Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Longview to speak to a Fire Mitigation Specialist.

It is no secret that house fires are never a welcome surprise. Something as simple as leaving an item in the oven can often have disastrous consequences. Kitchen fires like this (protein fires) are not as simple as one would initially think. 

So, what exactly is a protein fire? A protein fire is smoke damage resulting from the extreme burn of a protein rich fiber (such as meat left cooking in an oven). And, like mentioned above, at first glance, protein fires do not appear to cause any damage to other surfaces in your kitchen and home. Nonetheless, the damage is there.

What makes the damage hard to quantify? Protein fires generally leave little visible residue, often confusing the untrained observer. While it may be difficult to visually see damage, you can most definitely smell it. Protein fires create a significantly more repugnant smell than most other fires. The nature of the burn also causes it to penetrate deeply into walls and furniture even more completely than other fires. This makes the mitigation process more difficult than most fires and can sometimes require multiple attempts and methods.

Now the final question is, what to do after the fact? Luckily, this question has a simple answer, contact the pros at SERVPRO of Longview. Every fire damage situation requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When various materials burn, the soot they create differs greatly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. So regardless of what type of fire your Gregg County property has had, we have the tools and experience to handle it.

For any fire damage in your Lufkin home or Business, Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Longview to speak to a Fire Mitigation Specialist. (903) 238-8100

Do You Know the Leading Causes of Housefires in Longview Texas?

6/4/2021 (Permalink)

If you are affected by a house fire though, there is a only one company that stands ready- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, SERVPRO of Longview.

It’s estimated that there are around 1,024 house fires daily. In the U.S. it’s also estimated that there is a one in four chance of having a house fire in a lifetime. With such a significant number of homes being affected, a common question is “how do these fires start?”. So, I thought it would be helpful to compile a quick list of some of the most common causes, as well as ways to help prevent them and protect your Longview Property.

Cooking

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), the number one cause of home fires is unattended cooking. Make sure that you stay in the room while you are cooking with a heat source. If you cannot stay in the room the whole time, ask another adult in the family to watch over your food. When cooking food for long periods of time, use a timer so you don't lose track of time.

However, we know accidents happen so prepare your home and family by having a residential fire extinguisher on hand! Fire extinguishers should be placed on every of your home, especially in the kitchen and garage. You should also learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher to be prepared in the event you have to use one.

Heating Equipment

When the weather turns colder, we are going to heat our home. Space heaters should be used if only a small portion of your home needs to be heated. Keep your space heater away from anything that could easily catch fire, including curtains, laundry, blankets, and furniture. If your home relies on a furnace during the winter, call a professional to get it inspected once a year to ensure it is running properly.

Carbon monoxide can be produced by any fuel burning device, like your stove or furnace. For protection against a possible carbon monoxide leak, have carbon monoxide alarms. Alarms should be installed on every level of your home, outside of each sleeping area, and inside every bedroom. Test the alarms monthly to ensure it is functioning properly and replace the batteries every six months.

Faulty Wiring

Your home’s wiring likely isn’t something that you think about often. However, faulty wiring is a potential way for a house fire to start. Luckily, there are typically signs that point to the fact that your house’s wiring isn’t working correctly. Watch out for lights that dim when you use another appliance, if you are only able to use one appliance at a time, and frequently blown fuses.

Your first line of defense against home fires is investing in smoke alarms for your home and your family. Like carbon monoxide alarms, smoke alarms should also be installed on every level of your home and inside each bedroom, as well as tested monthly. Browse the First Alert site for a wide variety of smoke alarms to find the alarm that best fits your home and families' needs!

Info From: firstalert.com

If you are affected by a house fire though, there is a only one company that stands ready- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, SERVPRO of Longview. When fire damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We’re dedicated to responding immediately, day or night, to your Longview home or business. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and to reduce cost.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (903) 238-8100

Stop, Drop & Roll

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

Practice Fire Safety

Help Your Child Survive a Fire

• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. 
• Once a month check whether each alarm in the home is working properly by pushing the test button. 
• Replace batteries in smoke alarms at least once a year. Immediately install a new battery if an alarm chirps, warning the battery is low.
• Teach your 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 where to meet up outside..
• Practice your fire escape plan at least twice a year and at different times of the day. Practice waking up to smoke alarms, low crawling and meeting outside. Make sure everyone knows how to call 9-1-1.
• Emphasize “get out, stay out.” Only professional firefighters should enter a building that is on fire—even if other family members, pets or prized possessions are inside.
• Use quick-release devices on barred windows and doors. Security bars without release devices can trap you in a deadly fire. If you have security bars on your windows, be sure one window in each sleeping room has a release device.
• Consider getting escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second or third floor. Learn how to use them, and store them near the windows. 
• Teach household members to STOP, DROP and ROLL if their clothes should catch on fire.

