Don’t Let a House Fire Destroy Your Manchester Home

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

Today's house fires burn hotter and faster, so to keep your family safe, you need to prevent a fire or be able to escape one fast!

Home fires are so dangerous, both to your property and to your family’s lives and wellbeing. You may not be able to prevent every fire, but you can take many steps to reduce your risk and you can prepare for a fire to give yourself a chance to escape it while minimizing damage.

For starters, you need to take the threat of a fire seriously. Each year in the U.S. fires kill more people than all other natural disasters combined. And the physical damage a house fire can cause is substantial, easily amounting to $100,000, $200,000 or more in property damage to your Manchester house.

It’s a fact that today’s house fires are more deadly and destructive than those of a few decades ago. The reason is that today’s homes are furnished with more synthetic materials, which catch fire more easily, burn at a higher temperature and spew out more toxins. Prior to this change, you would have had about 15 minutes to escape a house fire. Today, you need to escape a burning home in about 3 to 4 minutes. That’s why prevention and preparation are essential. You have no time to waste!

How a Fire Starts and Burns: Anatomy of a Kitchen Fire

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says that cooking is the greatest single cause of fires and injuries, with 44% of all home fires starting there. Even if a fire is contained within a kitchen, it can cause $50,000 or more in damage.

Leaving food cooking unattended is the primary cause of kitchen fires, so you must stay in the kitchen if you’re frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave, even for a moment or two, turn off the stove. If you are simmering, baking or roasting, stay nearby and check your meal often.

The NFPA has other safe cooking advice:

• Take cooking seriously and be alert. Don’t cook when impaired, sleepy or distracted.
• Keep the stovetop and surrounding area free of flammable items. This includes potholders, oven mitts, dish towels and food packaging.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the stove to prevent both burns and fires.

Let’s take a look at how a common kitchen fire starts, spreads and can destroy your home in just minutes. It begins when a pot on the stove boils over and drips oily fluid onto the gas flame or electric burner. Flames burst out in seconds.

The first 30 seconds: Those flames ignite any grease or oil on the stovetop and can leap to nearby items, such as potholders or dish towels. This is your chance to quickly extinguish the fire by covering it with a pot lid or cookie sheet to cut off its oxygen. Do not throw water on the fire, as that can cause the flames to spread. If not put out now, the fire starts producing smoke and heated air. Elapsed time = 30 seconds.

The next 30 seconds: The fire jumps to other combustible items in the kitchen. Smoke (a mixture of ash, soot and hot gases, such as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water vapor and hydrogen sulfide) spreads through the kitchen—and breathing in just a little smoke can cause you to lose consciousness. Elapsed time = 1 minute.

The next 2 minutes: The biggest killer in a house fire is smoke, with its deadly gases, and now the smoke surges out of the kitchen, hovering above the floor. It grows thicker and travels to other rooms and then upstairs. Meanwhile, the flames are consuming your kitchen and its contents. The temperature in the kitchen is now high enough to kill. At only the 3-minute mark, you and your family have very little time to escape! Elapsed time = three minutes.

The next minute: With the temperature of the fire reaching more than 1000 degrees F, your kitchen and nearby rooms may flashover, with everything bursting into flames at once and consuming all the oxygen. Synthetic furnishings, like sofas and carpets, go up like torches, generating huge amounts of heat. The stairwell may be impassible, and the fire is now traveling upstairs through interior walls. Elapsed time = 4 minutes.

The next minute: Flames are shooting out of your windows and doorways, and more flashovers occur. The floor or roof might collapse. The odds of anyone escaping from an upstairs room are nearly nonexistent. Elapsed time = 5 minutes.

First Line of Defense Against a Fire Tragedy: Prepare to Escape in 3–5 Minutes

Your life and the lives of your family depend on creating and practicing an escape plan. Here’s how to do it:

• Make a map of your house and label the windows and doors.
• Draw out two paths to escape from each room. One should be through a door.
• Select a meeting place a safe distance from your house. After your family meets up there, call 911 from a cell phone or neighbor’s house.

Once you have created your escape plan, make sure you communicate it to all members of the family, especially your children. You should also talk to your kids regularly about fire safety and what to do in case of a fire in your home. And because you need to escape any house fire in just a few minutes, it’s essential that you and your family practice your escape plan:

• Put your plan into practice at least two times a year. Most fires start at night, so one of these drills should be run after bedtime.
• Practice crawling out of bedrooms and the house, since you may have to do that in a real fire.
• Make sure your children know never to hide in a closet or under a bed during a fire.
• Have a family member time how long it takes for everyone to exit the house and rerun the drill if it’s too slow.
• If you own them, practice using escape ladders. If your family sleeps on the second floor, ladders will provide another way out.

Second Line of Defense Against a Fire Tragedy: Have the Right Safety Equipment

The right fire safety equipment can mean the difference between life and death, because it will alert your family to a fire and give you precious time to escape.

Having working smoke alarms is essential to your survival in a house fire:

• Install at least one on each floor of your house.
• Install one near each sleeping area.
• Test your alarms each month.
• Replace the batteries once a year (many people do that when the clocks move forward or back).
• Replace your alarms every five years.
• Choose alarms that are approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Never paint any part of a smoke alarm.
• If you want to clean your alarm of dust or dirt, gently use a vacuum cleaner attachment.
• For greatest peace of mind, consider asking your local fire department to do a smoke alarm inspection of your home.

There are several different types of smoke alarms:

• Battery-powered alarms. These can be easily installed with a drill and screwdriver. Make sure they’re not too close to doors, windows, vents or ceiling fans.
• Interconnected hard-wired smoke alarms that have a battery backup. If one alarm sounds, they all will. Hire a qualified electrician to install these.
• Combination smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are especially important to have near the garage, furnace, water heater, dryer and fireplace.

A fire extinguisher can give you a chance to quickly extinguish the flames before they get out of control. But “quickly” is the key word here—remember, you only have a few minutes. Your priority is to get your family out of the house without any loss of life. Property can be replaced.

• For the home, choose multi-purpose Class ABC extinguishers that are easy to handle and big enough to put out a small fire.
• Familiarize yourself with the fire extinguisher and its operation.
• Install fire extinguishers near exits.
• Have your extinguishers serviced each year and recharge them when necessary.
• Think of the word P-A-S-S when using the extinguisher: 
  —Pull the pin to release the lock. 
  —Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire. 
  —Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. 
  —Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
• Keep your back to the exit so you can escape if the fire goes out of control. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately.

Consider a home fire sprinkler system for extra protection beyond alarms and extinguishers. A system like this will attack a fire while it’s still small and containable. The ideal time to add a home sprinkler system is when you are building or remodeling your home, but they can be added to almost any structure.

Third Line of Defense Against a Fire Tragedy: Eliminate Fire Hazards

Another way to help prevent a fire in your home and minimize the damage is to discover and eliminate common fire hazards.

• Inspect your electrical cords for fraying, and if damaged, replace either the appliance or the cord.
• Check your extension cords for fraying, as well. Don’t plug multiple extension cords into the same outlet, and don’t string multiple extension cords together.
• Pay attention to your light switches. If you notice any that buzz, spark or heat up, call an electrician to replace the switch.
• If you notice any flickering lights, have an electrician check your wiring ASAP.
• Check all your light bulbs to make sure that their wattage does not exceed the fixture’s rating.
• Clean and check your clothes dryer regularly to be sure lint doesn’t build up in the trap or the dryer duct, and once a year hire a pro to inspect and clean your dryer.
• Store loose unused 9-volt batteries in their original packaging to prevent metal-to-metal contact, which can create an electrical charge and heat.
• Purchase only electric blankets that are certified by a national testing laboratory, and lay your blanket flat while using it.
• To escape from a fire faster, check that your windows open easily and your doors open from the inside without a key.
• Clear out excessive clutter, such as old papers, magazines and piles of clothing, that can easily become fuel. Make sure each member of your family has a clear path to escape that is not blocked by clutter or debris.
• Consider contacting your local fire department to inspect your home and make recommendations for improving fire safety. They’ll take a good look at all potential fire hazards, such as improper grounding, the electrical panel, electrical circuits and appliances. They’ll also test your smoke detectors to assure they are ready to protect your family.

After the Fire is Extinguished, SERVPRO® Can Help Restore Your Manchester Home

If you do suffer a fire, once the flames are out and the fire trucks have left, your home and its contents may be terribly damaged or even destroyed by the fire, smoke and heat. Because your home poses a health risk, you must not go inside until the building has been deemed safe by your local fire marshal. Appliances that appear undamaged may have been melted on the interior. All the furnishings—even your clothes—may reek of smoke and be covered with soot. Any items hit by firefighters’ water may become infested by mold. Weakened and deformed structural supports may mean your house is at risk of collapse.

If your structure has survived, you’ll have a big cleanup job ahead of you. A professional fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield is ready to take on the task of restoring your home. SERVPRO’s experienced pros will arrive quickly to:

• evaluate the damage
• remove destroyed property
• reconstruct your structure
• remove, inventory, store and clean salvageable items of smoke, soot and water
• work with your insurer to expedite your claim
• restore your structure and possessions to pre-fire condition

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at (860)461-7194 any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

Do You Have a First Escape Plan?

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

Fire escape plans include at least two exit plans and a meeting place

Typically, we think of our homes as a refuge from the outside world and the dangers it can pose—but don’t let that allow you to become complacent about the hazards within your home. The last thing many homeowners expect is a terrible house fire.

Yet, recent statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that upwards of 365,000 house fires occur in the U.S. annually. These fires can destroy a home and take lives in  minutes. In fact, thanks to the materials that make up many of our home furnishings, like carpets and upholstery, today’s home fires burn much hotter and faster than fires of a couple of decades ago. The truth is you and your family may have less than five minutes to escape a house fire!

When a fire is raging, you may not be able to think quickly or clearly enough to get your family out safely. Having a fire evacuation plan can mean the difference between life and death, so create and put your plan into action now.

• Plan for everyone in your home. Are there young children and elderly family members living in your home? They may have trouble moving quickly in an emergency, and heavy-sleeping kids may not even hear a smoke alarm. Assign an adult to help them get out quickly. Involve your kids in creating your plan and make sure they understand how important it is.
• Identify two ways out of each room.  This will typically be a door and a window. Check to be sure the windows and doors open easily and are not blocked.
• Select an outside meeting spot. Pick a location out front a safe distance from your house (a neighbor’s house, your mailbox or a street or stop sign) where you will meet and wait for fire professionals to arrive. Emphasize that no one can re-enter the house.
• Diagram it. Create a map of your home and mark the exits from each room as well as the exit routes from the house. Also identify the outside meeting place and the locations of smoke detectors.
• Share the plan. Review the plan with everyone in the household, with visitors, and overnight guests.
• Practice the plan. Practice and review your escape plan at least once a year at different times of the day and night. 

If the planned exit routes are blocked and family members cannot escape, close all doors between you and the fire, place a towel under the door, call 911 and wait for help at an exterior window.

We are Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at (860)461-7194 at any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes a variety of educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

SERVPRO Restores Mansfield Fire Damage Using Phases

9/20/2022 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO to restore your fire damaged Manchester property to its preloss condition--"Like it never even happened."

Understanding the Path of Fire Damage Recovery

While every situation is unique and challenging when restoring fire loss effects in area homes and businesses, a set pattern of restoration often follows. Knowing what to expect when your home or business suffers this damage can put property management at ease as the process begins. Our method can often be separated into five phases, which include:

• Emergency Services
• Mitigation
• Soot Removal and Cleaning
• Deodorization
• Repairs and Reconstruction

Mansfield fire damage should not be taken lightly, nor should time be wasted to get this needed restoration underway as soon as possible. We have experienced SERVPRO® professionals available for each phase to ensure they happen promptly and the work is completed beyond customer expectations. The process starts with what our restorers can do for a residence before the primary cleanup.

Pre-Restoration Needs for the House

Even before actions like mitigation can get underway, our responding team must create a safe environment for the arriving restorers. Emergency services are an essential part of fire mitigation and restoration approaches and involve any step designed to make the worksite safer as technicians begin cleanup and mitigation. Using a combination of our general contractor license and our experience as IICRC-accredited restoration professionals, we can help with:

• Water Removal
• Temporary Construction
• Debris Removal

What Does Mitigation Mean?

Mitigation encompasses the earliest actions SERVPRO professionals take to overcome fire damage and prevent soot and smoke loss effects from overwhelming the property. We prioritize pressing concerns that present safety hazards for responding technicians. Many initial perils to a fire-impacted residence involve structural deterioration and airborne particulates. Technicians on our team have several mitigation objectives like:

• Protecting Personal Belongings
• Filtering Air Contaminants
• Removing At-Risk Structure

The Importance of Soot Management

Carcinogenic and acidic particles in the environment after a fire gets extinguished can be among the most challenging aspects of restoration. SERVPRO professionals must work fast to overcome this destructive fire damage, often prioritizing early steps to limit corrosivity. Alkaline cleaners can help in this regard.

The obstacle to removing soot rests in determining the type of smoke damage. Dry smoke, for example, can be easier to clean using HEPA vacuums and chemical sponges. Wet smoke requires solvents and detergents to lift soils for wipe cleaning without smearing.

Strong Smells After a Fire

Malodors are impossible to ignore after fire damage, as these can be among properties' more overwhelming scenarios. The combustion of dozens of different materials in your home makes a volatile environment for restoration professionals and house occupants. While early cleanup procedures can reduce the severity of smoke smells and burning odors, secondary deodorization approaches are still necessary to help. We have foggers, hydroxyl machines, and oxidation units to address open-air smells and stubborn, embedded odors trapped in porous materials.

Can SERVPRO Complete Repairs?

Repairs are a characteristic element in the entire fire restoration process. Damage to your home can happen in many ways, and we have a general contractor license to ensure that we can address threats to structural integrity as promptly as possible. Completing repairs also means addressing the early concerns of damaged utilities and structural vulnerabilities. This license covers all of the needed build-back and recovery services our SERVPRO team can provide, beginning with controlled demolition in mitigation through full reconstruction after cleanup.

When you contend with Mansfield fire damage, you need professionals capable of identifying the threats and protecting the structure. Our SERVPRO of Manchester / Mansfield team understands the urgency of fire restoration and can mobilize experienced professionals immediately to help. Call us when you need us at (860) 461-7194.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

Reduce Fire Risk In Your Garage

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Don't let your garage become a risk liability to your home

Where do you think most house fires start? You’re right if you think most fires start in the kitchen. But the garage runs a close second. Most garages have cars, trucks, mowers, and other gas and oil powered vehicles in them. You may be like the many people who work on their vehicles inside the garage. All this means your garage often has abundant amounts of gas, oil, oily rags, and other flammable materials in it.

And the garage tends to be a small, enclosed space so that if a fire does start it can engulf the entire space faster. One final point: Your garage may be also be an area that attracts clutter (newspaper, cardboard boxes, paper waste)  – some of which is flammable. In this environment, how do you reduce the possibility of fire damage?
 
