Fireworks Safety for Paw Paw, MI Residents

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Stay safe this summer season.

Summer brings numerous holidays and special events to celebrate with fireworks in Paw Paw.  The safest way to enjoy and view fireworks is to attend a professional show.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 19,500 reported fires are started by fireworks annually, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires.  The following are a few ideas to get into the spirit without fireworks.

• Use glow sticks, they flow in the dark and are a safe alternative to sparklers, which get as hot as 1,200°F!
• Noise makers make a statement without fire.  They can be found at local party supply stores or you can even make your own.
• Have an outdoor movie night, setting up a screen and projector.
• Red, white, and blue stilly string - fun for all ages!
• Make a patriotic craft with the family, such as red, white, and blue tie dye shirts.

If your home or vehicle suffers fire or smoke damage this summer season from fireworks, call SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County and SERVPRO of Van Buren County for a quote, 269-639-0464

Content Restoration Cleaning After Fire Damage To Your Woodland, MI Home

6/1/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's mentality, "restore" versus "replace", can help keep those treasured keepsakes in the family.

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house but also your belongings.  SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County and SERVPRO of Van Buren County certified technicians understand your family's furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are the things that make your house a home.

Our "restore" versus "replace" mentality and our expertise can help you save money while preserving precious keepsakes that cannot be replaced.  We pretest your belongings to determine what items can be restored to pre-fire condition and use several different cleaning methods:

• Dry Cleaning - used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Wet Cleaning - an effective cleaning technique for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Spray and Wipe - effective for items that cannot withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed it wet cleaned.
• Abrasive Cleaning - involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
• Immersion Cleaning - contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

If you have questions or need help restoring your belongings, call SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County and SERVPRO of Van Buren County today, 269-686-0664

Keep Your Douglas Home Safe This Winter

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

This severely burned recliner is from a heating equipment fire.

Did you know that home fires occur more in the winter than in any other season?  Follow the tips below from the U.S. Fire Administration to keep you, your family, and your home safe this winter.

• Check smoke alarms to make sure they are in working condition.  This is especially important during a loss of power you may use alternate forms of heating equipment, portable generators, and candles.
• Never use candles for emergency lighting.  Many items in your home can catch fire if they are too close to a candle's flame.  Use flashlights instead and make sure to stock up on batteries.
• Portable generators are useful during storms but make sure to use them with caution.  Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible.
• Install and test carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.

If a fire starts in your Douglas home, call SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County to help make it "Like it never even happened.", 269-686-0664

Fire Evacuation Plan For Your Pine Grove Home With Pets

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Include your pets in your fire evacuation plan.

Seventy percent of U.S. households, or about 90.5 millions families, own a pet, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey.  During a fire, your first priority is to get yourself and your family members our safely.  Having a fire evacuation plan helps to keep you and your family a little more calm.  Since our pets are a part of our families, don't forget to add them into your plan.

Preparation is key when it comes to protecting your pets in a fire.  In case your pets are in an unsafe location that you or a family member can't get to during a fire, there are several things that you can do to better the change of your pets rescue:

• Keep your pet in a room or area that is easily accessible to fire fighters.
• Update your pet alert window cling on the front window of your home.
• Put together a disaster supply kit just for your pets, including medications, food, and other pet supplies.
• Place important pet ownership documents and proof of vaccinations in a fire safe box that you can easily retrieve.
• Teach your pets the "Come" command so you can easily direct them towards you in an emergency.

If your Pine Grove home has experienced a fire, call SERVPRO of Van Buren County for an estimate, 269-639-0464.  We are Here to help®

Clothes Dryer Fire Safety For Your Delton Home

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

Don't become a statistic. Clean your clothes dryer.

Laundry is a monthly, weekly, or sometimes daily task for households; but did you know that 2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year, with the leading cause being failure to clean the dryer?

