Safety Tips for Space Heaters

12/10/2024 (Permalink)

Fire in Bedroom causing a total loss of Home during cold weather months

Every year many homes in our communities catch fire, some causing death and serious injury to people. Space heaters and alternative heating methods are one of the leading causes of residential fires. These fires can easily be avoidable.

Safety Awareness

The common way to warm your home is a central HVAC system, however some homes are heated in other ways. There are many different ways to heat a home such as space heaters, wood-burning stoves, and fireplaces. Caution should be used with all methods of heating a home to prevent fires from occurring.

Fire Hazards

There are a few reasons space heaters are known for causing fires. They just malfunction or are not maintained properly, electrical issues, accumulation of dust and debris, or one of the main causes is improper proximity to flammable materials. Examples of flammable materials are paper, curtains, bedding, clothing, furniture, or rugs. Before using a space heater, you should always check for any signs of damage, like a frayed cord or any exposed wires. NEVER use a damaged heater!

Fire Prevention Tips

To help prevent space heater fires, here are a few tips:

-Turn heaters off when unattended   

- Keep Heaters Away from Flammable Materials

- Use Heaters on Flat, Stable Surfaces

- Keep Children and Pets Away

- Plug Directly into a Wall Outlet

- Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions

- Keep Heater Away from Water

Preventing a Holiday Cooking Disaster

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the highest rated day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas, and Christmas Eve? With more cooking comes more responsibility and we want you to enjoy these days with your family and friends! Here are a few safety tips for when you are cooking that delicious meal during the holidays.

• Keep an eye on the food while it is cooking. Avoid leaving the room so that the hot surfaces do not go unattended.
• Cook the turkey (or ham) while you are home to avoid. Leaving the house would leave the food unattended.
• Keep children away from the stove to prevent any accidents with the hot food, surfaces, or liquids. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Make sure there are no trip or fall hazards in the cooking area. This can include toys, children, or pets.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child. Appliances to watch could be an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer. 
• Keep matches and utility lighters up high in a locked cabinet out of the reach of children.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working before you begin cooking. Test them by pushing the test button.

Be especially aware when Deep Frying a turkey, people tend to put too much oil in which causes overflow and spreads to the open flame causing a mass fireball. Also putting in a frozen or very wet bird can cause major problems which they call B.L.E.V.E. which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

• Always use fryer outside away from any structure. 
• Keep oil under 350 degrees, the hotter the oil, the more combustible it is.
• Be careful to not overfill the oil for the fryer to prevent overflow when cooking.
• Thoroughly defrost turkey. The rule of thumb is 24 hours for every 10 pounds the turkey weighs.
• Before adding the turkey to the oil, turn off the burner flame. This helps prevent an explosion if overflow does occur.
• Keep grease fire approved extinguisher on hand. Never use water on a grease or oil fire as it will spread the fire instead of extinguishing it!
• Lower turkey into pot slowly, and watch for overflow.

In the event you have a Fire/Water emergency this Holiday Season please know your SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on Holidays. Contact us if need be at (931)723-8088 and we will be there to help. Happy Holidays!

Could You Have Water Damage?

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

Around one in every 50 American homeowners will file a water claim every year. That means more likely than not, you know someone who has had to file a water claim. Not only are water damage claims common, but they’re also growing. In fact, the insurance industry statisticians say that water damage claims have been growing annually over the past several years. With this in mind, what should you look for to identify a water claim early?

Many homeowners aren’t sure when leaks can be handled in house and when a professional water damage restoration technician should be contacted. These are some of the signs that will determine if you’re dealing with water damage that needs professional help.

You notice a musty odor which could indicated mold or mildew growth. A distinctive, musty smell is one of the first signs of mold and mildew in a home. That means it’s important for you to take steps, such as contacting a remediation specialist, to stop the progression of mold and mildew before it becomes more prevalent in your home.

Fabrics that have faded, stained, or bleed in a short time period. If you notice fabrics in your home such as curtains or upholstered furniture has these problems, that can be a sign of too much moisture in your home. An excess of moisture in the home can indicate a leak that has gone undetected or unnoticed.

Your floorboards or walls are damaged. Wet flooring (particularly wood) will start to warp within just a few days if not dried properly. Drywall can also start to take on another color, and even start to fall apart if not dried. If you see these signs in your home, it’s best to start seeking help from professionals who can help you restore your home.

Most of these problems won’t improve on their own over time without professional intervention. So if you notice these issues, it’s important to start the water restoration process as soon as possible. SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, and Warren Counties is here to help with any water damage restoration services you may need.

SERVPRO joins Old Timers Day 2023

11/13/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County was honored to participate for the third year in a row with Old Timer's Day. This Manchester community event is an Annual Event for kids and adults of all ages and is held the first weekend of October on the square.

Old Timer's Day was held on the Manchester's historic square, hosted a family-fun afternoon of Bingo, cake walks, and free family friendly activities such as a parade, food trucks, a variety of vendors, live music and prizes.

We were proud to continue to be a part of such an amazing community event while being able to educate families about SERVPRO and our full line of services. SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County is looking forward for next year!

FUN at the Good Friends Music Festival

6/30/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County was honored to participate in the Good Friends Music Fest again this year. This Manchester community event is an Annual Event for kids and adults of all ages to come together and enjoy outdoor adventures and great local music. Good Friends Music Festival was held in Manchester. The first day of the event was held at the local Common John Brewing Co and the second day of fun was held at the local Parks and Recreation Center Rotary Park. We were honored to sponsor a Kid's Zone with a bounce house for the second day of the festival, as well as set up an information booth for both days.