When it comes to fire damage cleanup in your Manchester garage, we recommend that you be proactive. Being proactive is the best way to keep your garage and your home as safe as possible from fire. Here are a few tips:

1. Any fuels, fluids, or cleaners you keep in your garage should be sealed properly.
2. Store flammable materials away from other flammables. For example, don’t store your old newspapers underneath cans of motor oil.
3. If you use drills and other electrical devices in your garage do not overload the circuit box. And unplug every electrical device after use.
4. Keep a fire extinguisher in the garage in a place where you can easily reach it.
5. Clear out clutter. Doing so makes it safer to walk in the garage and it removes potential fuel for a fire.
6. Store any flammable liquids in small amounts. Store them far away from source of heat, like a space heater.
7. Keep any propane tanks outside, not in your garage. Propane tanks are designed and equipped to handle being stored outside.  
8. If a fire does damage your garage call SERVPRO® of Manchester/Mansfield. We’re professionally trained to handle fire damage cleanup and restoration. We have the tools, experience, and knowledge to get your garage and home back to its pre-fire condition.

Smoke & Soot Damage
After a fire, there are several forms of damage including damage from smoke and soot, plus water damage from putting the fire out. SERVPRO technicians take care of all of it for you. We can restore anything salvageable, clean up the smoke and soot, and dry out the area and your possessions. Learn what you can do after a fire and what you should avoid.
 
Want professional advice on the fire risk and fire safety of your home? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield Today At (860)461-7194

Summer Fire Safety - Fire Pits and Campfires

6/17/2022 (Permalink)

Fire pits are a favorite part of summer when safety tips are carefully followed

This time of year, Americans look forward to gathering around a fire pit or campfire with friends and family. But what can be an enjoyable evening can turn into a fire tragedy if you’re not careful. In Part 2 of this article, we address how to safely enjoy your fire pit or campfire (Part 1 covered safety while grilling food).

Fire Pit Safety

With the increasing popularity of fire pits, knowing how to use them safely has become even more important. Follow this advice when setting up and using a fire pit.

• Keep flammable material and fluids, such as gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene and charcoal lighter fluid, away from the fire pit while in use.
• Never use flammable fluids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel fuel, kerosene and charcoal lighter fluid to light or relight fires.
• Exercise the same precautions you would with an open fire.
• Don’t wear loose fitting or flammable clothing such as nylon.
• Keep a three-foot safety zone around the fire pit. Do not allow children to use the fire pit. Keep children and pets away.
• Don’t burn trash, leaves, paper, cardboard or plywood. Avoid using soft wood such as pine or cedar that can pop and throw sparks. Seasoned hardwood is best.
• Don’t overload the fire pit. Before starting the fire, make sure that the lid will still close to extinguish the fire in an emergency.
• Check the wind direction before you light the fire.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose or bucket of water nearby.

Campfire Safety

Follow these tips to stay safe around your campfire.

• Don’t build a fire in hazardous, dry conditions or if the campground, area or event rules prohibit campfires.
• Use an existing fire ring if available.
• Choose a site that is at least fifteen feet away from tent walls, shrubs, trees or other flammable objects. The site should not have low-hanging branches overhead.
• Keep a three-foot safety zone around the campfire.
• Keep a bucket of water near your campfire.

When you’re ready to put out your fire, follow these guidelines:

• Allow the wood to burn completely to ash, if possible.
• Pour lots of water on the fire; drown all embers, not just the red ones. Pour until hissing sounds stop.
• Stir the campfire ashes and embers with a shovel. Make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch.
• Scrape the sticks and logs to remove any embers.
• If you do not have water, use dirt. Mix dirt or sand with the embers and stir until all material is cool. Do not simply bury the fire, as the fire can smolder and catch roots on fire that will eventually get to the surface and start a wildfire.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 any time.

Your Home After Fire Damage

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

Manchester homes can recover after a fire

It can feel devastating when your home suffers fire and smoke damage.  But by cleaning up sooner rather than later you can best prevent permanent damage or discoloration from soot residue. Check these tips from The Institute for Inspection and Cleaning (IICRC):
•    Check with your insurance company to see if smoke damage from outdoor sources is covered by your homeowner’s policy.
•    Practice safety first. Use a dust mask (like painters use) and gloves as you work.
•    Ventilate your home. Place a box fan in an open window to draw the air and dust out.

Fire and Smoke Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at (860)461-7194

•    Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceilings, walls and fixtures, and work your way down to the contents of the room, then to the floor.
•    Vacuum floors and upholstery. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high efficiency filter. Otherwise, you risk blowing soot back into the air.
•    You may be able to launder draperies, clothing and machine-washable items. Use a mild alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid in the soot. Fine clothing should be professionally dry cleaned.
•    Most exterior walls (brick, stone, wood, paint, siding) and eaves can be cleaned by spraying with a detergent, agitating soot with a soft-bristled brush, pressure washing from bottom to top, then rinsing from top to bottom.

Fire and Smoke Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at (860)461-7194

•    If the damage and residue are heavy, it may be best to hire a professional to thoroughly restore your home and belongings. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.
•    If the fire has warped or distorted the structure, consult a licensed general contractor.

Damage increases fire cleanup restoration costs rise the longer you delay neutralization, corrosion control, and cleaning.