Let The Qualified Professionals at SERVPRO of Longview Help Your Local Business with Fire Damage

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

When fire damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We are dedicated to responding immediately, day or night, to your Longview business.

If you are Local Longview business owner, I know that you have worked hard to get where you are today. You are used to tackling any challenges that the business world can throw at you. But whenever a sudden fire strikes your local business, it can put a sudden stop to everything you have worked tirelessly for. That is why SERVPRO of Longview will work tirelessly right alongside you to get you back up and running.

It is no question that handling fire damage in your Longview Business is not a simple and quick process, in truth it has many different variables and requires a lot of foresight know-how. Luckily, SERVPRO of Longview has all the qualifications and experience to handle any fire damage problems you can throw at them. When fire damage strikes, a fast response is critical. We are dedicated to responding immediately, day or night, to your Longview business. A faster response helps to prevent secondary damage and to reduce cost. As fire restoration specialists, we have the training, experience and specialized equipment necessary to restore your business. We are committed to providing superior service while restoring your property back to pre-fire condition.

If your Longview business has been affected by Fire Damage, you are not alone, SERVPRO of Longview is always ready to help.

Call us at (903) 238-8100

The Toll of a Fire in Your Kilgore, TX Home

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

The devastation of a fire is immense.

The devastation of a fire is one that few people can adequately prepare mentally for. If you are only going to do one element of fire preparedness, you should certainly plan your home’s evacuation routes and do regular drills with your family. However, we recommend taking it a step further and making sure you are prepared for the aftermath, as well.

The recovery and restoration process following a fire can be extremely stressful, but knowing how to handle it can go a long way in reducing your feelings of overwhelm and frustration.

Make Sure You Are Prepared for the Aftermath of a Fire

Prepare yourself for what to expect. While all fires will cause unique sets of damage to your home that are impossible to predict, understanding a general idea of what fire damage entails can go a long way. Not only will there be charred spots that have come into contact with flames, but smoke and soot damage can become widespread as it travels through the air of the home.

Wait to enter your home. Safety always comes first for any emergency action plan, even in the aftermath of a disaster. Always confer with officials regarding when it is safe to go back inside your home, and follow their guidelines for re-entry when you do. Fires can cause hidden structural damage that can be extremely hazardous if you are not aware of them.

Contact your insurance company. You will want to prioritize filing your fire damage claim as quickly as possible so you can receive compensation for the damages caused. Every insurance company is different in how they handle this, so contact yours quickly so there is no confusion about the process.

Document the damages. Staying organized is key to making sure nothing falls through the cracks, especially when it comes to keeping track of your belongings. Create a detailed inventory list so you know exactly what has been impacted by a fire, and be sure to take plenty of photos in case your insurance agent requests them for your 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.

Call us any time or day, (903) 283-8100.

The Fire Damage Restoration Process from SERVPRO of Longview

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

The fire restoration difference.

We’re not going to kid you. Fire damage restoration is tough work. People call SERVPRO of Longview frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire.  Here are seven of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration.

Most people can put these tips into practice. But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill. Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

1. Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. Often, you’ll want to repaint, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

2. Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house. This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork. Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas. Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example: Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.) Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants. Change your HVAC filter and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Call SERVPRO Of Longview for Cleanup and Restoration.

3. Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great. They save many a live and many a home. But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO of Longview highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can cause serious health effects. It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s clean up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents. The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

4. Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. In almost every case, SERVPRO of Longview recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them. Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. You must address this. If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it. But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

5. Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire. Make sure you don’t smear the greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes into the wash. Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners to see if any have experience with post-fire laundry. Removing smoke odor is another issue and we’ve covered it in another blog post.

Call SERVPRO Of Longview for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

6. Scrub, Soak, And Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Longview also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup.

Family Fire Escape Plan for Gregg County Texas

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

Every family should have an escape plan!

Every family needs a fire escape plan, and parents should teach kids safety measures. Be sure to schedule regular drills to make sure kids know how to escape from a home fire.

