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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) at any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
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.

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 860.649.0836

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 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) 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 860.649.0836

•    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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

Memorize These Fire Safety Tips BEFORE You Need Them

5/6/2022 (Permalink)

Stay safe, get out, call 911. Then call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield

Your Safety During A Home Fire

Fire doesn’t ring the doorbell. Fire doesn’t announce it’s coming. Fire surprises you. Here are some tips to keep you safe even if fire sneaks up on you.

1. React immediately as yoservu see fire or smoke or hear your smoke alarm go off.

Try to exit your home as safely as possible. Do not try to grab your phone, valuables, or other important possessions. Leave directly and immediately. Your only concern is to get yourself and others out of as fast as possible. Nothing else is as important as this.

2. Stay calm.

If you rush or panic you won’t make the best decisions in a fire. Stay calm and think logically. You may be in charge of family members or others. Be aware of any other people in the fire and lead them to safety. Listen carefully to what they tell you and deal patiently with urgent situations first.

3. Check doors for heat.

During a fire don’t go through any closed door until you feel it with the back of your hand. Feel both the bottom and top of the door. If it feels hot do not open it. Opening a hot door puts you at risk of being burned. You may also add fuel (oxygen) to the fire. Find another way out.

4. Have everyone stay low.

Smoke and heated gases rise. You want to stay away from them. Tell family members to crouch or crawl and stay low. This will reduce the chances of anyone inhaling smoke or dangerous gases.

Questions about a fire risk or fire damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

5. Before using a fire extinguisher, make sure these four conditions are met.

Often, you’re better off to let professionals handle any fire. Only use a fire extinguisher when:

1) The fire is confined to a small area, and is not growing

2) The room is not filled with smoke

3) Everyone else has exited your home or the building

4) The fire department has been called

6. Keep a safe distance.

Remember most fire extinguishers can reach 8 to 12 feet. Stay as far away from the fire as you can.

7. Use PASS.

Fire fighters recommend the PASS method when working with a fire extinguisher:

• P: Pull the pin and hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you. 
• A: Aim low. Point the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• S: Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

8. Is the fire bigger than you are?

One general rule is if the fire is bigger than you are, it’s too big for you to put out safely. Call your local fire department immediately.

9. Face the fire.

Fires are unpredictable. Don’t turn your back on a fire. Conditions can quickly change. Always be aware of the fire’s size, condition, and position.

Questions about a fire risk or fire damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield at 860.649.0836

10. Observe the smoke.

You need to do more than avoid the heat and flames. You must avoid the smoke, too. More turbulent smoke means more dangerous fire conditions. Is smoke pushing out of the top of a door? Then do not enter. Does the area contain significant amounts of smoke? Then the fire probably exceeds your ability to handle it. Call your local fire department.

11. Have everyone meet at a designated meeting place.

Your family or employees should have a specific place well away from your home or business that you will meet at in case of a fire. Knowing where to meet and having two or more ways to get there reduces the risk of leaving someone behind or not knowing where everyone is if you evacuate your home or building.

12. Can’t get out? Stay in a fire-free, smoke-free room with the doors closed.

If smoke, heat, or flames block every exit route, stay in the room with doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the local fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help. Yell for help.

Other Blog Posts About Fire  
Every month on the SERVPRO of Glastonbury/Wethersfield blog we publish educational articles on how Glastonbury and Wethersfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, or other damage.

We Help With Fire Safety

At SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield we have specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) as soon as the fire trucks pull out, We are available 24/7.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

How SERVPRO Cleans Up Fire Damage in Your Coventry Home

12/6/2021 (Permalink)

After even a small house fire, the cleanup is a challenge. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield—we're the local experts in fire damage cleanup.

If you’ve had a fire in your home, it can be hard to know where to start to get things back to normal. A large fire is especially unnerving, leaving behind so much destruction you can hardly imagine your house and possessions being fully cleaned and restored. Even a small, contained fire in your Coventry-area home leaves behind lots of damage from flames, smoke, soot and the water and/or chemicals that were used to put out the fire.

Caring for You

Beyond the practical considerations of how to get your home restored, there’s also a strong emotional component after a house fire, as you probably feel shocked and frightened by the incident—not to mention overwhelmed by the important decisions you need to make. One way to get started on recovering from your house fire is to work with a trusted fire damage restoration company like SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield.

SERVPRO® will quickly and completely restore your home and possessions. While we are central Connecticut’s local fire damage remediation experts, we also have the equipment, products, training and procedures of a national company. And we understand how upsetting it is to have a house fire!

When you call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield after your house fire, here’s what you can expect:

Caring for Your House

Upon arrival, our crew evaluates the damage to your home. To tackle the soot and smoke deposits on your walls, ceilings and floors, we use the appropriate equipment and products to clean, deodorize and prepare each surface for repainting or refinishing, if necessary.

After a fire, a home will usually smell strongly of fire and smoke. Instead of masking the odors, we locate their sources and use foggers and other specialized equipment to penetrate into the crevices of your home and furnishings and completely deodorize them.

Caring for Your Possessions

We first evaluate the type and level of damage to the contents of your home, then test items to choose the safest and most effective cleaning method for your furnishings, such as furniture, draperies and upholstery, and personal items, such as clothing, bedding, electronics, kitchen items, artwork, books and photos.

SERVPRO’s digital inventory (including photos) of your possessions tracks each item throughout the restoration process and is used to expedite your insurance claim.

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

How Fire-Safe Is Your Storrs Home?

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Something as simple as a frayed cord could start a house fire. Take the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield fire-safe tour of your home!

