Fire Damage

2/23/2023 (Permalink)

Have fire damage? Well the first thing you should do is get out of the house stay out and call 911 or your local emergency phone number. Yell fire!! several times and go outside right away.

If you live in a building with elevators, use the stairs. leave all your things where they are and save yourself.

On average, a home catches fire every 90 seconds somewhere in the united states. Although not all are blazes that will burn the house to the ground, even a small fire can create a lot of damage to your home due to the heat, smoke, soot, and water that result from the fire and trying to put it out.

If your home catches fire you may face the task of fire damage restoration. Read on to find out what's involved in restoring your property from fire damage, including costs, and steps you can take to prevent future fires. 

Watching your home burn down is an emotionally wrenching experience. Despite the trauma, you have to act quickly after the fire is out to prevent further damage to your home. Delays can lead to further damage-such as rainwater entering your home or mold growing-that could drive up the repair costs.

When the insurance adjusters inspect your home for fire damage, make sure they preform a thorough inspection. You want all the damage to be discovered and covered by your initial claim for fire damage. Areas to be inspected should include the: Roof, Windows, Plumbing and heating, and the Interior walls and Framing.

fire

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

Fire can become a disastrous thing. QUICK. Not just the fire itself, but everything that comes along with it. As often happens, the need for cleanup was more widespread than the fire itself. SERVPRO of LBL North workers will come and make any bad situation worse. While fire does much more physical damage, the smoke and soot that comes along can sometimes be the more difficult part of the cleanup/restoration process. Our SERVPRO of LBL North team will do whatever it takes to get your home, business, etc. back to the way it was, all while taking the stress of a bad occurrence off your plate. Our diligent, knowledgeable team is just a call away!

fire

2/6/2023 (Permalink)

2/6/2023

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 LBL North 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 – (270) 753-1160

Smoke and Soot Clean Up

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

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 LBL North 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 – (270) 753-1160

Preventing Space Heater Fires

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Approximately 25,000 house fires every year are attributed to space heaters. User error is the primary cause, although heaters without essential safety features may malfunction and pose a fire risk. Here are five ways that you can prevent a burned space heater from starting a fire in your home.

1. Keep a minimum of three feet between space heaters and combustibles. Combustibles include bedding, curtains, and upholstered furniture. You should also only operate a space heater on a hard, level, non-flammable surface.

2. Don't operate heaters unattended around pets or kids. Children, cats, and dogs don't understand the principles of fire safety.

3. Purchase a space heater with safety features. One of the best ways to prevent a burned space heater is to purchase a model that automatically shuts off when it overheats. Check the model you are considering for a safety certification label, ground fault circuit interrupter plug, and a sturdy cord that is at least six feet long. Make sure the heater has all of the features you need to stay warm while running a very low risk of fire.

4. Turn off or unplug heaters when not in use. This can reduce the risk of a fire starting when you are elsewhere in your home or away from home.

5. Avoid plugging other electronics into the same outlet as a space heater. You should also never use an extension cord, as this equipment heightens the overheating risk.

Your heater can only work as designed if it is kept in working condition. You may need to regularly clean the filter on your space heater to prevent it from overheating. In addition to following these steps, you should also test the smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries or damaged units. If a burned space heater does cause a fire, contact a smoke cleanup service in Western, Kentucky.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROmurraybentoncadizprinceton.com/.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup for your LBL North Residence

3/22/2022 (Permalink)

3/22/2022

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 LBL North 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 – (270) 753-1160

Smoke & Soot Cleanup For Your LBL North Residence.

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

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 LBL North 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 – (270) 753-1160

Fire Residue

2/22/2022 (Permalink)

Fire can become a disastrous thing. QUICK. Not just the fire itself, but everything that comes along with it. As often happens, the need for cleanup was more widespread than the fire itself. SERVPRO of LBL North workers will come and make any bad situation worse. While fire does much more physical damage, the smoke and soot that comes along can sometimes be the more difficult part of the cleanup/restoration process. Our SERVPRO of LBL North team will do whatever it takes to get your home, business, etc. back to the way it was, all while taking the stress of a bad occurrence off your plate. Our diligent, knowledgeable team is just a call away!

Fire Caution For Cold Weather

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

November 2, 2021

With more heating appliances and equipment running to keep our homes comfortable and systems running smoothly during the cold months, the risk of a house fire increases dramatically.

 Causes
1. Heating System - Whether you heat your home with a wood/pellet stove or oil/gas/propane furnace, a breakdown in safety equipment or poor user maintenance can lead to a fire. Do not plug space heaters into power strips and be sure heaters are on stable, level ground.