Check out these safety tips below from FEMA and the U.S. Fire Administration to prevent a clothes dryer fire in your Delton home:

• Have a professional install and service your dryer.
• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter.  Make sure to clean the lint filter before and after each load.
• Also clean the back of the dryer on a regular basis where lint can accumulate.
• Check the venting system behind the dryer to make sure that it is not damaged, crushed or restricted.
• Make sure the outdoor vent covering opens when the dryer is operating.

If your home experiences a clothes dryer fire, call SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County, 269-686-0664.  We are Here to help® 24/7

National Burn Awareness Week and Cooking Safety Tips

1/25/2022 (Permalink)

Don't be a part of the statistic; check out these cooking safety tips.

Every year, The American Burn Association observes the first full week in February as National Burn Awareness Week (NBAW).  The 2022 theme is Burning Issues in the Kitchen.  Cooking is the number one cause of residential fires in the United States, and the American Burn Association reports 47% of all home fires are caused by cooking.  Below are a few tips to keep you and your family safe while cooking in your Decatur home:

• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves when cooking.
• Keep a pan lid and dry potholders or oven mitts near you every time you cook.
• When heating food in the microwave, only use microwave-safe cookware that allows steam to escape and allow food to rest before removing it from the microwave.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.  If you leave, turn off the stove.
• After cooking, check the kitchen to make sure all burners and other appliances are turned off.

Have you experienced fire, smoke, or soot damage to your Decatur home from a cooking fire?  Call SERVPRO of Van Buren County, 269-639-0464, we are Here to help®

Prevent an Oven Fire in Your Door Home

11/5/2021 (Permalink)

Leave fire, smoke, and soot damage restoration to the professionals.

Cooking equipment, like your stove, is the leading cause of home fire occurrences.  The following are some common mistakes that could catch your oven on fire:

• Placing Greasy Food Too Close to Heat - fat (i.e. cooking oil) too close to a heat source can spark a flame.  Make sure to keep well oiled foods, especially ones with high moisture content, on lower level oven racks when using the broiler.
• Wax Paper vs. Parchment Paper - wax paper is not heat-resistant the way parchment paper is, so it will for sure melt when exposed to prolonged, high heat, and then the paper can easily catch fire.  Oven-safe parchment paper may darken in the oven, but will not catch fire.
• Dropping Food in the Oven - make sure to always clean up any food that dropped to the bottom of the oven while cooking or baking.  Larger pieces of dry food can potentially catch fire instantly.  
• Forgetting to Use a Baking Sheet - a very common mistake.  Pies and pizzas should be baked either directly on a baking sheet or with a baking sheet on the rack beneath to catch any drippings.
• Leaving Your Food Unattended - whenever you leave food unattended, you're at risk for it to burn, or you may forget how long it has been cooking.  Always set a timer as a reminder and keep an eye on the food while cooking.

If a fire does happen in your oven, the most important thing to remember is to keep the door closed, turn off the oven, and keep an eye on the flame.  This will keep the fire contained and should die down.

Have you experienced an oven fire in your Dorr home?  Call SERVPRO of Allegan / Barry County and SERVPRO of Van Buren County today, 269-686-0664

Plainwell Smoke and Soot Cleanup

6/2/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Plainwell 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 Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties 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 - 269-686-0664

Smoking and Home Fire Safety

3/15/2021 (Permalink)

Smoking material fires are preventable.

Home.  The place we feel safest, is where most smoking-materials structure fires, deaths, and injuries occur.  Smoking materials are the leading cause of fire deaths.  Smoking material fires are preventable with the following tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Smoking Safety

• If you smoke, use only fire-safe cigarettes.
• If you smoke, smoke outside.  Most deaths result from fires that started in living rooms, family rooms, dens, or bedrooms.
• Keep cigarettes, lighters, matches, and other smoking materials up high out of the reach of children, in a locked cabinet.
• Never smoke where medical oxygen is used.  Medical oxygen can cause materials to ignite more easily and make fires burn at a faster rate than normal.  It can make an existing fire burn faster and hotter.