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has put together an area-by-area tour of your home that will help you evaluate your risk of having a house fire. This is a good activity to do on a weekend, and it’s even better if your whole family does it together, so everyone can learn about basic fire safety in the home.

Walk through your house, checking the areas one by one. If you come up short anywhere, you can make some quick changes to reduce your chances of suffering a house fire.

Throughout Your Home

• Check your lighting fixtures. Are you using bulbs with the correct wattage? Are the bulbs 12 inches or more from shades and other combustible materials?
• Are your electric cords in good condition and not frayed or crushed under carpets or furniture?
• Are the appliances plugged into each outlet at or below the specified power load?

Basement

• Make sure the areas around your furnace or boiler, wood stove and water heater are clear of flammable items, especially oily rags.
• Check the condition of the wires and insulators on your electric breaker panel.

First Floor

• Is there at least one smoke detector installed and in working condition?
• Is there a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen?
• Be sure your stovetop is cleaned of built-up grease and food. Store towels, potholders and other flammable cloths at least three feet away from the stovetop.
• Look at your fireplace and chimney. Have they been cleaned and inspected within the last year? Be sure your fireplace screen blocks sparks and the area in front of the fireplace is clear of flammable objects.
• Is your furniture covered in fire-resistant upholstery?

Second Floor

• You should have a smoke detector in each bedroom and in the hall outside of each sleeping area. Test to be sure all are working.
• Review (or create if you don’t have one) your fire escape plan.
• Are space heaters at least three feet away from beds and other flammable materials?
• Check your electric blankets. Are they UL-approved with undamaged cords?

Laundry Room

• Check to be sure your dryer cabinet, duct and surrounding area are free of built-up lint.
• If you have a plastic dryer duct, replace it with a metal one.

Garage

• Check the door between your house and garage. It must be solid enough and weather-stripped to keep flames and gases from traveling inside your home.
• Clear your garage of old newspapers, used oil and other flammable materials.
• Store gasoline in approved containers and put oily rags into air-tight containers. Store these away from sources of ignition.

If you do have a house fire in your Storrs, CT home, call on SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. We’re the local experts in start-to-finish fire damage restoration services.

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Manchester-Area Customers Rely on Us for Fire Damage Cleanup

10/21/2021 (Permalink)

People in north central Connecticut can turn to SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield with confidence when their homes are damaged by fire.

One of the things we love doing here at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield is making a big difference in the lives of people who’ve just suffered a disaster in their home. And there’s not much worse than a house fire to shake you to your core. That’s why we’re especially proud of the kind words of our customers in north central Connecticut after we’ve helped them with fire damage cleanup and restoration.

“I want to thank SERVPRO for the amazing work they did when they came to restore my home when it suffered water and smoke damage. The whole team was hard working, compassionate and very helpful, which are great qualities to have when helping someone through a distressing time. You did a great job with everything. Thanks again!”—Craig P. in Vernon

“SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has the best crew and administrative members! They worked hard to help me with the damage my home sustained after a big fire. They were in touch with me, the fire department and my insurance company, making sure the communication about all details of the restoration process were clear. If this ever happened again, I’d call them first. I’d also strongly recommend them to anyone else in need. SERVPRO really goes above and beyond.”—Lance in Manchester

“My house in Storrs, Connecticut was serviced by SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield recently. I was impressed by how responsive, expert and polite they were. From here forward I will be referring them to everyone in need of fire or water damage restorations.”—Ben in Storrs

“SERVPRO did an amazing job restoring my family’s home after the fire, and my wife and I wanted to thank you. You put great care and effort into the full restoration, took care of our needs and had an amazing attitude the whole time. Both the project manager and his crew were top-notch. Everyone went above and beyond. You can trust SERVPRO to get the job done well and done fast.”—Ian in East Hartford

“SERVPRO serviced my house in Madison, Connecticut after a fire ripped through the second floor. They were very responsive, professional and courteous. I would refer them to anyone I know for fire damage or water damage.”—Shawn Grocki in Madison

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Install Your Smoke Detectors in These Locations

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Having the right kind of smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in the right places in your house can save your life and your home!

A house fire is a scary and dangerous thing. If you suffer a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield for professional fire damage cleanup services. We show up ASAP to examine the scene and make a plan, then we clean, repair and restore your home, furnishings and personal items, removing all traces of soot and smoke, including smoke smell. When we’re done, you’ll know that everything is back to pre-fire condition.

To give yourself a fighting chance to minimize a house fire and get your family out safely, you need working smoke detectors throughout your house. There are specific locations where you should install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and there are multiple types of detectors to choose from.

Key Locations for Smoke Detectors

You’ll have to calculate the appropriate number of smoke detectors, based on where they should be installed. Hang the detectors high on the wall or on the ceiling in these locations:

• Inside every bedroom
• Outside every sleeping area
• At least one on every level (including finished attics and basements)

Install carbon monoxide detectors in these locations:

• Outside every sleeping area
• In the basement
• At least one on every level
• Near (but not inside) attached garages

Choice of Technologies in Detectors

Smoke Detectors

When shopping for smoke detectors, you’ll notice that there are three basic types. Different types combat different kinds of fires (fast-burning with lots of flames versus slower-burning with lots of smoke).

• Ionization detectors are designed to detect hotter, faster fires with lots of flames.
• Photoelectric detectors are better at detecting slower, smokier fires that smolder.
• Dual-sensor smoke detectors use both technologies to detect and alert you to flaming and smoldering fires.

SERVPRO® recommends purchasing dual-sensor smoke detectors, which work on both types of fires. Otherwise, purchase a combination of ionization and photoelectric detectors.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

CO detectors can save your life when they detect silent, deadly carbon monoxide gas in your home and sound an alarm.