We were proud to be part of such an amazing community event while being able to educate families about SERVPRO and our full line of services. SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County is looking forward for next year!

SERVPRO is here to Board-up your Home or Business After a Fire

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Coffee County Homeowner requested our Board-up assistance after a horrific house fire.

New openings in buildings from damage to the roof, siding or windows breaking can be caused by fires. Windows can break from  multiple causes like from the fire itself, people that need  an exit or they can get broken by the fire department while putting the fire out. When the fire has been extinguished and the firefighters have left, you have to put the pieces back together and that is when you call, SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties,  your local professionals. We are here to help. Our team of trained professionals will help guide you through the process including the first step: Boarding up your home. 

Why board up your property?

Windows have been broken, your siding was destroyed, there are holes in your roof causing unsecured openings in your home and they need to be secured. So why should you board-up? Here’s why:

• To prevent additional damage to your home and belongings from weather
• To protect your property and home from damage or even burglary
• Stopping animals from getting into your home causing more damage
• Shows good standing with your insurance coverage by showing you are taking proactive steps to prevent more damage and address the current damage

After calling us for your board-up needs, we can begin the rest of the restoration process. We will make it “Like it never even happened”.  Call your local, trained professionals SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties at 931-723-8088.

SERVPRO eliminates odors

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties are trained professionals to identify and eliminate offensive odors. These odors can come from a variety of sources both inside and outside a structure.

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

Our SERVPRO team has the training and the proper equipment to identify and eliminate these offensive odors. Odors can be removed over time after first identifying the cause of the odor and the types of surfaces the odor invades. Our certified technicians have access to multiple odor eliminating products. These specific SERVPRO products are capable of penetrating surfaces to neutralize an offensive odor thoroughly.

Call SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties to eliminate your stubborn odors!

Gone for the Holidays

11/15/2022 (Permalink)

Don't leave your home for the holidays without reading these important tips first!

Getting prepared for our holiday travels, we want to take measures to ensure that our home will be safe to return to. Here are some home safety tips you need to know before you go & why they are so important.

•  When leaving your home unattended for an extended amount of time, shut the water valve to the ice maker line off on the refrigerator.

And why is this important? 

The plastic piping can wear or break at contact points such as areas going into cabinets or through flooring. When these lines break, they don’t pour the same amount of  water out as a washing machine line, but if they are left unchecked for multiple days it can cause major damage.

•  Never leave your Dishwasher running when you leave the house (trying to get that last load finished as you head out of the door)

And why is this important? 

Dishwasher fires if left unattended can also cause thousands of dollars in damage and ruin your holidays

• Put any stored items in your basement up on shelving, bocks or pallets- try to get them at least 3” of elevation

And why is this important?

If your basement floods for any reason (melting snow/ice, rain, etc), your treasured belongings will be better protected if they are up off the floor. Also, storing your items in plastic totes can prevent damage to items and can provide additional protection.

SERVPRO is at Old Timer's Day!

11/12/2022 (Permalink)

Old Timer's Day 2022 was a blast

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County was honored to paticipate in Old Timer's Day this year. This Manchester community event is an Annual Event for kids and adults of all ages.

Old Timer's Day was held on the Manchester's historic square, had a family-fun night of Bingo and a full day of free family activities such as a parade, food trucks, a variety of vendors, live music and prizes.

We were proud to be part of such an amazing community event while being able to educate families about SERVPRO and our full line of services. SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County is looking forward for next year!

There is No Water, Fire or Mold Damage Job Too Big or Too Small

11/23/2021 (Permalink)

Disasters can come in many shapes and sizes. Whether it’s minor flood damage from a leaking washing machine or catastrophic damage from a tornado, SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties can handle it all.

Not all damage restoration companies can handle such a wide array of business sizes and damage types like us. Some don’t have the equipment or capabilities to handle major damages to large properties. Other restoration companies feel small jobs, like minor water damage to a home, are not worth their time to fix. That’s not the case at SERVPRO of  Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties. We are committed to cleaning up and restoring homes and businesses of every shape and size no matter how big or small the damage is.

We Can Handle Any Type of Disaster

At SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties, not only can we handle any size disaster, but we can also handle almost any type of disaster. Our highly trained crews and fully equipped warehouse of equipment and materials are ready 24/7 to respond to your disaster. If you’ve just experienced a fire in your home, we can help you. If your business just suffered from massive flooding, we’ve got the tools and experience to help. If your basement flooded and your suffering from water and mold damage, we can help. We can handle fire damage, smoke damage, mold damage, water damage, storm damage, and more.

We’ve Helped Homes and Businesses of All Sizes 

When it comes to fire, water, and mold damage, no home or business is immune to these damages. At SERVPRO Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties, we’ve helped hundreds of homes and businesses all over our community clean up and get back to normal after suffering damages and losses. On any given day, we could be cleaning up a home from a kitchen fire, drying out a basement after flooding, and doing mold remediation in a crawl space under a home. We have the crew, the equipment, and the expertise to handle whatever size job happens to come next.

Give the Residential and Commercial Restoration and Cleaning Pros a Call

If your home or business should suffer from mold damage, water damage, or fire damage, give the restoration and cleaning pros at SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties a call. Whether it’s in the middle of the night, a holiday, or on the weekend, we are willing and ready to assist you in your damage cleanup and restoration. No job is too small and no job is too big. We can handle it all at SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties.