The Holiday Season Brings Added Fire Risks

The Holiday Season is associated with family get-togethers, great family meals, and beautiful home decorations including lights, candles, and Christmas trees.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires, with Thanksgiving the peak day of the entire year. Nearly all cooking fires start with the ignition of food or cooking oil. Other items normally found in a kitchen help feed the fire - such as cabinets, paper, plastic, and curtains. In 2006, U.S. fire departments responded to 112,500 home structure fires. These fires caused nearly $7 billion in direct property damage. Cooking fires accounted for 40% of all reported home fires. Twelve percent of the fires occurred when something flammable was left too close to cooking equipment.

The CDC and the National Fire Protection Association recommend:
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you must leave the kitchen for any reason, turn off the stovetop.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you to check the food.
• Wear short, close fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can easily catch fire.
• Never use water to extinguish a cooking fire.
• If oil starts to boil, remove it from the heat source. Simply lowering the heat will not reduce the temperature fast enough.
• Be careful not to overfill pots with oil. You need room in the pan to add food. Overflowing oil can easily catch fire.
• If oil catches fire, use an oven mitt to carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the fire.
• If oil has overflowed and is burning, get everyone out of the house and call the fire department from outside.
• Keep towels, bags, plastic, and food packaging away from flame and heat.
• Never cook when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
• Install smoke alarms if a home does not have them.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries as needed.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees (both real and artificial) are the first items ignited in an estimated 300 reported home structure fires per year.

The U.S. Fire Administration offers the following fire safety tips for homeowners:
• When decorating, be sure to use only lights rated for indoor use.
• Replace any lights that have worn, frayed, or broken cords.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
• Keep live trees moist by watering daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles - dried out trees are highly flammable.
• Make sure artificial trees are fire retardant.
• Place the tree near an outlet to avoid running long extension cords.
• Do not burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace. They are practically explosive.

Candles around the home often invoke a warm holiday spirit, but they are a significant fire hazard - and a leading cause of residential fires! If you choose to set the mood with candles, use extreme caution.

The National Candle Association recommends:
• Always keep a burning candle within sight - never leave it unattended.
• Never burn a candle near anything that can catch fire.
• Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candles and place on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and is no longer glowing before leaving it.
• Never use a candle as a night light.

In the event a fire should occur, it is important for property owners to know what to do, what not to do, and who to contact once it is extinguished. PuroClean, known as The Paramedics of Property DamageTM, is a professional mitigation company specializing in property remediation after a home or commercial structure is damaged by fire and smoke. Fire, along with the resulting smoke and soot, can rapidly harm household items - even after the fire has been extinguished. It is imperative to seek help immediately from a professional restoration company such as PuroClean to prevent further damage.

Regardless of the circumstances - dealing with fire/smoke damage, water damage, or mold remediation - call us with questions/concerns.
Good luck and enjoy the holidays!

Mold Inspections, Testing, and Removal

PuroClean offers professional Mold Inspection, Mold Testing, and Mold Removal Estimates in the greater Cleveland & Akron metropolitan areas.

Call us toll free: (866) 944-PURO (7876) to schedule an appointment.

Professional Mold Inspection: PuroClean works with you to help determine the source of the moisture and how to correct the problem. PuroClean uses professional meters to detect moisture levels in the air (humidity) and in contents/structure. Addressing the moisture issue causing the mold problem is the most important step in the mold remediation process. PuroClean will provide you a detailed line-item mold removal estimate for consideration and possible review with your insurance company.

Mold Testing: PuroClean will take several air and surface samples and submit them to an independent AIHA certified laboratory for mold analysis. A professional laboratory report will be provided to you detailing the mold (spore) type and count for each sampled surface and/or area. An outdoor air sample will be taken as well for reference. PuroClean will review the report with you in detail and answer any questions regarding the results.

Mold Removal: Upon your acceptance of PuroClean’s mold removal estimate, certified technicians will:

· Contain the affected area(s) and place under negative pressure with HEPA filtration.
· Remove and/or clean the affected contents and structure as needed (Mold Remediation).
· Apply an anti-microbial agent (fungicide-biocide) to the affected area(s).
· Professionally dehumidify and dry the affected area(s) as needed.
· Submit complete job estimate, photos, and invoice directly to insurance company if applicable.

Prices:

· Professional Inspection & Mold Removal estimate preparation only: $135
· Professional Mold Testing, Inspection, and Mold Removal estimate preparation: $275
· Professional Mold Removal (Remediation) & Professional Drying (as needed): Varies by job

Homeowners: Quick Reaction Time is of the Essence During a Water Emergency

One must act fairly quickly during a water damage emergency to a commercial or residential property. If left untreated, water will continue to cause damage for weeks after the initial loss. The following is the destructive pattern that water tends to follow:

Less Than One Hour

• Moving water quickly spreads to other areas.
• Furniture may stain carpet permanently.
• Moisture-sensitive furniture may discolor.
• Paper goods are ruined.

One to 24 Hours

• Furniture delaminates or swells; legs can split.
• Pressed wood swells and disintegrates.
• Bacterial odor becomes apparent.
• Uncoated metal surfaces may tarnish.
• Normal household odors strengthen.

Two to Seven Days

• Mold and mildew may appear, accompanied by a musty odor.
• Musical instruments swell and warp.
• Drywall swells and disintegra
• Uncoated metal surfaces begin to rust.
• Door and window casings swell and distort or delaminate.
• Wood decking and studs begin to swell, warp, or split.
• Electronic components may malfunction.
• Occupants with respiratory problems or compromised immune systems can experience distress.

One Week and Beyond

• Mold and mildew may appear, accompanied by a musty odor.
• Wood components warp and split.
• Chemicals within wood dissolve, discolor, or destroy finishes.
• Claim costs escalate dramatically.
• Serious occupant health hazards may occur.

The dangers to a property and homeowner obviously begin to escalate the longer that water damage is not treated.

The Details That Go Into Treating Water Damage to Properties in Cleveland & Akron

Water damage restoration may include a few or all of the following:

* Work authorization agreements are layed out in detail and then signed.
* Moisture meters detect and determines the extent of damage to the structure. All structure surfaces are analyzed including walls, ceilings, carpets, sub-flooring, crawl spaces, etc.
* Water is extracted if the scope of the damage calls for it.
* Pack-up any contents within the affected area if needed. Move and block up furniture within the affected area if needed.
* Chemical application to affected surfaces & contents using odor removals, deodorizers, and disinfectants to prevent bacterial growth and mildew in carpets. Any area affected by moisture is a breeding ground for microbial growth.
* Setup the necessary drying equipment strategically within the affected area (air movers/fans, dehumidifiers, air cleaners, etc).
* Monitor daily the equipment and the results of the drying process by taking all required readings. Drying typically takes three to seven days, but at times takes longer.


Once the drying is completed and the structure is back to it's pre-existing state, some of the things that may occur are the following:

* Contents are cleaned and placed back into it's original setting.
* Necessary repairs are completed and carpet and pad is reinstalled if necessary.
* Carpeted areas are cleaned accordingly as well as all traffic areas that were used during the entire process.
* Move and reset furniture as necessary.
* Final inspection is completed and customer sign-off. Obviously, each water disaster is different and calls for different techniques and areas of expertise.


What I described above is the framework of a typical water loss claim that we see on the residential-side of the business. If you have any questions please let me know or visit our website at www.PuroCleanProServices.com