Combination Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Combination detectors will detect both smoke and carbon monoxide. However, they usually use either ionization or photoelectric technology, so you should purchase an assortment of this type of detector to protect yourself from both smoldering and flaming fires.

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Purchase the Right Kind of Smoke Detector

6/24/2021 (Permalink)

Consider these options when you purchase smoke and carbon monoxide detectors—the decisions you make could save your home and your life!

When you shop for smoke (and carbon monoxide) detectors for your home, you’ll actually have a surprising number of choices to make. Maybe you’ve purchased a new home and are starting fresh with new detectors. Or perhaps you are replacing your old detectors piecemeal (typical smoke detector lifespan is ten years; carbon monoxide detectors need to be replaced at five to seven years) or all at once. Either way, read this article for a walk-through of features to consider when you’re making your purchase.

Consider These Features

1.  Know What’s Required

Start by checking your local regulations. Your state or town may specify what types of smoke detectors  to use, as well as where they should be installed.

2.  Always Choose UL-Approved Devices

In the store, check the packaging for the Underwriters Laboratories label, which guarantees that your smoke or carbon monoxide detector meets or exceeds accepted safety and operations standards.

3.  Wired or Battery?

Battery-operated detectors are easy to install by yourself, and they will still work during a power failure. Hard-wired smoke and carbon monoxide detectors should be installed by an electrician and tied into your home’s wiring; they usually have backup batteries.

4.  Standard or Smart?

Smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors alert you to problems when you’re away from home, but they can be expensive and don’t always give you complete protection. You may want to supplement smart detectors with some additional dual-sensor smoke detectors.

5.  What About Interconnected Detectors?

Interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors will sound alarms at every unit in the house when any single device detects smoke or carbon monoxide. This is a big advantage in a larger home with multiple floors. The system can be connected with wiring or wirelessly; newer homes may even be pre-wired. Before you buy, check with the manufacturer to see which detector models will work together.

(Note that interconnected detectors are required for a home sale in many states.)

6.  What About Voice Alerts?

Because children tend to sleep more deeply than adults, they might not even hear a conventional alarm. Even though it’s not been proven to be more effective, some detectors use a voice alert to warn you of a fire.

If you suffer a fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield for professional fire damage cleanup services. We show up pronto to evaluate the damage and map out a plan, then we clean, repair and restore your home, furnishings and personal items, removing all traces of soot and smoke, including smoke smell, leaving everything back in 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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Franchise Owner
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Make a Plan to Escape from a Fire

1/15/2021 (Permalink)

Don't wait until it's too late: make and practice a plan for your family to escape a fire at your Manchester house!

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Fire Damage Cleanup in Vernon CT

12/6/2020 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Cleanup in Vernon CT

Fire Damage Cleanup in Vernon CT

When a fire ravages your home, fire damage restoration companies help you mitigate the damages. At SERVPRO, we understand that timing is critical. That’s why we’re available for 24/7 fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT.

Our team has the expertise, the specialized equipment, and the professionalism to perform critical post-fire restoration services. When we perform fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT, we provide services that often make the difference between saving your property or pitching it into the trash.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Before we make recommendations for fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT homes, we inspect the property and determine what types of tasks we need to perform. We do a walkthrough, and we document visible damage, smoke contaminated air, and structural issues. We review our findings with you so you'll know what we need to accomplish.

Temporary Board-Ups and Tarping

Fires sometimes burn holes in roofs, walls, windows, and doors. Firefighters also create openings while attempting to put out a fire. These open areas leave your home vulnerable to additional loss. Rain can enter your interior, or your home could become a target for break-ins. Insurance companies understand this dynamic. That’s why property insurance policies include a clause that requires the owner to make reasonable repairs after their home sustains damage. Property owners must also "...Protect the property from further damage…”

We’re available 24 hours a day to assist you with board-ups and emergency repairs. If a fire caused a hole in your roof, we do emergency tarping to prevent additional problems.

Soot and Smoke Damage Removal

During a fire, gas and carbon particles form soot. Smoke and soot are so lightweight, that when a fire produces them in one room, they easily drift into other areas in your home. They coat your walls, floors, and fabrics, and they enter spaces, cracks, and air vents. They contaminate your personal property and home interiors with dark discoloration and acrid odors. If left in place, smoke and soot cause escalating damage and deterioration.

Even if your home has only minimal fire damage, smoke and soot don’t respond well to ordinary cleaning techniques. At SERVPRO, we use specialized equipment and commercial cleaning products specifically formulated for soot and smoke removal.

Odor Removal

As a fire burns, it releases chemicals into the air. The odor they generate is a nuisance, but it’s also a health hazard. If you don’t have smoke odor professionally removed, the smell and the chemicals can contaminate your air indefinitely.

When we conduct fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT, we remove odors using industrial scrubbers, foggers, other specialized equipment, and odor-neutralizing products. We remove odors from furnishings, walls, fabric surfaces, and all other affected areas.

Water Removal and Drying

Water is important for extinguishing large fires, but it also causes problems. Water saturates drywall and seeps into crawlspaces. It leaks into living and storage areas, destroying appliances, wood, fabric furnishings, treasured family photos, and documents.

Water creates the perfect conditions for mold and mildew to thrive. As they grow, they release an unpleasant smell. They damage porous surfaces and eventually destroy them.

We respond immediately after a fire to help prevent water damage before it begins. We remove water from saturated surfaces and dry out wet areas before mold and mildew begin to grow. We remove, sort, and dry-out personal property. When necessary, we remediate mold and mildew.