We Have More Ways To Help You
The professionals at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield are commercial property water damage restoration experts. We've served clients in
•    Andover
•    Bolton
•    Chestnut Hill
•    Columbia
•    Coventry
•    Ellington
•    Hebron
•    Hop River
•    Lebanon
•    Manchester
•    Mansfield
•    Mansfield Center
•    Somers
•    South Windham
•    Stafford
•    Vernon
•    Willington
•    Windham
•    Willimantic
And beyond

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

Have a Fire Escape Plan Ready!

6/15/2022 (Permalink)

Fire escape plans include at least two exit plans and a meeting place

Typically, we think of our homes as a refuge from the outside world and the dangers it can pose—but don’t let that allow you to become complacent about the hazards within your home. The last thing many homeowners expect is a devastating house fire.

Yet, recent statistics from the National Fire Protection Association show that upwards of 365,000 house fires occur in the U.S. annually. These fires can destroy a home and take lives in just minutes. In fact, thanks to the materials that make up many of our home furnishings, like carpets and upholstery, today’s home fires burn much hotter and faster than fires of a couple of decades ago. The truth is you and your family may have less than five minutes to escape a house fire!

When a fire is raging, you may not be able to think quickly or clearly enough to get your family out safely. Having a fire evacuation plan can mean the difference between life and death, so create and put your plan into action now.

• Plan for everyone in your home. Are there young children and elderly family members living in your home? They may have trouble moving quickly in an emergency, and heavy-sleeping kids may not even hear a smoke alarm. Assign an adult to help them get out quickly. Involve your kids in creating your plan and make sure they understand how important it is.
• Identify two ways out of each room.  This will typically be a door and a window. Check to be sure the windows and doors open easily and are not blocked.
• Select an outside meeting spot. Pick a location out front a safe distance from your house (a neighbor’s house, your mailbox or a street or stop sign) where you will meet and wait for fire professionals to arrive. Emphasize that no one can re-enter the house.
• Diagram it. Create a map of your home and mark the exits from each room as well as the exit routes from the house. Also identify the outside meeting place and the locations of smoke detectors.
• Share the plan. Review the plan with everyone in the household, and with visitors and overnight guests.
• Practice the plan. Practice and review your escape plan at least once a year at different times of the day and night. 

If the planned exit routes are blocked and family members cannot escape, close all doors between you and the fire, place a towel under the door, call 911 and wait for help at an exterior window.

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster and storm damage cleanup, water damage remediation and chemical cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860)461-7194 any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at (860)461-7194

Other Helpful Blog Posts

SERVPRO publishes educational articles on how you can protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call (860)461-7194
24-hour emergency service

House Fires Burn Faster Today. Here's How To Survive.

11/27/2017 (Permalink)

Most people think they have much more time to escape a home fire than they actually do

Most Americans (about four out of five) think they have 5-10 minutes to get out of the house if it’s on fire. That’s wrong and being wrong could cost a life. 

On November 21, the Washington Post ran an article by Elisabeth Leamy about why house fires tend to burn faster these days and how you can best survive. Ms. Leamy said Underwriters Laboratories tests show that when your house is on fire you may not survive unless you get out in three minutes or less.

“Most people underestimate the speed and power of fire and smoke,” according to the National Fire Protection Association. The NFPA says not to fumble with the fire extinguisher or grab your photo albums or even rescue your cat.

First and foremost, get out immediately.  Underwriters Laboratories says that 30 years ago, you had up to 17 minutes to escape a house fire, but today’s homes and the furniture inside them burn faster. Why? Open floor plans provide oxygen and don’t provide barriers. Synthetic building materials and furnishings burn at a much faster rate than the natural products homes were built of decades ago. UL videotaped a dramatic side-by-side experiment that showed how rapidly a modern living room went up in flames compared with a vintage one. The backing of a modern carpet is synthetic, the drapes are synthetic, the couch, the pillows are synthetic and they all burn hotter and faster. 

Survive By Planning Ahead
So how do you survive? You and your family should have a home escape plan. Draw a map of your home showing all the doors and windows. Know at least two ways out of every room. Make sure all the doors and windows leading outside open easily. And discuss your plan with everyone in your home.   The stakes are high. Residential fires kill more people than any other kind, according to the Federal Emergency Management Administration. In fact, roughly seven Americans die every day in house fires.  Some of those people die because they try to fight the fire themselves. Fire extinguishers are wonderful tools, but only if you know how to use them. FEMA says you should only use a fire extinguisher if:
• You are trained in how to use the extinguisher.
• You can put out the fire in five seconds or less.
• The fire is small and contained — like in a wastebasket.
• There is no flammable debris or hazardous material nearby.
• You have the right type of extinguisher for the type of fire.
• There are two ways to exit the area quickly if you fail.  In the Washington Post article Montgomery County, Maryland fire investigator Donny Boyd said that fires double in size every minute. You may think you can manage a fire, but Boyd has seen people perish in the heat and gases, trying to fight the fire themselves. And fighting the fire may delay your call to 911, making your situation worse. Focus on surviving the fire, not putting it out. Other ways to increase your chance of surviving a home fire include:

Interconnect Your Smoke Detectors
Have working smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area, and on every level of your home. Have them wirelessly connected to one another, so that if there’s a fire in your basement, for example, the alarm in your bedroom will go off.