 2. Cooking - The top cause of house fires in the United States is cooking. Colder weather brings us indoors to cook, and some of the best meals for the winter are slow-cooked, which means your stove and other appliances are plugged in and working for longer periods of time. Inspect all appliances for broken wires and other defective material. Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended, especially if cooking with any kind of grease. If you use your grill to cook outside in the winter, be sure it is located away from the house with proper ventilation for smoke and heat.

 3. Smoking - If you smoke, consider smoking outside, but remember to properly dispose of your ashes. Do not simply flick them on the ground, which could be dry, and paired with a strong wind, primed to start a major fire. Do not smoke around oxygen tanks or combustible material in garages and sheds.

 4. Electrical - Winter means holidays, and holidays mean decorations – do not overload outlets or daisy-chain power strips, and do not leave decorations plugged in when you are not home or are asleep. Inspect all lights before putting them on your trees and homes, and be sure you are using the appropriate cord for indoor/outdoor use. Never leave candles burning unattended or where pets and children can knock them over.

Although we hope you and your love ones remain safe this winter, if your home becomes affected by a fire, please call SERVPRO of LBL North at 270-753-1160.

Preventing Space Heater Damage

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Approximately 25,000 house fires every year are attributed to space heaters. User error is the primary cause, although heaters without essential safety features may malfunction and pose a fire risk. Here are five ways that you can prevent a burned space heater from starting a fire in your home.

1. Keep a minimum of three feet between space heaters and combustibles. Combustibles include bedding, curtains, and upholstered furniture. You should also only operate a space heater on a hard, level, non-flammable surface.

2. Don't operate heaters unattended around pets or kids. Children, cats, and dogs don't understand the principles of fire safety.

3. Purchase a space heater with safety features. One of the best ways to prevent a burned space heater is to purchase a model that automatically shuts off when it overheats. Check the model you are considering for a safety certification label, ground fault circuit interrupter plug, and a sturdy cord that is at least six feet long. Make sure the heater has all of the features you need to stay warm while running a very low risk of fire.

4. Turn off or unplug heaters when not in use. This can reduce the risk of a fire starting when you are elsewhere in your home or away from home.

5. Avoid plugging other electronics into the same outlet as a space heater. You should also never use an extension cord, as this equipment heightens the overheating risk.

Your heater can only work as designed if it is kept in working condition. You may need to regularly clean the filter on your space heater to prevent it from overheating. In addition to following these steps, you should also test the smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries or damaged units. If a burned space heater does cause a fire, contact a smoke cleanup service in Western, Kentucky.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROmurraybentoncadizprinceton.com/.

6 Common Causes of Electrical Fires

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

1. Common Electrical Outlets - 

Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets or worn out sockets that are not properly grounded. As outlets and switches get older, the wiring behind them wears as well, and wires are strung about that loosen overtime and could potentially break and cause a fire.

2. Old Electrical Wiring - 

Outdated electrical wiring often causes electrical fires. If a home is over 20 years old, it may not have the wiring capacity to handle the increased amounts of electrical appliances in today's average home, such as computers, wide-screen televisions, video players, microwaves, and air conditioners.

3. Circuit Overload - 

Unrestricted use of extension cords is a major fire hazard. When the TV, home theatre, computer, and other appliances are all plugged into a single extension cord, it creates excessive power load on a single socket which may not be designed to handle that load. This means the circuit is overloaded, and your home is at serious risk of an electric fire.

4. Old Appliances - 

Old appliances that have frayed cords or loose or faulty wiring can catch fire. Moreover, due to the high flammability of old insulation used in these appliances, a simple electrical repair to address these issues may not be enough. It's best to purchase updated appliances to ensure your safety.

5. Light Fixtures - 

Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common reason for electrical fires. Installing a bulb with a wattage that is too high for the lamps and light fixtures, is a leading cause of electrical fires. Always check the maximum recommended bulb wattage on any lighting fixture or lamp and never go over the recommended amount.

6. Portable Heaters -

Be conscious of where you place your space heaters in the wintertime, and never leave it on for an extended period of time, especially when you are sleeping or have left the house. Placing your portable heater next to curtains, rugs, beds, couches, and the like is one of the most common causes of fires. If you do use space heaters, use the radiator-type that diffuse heat over the entire surface of the appliance. 

Accidents do happen! If your home has been affected by a fire, please call us at 270-753-1160. 

Fire Caution for Cold Weather

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

January 25, 2021

With more heating appliances and equipment running to keep our homes comfortable and systems running smoothly during the cold months, the risk of a house fire increases dramatically.