Fire Extinguisher Cleanup

When you spray a fire extinguisher, it leaves a powdery chemical residue. Some extinguisher chemicals irritate the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. When we do a fire extinguisher clean up, we eliminate potential problems by eliminating all of the residues and cleaning affected surfaces.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean and sanitize your furnishings, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, using specialized equipment and professional-grade solutions.

Repair and Restoration

We complete the repairs and restoration necessary to return your home to its prior condition. This may include structural repairs, interior refurbishment, and replacement of interior furnishings.

Commercial Building Restoration

The SERVPRO team also performs commercial property fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT. We handle any clean-up and restoration services regardless of the size or type of facility. We work fast and efficiently to minimize business disruption.

Contact SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we’re committed to fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT. We understand that it’s often difficult to recover from a fire, so we always respond quickly and we perform professionally.

We have restored damage caused by space heater fires, electric fires, wall fires, electrical fires, and many other types of fire emergencies. For information about fire damage cleanup in Vernon CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

Smoke and Fire Damage Cleanup in Andover CT

12/6/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and Fire Damage Cleanup in Andover CT

Smoke and Fire Damage Cleanup in Andover CT

When you need smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT, you want a restoration company that does an expert job. SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield provides local, experienced professionals. When fire damages your home, it's personal. You demand fast action, and you deserve dedicated performance. We understand that your home restoration is important. That's why we respond to your emergency 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

At SERVPRO, we are seasoned restoration professionals. Our team has the training to recognize a complex restoration challenge and the skills to do the job right. When we come to your home, we arrive prepared. We bring the specialized equipment, effective cleaning solutions, and solvents necessary to handle even the most complicated tasks.

Inspection and Damage Assessment

Before we begin our process of smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT homes, we inspect and assess the damage. We understand that each fire is different and each home sustains damage in unique ways. During our initial walkthrough, we examine each area in your home to inventory the damage and establish your personalized restoration plan.

• Document visible fire, smoke, and soot damage
• Determine your need for emergency repairs
• Inspect structural issues
• Assess ambient air for smoke contamination
• Look for water residue and moisture
• Evaluate your need for immediate restoration services

Once we understand the full scope of your damages, we review the information with you and proceed with emergency measures.

Temporary Board-Ups and Tarping

Before we begin smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT homes, we complete emergency protective measures. We board up damaged doors and windows and tarp any open areas on your roof. This step is critical because fires sometimes burn openings in roofs, walls, and other areas. Firemen also create emergency openings while putting out fires.

These openings leave your home exposed to adverse weather conditions and criminal activity. Even light rain can further damage your home interior and its furnishings. When a building is vacant and unprotected, thieves see it as an opportunity for criminal activity. Our protective measures minimize the potential for additional damage and theft.

Property insurance policies specifically require insureds to perform emergency repairs and protect property from further damage. Our emergency efforts help you ensure compliance with your insurance policy terms. We’re available 24 hours a day to assist you with board-ups, tarping, and emergency repairs.

Soot and Smoke Damage Removal

Fire, gas, and carbon particles create the soot that drifts throughout your home. Fire soot and smoke soot coat walls, ceilings, and fabric surfaces. They enter vents and closets, leaving behind a dark coating and a pungent smell. Soot and smoke contaminate everything they touch. As part of our fire damage and smoke damage restoration, we remove harmful residue and odors to save your belongings from further damage.

Odor Removal

When fires release chemicals into your home, odors become a lingering problem. If they remain in your home, they sometimes cause breathing difficulties and other health problems.

When we conduct smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT homes, we professionally remove chemical contaminants and odors. We use industrial scrubbers, foggers, specialized equipment, and odor-neutralizing products. We remove lingering smells from walls, fabric surfaces, furniture, and other affected areas.

Water Removal and Drying

Firemen need water to put out fires and minimize structural damage. It’s highly effective at extinguishing flames, but water often seeps beyond the immediate areas. Until you remove and dry out all the water, moisture allows mold and mildew to grow. They damage fabric, wood, photographs, furniture, and other porous surfaces; and they generate an unpleasant mildewy smell.

Water removal and drying are two important facets of smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT. Because we respond immediately, we remove the moisture before mold and mildew have a chance to destroy your property.

Fire Extinguisher Cleanup

A fire extinguisher’s powdery compounds eliminate small fires, but they coat surfaces with a chemical residue. If not properly eliminated and cleaned, some chemicals irritate your skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. We clean and remove extinguisher residue when we perform smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT homes.

Cleaning and Sanitizing

Cleaning and sanitizing refresh your furnishings, walls, ceilings, and other surfaces in your home. Our SERVPRO team uses specialized equipment and professional-grade solutions to do the job right.

Repair and Restoration

We perform all the repair and restoration tasks necessary to get your home back to livable condition. In addition to our emergency services and clean-up work, we do structural repairs, interior refurbishment, and furnishings replacement.

Commercial Building Restoration

The SERVPRO team also performs commercial smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT. We handle any clean-up and restoration operation regardless of the size or type of structure. We work fast and efficiently to minimize interruptions that sideline your business.

Contact SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield

We are a locally owned and operated SERVPRO franchise, and we’re committed to smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT. We always respond quickly and we perform professionally.

Our SERVPRO team has restored damage caused by space heater fires, electric fires, wall fires, and many other types of fire emergencies. For information about smoke and fire damage cleanup in Andover CT, give us a call at (860) 649-0836.

Don’t Let a House Fire Destroy Your Manchester Home

10/28/2020 (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 typical 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 actually spread the flames. 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 denser 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 = 3 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 diagram 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:

• Practice your plan 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 (860.649.0836) any time.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Summer Fire Safety (Part 1: Grilling)

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure your food's well done, not your house! Pay attention to grill safety precautions to prevent a fire that could jump to your home.

Summer is the time of the year for outdoor parties and celebrations, but it also carries increased risk of house fires started by outdoor cooking, fire pits and campfires. Part 1 of this article will give you important safety guidelines for grilling food outdoors.

• Gas grills cause almost 9,000 structure and outdoor fires each year in the U.S.
• An average of more than 18,000 Americans are injured each year by grill fires.
• 97 percent of grill fires occur between May and August.

General Grill Safety

• Only use propane and charcoal grills outdoors. This will minimize the risk of fire and exposure to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.
• Position the grill several feet away from house siding and deck railings. Don’t locate it under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic. Keep children and pets from the grill area by creating a three-foot safety zone around the grill.
• Use long-handled barbecue tools. Wear short sleeves or roll them up when cooking on the grill.
• Periodically clean out the grease or fat that has built up in trays below the grill.
• Keep a bucket of water near your grill.

Charcoal Grills

• At the start of grilling season, make sure your grill is clean and free of ash and grease.
• Purchase the appropriate starter fluid and store it out of reach of children and away from heat sources. Never use any flammable or combustible liquid other than charcoal starter fluid.
• Never add charcoal starter fluid after coals or kindling have been ignited.

Propane Gas Grills

• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to set up the grill and maintain it.
• At the start of grilling season, check the burners for clogs, make sure all hoses and connections are secure, and restock the propane if needed.
• Check the propane cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. A soap and water solution applied to the hose will bubble up to reveal escaping propane. If you detect a leak, turn off the tank and grill. If you can stop the leak, don’t use the grill until you have it serviced by a professional. If the leak won’t stop, call the fire department.
• If you smell gas while cooking, get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not attempt to move the grill.
• Use only propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 with overfill protection devices (OPD).
• Never store propane cylinders in buildings or garages.

Read Part 2 of this article for guidelines for safely enjoying a fire pit or campfire.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Summer Fire Safety (Part 2: Fire Pits and Campfires)

6/25/2020 (Permalink)

Use your fire pit or campfire safely, and you'll have lots of good memories. Follow our advice to avoid an out-of-control fire.

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 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

How to Build a Safer Fire

1/20/2020 (Permalink)

To help prevent a chimney fire, follow our tips to build a fire that burns safely and cleanly.

Each year in the U.S. more than 25,000 chimney fires occur, resulting in more than $125 million in property damage. The most dramatic chimney fires can make sounds like guns being fired and trains running through your home! Sadly, the damage can be dramatic, too, as flames can shoot through the walls of your chimney to light your home on fire.

The primary cause of a chimney fire is not doing regular cleanings and inspections of your chimney. When you burn a fire, a substance called creosote condenses onto the walls of the chimney. Whether it’s sticky or solid or flaky, this black or brown deposit adhering to your chimney’s interior is extremely flammable. If you allow it to build up to a layer more than ¼ inch thick, you are in need of a cleaning. Hire a certified chimney sweep to remove creosote and organic debris from your chimney. The sweep will also inspect your chimney for any signs of damage.

You should have your chimney cleaned and inspected each year in the fall or late summer, before fire-burning season. You’ll also want to do more frequent cleanings if you burn:

• More than two fires a week
• A lot of artificial logs
• Green or unseasoned firewood

Build a Safer Fire

The way you set up your fireplace or wood stove and the type of fuel you use makes a big difference in how safely your fires burn. Follow these guidelines to build and burn clean, hot fires that don’t create a lot of creosote.

• Keep the damper open to allow enough air to quickly move heated smoke up the chimney
• Don’t overload the firebox of a wood
• Always burn seasoned hardwood (dried for at least six months)
• Use well-seasoned hardwood or Chimney Safety Institute of America-approved logs for fuel, kindling and tinder
• Build a clean fire by using the top-down burn method, with the largest logs at the bottom and the smallest pieces at the top
• Use dried twigs or branches for kindling and torn or crumpled newspaper or pine cones for tinder

Put the Fire Out Safely, Too

After you’ve enjoyed your fire, extinguish it safely and thoroughly.

• Spread out the wood and embers with a fireplace poker, then cover them with ash from the bottom of the fireplace 
• Cover the cooled wood and embers with baking soda to extinguish any remaining embers
• Let the firebox cool for at least three and up to eight hours
• Place the ashes into a metal container, fill the container with water and store it outside your home and away from other flammable materials

If you suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Fire Safety, Room by Room

12/17/2019 (Permalink)

Be safe throughout your home and prevent a disastrous fire before it starts.

Americans are hit with 350,000 house fires each year, which can uproot your family, destroy your home and personal items—and even be fatal!

Let’s look at the hazards, room by room, so you can reduce your own risk of suffering a fire disaster in your home. Since half of all home fires start with kitchen fires, we’ll start there.

The Kitchen

Kitchens are filled with appliances that generate heat to cook food, so take basic precautions when using them—and keep a charged fire extinguisher nearby.

Oven and Stovetop

• Clean your oven and cooktop regularly, because baked-on grease and food residue easily become fuel for a fire.
• Never leave food cooking on a stovetop unattended.
• Keep fabric such as towels, dishcloths and clothing away from heat and open flames.

Dishwasher

• If you have an older dishwasher, have it inspected because older heating elements can overheat and cause a fire.

Microwave

• Don’t microwave flammable materials, such as aluminum foil, Styrofoam or some plastic containers (check the markings on the bottom of the container).

