Fire Damage Prevention

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Pensacola offers a variety of fire damage restoration services!

When it comes to protecting yourself and your property from fire damages, there are many steps that can be taken.  Some of the more commonly practiced steps include ensuring you have working smoke detectors, checking smoke detector batteries at least twice a year, and keeping functioning fire extinguishers in the home in case of a fire emergency.  Did you know, however, that there are additional steps that can be taken to help PREVENT fires from occurring in the first place?

• Clean and Maintain Your Clothes Dryer/Dryer Vents: The leading cause of dryer fires, at 34%, is the failure to clean dryer vents. It is a best practice to regularly clean out dryer vents, and to clean the dryer lint filter after each load of laundry is dried, as an abundance of lint in the filter restricts the flow of air to the machine.  You will also want to occasionally check for and, if needed, repair damages to the vent pipes behind the machine.  Finally, make sure your machine is installed using the correct type of electrical plug and outlet per the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Check Wiring and Electrical Equipment Regularly: Flickering lights, a scorched smell, or frequently blown breakers may all be signs of a wiring issue in your home or business. Contact an electrical professional to address these types of issues.  Along with structural wiring, you should regularly check appliances and electrical equipment for breaks or frays in cords, which provide a fire hazard.
• Keep Items Away from Hot Surfaces/Open Flames: If burning candles, smoking, or cooking in the home, be sure to keep flammable items, such as draperies, towels, clothing, and cleaning chemicals away from hot surfaces and flames. Fire can spread rapidly once these kinds of items are ignited, making containment and suppression much more difficult.

In the unfortunate event that fire damages do affect your home, know that SERVPRO of North Pensacola is Here to Help.  Our team has specialized training to handle fire damages, restore contents affected by smoke and soot, and help make your property “Like it never even happened.”  To learn more about our fire remediation services, give us a call at 850-466-3076.