Hold Fire Drills
Practice your evacuation plan so that everyone in the family not only knows how to get out, but also reverts to the plan instead of panicking during a fire.

Make Sure Your House Can Be Easily Found
Drive past your house at night and see if your street address is clearly visible from the street so emergency crews can find you. If not, install better numbers or lighting.

Close Doors While You Sleep
Fires that break out while you are sleeping can be particularly devastating. Closing your door keeps smoke out and temperatures down, giving you precious extra minutes to evacuate.

Teach Your Children
Teach everyone in your house how to escape on their own in case you can’t help them.

Have A Safe Meeting Place
Everyone in the family should know a location within easy walking distance — but out of fire range — where you will meet if you evacuate separately in a fire.

Block Smoke
If you’re stuck in a room during a fire, close the doors and windows. Put wet fabric over openings where smoke can get in. This will buy you extra time to call 911 or escape.

Travel Away From The Fire Safely
When you move toward an exit stay low. Either bend way down or crawl. Smoke rises and kills more people than the fire itself. The best air is low to the ground. Before you open a door look for smoke and feel the door for heat. If the door is hot or smoke is coming under it there’s fire on the other side and you need to find another exit. Close doors and windows behind you to reduce the amount of oxygen the fire can use for fuel. If you exit through a window crawl out backwards and lower yourself so your feet are as close to the ground as possible.

Don’t Go Back In
No matter what — or who — don’t go back in. Instead, alert firefighters so they can rescue people trapped inside. 

Disaster Preparation Information  
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur. Here are a few you might find helpful:

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7. SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
40 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call: 860.649.0836
Fax: 860.216.2762
24 hour emergency service

4 Ways To Prevent Fire

10/4/2017 (Permalink)

Knowing fire's four essential elements can help you prevent fires.

You can prevent or stop a fire by denying the fire one of the four elements it needs.  Use the information here to protect yourself, your home, or your business from fires. Just eliminate heat, fuel, oxygen, or the chemical reaction. Here’s how.

1. Eliminate Heat
A fire cannot start without heat. Unfortunately, heat can build up and start a fire in many ways including contact with a flame, too much friction, or mechanical generation (like with your car’s spark plugs). Firefighter and author Scott Finazzo says heat gets transferred in one of three ways.
1. Direct contact: The heat source touches another object. A simple example is when a match touches a piece of paper.
2. Convection: the heat transfers from one location to the next by the movement of fluids. An example is how a hot stove burner transfers heat into a pot of water.
3. Radiation: Heat travels in an electromagnetic way like when you put your hands near a campfire.  

For more fire prevention ideas call (860) 649-0836.

2. Deny Fuel
All fires require a fuel--something that burns. Fuel for a fire can be wood, fabric, gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen, butane, or one of many, many other substances. Surprisingly, Scott Finazzo says most solids and liquids don’t actually burn. They are heated beyond their ignition temperature and start to give off combustible vapors (a process called pyrolysis). It’s the escaping vapors that burn.

3. Take Away Oxygen
The third element fire needs is oxygen. The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. That’s enough to support combustion but oxygen itself does not burn. Air with a greater percentage of oxygen in it will burn more intensely. That’s why fire is particularly dangerous in environments rich in oxygen.  

4. Stop The Chemical Reaction
A chemical reaction occurs when the exact mixtures of a fire’s other three elements (heat, fuel, and oxygen) blend in the right concentration to promote ignition.

For more fire prevention ideas call (860) 649-0836.

Take away any of these four elements and you can prevent or stop a fire. Spraying water on most fires, for example, removes the heat and stops the fire.  Shutting off the value to the burner on your gas stove removes the fuel and the stove top fire stops. Putting a lid on a grease fire in a frying pan takes away the oxygen and stops the flames and prevents fire damage repair. For more information about fires, like the five major classes of fires, see Scott Finazzo’s book, The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook. Or call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836).

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

More Help From Other Blog Posts   
Every month SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield publishes educational blog posts on how eastern Connecticut businesses and residents can protect themselves from fire and other disasters. We want to educate you on how to deal with damage from mold, fire, water, sewage, storms, wind, and other natural causes. 

You might also want to explore the educational information on our sister franchise’s SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield’s blog.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Lower Fire Damage Costs

9/21/2017 (Permalink)

Acting quickly after a fire can save more of your valuable possessions and save you money

First there’s the disaster of the fire. Then may come the disaster of paying for the renovation and fire restoration. Read on to discover how you can save money and keep property damage to a minimum through SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield’s emergency mitigation services.

Recover More. Replace Less.
Your fire damaged property may look like it needs to be replaced. But with the right timing and skills your fire damaged property may actually be recoverable. Fire restoration companies like SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield can often save heirlooms. But you must act quickly. Prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because your household items—furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings—can absorb smoke. If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months or longer.

For professional advice on the safety of your home or business call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836.

Waiting Costs You
The more time between your fire and the restoration the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore. Depending on the extent of your fire damage and how quickly you call in professionals, you may be able to save clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Restored Like The Fire Never Happened
SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items, sometimes to preloss condition.  Don’t throw valuables away until you’re certain they must be replaced. Save your property and save money.