Put it Out

• Use a deep, sturdy ashtray.  Place it away from anything that can burn.
• Do not discard cigarettes in vegetation such as mulch, potted plants, leaves, or other things that can ignite easily.
• Before you throw away butts and ashes, make sure they are out, and dousing in water or sand is the best way to do that.

Has your home been affected by fire damage?  Call SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties to restore your property, 269-686-0664

Electrical Safety In Your Home

3/4/2021 (Permalink)

Electricity makes our lives easier; but we need to be cautious and keep safety in mind.

Electricity helps make our lives easier but there can be times when we take its power and its potential for fire-related hazards for granted.  Many existing homes can't handle the demands of today's electrical appliances and devices.  Warning signs include flickering lights, circuit breakers that constantly trip, and cracked electrical cords.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are approximately 45,000 home electrical fires each year with half of them involving home wiring or lighting equipment.  Peak months for electrical fire deaths are November through March with peak times between midnight and 8:00am.  The following are a few tips to be fire smart with electricity in your home:

• Plug only one heat-producing appliance (like a coffee maker, space heater, or microwave) directly into a wall outlet at a time.
• Never use an extension cord with a heat-producing appliance.
• Extension cords should only be used temporarily.  Have an electrician install wall outlets where you need them.
• Major appliances should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.  Do not use extension cords or power strips.
• Have all electrical work done by a qualified electrician.
• Use light bulbs with the right number of watts.  There should be a sticker that indicates the right number of watts.

If you experience fire damage to your home from an electrical fire, SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties is Here to Help!  Call us today, 269-686-0664

Do's and Don'ts After a Fire

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties is Here to Help after a fire

A fire can leave behind soot, smoke damage, and a host of other problems.  Ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and flooring will often need a thorough professional cleaning.  If your home or business suffers from a fire, it is important to take the appropriate steps to prevent further damage until your SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties Professionals arrive.  Here are a few tips to help reduce damage and increase chances of a successful restoration.

DO:

• Limit movement in your home or business to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean.  Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place dry towels or old linen on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer/refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

DON'T:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties.
• Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances, such as TV sets and radios, that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Do not consume any food or beverage that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water, as they may be contaminated.
• If the ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans.  Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Don't send garments to the dry cleaner.  Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

If you have experienced a fire in your home or business, called SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties today, 269-686-0664

Winter Heating Safety Tips

2/11/2021 (Permalink)

Use heating equipment properly to prevent heating fires

Winter in Michigan brings cold temperatures which leads to residents using heating equipment to feel cozy in their home.  According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February.  One in every seven home fires and one in every five home fire deaths involve heating equipment.  The following are some tips that the NFPA has provided to help prevent you from becoming a part of the statistics:

• Never use your oven to heat your home.
• Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating equipment.
• Have a qualified professional inspect and clean heating equipment every year.
• Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms at least once a month.
• Keep portable generators outside, away from windows, and as far away from your home as possible.

SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties has the expertise to restore your home after a fire damage, call us today, 269-686-0664

The Dark Side of Candles

12/16/2020 (Permalink)

This soot filled kitchen was caused by a candle.

Most homeowners burn candles on a somewhat regular basis.  No matter how much you enjoy the aroma and ambiance, candles are a real danger for multiple reasons.

1. They are a fire risk.  You should never burn candles near flammable materials and should always keep them out of reach of children and pets.
2. A less obvious danger, soot damage.  A smoldering candle has the ability to do some serious damage.  Soot, which is largely made up of carbon, can coat your walls, carpet, furniture, blinds, drapes, contents and more.  It also has the ability to enter your ventilation system and blow throughout your home.  If a smoldering candle has left you with soot damage, it is important to not attempt to clean it yourself.  Incorrect cleaning of soot can result in further damage.