Toaster or Toaster Oven

• Consider replacing your older toaster, which can have faulty heating elements that may not turn off.
• Don’t leave your toaster running unattended.
• Clean the accumulated crumbs out of your toaster regularly.

The Bedroom

Filled with cozy bedding, mattresses, curtains and many other items, the bedroom is stocked with flammable objects. Here are a few ways to reduce your risk of a fire starting here—and increase your chances of escaping quickly if one does start.

Mattress

• If your mattress was manufactured before 2007, it may not be flame retardant. Consider purchasing a new one.

Smoke Alarm

• Every bedroom should have a smoke alarm installed and regularly tested.

Escape Plan

• Create and practice a fire escape plan. Include two ways to leave each room (typically a door and a window).

The Living/Family Room

Like bedrooms, living or family rooms typically house lots of flammable items, such as upholstered furniture, drapes and curtains, and electronics.

Fireplace

• Have your fireplace and chimney cleaned, inspected and maintained at least once a year. If you detect a quarter-inch buildup of creosote or soot, schedule a cleaning now.
• Clean the fireplace yourself regularly throughout the year, based on how often you use it.
• Always place a metal or glass screen in front of a burning fire to prevent sparks from flying out.
• Keep rugs and other fabrics away from the fireplace.
• After the fire is extinguished, store the ashes in a metal container with a lid, bring the container outside and place it at least three feet away from your home or garage.

Candles

• Keep candles away from flammable objects.
• Never leave a burning candle unattended, and always put the candle out completely when you are done burning it.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Avoid Home Heating Fires This Winter

12/11/2019 (Permalink)

Stay warm and cozy—and above all, safe—this winter! Take these precautions during home heating season to prevent a house fire.

Home fires caused by heating equipment make up about 15% of all reported home fires every year. And it’s no surprise that half of all these home heating fires occur in the prime heating months of December, January and February.

It’s hard to imagine your house catching on fire, imperiling your family’s lives and destroying your property, but it can happen if you aren’t careful with how you heat your home.

Stay safe this winter by being extra cautious when heating your home. These simple safety tips can help prevent heating fires while you and your family keep warm.

General Heating Safety

• Keep flammable items at least 3 feet from all heat sources, including fireplaces, space heaters, wood stoves, radiators and candles.
• Have your furnaces and chimneys inspected, cleaned and maintained every year.
• Don’t use your oven as a heating source.

Space Heater Safety

Space heaters are the most common source of home heating fires, so take extra caution when you use these convenient heaters.

• Buy a space heater that shuts off automatically in case it overheats or tips over.
• Plug the heater directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power strip.
• Keep a 3-foot clear area around the space heater.
• Keep children and pets away from the heater.
• Turn the heater off before going to sleep or leaving the room.
• Always turn the heater off when you leave your home.

Fireplace Safety

• Place a metal screen or glass partition in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.
• After fire damage cleanup, store the ashes in a metal container with a lid. Bring them outside and place them at least three feet away from your home or garage.

Wood Stove Safety

• Place your stove on a noncombustible, fire-resistant base.
• Burn dry wood, not paper.
• Never use flammable fluids to start the fire.
• Put the fire out before you go to sleep or leave your home.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Prevent Clothes Dryer Fires

10/22/2019 (Permalink)

Regularly cleaning your clothes dryer's lint screen and exhaust duct is essential to preventing a fire.

Clothes dryers account for thousands of home fires each year, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). When lint builds up in a dryer or its exhaust duct, it can block the flow of air and cause excessive heat buildup—resulting in a fire.

Prevent a potentially deadly fire disaster in your home by following this advice:

Clean and inspect the lint screen/filter before or after each load of laundry

If your clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or you notice drying times are longer than normal, the lint screen or the exhaust duct may be blocked.

Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically

Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is running to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If not, the vent or exhaust duct may be blocked, and you may need to disconnect the duct to clear the blockage (reconnect the ducting before using the dryer again).

Have your dryer professionally inspected

Each year, hire a qualified technician to make sure your dryer is properly vented and that the vent and chassis are free from lint.

Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter

Maintain a 36-inch clear space around the dryer. Clean behind the dryer, and keep the laundry area neat and clutter-free, with no combustible objects near the dryer.

Replace plastic or foil ducts

Exhaust ducts should be installed at least 6 inches from combustible materials. Use UL-listed rigid or corrugated metal duct or spiral-wound aluminum flex hose.

Properly vent gas-powered dryers

This will prevent a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends having the gas line and connection inspected annually by a professional.

Cover your outside wall damper

Cover your damper to keep out rain, snow, dirt and to deter birds and small animals from nesting in your vent, but don’t use wire screen or cloth, which can collect lint and clog up the vent.

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

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 (860.649.0836) any time.

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
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Noemi Garcia
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Escape a House Fire (Part 1): Have a Plan

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

You don't have much time to escape a burning house, so be sure you have a plan in place—it could be the difference between life and death.

If a fire breaks out in your home, you have to get out fast! Worse, you may be plunged into darkness, have trouble breathing and need to keep yourself and family members calm. That’s why you should create and practice an escape plan before a fire starts.

• Have a plan for young children who cannot get outside by themselves. Know who will help each child get out safely.
• Teach children to never hide from firefighters and never go back inside a burning building.
• Teach everyone to touch the back of a hand to check doors for heat before opening and, if the door is hot, to use a different way out. If using an escape ladder, everyone must know where it’s stored and how to use it.
• Remember, if there is smoke, you need to get low and stay below the smoke.
• Learn two ways out of every room in your home, in case one exit is blocked or dangerous to use.
• Choose a meeting place a safe distance from your home. Once you’re out, stay out!