Make an Escape Plan

The most important fire safety measure is an escape plan. This plan should cover:

• Primary and secondary routes
• Kid-safe strategies
• A meeting point outside

Parents and kids should practice using all escape routes. Kids should know where to go and what to do in the event of a fire.

Bed Rolls

If a child is awoken by a fire alarm, they should know to roll over rather than sit upright. Have kids practice:

• Rolling over in bed
• Keeping their heads low and facing down toward the floor
• Putting a hand down
• Sliding out of bed onto the floor

You may want to sound a fire alarm during drills. Rolling out of bed can limit exposure to heat and smoke.

Fire Crawls

Heat and smoke rise during a fire. Crawling will keep kids in the coolest area with access to the clearest air. There are several types of kids safety fire crawls:

• Crawling on all fours
• Crawling on all fours with flat forearms
• Crawling with legs flat on the floor

These methods can help kids escape a home fire. Practice crawls during drills.

How to Check Doors

Opening a door during a fire without checking can result in burns or sudden ignition. Checking a door involves:

• Pressing a door with the back of a hand
• Leaving hot doors closed
• Cracking open cool or slightly warm doors
• Proceeding if clear and re-closing doors

These fire escape methods are useful for children and adults. Keep in mind that regular drills are necessary for all family members.

After ensuring kids safety, homeowners may be faced with severe damage to a home in Gregg County. A damage mitigation and restoration service can make it possible for a family to return home as soon as possible.

How SERVPRO of Longview neutralizes smoke odor

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Only SERVPRO offers the very best in restoration services and one of the ways we do that is by using ozone.  

Ozone will neutralize virtually all organic odors, specifically those that contain carbon as their base element. This will include all the bacteria and fungus groups as well as smoke, decay, and cooking odors.  

Ozone is a toxic gas. However, it can be used safely when deployed by specialized generators under proper considerations. The benefits of using ozone for restoration work are fantastic. Smoke odor molecules that infiltrate all porous surfaces can be permanently removed by ozone gas. Only ozone will work on the most stubborn of all odor molecules, that being protein. Odors associated most forms of decay and like freezer failure have long resisted normal chemical deodorizing attempts. Ozone again has the potency to neutralize even these contaminants.  -

Info from: www.ozonesolutions.com 

As experts in deodorization, SERVPRO of Longview is trained to identify and eliminate offensive odors. The science of identifying and eliminating odors can be a tricky thing, so give us a call, and leave the restoration to us.  

-(903) 283-8100

Restoring what's lost in a fire

7/13/2020 (Permalink)

We can Help! 24/7, 365!

Finding your pristine collection of 1950’s dolls or once-colorful beer steins covered in a dense layer of dark soot while inspecting your Longview residence after a fire can make you feel like the fire, and its effects invaded every aspect of your home. Even glass cabinets and other enclosures often permit smoke to find its way in and settle on the contents’ surfaces.

At SERVPRO, we take pride in helping our customers reclaiming their homes and their possessions. We lessen its effects by using approved methods we learn through our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. Before, we cleaned such items by hand, which could produce excellent results, although taking an enormous amount of time to accomplish.

Instead, we now use ultrasonic technology to remove soot and other grime from your most prized possessions. Small imperfections can grip onto soot and make an unsightly, ugly mark that diminishes the beauty of such pieces in a collection. Cleaning by hand often left these defects marred. A short period in our ultrasonic water bath, however, cleans soot from every surface, including in between tightly abutted surfaces that face each other. This ability to clean blemishes and hairline cracks makes a tremendous difference in how your collection appears when you receive it back from us.

While still at your property, we carefully pack each item in its own piece of plain paper and place it inside a clean box. Taking these boxes to our facility also includes inventory sheets that correspond to each box. These sheets follow your items through the entire process. After the water bath, we place them in a drying chamber.

Although the cleaning method eliminates the soot that causes collectible items to smell like smoke, we still provide further deodorization. We do this inside the drying chamber without moving them. Handling them as little as possible reduces the chances of breakage. We then re-wrap each item and place it into a new box so we can return these items to you, along with their inventory sheets.

What to do after a fire

6/26/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO professionals clean and restore your property using specialized equipment and cleaning techniques.

Fires can be especially devastating to your home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO Franchise Professionals have specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet.  
In 2015, there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths, 15,700 civilian injuries, and $14.3 billion in property damage. (National Fire Protection Association)

• 501,500 were structure fires, causing 2,685 civilian deaths, 13,000 civilian injuries, and $10.3 billion in property damage.

• 204,500 were vehicle fires, causing 500 civilian fire deaths, 1,875 civilian fire injuries, and $1.8 billion in property damage.

• 639,500 were outside and other fires, causing 95 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $252 million in property damage.

The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

• One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.

• One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutes.

• One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.

• One outside and other fire was reported every 52 seconds.

• One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 seconds.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup in Longview, Texas

6/22/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your East Texas Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Longview will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (903)238-8100

Commercial Fire Restoration from SERVPRO of Longview

6/12/2020 (Permalink)

When a fire strikes your commercial property, it's quite likely that you feel yourself start to panic. This immediate reaction makes sense given all of the economic turmoil and property destruction that a fire can cause. However, knowing which steps to take in the face of a commercial fire can help prevent you from becoming anxious, losing money, and undergoing extensive property damages. To handle a Longview commercial fire successfully and speedily, implement the following four tips:

1. Contact A Fire Remediation Expert. 
Once the fire department has doused all of the flames, be sure to call a fire remediation expert. This individual will be able to equip you with a thorough assessment indicating the extent of the damages. Don't ever attempt to handle any of the cleanups, drying, or restoration processes on your own. Doing so could put you in peril of injury and illness.

2. Assemble Your Records. 
In addition to contacting a fire remediation expert, make sure that you assemble your business's essential records. You'll want to have this information with you when you start working with your insurance company. To guarantee that you can have all of your files ready in a safe place, make a point to buy a fireproof safe where they can be stored.

3. Call The Insurance Company Immediately. 
Be sure that you call your insurance company once the fire is put out. This step is important because your insurance agent will work with you to file a claim and determine how much coverage you'll attain for the commercial damages.

4. Get Permission To Reenter The Building. 
Always ask the fire department or another local authority whether you can reenter your building. 

Call SERVPRO For Fast, Friendly Fire Remediation Services 
If your business caught on fire, don't worry. Instead, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Longview and let us start cleaning up immediately. Acting right now is the key to limiting damages and expediting the restoration process. Choosing our team of industry specialists is the secret to attaining the sophisticated services you deserve. All of our IICRC-certified technicians will work with diligence and determination to get your commercial property back in pristine condition, so call us now at 903-238-8100 to attain your free estimate.

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of Longview is strategically located to respond quickly to your commercial fire emergency event. When commercial fire damage occurs we have the resources and personnel to help. Call us today! 903-238-8100.

After a Fire in my Longview Home

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Fires can be especially devastating to your Longview home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Longview professionals have specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet. 
 In 2015, there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths, 15,700 civilian injuries, and $14.3 billion in property damage. (National Fire Protection Association)

• 501,500 were structure fires, causing 2,685 civilian deaths, 13,000 civilian injuries, and $10.3 billion in property damage.

• 204,500 were vehicle fires, causing 500 civilian fire deaths, 1,875 civilian fire injuries, and $1.8 billion in property damage.

• 639,500 were outside and other fires, causing 95 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $252 million in property damage.

The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

• One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.

• One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutes.

• One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.

• One outside and other fire was reported every 52 seconds.

• One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 seconds.

Using a Fire Extinguisher

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

3 Easy Steps to Follow When Using An Extinguisher 

Here are 3 easy steps you should follow when using an extinguisher to put out a fire in your home.

1. Identify Your Evacuation Path - The last thing you want to do is focus so much on putting out the fire that you become trapped in the blaze. Take a moment to look around you and ensure you have a safe escape route to use as needed before pulling out the extinguisher.
2. Follow Instructions on Extinguisher - Fortunately, most extinguishers come with easy-to-read instructions printed directly on them. Follow the instructions and make sure you discharge the extinguisher within the effective range listed on the container. 
3. Back Away From the Fire - It’s possible for a kitchen fire to flare up again even after you’ve put parts of it out, so make sure you back away from extinguished flames instead of moving toward them. 

Once the fire is safely put out with a fire extinguisher, call your local fire damage restoration company in Longview, Texas. They can help repair and restore your home after fire damage has occurred. 

For more information, visit www.SERVPROlongview.com.

Smoke and Fire Damage: Your Longview Property

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

Fire completely engulfs this property but luckily no one was injured.

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Longview property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. We specialize in fire and water damage restoration; it’s the cornerstone of our business. We have specialized equipment, specific training, and certifications that allow us restore your home to pre-fire condition.