 Causes
1. Heating System - Whether you heat your home with a wood/pellet stove or oil/gas/propane furnace, a breakdown in safety equipment or poor user maintenance can lead to a fire. Do not plug space heaters into power strips and be sure heaters are on stable, level ground.

 2. Cooking - The top cause of house fires in the United States is cooking. Colder weather brings us indoors to cook, and some of the best meals for the winter are slow-cooked, which means your stove and other appliances are plugged in and working for longer periods of time. Inspect all appliances for broken wires and other defective material. Never leave food cooking on a stove top unattended, especially if cooking with any kind of grease. If you use your grill to cook outside in the winter, be sure it is located away from the house with proper ventilation for smoke and heat.

 3. Smoking - If you smoke, consider smoking outside, but remember to properly dispose of your ashes. Do not simply flick them on the ground, which could be dry, and paired with a strong wind, primed to start a major fire. Do not smoke around oxygen tanks or combustible material in garages and sheds.

 4. Electrical - Winter means holidays, and holidays mean decorations – do not overload outlets or daisy-chain power strips, and do not leave decorations plugged in when you are not home or are asleep. Inspect all lights before putting them on your trees and homes, and be sure you are using the appropriate cord for indoor/outdoor use. Never leave candles burning unattended or where pets and children can knock them over.

Although we hope you and your love ones remain safe this winter, if your home becomes affected by a fire, please call SERVPRO of LBL North at 270-753-1160.

Protect Your Home Against Space Heater Fires

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Space heaters can be very convenient, especially if you have one room in your home that never seems to get enough heat from your central HVAC system. Whether you use a space heater regularly or you only pull it out on the coldest winter days, here are four important steps you should always take to prevent a space heater fire.

1. Clean It Thoroughly
Before you use your space heater for the first time, make sure you clean all visible surfaces thoroughly. Dust and other small particles tend to build up on the heater’s surface and could potentially cause the unit to overheat or catch fire if not removed regularly. 

2. Leave Plenty of Empty Space Around Your Heater
Never put your heater up against a blanket, piece of furniture or any other item. If you do, you’re likely to have a burned space heater before long. Space heaters should always have at least three feet of empty space around them, free from furniture, carpets and other items. 

3. Keep Heaters Away From Kids
Don’t operate a space heater in an area where kids frequently play. To reduce the risk of fire if a child does accidentally knock over the heater, make sure you purchase one that has an emergency shut-off mechanism. You should also keep pets away from heaters whenever possible. 

4. Never Leave a Heater Unattended
Never leave a space heater unattended. If you plan to leave the room for a few minutes or a few hours, turn the space heater off beforehand. You can easily turn it back on when you return. 

Following these preventatives steps will minimize your chances of fire damage while warming your home. If you experience a burned space heater or fire damage even after taking these preventative steps, a fire damage restoration professional can help with your smoke cleanup and restoration needs. 

For more information, visit us at https://www.facebook.com/SERVPROLBLNorth.

Fire Extinguisher Tips & Tricks

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Fires and fire damage are common tragedies among homeowners. But, there are ways to lessen the damage. SERVPRO® of LBL North is Here to Help so fires don’t ruin your summer. One is having a proper fire extinguisher --especially, during grilling season. Make sure you follow these rules from our friends at the American Red Cross when it comes to having a good extinguisher:

• Always have more than one working extinguisher in your home.
• Install extinguishers high on the wall and away from any heat sources.
• If an extinguisher doesn’t work on a fire immediately, drop it and get out. Most portable extinguishers empty in 8 seconds.
• Make sure the gauge on your extinguisher is properly charged.

Once you have the right fire extinguisher, always remember PASS:

P- Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

A- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

S- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly

S- Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

We hope these tips keep fires and fire damage from your homes. But, if you have fire damage and need SERVPRO, we are always Here to Help. Call SERVPRO® of LBL North at (270) 753-116

When Fire Strikes

3/6/2020 (Permalink)

March 6th, 2020

Fire!! What to Do Next??

When disaster strikes, and your home is involved in a fire, your mind is frantic, and you have no idea what the next step is. You never pictured this would happen and you probably never thought what happens now. Below we have provided some of those next steps for you to take once your home has been involved in a fire.