If your home has been damaged by a candle leave it to the experts.  Call SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties today - (269) 686-0664

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

11/30/2020 (Permalink)

Take precautions this holiday season

Christmas lights, candles and decorations bring holiday cheer to homes and businesses, but if they are not used with caution, your holiday can go from festive to frightening.

The American Red Cross shared these valuable safety tips to help greatly reduce the risk of a fire in your home or business this holiday season.

• Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet from heat sources such as fireplaces, portable space heaters, radiators, and heat vents.
• Inspect light strings and other holiday decorations for fraying electrical cords and always follow the manufacturer's instructions.
• Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving the property or going to bed.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
• Never leave candles unattended.

SERVPRO of Allegan/Barry/Van Buren Counties wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!

All About Soot

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Soot is a black powdery or flaky substance consisting largely of carbon. It is produced by the incomplete burning of organic material. There are many different ways that your home or business could experience soot damage. Soot also has the ability to easily travel and infiltrate areas where a fire never touched. So what should you do if you experience soot damage?

The best thing that we can recommend is to leave it to the professionals. Attempting to clean soot yourself can easily result in further damage to your home or business. Our highly trained team of technicians will assess the soot damage to your property and proceed with the best restoration strategy to successfully restore your property. We have the ability to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Spring Cleanup For Fire Safety

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

It is officially spring and that means it is time for some cleaning! There are many things that you can do during your spring cleaning routine to help prevent a fire and protect your family should something occur.

• Clean your garage of newspapers and other rubbish that could fuel a fire
• Test your smoke alarms
• Gently vacuum your smoke alarms every six months
• Change batteries in smoke alarms, flashlights, and carbon monoxide detectors
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years
• Keep outdoor debris and dead vegetation away from your home
• Properly dispose of oily or greasy rags
• Store gasoline in a shed or detached garage
• Keep outdoor grills away from your home and use them outside only
• Check your propane grill hose for leaks or cracks, and never store the propane indoors

Have a happy and safe spring!

Kitchen Safety

3/18/2020 (Permalink)

Most people enjoy cooking and making use of their kitchen appliances. What many individuals do not consider is how unsafe cooking can really be. That is why it is very important to take some precautions in the kitchen:

• Wear tight fitting or rolled up sleeves when cooking. Clothing is very flammable and can easily catch fire if it gets too close to extreme heat
• Use oven mitts instead of pot holders to handle hot pans
• Never leave you cooking unattended and always set a timer
• If a fire does start on the stove, slide a lid over it and turn off the burner
• Do not cook if you are drowsy from alcohol or medication

Cooking comes with its fair share of dangers and it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Dryer Fires

3/16/2020 (Permalink)

There are many different ways that a fire can start. One of the most common causes of house fires are appliances, specifically dryers. Clothes dryers are the result of thousands of household fires each year. There are simple things that you can do to help prevent dryer fires:

• Have professional technicians install your dryer
• Clean and maintain your dryer regularly
• Clean the lint trap before and after each load
• Keep the surrounding area free of flammables. Vacuum or sweep dust and lint around the dryer
• Use only rigid or flexible metal venting material
• Ensure air exhaust vent pipe is unrestricted
• Do not overload the dryer
• Inspect the gas lines
• Use the correct plug and outlet
• Never run the dryer when you leave home or when you are sleeping

These simple tips are very important and can help prevent you from experiencing a dryer fire.

Help is a Call Away

12/2/2019 (Permalink)

What to do... 

Your home suffered a fire loss. The first responders came and went and your home is in shambles. A host of other problems now rest before you. Damage to the ceilings,walls,content,care pets and flooring. Trying to solve these problems on your own can be daunting. That is why you should call the professional at SERVPRO or Allegan and Barry County. The following are tips that may help reduce damage and increase the chance of a successful restoration.

• Don’t attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your local SERVPRO of Allegan and Barry County. This attempt could set soot into the surface.
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot from being embedded into soft upholstery and carpet.
• If electricity is off empty the refrigerator and freezer completely and wipe clean to prevent odors.
• Do not attempt to eat any food or beverage that may have been stored near the fire,heat or water.