We understand 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. 

EVERY YEAR, NFPA surveys a sample of public fire departments in the United States, stratified by the size of the community they protect, to project national estimates of the country’s fire problem. Based upon the data we received in response to our 2015 National Fire Experience Survey, we estimate that public fire departments in the U.S. responded to 1,345,500 fires last year, a highly significant increase of 3.7 percent from 2014.

The Preventable Kitchen Fire

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

This kitchen fire spread throughout the home quickly.

Did you know the kitchen is where more home fires occur than anywhere else in the house and that cooking is the number one cause of home fires? The American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to avoid a cooking fire:

1. Never leave cooking food unattended – stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a second, turn off the stove.

2. Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking.

3. Use a timer so you’ll remember that the stove or oven is on.

4. Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

5. Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.

To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can take our cooking safety quiz and download the Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Downloadable fact sheets are also available on how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire. 

What Exactly is a Protein Fire?

5/8/2020 (Permalink)

Chicken is a great source of protein except for when it burns up and smoke up your entire home.

Protein fires create an especially unique restoration challenge. Fire damage caused by burnt food can also create odor issues which are difficult to mitigate. Here are some important facts regarding this type of fire.

1. Protein fires generally leave little visible residue, often confusing the untrained observer
2. They create a significantly more repugnant smell than most other fires
3. The nature of the burn causes the odor to permeate structure and furniture even more completely than other fires
4. Require extremely thorough cleaning to remove the odor
5. Sometimes require a sealing agent or even repainting to completely eradicate the odor
6. May require multiple attempts and methods to achieve customer satisfaction

It is also important to recognize that perception of odor is highly individual.  There are no tools available to “measure” smell, and as a result, a homeowner may perceive odors that technicians or even neighbors cannot.  Often times, because of the strong link between smell and memory, a homeowner may experience “phantom odors” where the memory of the event causes reproduction of the odor even after thorough cleaning.

Fire Damage In Your Home Or Business? Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Longview to speak to a Fire Mitigation Specialist. 903-283-8100.

The Fire Damage Restoration Process

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

We’re not going to kid you. Fire damage restoration is tough work. People call SERVPRO of Longview frequently to ask for advice on how to clean up after a fire.  Here are seven of the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration.

Most people can put these tips into practice. But remember that fire damage restoration takes time, work, and skill. Realistically consider whether you want to try these ideas on your own or whether you’d be better off hiring highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work.

1. Remove Smoke Damage

With any fire you’ll have a degree of smoke damage to your walls, wall paper, and paint. If the smoke damage is not too serious, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Soot from smoke damage is greasy stuff, so always try to dust as much of it off from a surface before trying to scrub the surface clean. Often, you’ll want to repaint, but make sure all surfaces are clean and dry before you paint.

2. Limit Activity & Other Simple Fire Damage Restoration Steps

Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house. This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. Keep people’s hands clean so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork. Protect your things by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas. Before you clean know the best cleaning method for that particular cleaning job (one example: Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.) Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants. Change your HVAC filter and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Call SERVPRO Of Longview for Cleanup and Restoration.

3. Get Rid of Mold & Mildew

Firefighters are great. They save many a live and many a home. But they do introduce mold and mildew into houses when they must use water to extinguish the fire. SERVPRO of Longview highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew. Mold and mildew can cause serious health effects. It’s difficult for a nonprofessional to know for certain if he’s clean up all the areas affected by the mold and mildew. And mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls, and vents. The best thing you can do immediately is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

4. Replace Carpets. Clean And Dry Your Floors

Your floors and carpets end up absorbing the worst of the damage from all the water used to put out a fire. In almost every case, SERVPRO of Longview recommends that you pull up any carpets that have water damage and replace them. Water can also seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood. You must address this. If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it. But you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

5. Avoid Smearing Soot Into Clothing

Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire. Make sure you don’t smear the greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes into the wash. Often times dry cleaning is the best bet, and you should ask around local dry cleaners to see if any have experience with post-fire laundry. Removing smoke odor is another issue and we’ve covered it in another blog post.

Call SERVPRO Of Longview for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

6. Scrub, Soak, And Cleaning Dishes

Dishes are also important items to clean thoroughly after a fire because they will be in contact with your food. Scrub all dishes well, let them soak in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and scrub some more for safety. When in doubt, if a dish, pot, or pan won’t come clean, cut your losses and throw it out – especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Longview also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup.

