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!

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.

Using Alternative Candles vs Real Candles to prevent Fire Damage

11/23/2021 (Permalink)

Candles set the mood for romance and give off the feeling of calm and comfort. The scents bring back memories of good times, whether it’s grandma baking cookies or your childhood home surrounded by flowers. The use of candles comes down to two things: ambiance and scent, but the reality is that candles are dangerous. The romantic memories you’re trying to create could turn into images you don’t want to remember.
The National Fire Protection Association states that between 2015 and 2019, U.S. Fire Departments responded to an estimated 7,400 home structure fires that were created by candle fire each year. Alternatives for candles are the best bet and will continue to keep the mood, the scent and your home safe.

Here Are 4 Candle Alternatives For You

Ambiance

Flameless or battery-operated candles are more than likely the best way to create the mood you’re wanting. This alternative to real candles comes in different shapes, sizes and colors, and you can choose the option of flicker or no flicker.

Table lamps may not be an idea that comes to mind. However, changing out a lampshade can make the difference between brightening up a room or darkening the area enough to set off a feeling of serenity.

Scented

Reed or stick infusers are glass bottle containers with sticks that are used to distribute the smell. The oil soaks the sticks and the fragrance permeates the air.


Flowers are a natural alternative to candles. Bouquets of your favorite blossoms not only brighten a room but also engulf the area with a fresh, clean scent.

The certainty is that candle alternatives are the best way to prevent a devastating fire from occurring. Form memories to last a lifetime and keep your family and home safe by using candle alternatives. If you have any questions about possible fire damage or how to prevent fire damage, call us at SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren Counties. 

Fireplace Safety Tips

11/2/2021 (Permalink)

Is your fireplace safe and ready for this winter season?

Everyone enjoys a good fire around the fireplace when temperatures have fallen.  What’s not to enjoy feeling cozy and warm during the winter months? Fireplaces may be used to provide warmth during this time of year.  But have you considered that this could be a potential fire hazard?   Listed below are some tips about fireplace safety to use to keep you and your family safe.

• Crack open a window while the fire is burning.
• Be sure the damper or flue is open before lighting or starting a fire, and until embers have completely stopped burning, to draw smoke out of the house.
• Check the damper by looking up into the chimney with a flashlight or mirror.
• Use smaller pieces of dry and well-aged wood for home fire safety, avoiding wet or green wood, which causes more smoke and soot buildup in the chimney.
• Have a professional check the chimney annually.
• When cleaning a fireplace, remove ashes from previous fires, keeping levels of the to 1 inch or less for less smoke
• Check for animal nests or other blockages that could prevent smoke from escaping.
• Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of anything that is potentially flammable.
• Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended and be sure it’s completely out before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Home fireplace safety should include keeping a fire extinguisher on hand.

Fire damage can be devastating and SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County understands the stress that comes with it.  Our team of professionals are dedicated to helping you.  If you face any winter storm damages, give our team a call 931-723-8088 and we’ll be there to make it “Like it never even happened.”

Dealing with Smoke Damage After a Fire

9/1/2021 (Permalink)

How To Deal With Fire Damage?

Smoke is one of the worst things about fire damage to your home. Smoke can quickly ruin the walls and ceilings of your property, and it is not easy to clean the damage due to smoke. The particles in smoke are small, unburnt material that is dark in color and can deposit on almost any surface. These particles can not only cause cosmetic damage but also can cause structural damage.

Cleaning smoke after fire damage to your property is a job for the professionals here at SERVPRO. Particles in smoke that are less than 10 micrometers in diameter can get lodged in porous surfaces. If these particles are not cleaned correctly, they can cause an irreversible damage to your property.

Call In The Professionals:
Smoke residue can be very difficult to clean. If you try to clean them on your own, chances are, you will worsen the situation. Trying to clean smoke covered ceiling or walls can drive the particles deeper into the pores making the damage permanent. Professionals at SERVPRO are trained and have years of experience to do this job. Make sure that you call in the experts rather than trying to clean the smoke damage by yourself. We use various extraction methods to drive these particles out and minimize the damage. Paint on the walls and ceiling can also blister bubble during the fire.

The odor is yet another huge problem that accompanies smoke damage. Here at SERVPRO, we use some of the best equipment to combat even the most terrible smoke odors.  Our technicians use air scrubbers to eradicate any lingering smoke particles and get your home smelling like home again.

Limiting the damage and a successful restoration depends on how quickly we can start working. Call SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County at (931) 723-8088 to schedule an appointment with one of our experts today.

Tips on Staying Safe with Space Heaters

2/17/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County are here to help after any disaster. You don't have to deal with the FIRE damage alone.

Space Heater Safety in Your Home

Anyone who has paid the bill to heat their home in the winter knows how expensive it can be to stay warm.  In return, this is why so many people to turn to their trusty space heater, but is your space heater “trusty”?  Did you know upwards of 25,000 house fires and 300 deaths are attributed to space heaters each year?  Follow these tips to help keep warm and most importantly protect your family and home this winter.