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 – 269-686-0664

Grilling Safety

10/28/2019 (Permalink)

Grilling is always a good time. It's even better when you do it safely.

Since the beginning of man people have cooked over fire. Unlike early civilizations we have modern day advances when it come to grilling. Despite these advances accidents still happen. In this blog I will be giving you a few examples on way to grill safely.

All grills (charcoal and propane) must be placed a minimum of 10ft. from any building.  The further the better.

• Tame the flame. Only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills: do not add fluid after coals are lit.
• Be mindful of where the smoke from your grill is going.  You might have to adjust the location of a grill depending on the wind conditions.
• Clean your grill.  Grease and other gunk can catch fire inside your grill if you let it build up.
• Keep children and pets away! Always keep a close eye on your grill when cooking 
• Do not grill indoors or in your garage.
• Do not put you grill in a garage while it was still hot.  Charcoal grills can stay hot enough to start a fire for hours after you are done cooking

Let’s all do our part to keep this grilling season a safe one!

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 269-686-0664

Fire Safety Tips

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

A single flame can become a raging inferno in a matter of minutes. For this reason it is important for you and your family to be prepared. Fire prevention is key! Here are a few tips to help you stay safe.

• Keep all fires and heaters well-guarded.
• Keep portable heaters and candles away from furniture and curtains.
• Don't dry or air clothes over or near the fire, or the cooker
• Do not smoke in bed
• Never leave a pan unattended
• If there are children around, keep matches and lighters well out of reach
• Fit approved smoke detectors on each floor.
• Plan your escape route.

Remember Get out, stay out and call for HELP!

SERVPRO® of Allegan & Barry County (269-686-0664) is “Always here to help” 24/7! Faster to any disaster.

The Silent Killer

4/8/2019 (Permalink)

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is both odorless and colorless. This gas is created when fuel like gasoline,wood,coal,natural gas and propane burn completely. Carbon monoxide or CO is often referred to as the silent killer.

Each year more than 400 Americans die due to unintentional CO poisoning according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). It is estimated another 20,000 visit the emergency room due to carbon monoxide poisoning. It is important to take precautions to prevent CO poisoning. All people and animals are susceptible.

Systems and Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

• Blurred vision 
• Confusion
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Dull headache
• Loss of consciousness 

For additional information visit the mayoclinic.org

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 269-686-0664

Choosing the Appropriate Fire Extinguish

4/2/2019 (Permalink)

Fire Extinguishers

When purchasing fire extinguishers for your home there are a variety to choose from. In this posting I will be giving you a quick breakdown of 5 classes of extinguisher.

Class A: This is the most common extinguisher and can be used to put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood,cloth,rubber,paper and most plastics.

Class B: Used on fires involving flammable liquids like grease,oil, and gasoline.

Class C: Designed for fires involving appliances, tools or other equipment electrically energized or plugged in.

Class D: For use on flammable metals; often specific for the type of metal in question. These are typically found only in factories working with these metals.

Class K: Intended for use on fire is that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. These extinguishers are generally found in commercial kitchens, but are becoming more popular in the residential market for used in kitchens.

For more information: www.nfpa.org

Fireplace safety

4/1/2019 (Permalink)

Fire places can be a warm and welcoming addition to a home but are also potentially dangerous when not used safely. Fire prevention is key! Here are a few tips to help you stay safe.

• Keep all item away from open flame.
• Don't dry or air clothes over or near the fire, or the cooker
• Never leave a fire unattended
• Have your chimney checked annually by a professional
• Use dry and well-aged wood.Wet or green wood causes more smoke and contributes to soot buildup in the chimney.
• Fit approved smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector on each floor.
• Plan your escape route.
• keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

Remember Getout, stayoutand call for HELP!

Remember SERVPRO® of Allegan & Barry County (269-686-0664) is always here to help 24/7! Faster to any disaster.