Are You Prepared for Fire Damage in Your Home?

11/27/2023 (Permalink)

With the drought still happening in California, fires are still a primary concern during this windy season.  Additionally, as we head into the holidays, specifically Thanksgiving, we encourage people to prepare for everything from a wildfire to your basic kitchen fire.

So what does preparation entail?  Having a plan of action for immediately exiting the property.  You should also have an emergency kit stashed that you can just grab & go.  Or maybe you keep it safe in your vehicle.  But the point is you should have access to fresh water, batteries/ a power source, as well as dried foods and an emergency supply of medications you may need - and of course don't forget about your furry friends!  You may want to have an extra stash of pet food handy in that emergency bag as well.  Check out Ready.gov for more examples of how to be prepared should the worst happen.

Take care and stay safe!

Be Safe with That Deep Fryer!

11/23/2022 (Permalink)

Thanksgiving Day is a great day for bringing family & friends together to eat good food and enjoy good company.

Unfortunately, Thanksgiving Day also has the highest number of home-cooking fires on average every year.  In 2018, there was an estimated total of 1,630 cooking fires.  Don't worry though!  There are some safety tips that you can utilize in order to make your day as safe as possible when deep frying that turkey:

• Keep Your Distance!  The fryer should be 10 feet away from your house/trees/deck / garage!
• Thaw and Dry the Turkey!  There should be no ice crystals or water beads.
• Always be prepared!  Make sure that a fire extinguisher is nearby (and in working condition!)

Check out this demonstration performed by the Gallatin Fire Department in Tennessee!

Fire Safety Tips

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

How prepared are you to evacuate your house if it were to catch on fire? A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows that only 26 percent of families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Below is a list of fire safety tips to follow to ensure you have an efficient and smooth fire evacuation plan.

Draw a map of each level of your home and show all doors and windows. Try to find at least two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.

Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floors. Store them near the window where they will be used.

Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they’ve escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.

Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them. Plan for everyone in your home including pets and elderly or disabled individuals.

SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley is ready at a moments notice to help get the process started to get you back into your home asap. We're available 24/7 at 858-527-1144.

Outline for Repairing a Fire Damage

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

The remediation professional will evaluate for signs that the property is safe to enter, checking for structural damage. Smoke and soot cause damage to the property after the fire has been dealt with and will need to be cleaned off. Soot stains depending on how long the soot has stayed on a surface but is removable but can leave a stain behind. Mold and mildew can become an issue due to water being used to extinguish the fire. Rust and corrosion are both issues that can affect even small electronics that need to be dealt with care to avoid electric shock. To improve air quality a professional will place an air scrubber and air mover to remove particles that may cause health effects. All surfaces affected by smoke and fire damage are cleaned using cleaning products specifically geared towards cleaning surfaces affected by smoke and fire. Soot and debris are removed from the property further improving air quality. Personal possessions are removed to decrease risk of contamination. Any residual water is removed to try and mitigate the risk of the water being absorbed by the property’s structures. Usually air movers and dehumidifiers are used to ensure that the affected area is completely dry. The last step is to deodorize with cleaning products and devices that remove odors.

SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley provides fire, soot and water damage restoration service in San Diego County

11/10/2020 (Permalink)

The active wildfires here in Southern California are increasing their impact as growing Santa Ana winds add fuel to these devastating blazes that are encroaching in our area. According to the New York Times, new fires broke out in Malibu on December 7, with at least 96,000 acres already burned in the Ventura area and 116,000 acres in Los Angeles County. Evacuations have closed hundreds of schools and forced 200,000 of our neighbors to seek safety. The “Thomas Fire” in the Ventura area continues to burn with the aid of strong winds. This fire has caused the closure of the 101 freeway and a boil-water advisory was issued for Ventura County. Santa Ana winds The Santa Ana winds that are enabling the fires to rapidly increase their reach can have speeds in excess of 60 miles per hour. They are not expected to diminish until Friday into Saturday at the earliest. The National Weather Service has warned of “very rapid fire growth” in this area. SERVPRO Meteorologist Lela Davis said that the Santa Ana winds were already very dry when they reached the Southern California valley, allowing them to quickly pull moisture out of vegetation, increasing the risk for wildfires. For the first time ever, a purple wind warning was issued for today under the color-coded system used to advise about high winds. This purple warning pushed wind expectations from the “high” category to “extreme”. Ready to help Here at SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley we are monitoring this wildfire situation closely. Our thoughts are with those neighbors who may be put in harms’ way during this event. In many cases, a wildfire can result in a total loss for a home or business, but in others it may be a partial loss, or can result in mild smoke damage. If your home or business is affected by a wildfire, SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley is Here to Help®. 

About SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley

SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

Fire or Soot Damage? Call Us Today – We’re Ready To Help 858-527-1144

What Types of Soot Are There?

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that after a fire damage, there are 2 types of soot? The soot can be oily or dry and can be determined by running your finger across a soot covered surface. If it smears, this means the soot is oily. If it doesn't, then the soot is dry. Why does this matter, you ask? Depending on whether it is oily or dry there are different cleaning methods.
Oily soot is generally cleaned with a de-greasing agent, such as 409 or scrubbing bubbles. Whereas dry soot can be cleaned with our dry cleaning sponges. Whether oily or dry, SERVPRO of Sorrento Valley is prepared to restore your home to preloss condition.

We promise to make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage Prevention Tips

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

Not only can fire damages be very costly, but they can be scary and take the longest to repair and rebuild. We recommend following the tips below to help avoid a fire damage in your home:

• Keep the stove and oven clear of debris, towels, and cookbooks. The most common fires start in the kitchen.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are cooking. Don't leave hot cooking surfaces unattended.
• Empty the lint filter in the dryer every load. Also don't forget to clean out the external dryer vents once a year.
• Maintain electrical cords, checking for frayed or corroded wires. Use extension cords for a temporary fix and switch to a surge protector as soon as possible.
• Don't leave burning candles unattended. Make sure they are a safe distance from any flammable items such as blankets or curtains.
• Shut your doors when you are not home or are sleeping. Fire spreads quickly when there are no barriers.
• Give your fireplace ashes enough time to cool down. We've had several customers who had a house fire due to throwing their warm fireplace ashes into the trash can.

Christmas Tree Fire Hazard

10/13/2020 (Permalink)

If you had a real Christmas tree growing up you may have heard about the potential fire hazard they bring, but why? These are the top 3 reasons according to the National Fire Protection Association. The number one reason is that 44% of Christmas tree fires are caused by faulty electrical distribution or lighting equipment. Make sure to check your lights each year for any damaged bulbs and avoid using extension cords. The second reason is that a heat source, such as a candle or space heater, were too close to the tree. Always check the area around your tree, as well as anything flammable near your candles and space heaters. Additionally, 44% of holiday decoration fires are caused by a heat source. The third Christmas tree fire cause is due to intentionally set fires. Make sure if you are going to burn your Christmas tree, that it is done safely outside away from any structures, trees, or other flammable materials. If you happen to experience a fire in your home whether it is due to a Christmas tree, holiday decor, or cooking, give us a call!