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield to discuss any fire damage issue. We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and saved money for many owners of fire damaged homes and businesses in eastern Connecticut. From Manchester to Bolton, Hebron to Mansfield, Andover to Coventry, we can keep your fire cleanup and renovation costs down. We’re here to help.

For professional advice on the safety of your home or business call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836.

More Help From Other Blog Posts   
Every month SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield publishes educational blog posts on how eastern Connecticut businesses and residents can protect themselves from disasters. We want to educate you on how to deal with damage from mold, fire, water, sewage, storms, and other natural causes. 

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Fire Damaged Property? A Money-Saving Idea

5/19/2017 (Permalink)

Act quickly and you can often save money and possessions after a fire.

A fire in your home or business is terrible. The damage can overwhelm you, but don’t let that happen. By acting quickly and making good decisions you can often save money and save some possessions that at first you thought you had lost forever.

How To Save Some Valuables
The more time between your fire and the restoration, the more costs you incur and the fewer items you can restore. At SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield we know that—depending on the extent of the fire damage—people have saved valuable possessions that looked like a total loss. SERVPRO clients have saved clothing, leather, books, photographs, kitchen items, furniture, and more.

Must Replace? No, It’s Restorable
Fire damaged property may be burnt or smoke-filled. You may think the best thing to do is to throw things away. Actually, a professional fire restoration crew can often point out items that are recoverable. But prompt fire cleanup and restoration is important because the items found in your home—furniture, carpet, walls, drapes, and even ceilings—can absorb smoke. If too much time elapses between when the fire damage occurs and when fire cleanup occurs, the effects of smoke damage can last for months.

Good As New
SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield cleans and deodorizes restorable items. Sometimes we can restore them to preloss condition. Don’t throw away any valuables until you’re certain they must be replaced. Save your property and save money. That’s a win/win!
Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield to discuss.

Call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield At 860.649.0836.

We’re the fire restoration and clean up company that has saved property and saved money for the owners of fire damaged businesses and homes. Whether you're in Bolton or Coventry, Andover or Hebron, Columbia or Mansfield, we can help.

Every fire, smoke, and soot damage event is different and requires a unique solution, but SERVPRO’s general process stays the same. At SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield here are the steps we follow after a fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact
The restoration process begins when you call the SERVPRO National Call Center, which is staffed 24 hours a day. Our representative will ask a series of questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us dispatch the nearest crew with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
Our professionals will carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your business or home to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service
Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and  protect against further damage, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on any damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
The water removal process begins almost immediately. We remove the majority of the water. Then we use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Smoke and Soot Removal
It’s critical at this stage to remove the smoke and soot from all surfaces—ceilings, walls, and others. Fire does the initial damage. Damage from smoke and soot can be just as devastating.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing
SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield will clean all of your restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your possessions to pre-fire condition. We also can remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration
Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet. Or restoration may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

You can save money and possessions when you use trained professionals immediately after a fire. You’re back in business or back in your home faster with less damage when you act quickly.

More Home Disaster Prevention Information  
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how you can help protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, smoke, or other damage. 

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Noemi DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785 24 hour emergency service

Home Fire Safety Checklist

4/18/2017 (Permalink)

Do a safety check around your home

This quick checklist can help you reduce the risk of fire in your home and protect your family from smoke cleanup.

• Keep matches and lighters away from children.
• Check electrical appliances for loose or frayed cords.
• Be sure to never place electrical cords under rugs or carpets.
• Don’t overload any electrical outlet.
• Make sure none of your lamps or fixtures are in contact with any fabric.
• Install GFCI (ground fault circuit interrupter) outlets near water sources like your kitchen and bathrooms.
• Have your furnace inspected every year by a licensed professional.
• Keep any space heaters away from flammable items like curtains, reading material, and bed sheets.
• Equip your fireplace with a metal fire screen or heat-tempered glass doors.
• Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected every year.

For home safety advice call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield Today At 860.649.0836

Safety Equipment
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in each sleeping area.
• Change smoke alarm batteries every year and keep the alarms in working order.
• Replace your smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Install a carbon monoxide alarm on every floor of your home.
• Keep at least one working fire extinguisher in your home and make sure everyone knows how to use it and where it’s kept.
• Consider keeping emergency safety ladders in all bedrooms above the ground floor.

Home Escape Plan
• Identify two ways out of each room, including any basement rooms.
• Create an escape plan and practice with the entire family.
• Make certain everyone in the family knows and abides by the rule: In case of fire, get out of the house and stay out.
• Select a family meeting place.

For home safety advice call SERVPRO Of Manchester/Mansfield Today At 860.649.0836

More Safety Information  
Every month we publish educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, chemical, or other damage. 

Call On Us
The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in virtually all aspects of preventing, assessing and cleaning up after a natural disaster. Rely on the professionals. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Smoke and Fire: Timeline Of How Fast Damage Occurs

2/6/2017 (Permalink)

Within minutes the acid soot residues created by a fire can cause your plastics to yellow and small appliances to discolor.

Talk to any fire professional and you’ll hear how important it is to handle fire and smoke damage quickly. When you prolong the restoration of your home or business, you extend the effects brought on by the smoke exposure.