• NEVER leave a space heater unattended. Turn it off when you are leaving a room or going to sleep
• Proper placement of your space heater is crucial! Keep space heaters at least three feet away from anything that is flammable or can burn. This includes curtains, bedding, clothes, papers, etc.
• Select the appropriate space heater for the size of your room. If you are placing the heater in a bedroom or smaller area you only need a heater rated for your space.  On the other hand, if you are heating a large area don’t expect to buy a smaller rated heater to heat the entire space. That leads to overuse and can cause the smaller heater to malfunction.
• Keep children and pets away from the space heater. This may sound obvious, but many fires are caused by the heater getting covered or tipped into something flammable.
• Place your heater on a hard and flat surface. Most heaters have an auto-shutoff trigger on the bottom but it’s always best to take the proper precautions.
• As a rule of thumb plug directly into an outlet. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire.
• Keep space heaters away from water. Refrain from running a space heater in a bathroom or humid room unless you have a bathroom safe model (which will be specified on the box at time of purchase)

These tips are to help you and your loved ones stay safe and warm.  Please be ALERT and careful so you don’t become one of the 25,000 fires a year caused by a space heater.

If you do experience a fire from any source type, please respond quickly and call SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County. As Fire and Water Damage Specialists, we have the experience, the expertise, and the advance training that enables us to get your property restored quickly and thoroughly.

Tips and Tricks for Fire Extinguishers

1/28/2021 (Permalink)

Keeping a Fire Extinguisher in your home may help save your property from severe damage.

Fires and fire damage are tragedies among renters and homeowners. But, there are ways to lessen the damage. SERVPRO® of Coffee, Franklin, Warren County is Here to Help so fires don't ruin your winter. One is having a proper fire extinguisher- especially, during the winter months. 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 and tricks 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 Coffee, Franklin, Warren County at (931) 723-8088.

What to do After the Fire

1/14/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin and Warren County can help you though the difficulty of a fire damage.

Suffering fire damages at your home can be a very traumatic experience.  Along with the damages from the flames, your home may have soot residue, smoke odor, and water damages from firefighting efforts.  Many times, the hardest part of the experience is determining “What do I do now?” once the fire is out.  The U.S Fire Administration offers these “After the Fire” guidelines to help you through this tough time:

• The top priority is keeping yourself, loved ones, and pets safe. The structure of your home may be unstable, or various hazards present due to the fire damages.  Always follow the instructions of the local authorities pertaining to safety in a fire damaged area.
• Contact your insurance agent. Your insurance agent can help determine what your policy covers regarding cleaning and restoration.
• Contact your mortgage company or landlord to report the fire.
• Secure important documents. If undamaged, gather items such as Social Security Information, Birth Certificates, and Passports.  If these items have been damaged, you will need to formulate a plan for replacement.

In the unfortunate event that you experience a fire at your home in the Columbia area, SERVPRO of Coffee, Franklin and Warren County is Here to Help. Our professional team provides fire restoration services, soot clean up, smoke odor removal, and structural drying to help restore your home.  Give us a call at (931) 723-8088, We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Thanksgiving Day Tips for Emergency Prevention

11/24/2020 (Permalink)

A potential Cooking fire during your Holiday Season!

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the highest rated day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas, and Christmas Eve? We want you to enjoy these days with your family and friends, so here are a few safety tips for when you are cooking that delicious meal.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids or toys.
• Keep knives out of the reach of children.
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. 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
• Don’t overfill the pot with oil
• Thoroughly defrost turkey(24 hours for every 10 pounds the turkey weighs)
• Turn off flame before putting turkey in
• Keep grease fire approved extinguisher on hand
• Lower turkey into pot slowly

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!

Coffee/Franklin/Warren Counties Smoke and Soot Cleanup

1/7/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Coffee/Franklin/Warren County 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 Coffee/Franklin/Warren 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 – 931-723-8088.

Rafael's Restaurant

8/24/2016 (Permalink)

Restaurant Fire

This fire resulted in a fire that actually started in the mulch on the outside of the building and made its way on the inside of the building and up into the attic. Unfortunately, there were customers in the building, but they all got out safely.

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.

Call us if you need any assistance with your fire, whether it is your home or business, no job is too big or small.

~Sue Mihatov SMR 931-723-8088

Major Fire

3/11/2016 (Permalink)

Bathroom of Fire

There was a fire that broke out into home that ended up charring the entire first floor. The second floor of the home was covered in soot. Both floors needed to be completely gone through and throughly cleaned. When a home has soot it is crucial that all the contents are cleaned. Most people do not know but soot can even enter closed books and drawers, so it is important to make sure that every item is addressed. At the end of this job, the homeowners were very happy to see their home was starting to look like the fire never happened and they could start to put the pieces back together. 

Hebrews 13:16 "Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."