What To Know About Content Cleaning After a Fire

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

After a fire in your Lufkin home, the cleaning of your personal items may be something you’re worried about. In addition to needing to know what items are salvageable, it’s also important to know which cleaning method should be used. There are many options from dry-cleaning to a full wash. Here’s what you may want to know.

1. Many Items Can Be Salvaged

One of the most comforting things to know is that many more items than you might initially believe can be salvaged. This includes paper documentation and electronics. If you need help identifying what items can be recovered, you may wish to consult with a restoration professional. Items can be cleaned and then moved to content storage until repairs can be completed.

2. Cleaning Methods May Vary By Item Type

It’s also important to remember that content cleaning includes a variety of methods designed to clean different types of items. Some solutions include dry-cleaning for delicate fabrics, washing detergents for items that can be submerged, and wipe on solutions for large scale metal or wood items. An ozone machine can be used to restore air quality, while paper documents and electronics may require special care.

3. Your Restoration Company Can Help

Knowing which items are salvageable, what cleaning method to use for each one may seem overwhelming at first. Fortunately, a local fire damage restoration service can help. These professionals know how to identify the different types of damage that may befall your home's contents during a fire. They will also know which cleaning solution is best for each item type.
Many of your items may be able to be saved even if they seem to be badly damaged. Consult with a restoration professional to determine what can be done, and what the appropriate cleaning solution may be for each item. Remember, different cleaning options, such as dry-cleaning, may be needed for different items.

The Potential Causes for Electrical Fires

1/23/2020 (Permalink)

Licensed electricians should always be used and consulted because they know exactly how and what should be done.

Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and or old, outdated appliances. The following are the most common reasons why electrical fires happen:

1. Old electrical sockets and unsafe appliances

Appliances that are old and overused and those that fall short of modern safety standards are the worst culprits. Frayed electrical cords, self-jointed wires, and worn out sockets that are not properly grounded are major causes of fires. They become ready outlets for directing heat and fire to carpets, rugs, curtains and combustible plastic. Older appliances draw more power than the wall sockets can handle.

2. Using light fixtures that exceed the permissible wattage

A very common cause of fires is plugging lights, lighting appliances and bulbs into electrical sockets that cannot handle higher wattage levels. Antique lighting appliances may have defective wiring that makes the appliance unstable by overheating. Decorating lights with colored paper and cloth shades can increase the risk of fire when the material or fabric heats up.

3. Using multiple appliances plugged into an extension cord

Unrestricted use of extension cords is a major fire hazard. The risk of fire increases when your TV, home theatre, computer and other appliances are all plugged into a single extension cord. This creates excessive power load on a single socket which may not be designed to handle that load.  So, there is a social and economic cost to damaged wiring!

4. Locating portable heaters near combustible materials

Portable space heaters that use coils are potentially dangerous when they are positioned carelessly near curtains and rugs and adjacent to beds and cloth covered furniture. The chances of inflammable material coming into contact with the red-hot coils increase the risk of fire.

5. Wiring that becomes defective with the passage of time

Over a period of time you add more electrical appliances such as wide screen televisions, home theatre, microwave oven, refrigerator and air conditioners. The outdated home wiring cannot handle the increased power load. Older wiring tends to heat up quickly and catches fire. If the breaker boxes are themselves defective, they cannot prevent overheated electrical panels from catching fire.

Restoring Your Collectibles After A Fire

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

Finding your pristine collection of 1950’s dolls or once-colorful beer steins covered in a dense layer of dark soot while inspecting your Longview residence after a fire can make you feel like the fire, and its effects invaded every aspect of your home. Even glass cabinets and other enclosures often permit smoke to find its way in and settle on the contents’ surfaces.

At SERVPRO, we take pride in helping our customers reclaiming their homes and their possessions. We lessen its effects by using approved methods we learn through our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) training. Before, we cleaned such items by hand, which could produce excellent results, although taking an enormous amount of time to accomplish.

Instead, we now use ultrasonic technology to remove soot and other grime from your most prized possessions. Small imperfections can grip onto soot and make an unsightly, ugly mark that diminishes the beauty of such pieces in a collection. Cleaning by hand often left these defects marred. A short period in our ultrasonic water bath, however, cleans soot from every surface, including in between tightly abutted surfaces that face each other. This ability to clean blemishes and hairline cracks makes a tremendous difference in how your collection appears when you receive it back from us.