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage. Here are a few blog posts you might find helpful:

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
We serve Amston, Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Hebron, Manchester, Mansfield and Storrs, Connecticut.

53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Escape a House Fire (Part 2): Practice Your Plan

6/18/2019 (Permalink)

Have a plan to escape a house fire and practice it at least twice a year.

House fires can start anywhere and at any time, so at least twice a year run through your plan at different times of the day or night, and practice different ways out.

• Check your smoke alarms: Test your smoke alarms each month so all family members know the sound. Make sure there’s a smoke alarm on every level of your home, and one in each bedroom.
• Know where to go: When the smoke alarm sounds, everyone must get out of the house quickly and go to your safe meeting place.
• Do the drill: Have kids head to their bedrooms and wait for the drill to begin. Assign adults to help children under 6. Put one adult in charge of sounding the smoke alarm and running the drill. Next, sound the smoke alarm, start the timer and have everyone hurry to the meeting spot. Once all are there, stop the timer. Did you escape and gather in less than two minutes? If not, keep practicing.

In a real fire, get to your safe meeting place, call 911 and keep everyone close until firefighters arrive!

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

We’re Here for You

The team at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield (860.649.0836) anytime.

Other Helpful Blog Posts

Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage. Here are a few blog posts you might find helpful:

4 Ways To Prevent Fires

How to Stay Safe in a Fire

Home Fire Safety Checklist

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
We serve Amston, Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Hebron, Manchester, Mansfield and Storrs, Connecticut.

53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro 
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

If you’ve suffered fire damage to your home or business, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

Fire Restoration Fundamentals

1/20/2019 (Permalink)

Even the smallest house fire requires thorough fire restoration efforts to completely clean your home and possessions.

If you’ve suffered fire damage, you know that restoring your home and property is challenging. First, you need to decide whether you’ll do the restoration on your own or hire highly trained restoration specialists who will guarantee their work, like the professionals at SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. If you choose to do the work yourself, these are the best tips we give people who ask about fire damage restoration.

Fire Damage Restoration Basics: Think Clean
Until your house is restored, limit your activity and movement in the house. This helps prevent soot particles from being ground into upholstery and carpets. Change your HVAC filter and tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers. Wash hands often so you don’t further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.

Protect your possessions by placing clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. Wash both sides of the leaves on your houseplants. Finally, determine the best cleaning method for each particular job (for example, clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil).

Remove Smoke Damage from Walls
With any fire you’ll have some smoke damage to your walls, wall paper and paint. If the smoke damage is not too extensive, you should be able to scrub it clean with detergents and bleach. Because soot is greasy, dust as much of it off before trying to scrub a surface clean. Before repainting, make sure all surfaces are clean and thoroughly dry first.

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration at 860.649.0836

Get Rid of Mold and Mildew
The water used to put out your fire also introduced the real risk of mold and mildew into your home. SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield highly recommends you hire fire damage restoration professionals to deal with mold and mildew, because they can cause serious health effects, and it’s difficult for a nonprofessional to be sure he’s clean up all the areas affected.

Because mold and mildew can contaminate your furniture, carpets, clothing, mattresses, walls and vents, the most important thing to do is to air out every room and clean out all vents and filters.

Clean, Repair or Replace Flooring
Your floors and carpets absorb the worst of the damage from the water used to put out a fire. In almost every case, SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield recommends that you pull up and replace any water-damaged carpets. Because water can seep underneath vinyl flooring and into the cracks in hardwood, you must address this to prevent further damage down the road. If you have experience with flooring, you can lift it up and clean under it--but you may want to call a professional fire damage restoration company to assist you.

Clean Your Clothing
Cleaning smoke damage from clothing is one of the biggest jobs you’ll have after a fire. Make sure you don’t smear the greasy soot into the clothing or just throw the smoky clothes into the wash. Dry cleaning is often the best way to clean smoke-damaged clothing. Try to find a local dry cleaner who has experience with post-fire laundry. More tips on removing smoke odor can be found in our blog.

Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration at 860.649.0836

Give Your Dishes Special Attention
Because your dishes are in contact with food, they must be thoroughly cleaned after a fire. Scrub all dishes well, soak them in a solution of bleach and water (2 tablespoons of bleach per gallon) for at least 20 minutes and then scrub again. If a dish, pot or pan won’t come clean, throw it out, especially rubber or wooden dishes that absorb smoke.

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

Other Helpful Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm and other damage. Here are a few blog posts that you might find helpful:

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
We serve Amston, Andover, Bolton, Columbia, Coventry, Hebron, Manchester, Mansfield and Storrs, Connecticut.
53 Slater Street, Unit 2, Manchester, CT 06042
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

For help after a fire, call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield today at 860.649.0836

How To Stay Safe In A Fire

12/18/2018 (Permalink)

In a fire stay calm and follow fire safety guidelines like these

A fire can occur at almost any time. If you know and practice some basic fire safety rules you can greatly increase the likelihood of avoiding the worst from a fire. Here are 10 quick fire safety tips to remember.

1. Stay calm.
When you stay calm you think better. Don’t react without thinking of the consequences.

2. Don’t open hot doors.
In a fire, before you open a door feel it with the back of your hand. Feel it from the bottom to the top. If the door is hot the fire may be right on the other side of the door. Opening that hot door puts you at risk of being burned and adding fuel (oxygen) to the fire.

3. Get down low.
You can best avoid smoke and heated gases if you stay low. The lower you are, the less likely you are to inhale smoke and dangerous gases.

