Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Homeowners & Business Owners Should Be Alert of Winter Fire Risks

PuroClean’s Paramedics of Property Damage Provide Tips to Property Owners to Prevent Cold Weather Fires

During the winter months, the majority of the country experiences colder and wetter weather conditions, increasing the need for structural heating and causing the peak season for heating fires. According to FEMA, heating fires account for 36 percent of residential home fires in rural areas every year. When a fire occurs, PuroClean is called to the scene, usually by a local insurance agent, to bring the situation under control, prevent it from becoming worse, and finally, to provide restoration services to help put the property back to pre-loss condition.

We at PuroClean have commonly been referred to as “The Paramedics of Property Damage.” We are a professional mitigation company specializing in property remediation after a home or commercial structure has been damaged by fire and smoke. Structural heating such as fireplaces or furnace malfunctions are a common cause of many of the fire mitigation calls we receive in the winter months.

With more than one-third of Americans using fireplaces and other fuel-burning appliances as a primary heat source, take note of the following tips to help reduce the risk of winter fires:

• Keep fireplaces clean
- Have chimneys inspected and cleaned annually by a certified chimney specialist
- Clear the area around the hearth of debris, decorations and flammable materials
- Always use a metal screen with fireplaces and leave doors open while burning
• Burn fuels safely
- Never use flammable liquids to start a fire
- Only use seasoned hardwood, not soft or moist wood
- Build small fires that produce less smoke
- Never burn boxes, trash or debris in a fireplace
- When building a fire, place logs at the rear of the fireplace
- Never leave a fire unattended, extinguish it before going to bed or leaving the house
- Soak hot ashes in water and place them in a metal container outside
• Protect the outside of your home
- Stack firewood at least 30 feet away from your home
- Keep the roof clear of pine needles, leaves, etc.
- Cover chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester
- Remove branches hanging above the chimney, flues or vents

If property is damaged by a fire, it is important to call a fire restoration professional immediately. Cruz said the faster the response, the greater the chance of saving property and possessions and minimizing insurance claims.



About PuroClean
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 230 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact George Cruz or Emilio Soli at 866-944-PURO(7876) or visit www.PuroCleanProServices.com.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Christmas Tree Fires

Tips to Prevent Christmas Tree Fires for Property Owners


PuroClean's Paramedics of Property Damage Warn Residents of Dangers of Holiday Fires

The Christmas holiday is traditionally celebrated with lights, candles, wreaths, and Christmas trees to decorate homes. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees, both real and artificial, were the first items ignited in an estimated 300 reported home structure fires per year in 2000-2004.

The US Fire Administration offers the following fire safety tips for homeowners:

- When decorating, be sure to check if lights are indoor or outdoor use, not both
- Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords should not be used
- Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving or going to bed
- Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and make sure all lit candles are placed well away from tree branches
- Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles. If purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled flame retardant.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, such as fireplaces or radiators. Try to place the tree near an outlet to avoid running long cords, and do not place it where it may block exits.
- Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles, as dried out trees are highly flammable.

In the event of a Christmas tree fire, it is important for property owners to know what to do (and what not to do) and who to contact once it has been extinguished. PuroClean, known as “The Paramedics of Property Damage,” is a professional mitigation company specializing in property remediation after a home or commercial structure has been damaged by fire and smoke. We experience an increased number of fire mitigation calls around this time of year. The source of many of these fires is commonly attributed to holiday decorations such as Christmas trees. Fire and smoke can very rapidly harm household items, even after it has been extinguished. It is imperative to seek help immediately from a professional restoration company to prevent further damage.

Examples of how quickly fire and smoke can harm property:

- Within minutes plastic and marble surfaces begin to permanently stain
- Within hours metals tarnish, grout stains, fiberglass yellows and furniture yellows
- Within days flooring stains, fabrics are lost and wood furniture finish is compromised

About PuroClean
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 215 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact Contact George Cruz at 440-944-7876 or visit www.PuroCleanProServices.com

Thursday, November 20, 2008

A Testimony of Diversity is Shown in PuroClean’s Commitment to Clients

PuroClean's Paramedics of Property Damage is Steadfast to the Hispanic Community

PuroClean Professional Services is a bi-lingual, minority owned business that strives to provide world class service to consumers in the Greater Cleveland and Akron Metropolitan areas through a referral network of insurance, real estate, and contracting professionals.

George Cruz, managing partner, has more than 10 years of experience accompanied with a proven track record of building and managing successful sales and operations platforms for both small and large business organizations.

The Greater Cleveland and Akron areas have experienced great cultural diversity over the century. It has been George and PuroClean's experience that this segment of the population is often under-serviced due to the small number of contractors that are both bi-lingual and minority owned. In response to the growing demand from the Hispanic Community, PuroClean Professional Services now offers a Spanish version of their business forms

At PuroClean Professional Services our promise is simple. We do whatever it takes. We understand that a property disaster is disruptive and emotionally unsettling. That is why we constantly strive to provide unexpected extras in order to "WOW" our customer - we do whatever it takes to get their life back in order.


About PuroClean
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 215 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact George Cruz at 440-785-5171 or visit www.PuroCleanProServices.com.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Cold Weather Approaching Can Lead to Frozen Pipes, Property Damage

PuroClean's Paramedics of Property Damage Provide Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

As winter weather sets in, and cold temperatures cause water to freeze and expand, homeowners are at a risk of damage from frozen pipes. Whether a pipe is plastic or metal, it cannot withstand the pressure caused by the expansion of freezing water.

According to the American Red Cross, pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to the severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Pipe freezing is a particular problem in warmer regions where pipes often run through uninsulated or underinsulated attics or crawl spaces.

PuroClean, known as "The Paramedics of Property Damage," is a professional mitigation company specializing in property restoration and responding to water damage emergencies that can be caused by frozen pipes. This time of year, we experience an increased number of property emergencies due to frozen pipes.

To help reduce the risk of frozen pipes, take a look at the following tips:

- Make sure all pipes in unheated areas are insulated
- When it is extremely cold outside, let cold water drip from the faucet because running a small amount of water helps prevent pipes from freezing
- Keep the heat on if you are going away during cold weather
- Keep the thermostat set at the same temperature both during day and night
- Add insulation to basements, attics and garages to maintain higher temperatures


About PuroCleanPuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 215 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact George Cruz at 440-785-5171 or visit www.purocleanproservices.com.