1. First and foremost, safety is the most important. Find a safe place for your family and pets to stay. This should be a place that can help ease your mind and give you a place to think about what you need to do next. If you don’t have a family member or friend to stay with, check with a local disaster relief program like the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army as they can often provide you with free temporary housing. Accomplishing this one minor goal can help feel like you have some control of the situation.
2. Your next step should be to contact your insurance agent. The faster you contact your insurance agent; the faster things can begin whether it is repairs or looking for a new home. They also may be able to help you with your expenses due to losses in the fire. Insurance companies can also help you find a cleaning or mitigation/restoration service.
3. Contact the Police. To ensure the safety of your home, the windows and doors should be boarded up to ensure the building and belongings are left alone.
4. Plan out finances. Ensure you are prepared to pay your bills and it may even be best to suspend your cable and internet bills since you will not be in your home for a while. Some insurance companies will assist with these payments during this time.
5. Get a list of damaged items and be sure to report them to your insurance agent, also make sure you report all important documents that were loss and need to be replaced. These should be of high priority.
6. Before reentering your home, make sure it is reported to be safe by a fire marshal. Also, make sure you have spoken with your insurance agent to be sure that it does not void any of your policy if you are to enter your home. Always check with your agent before doing anything.
7. Finally, you may feel like it is your responsibility to go into the home and start packing up and collecting undamaged items. This can take weeks and can take away from the important things that are of higher priority. At SERVPRO we can pack up all belongings, clean them, and store them with us, until we have completed all our steps to ensure it looks "Like it never even happened." Then we will return all your cleaned items back to where they were. This process can be long and drawn out but with our elite team of professionals we are able to complete these tasks with ease. We also can assist with communication between insurance agents/adjusters to help put homeowners at ease.

If you have any questions check out the link below or if you or someone you know is in the process of going through any of these tasks and need help, feel free to call SERVPRO of LBL (731) 642-1284 and we will be happy to assist you during this difficult time.

Resources:

8 Things to Do After a Fire

Residential Fire Readiness

2/7/2020 (Permalink)

February 7^th, 2020

Residential Fire Readiness

Ever wonder what the chances of your home catching fire actually are? Well, according to the United States Fire Administration, it depends on how well you are at cooking! Yes, we said cooking. Accord to the USFA, 51.6% of residential fires come from cooking. Generally, this is a grease fire, and once a flame emits from grease running down onto an eye on the stove, someone incorrectly tries to put it out with water. The other causes are Heating (9.1%), Unintentional/Carelessness (7.1) and Electrical 6.5%. So, while there are other reasons, most fires do begin in the kitchen. Let’s discuss a few tips in the event the bacon decides to catch fire one Saturday morning while you are cooking breakfast.

1. Get everyone out of the house (remember, have everyone assemble at a rally point).
2. Contact 9-1-1
3. If the fire is contained to the pan/pot, cover the container with a lid (not a plastic lid).
4. If possible, shut off the heat source. This will not immediately put an end to the flame, but it will help in the continued fueling of heat from the source. You will still have to contend with the fire already started.
5. If small enough, pour generous amounts of salt and/or baking soda on the flames.
6. If available, use a Class B fire extinguisher. These are readily available for purchase at any local Lowe’s, Walmart or other home store.
7. DO NOT use water on an oil-based fire. This will cause the oil to splatter, expanding the flames rapidly which will likely result in your home being consumed in flames before the emergency responders can arrive.

It is also recommended that you do not place fire extinguishers in the kitchen, but rather, just outside the kitchen. In the event your kitchen catches fire, you will need to access the extinguisher, and if your kitchen is engulfed in flames, it could render getting to the extinguisher next to impossible. Do what you can with what you have, but most certainly do not put yourself or others in harms way. You and your family’s safety are the most crucial element to dealing with a fire. Educate everyone in the home on the plan in the event a fire breaks out. Make sure they know how to safely exit the home, what to do and not to do, and where to meet up once safely outside of the home. Everyone, down to the youngest child, should be familiar with it.

Should you experience fire damage, contact SERVPRO of LBL North to come inspect the residence and begin work on restoring it “Like it never even happened.”

RESOURCES:

United States Fire Administration

How to Put Out a Grease Fire

Holiday Fires

12/11/2018 (Permalink)

Residential fires during the holiday season are more frequent, more costly, and more deadly than at any other time of the year. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports more than double the number of open-flame fires on Christmas Day than on an average day, and about twice as many on New Year’s Day. And when those fires occur, they do more damage: Property loss during a holiday fire is 34% greater than in an average fire, and the number of fatalities per thousand fires is nearly 70% higher. When the source of the fire is a highly flammable Christmas tree, the toll in property and lives is even greater.

Keep your household from becoming a holiday fire statistic!

A few others things that cause holiday fires:

Cooking

Decorative Lights

Kids Playing with Matches

Fireplaces

Please be cautious in all situations, keep a fire extinguisher handy, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors up to date. 