While still at your property, we carefully pack each item in its own piece of plain paper and place it inside a clean box. Taking these boxes to our facility also includes inventory sheets that correspond to each box. These sheets follow your items through the entire process. After the water bath, we place them in a drying chamber.

Although the cleaning method eliminates the soot that causes collectible items to smell like smoke, we still provide further deodorization. We do this inside the drying chamber without moving them. Handling them as little as possible reduces the chances of breakage. We then re-wrap each item and place it into a new box so we can return these items to you, along with their inventory sheets.

East Texas Smoke and Soot Cleanup

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your East Texas Home.

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Longview will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – (903)238-8100

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

6/24/2019 (Permalink)

Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can save lives.

3 Easy Steps to Follow When Using An Extinguisher 

Here are 3 easy steps you should follow when using an extinguisher to put out a fire in your home.

1. Identify Your Evacuation Path - The last thing you want to do is focus so much on putting out the fire that you become trapped in the blaze. Take a moment to look around you and ensure you have a safe escape route to use as needed before pulling out the extinguisher.
2. Follow Instructions on Extinguisher - Fortunately, most extinguishers come with easy-to-read instructions printed directly on them. Follow the instructions and make sure you discharge the extinguisher within the effective range listed on the container. 
3. Back Away From the Fire - It’s possible for a kitchen fire to flare up again even after you’ve put parts of it out, so make sure you back away from extinguished flames instead of moving toward them. 

Once the fire is safely put out with a fire extinguisher, call your local fire damage restoration company in Longview, Texas. They can help repair and restore your home after fire damage has occurred. 

For more information, visit www.SERVPROlongview.com.

Smoke and Fire Damage can be Destructive to your Longview Business

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Water Damage after a fire can be just as costly as the fire itself.

Fire and smoke damage is especially destructive. In many instances your Longview property will also suffer from water damage from firefighting efforts. We specialize in fire and water damage restoration; it’s the cornerstone of our business. We have specialized equipment, specific training, and certifications that allow us restore your home to pre-fire condition.

We understand 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. 

EVERY YEAR, NFPA surveys a sample of public fire departments in the United States, stratified by the size of the community they protect, to project national estimates of the country’s fire problem. Based upon the data we received in response to our 2015 National Fire Experience Survey, we estimate that public fire departments in the U.S. responded to 1,345,500 fires last year, a highly significant increase of 3.7 percent from 2014.

Kitchen Fires are Preventable

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can spread quickly and easily.

Did you know the kitchen is where more home fires occur than anywhere else in the house and that cooking is the number one cause of home fires? The American Red Cross has steps everyone can follow to avoid a cooking fire:

1. Never leave cooking food unattended – stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave the kitchen, even for a second, turn off the stove.

2. Check your food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking.

3. Use a timer so you’ll remember that the stove or oven is on.

4. Don’t wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.

5. Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.

To learn how to prevent a fire in your home and how to keep members of your household safe, you can take our cooking safety quiz and download the Red Cross Fire Prevention and Safety Checklist. Downloadable fact sheets are also available on how to avoid home heating fires, candle safety, proper use of smoke alarms and teaching your children what to do in the event of a fire. 

What Happens after a fire to my Longview home?

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Knowing what to do after a fire can help prevent even more emotional stress after an already devastating event.

Fires can be especially devastating to your Longview home or business. After the fire trucks leave, your property will likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Longview professionals have specialized fire and water damage restoration training and experience to quickly clean up and restore your home to pre-fire condition. They also can remove the pervasive smoke odor and deep-clean soot from upholstery and carpet. 
 In 2015, there were 1,345,500 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 3,280 civilian deaths, 15,700 civilian injuries, and $14.3 billion in property damage. (National Fire Protection Association)

• 501,500 were structure fires, causing 2,685 civilian deaths, 13,000 civilian injuries, and $10.3 billion in property damage.

• 204,500 were vehicle fires, causing 500 civilian fire deaths, 1,875 civilian fire injuries, and $1.8 billion in property damage.

• 639,500 were outside and other fires, causing 95 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $252 million in property damage.

The 2015 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 63 seconds.

• One home structure fire was reported every 86 seconds.

• One civilian fire injury was reported every 34 minutes.

• One civilian fire death occurred every 2 hours and 40 minutes.

• One outside and other fire was reported every 52 seconds.

• One highway vehicle fire was reported every 3 minutes 1 seconds.