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification’s (IICRC) mission is to establish and advance globally recognized standards and certifications for the inspection, cleaning, restoration, and installation industries. In other words, the IICRC sets and maintain high standards and educates the restoration industry that SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield is part of.  Here’s a timeline from the IICRC that shows the effects of fire and smoke on a home.

Within Minutes
Acid soot residues cause your plastics to yellow; small appliances located close to the source of combustion discolor; and highly porous materials (marble, alabaster) discolor permanently.

Smoke and Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

Within Hours
Acid residues stain the grout in your bathrooms; your fiberglass bath fixtures may yellow; uncoated metals tarnish, counter tops may yellow; finishes on appliances, particularly refrigerators, may yellow; and furniture finishes may discolor.

Within Days
In time, acid residues cause painted walls in your home or business to yellow permanently. Metal corrodes, pits, and rusts. Any fire or smoke affected wood furniture will require refinishing. Your vinyl floors require refinishing or replace¬ment. Clothing in the affected home or business becomes soot stained and upholstery stains permanently.

Within Weeks
Restoration costs escalate greatly. Synthetic carpet fibers may yellow or discolor permanently; silver plate is corroded permanently; glass, crystal, china may require replacement due to severe etching and pitting caused by prolonged exposure to acid soot residues.

How This Destruction Occurs
During a fire, soot residue and volatile vapors are carried by rising and expanding air. Those vapors attach to surfaces throughout your business or home. This process occurs repeatedly until the fire is completely out. The soot residue builds up on surfaces layer by layer. By the time restoration technicians (like those from SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield) arrive, lacquer-like soot residue may be quite difficult to dissolve and remove.

Smoke and Fire Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

We Have More Ways To Help You
The professionals at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield are commercial property water damage restoration experts. We've served clients in
•    Andover
•    Bolton
•    Chestnut Hill
•    Columbia
•    Coventry
•    Ellington
•    Hebron
•    Hop River
•    Lebanon
•    Manchester
•    Mansfield
•    Mansfield Center
•    Somers
•    South Windham
•    Stafford
•    Vernon
•    Willington
•    Windham
•    Willimantic
And beyond

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Cleaning Your Home After Fire And Smoke Damage

1/27/2017 (Permalink)

We can help you through any fire or smoke damage

It can feel devastating when your home suffers fire and smoke damage.  But by cleaning up sooner rather than later you can best prevent permanent damage or discoloration from soot residue. Check these tips from The Institute for Inspection and Cleaning (IICRC):
•    Check with your insurance company to see if smoke damage from outdoor sources is covered by your homeowner’s policy.
•    Practice safety first. Use a dust mask (like painters use) and gloves as you work.
•    Ventilate your home. Place a box fan in an open window to draw the air and dust out.

Fire and Smoke Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

•    Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceilings, walls and fixtures, and work your way down to the contents of the room, then to the floor.
•    Vacuum floors and upholstery. Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a high efficiency filter. Otherwise, you risk blowing soot back into the air.
•    You may be able to launder draperies, clothing and machine-washable items. Use a mild alkaline cleaner to neutralize the acid in the soot. Fine clothing should be professionally dry cleaned.
•    Most exterior walls (brick, stone, wood, paint, siding) and eaves can be cleaned by spraying with a detergent, agitating soot with a soft-bristled brush, pressure washing from bottom to top, then rinsing from top to bottom.

Fire and Smoke Damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

•    If the damage and residue are heavy, it may be best to hire a professional to thoroughly restore your home and belongings. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.
•    If the fire has warped or distorted the structure, consult a licensed general contractor.

Damage increases fire cleanup restoration costs rise the longer you delay neutralization, corrosion control, and cleaning.



We Have More Ways To Help You
The professionals at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield are commercial property water damage restoration experts. We've served clients in
•    Andover
•    Bolton
•    Chestnut Hill
•    Columbia
•    Coventry
•    Ellington
•    Hebron
•    Hop River
•    Lebanon
•    Manchester
•    Mansfield
•    Mansfield Center
•    Somers
•    South Windham
•    Stafford
•    Vernon
•    Willington
•    Windham
•    Willimantic
And beyond

 Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
24 hour emergency service

Donation to local Fire Department

9/12/2016 (Permalink)

Making a donation to Local Fire Department

Being part of a franchise system, it is easy to get brand visibility. Being involved in the local community is another part of the equation that often gets overlooked. In our area, we have Fire Departments that rely heavily on volunteers to respond to calls. Often times these important services are operated on a very tight budget, and any sort of donation is greatly appreciated as well as greatly needed. SERVPRO Manchester has taken into consideration these factors the past couple of years when working with Fire Departments. We sponsor events such as Golf Tournaments, Fire Safety Days and other community related events. Every once in a while SERVPRO get a call to a fire scene when the department is still working on the fire, or beginning to wrap things up as far as the emergency response. This on the scene experience has given us the opportunity to see a need and address it. Earlier this year SERVPRO Manchester made a donation of one of our high powered air movers to the Tolland Fire Department. This lightweight , easy to use fan can help make the scene safer for fire investigators and other personnel on site by getting rid of some of the remaining smoke and odor. We look forward to working with all the Fire Departments in our community!