Fire Residue

10/26/2018 (Permalink)

Fire can become a disastrous thing. QUICK. Not just the fire itself, but everything that comes along with it. As often happens, the need for cleanup was more widespread than the fire itself. SERVPRO of Murray, Benton, Cadiz & Princeton workers will come and make any bad situation worse. While fire does much more physical damage, the smoke and soot that comes along can sometimes be the more difficult part of the cleanup/restoration process. Our SERVPRO of Murray, Benton, Cadiz & Princeton team will do whatever it takes to get your home, business, etc. back to the way it was, all while taking the stress of a bad occurrence off your plate. Our diligent, knowledgeable team is just a call away!

Esporta Soft Contents

7/17/2018 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Murray, Benton, Cadiz & Princeton we have a state of the art Esporta machine to clean any and all soft contents. This includes even leather products, stuffed animals, whether or not they are soot damaged or even damaged by sewage. The items cleaned are certified food grade clean. The machine was developed in Canada by a gentleman whose son played youth hockey as a goal tender and his leather protective equipment was soaked with sweat and smelled terribly. He developed a hydraulic process that got the leather leg pads used by goalies back to like new condition. This evolved into this person starting his own company and manufacturing the best cleaning machine for soft contents made today. Out of Kelowna BC Canada, we have this machine and are part of the ECONA National Network.

Electrical Fire Safety

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

Electrical fires are never pretty.

Winter weather and the holiday season puts great stress on home outlets. Along with the ordinary plug-ins (coffee pot, lamps, hair dryers) we add the stress of Christmas lights and space heaters. These additional items are potentially very hazardous and can lead do significant damage to your home, business, or property.

SERVPRO of Murray, Benton, Cadiz, and Princeton wants to provide you with the steps necessary to prevent these things! However, if an unfortunate event occurs, we are here to help!

• Frequently check electrical cords
• Major appliances should be plugged directly into wall outlets (not extension cords)
• Clean dryer lint filter after every use
• Do not overload extension cords or power strips
• NEVER leave space heaters or heated blankets on unattended
• Unplug items after use

Use these tips provided by SERVPRO of Murray, Benton, Cadiz, and Princeton as a proactive measure to prevent a fire damage event at your home or business.

Preventing Space Heater Fires in Your Murray, Kentucky Home

5/23/2018 (Permalink)

Approximately 25,000 house fires every year are attributed to space heaters. User error is the primary cause, although heaters without essential safety features may malfunction and pose a fire risk. Here are five ways that you can prevent a burned space heater from starting a fire in your home.

1. Keep a minimum of three feet between space heaters and combustibles. Combustibles include bedding, curtains, and upholstered furniture. You should also only operate a space heater on a hard, level, non-flammable surface.

2. Don't operate heaters unattended around pets or kids. Children, cats, and dogs don't understand the principles of fire safety.

3. Purchase a space heater with safety features. One of the best ways to prevent a burned space heater is to purchase a model that automatically shuts off when it overheats. Check the model you are considering for a safety certification label, ground fault circuit interrupter plug, and a sturdy cord that is at least six feet long. Make sure the heater has all of the features you need to stay warm while running a very low risk of fire.

4. Turn off or unplug heaters when not in use. This can reduce the risk of a fire starting when you are elsewhere in your home or away from home.

5. Avoid plugging other electronics into the same outlet as a space heater. You should also never use an extension cord, as this equipment heightens the overheating risk.

Your heater can only work as designed if it is kept in working condition. You may need to regularly clean the filter on your space heater to prevent it from overheating. In addition to following these steps, you should also test the smoke alarms in your home and replace batteries or damaged units. If a burned space heater does cause a fire, contact a smoke cleanup service in Western, Kentucky.

For more information, please visit us at http://www.SERVPROmurraybentoncadizprinceton.com/.

Graves County Middle School Fire

7/13/2017 (Permalink)

Our middle school fire alarm sounded in the middle of the night recently. A soft drink machine malfunctioned, causing a small fire. Of course, we are grateful for the firefighters who extinguished the blaze quickly. As often happens, the need for cleanup was more widespread than the fire itself. SERVPRO of Paducah workers responded immediately to take care of the damage the unexpected fire caused with precision and care. They had school ready for students when they arrived. The SERVPRO team stayed on site until everything had returned to normal and well into the day after the fire. Throughout their stay, every worker was friendly and highly professional! Their work was efficient and complete. I cannot imagine a better response than SERVPRO of Paducah accomplished! –

Superintendent Kim Dublin, Graves County (Ky.) Schools

Smoke and Soot Cleanup for your Murray, Benton, Cadiz or Princeton Residence

7/13/2017 (Permalink)

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 Murray, Benton, Cadiz and Princeton 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 – (270) 753-1160