4. Know if it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher.
In most cases, let professionals handle the fire. Only use a fire extinguisher when: 1) the fire is confined to a small area and is not growing, 2) the room is not filled with smoke, 3) everyone else has exited the building, and 4) the fire department has been called.

5. If you use a fire extinguisher, keep a safe distance from the fire.
Most fire extinguishers can reach 8 to 12 feet. Stay as far away from the fire as you can.

6. Use the PASS method.
P: Pull the fire extinguisher pin and hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.  
A: Aim low. Point at the base of the fire.
S: Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Concerned about a fire risk or fire damage? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield. Call 860.649.0836.

7. Never fight a large fire.
Only professionals can safely fight a large fire. Here’s a general rule of thumb: If the fire is bigger than you are, it’s too big for you to put out safely. So, you may be able to handle that pan burning on the stove. But the floor to ceiling curtains engulfed in flames is too much for a non-professional.

8. Keep the fire in front of you.
Never turn your back on a fire. During a house fire, conditions can quickly change. Stay aware at all times of the fire’s size, condition, and position.

9. Read the smoke.

More turbulent smoke means more dangerous fire conditions. If smoke is pushing out of the top of a door don’t enter that room. If an area is full of or filling fast with smoke the fire probably exceeds your ability to handle it. Call the professionals.

10. Have a designated meeting place.
Your family or employees should have a specific place well away from your home or business that you will meet at in case of a fire. Knowing where to meet and having two or more ways to get there reduces the risk of leaving someone behind or not knowing where everyone is if you evacuate your home or building.

If you can’t find a safe way to exit a burning house or building, stay in a fire-free, smoke-free room with all the doors to that room closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire department or 9-1-1. Open a window and wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for help.

Perhaps most important: When house fire breaks out leave quickly, stay out, and call for help. Do not go back inside for anything.

Concerned About Fire Preparation? Call SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield Today. Call 860.649.0836.
 
Other Helpful Blog Posts   
Every month on the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog we publish educational articles on how Manchester and Mansfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, and other damage. Here are a few blog posts that you might find helpful:  

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.649.0836
24-hour emergency service

Reduce Fire Risk In Your Garage

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

Don't let your garage become a fire waiting to happen

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 860.649.0836

  

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, 24/7/365.

22 Tips on Preventing Fires From Home Heating, Candles, And Electrical Sources

10/23/2018 (Permalink)

You can greatly reduce the possibility of a home fire by following some simple safety tips we can teach you.

Home Heating Fire Prevention Tips
Home heating equipment (fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, etc.) causes a good percentage of winter fires. It’s a leading cause of home fire deaths. In a recent U.S. study, space heaters accounted for four out of five (80%) home heating fire deaths. Yet, some simple steps can prevent most heating-related fires:
1. Make sure all fuel-burning equipment (e.g. gas furnaces and ranges, wood stoves and fireplaces) are vented to the outside to avoid carbon monoxide (C.O.) poisoning.
2. Keep anything that can burn three feet or more away from heating equipment.
3. Don’t use extension cords with portable space heaters – plug space heaters directly into outlets.
4. Only use space heaters that have a switch that will shut off if the unit tips over.
5. Have your heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
6. Use a sturdy fireplace screen in front of your fireplace to stop sparks from flying into the room.
7. Place fire ashes in a covered, non-combustible container and douse the ashes with water.

Want more tips on preventing fires? Have SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield do an inspection. Call 860-649-0836 anytime.

Candle Fire Prevention Tips
Candles, although appealing for the ambiance they can create, are a significant cause of home fires. They are one of the leading causes of home fire deaths.  More than one-third of home candle fires start in the bedroom, and more than half of all candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle. So, please:

8. Use battery powered artificial candles instead of candles with an open flame.
9. If you do use old-fashioned candles with an open flame, put them in candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily.
10. Keep candles one foot or more away from anything that can burn.
11. Always blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
12. Avoid using candles in rooms where people may fall asleep.
13. Never burn a candle if medical oxygen is used in the home.

Want more tips on preventing fires? Have SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield do an
inspection. Call 860-649-0836 anytime.

Electrical Fire Prevention Tips
14. Use lamp bulbs that match the lamp's recommended wattage (there is usually a sticker on the lamp).
15. If you have a fuse that blows or a circuit breaker trips often; if your lights flicker or dim; or if some electrical outlets or switches feel warm, have a qualified electrician do an inspection. These are often warning signs before a major disaster.
16. Power strips with circuit breakers can be useful tools to temporarily plug several items into an electrical outlet, but if used incorrectly they can cause a fire. The use of power strips and multi-plug outlets increases the draw of electricity through your home's wiring. Before creating additional electrical demand, ensure that your wiring is in good repair and capable of carrying the additional load.
17. Make sure your home has ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) in the kitchen, bathroom(s), laundry, basement, and outdoor areas, to reduce the risk of electric shock.
18. Run extension cords around carpets, not under them. A cord under a carpet can heat up and cause a fire.
19. Replace or repair damaged or loose electrical cords.
20. Make sure all electrical devices you purchase are approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
21. Never put water on an electrical fire. Use baking soda or a Class C (electrical) fire extinguisher.
22. Know where your breaker box is and how to operate it. Make sure your breakers are properly marked for convenience and safety.

Want more tips on preventing fires? Have SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield do an inspection. Call 860-649-0836 anytime.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield serves businesses and home owners in Columbia, Coventry, Ellington, Hebron, Manchester, Mansfield, Somers, Stafford, Tolland, Vernon, and Willington.

More Safety Information   
Every month the SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield blog publishes educational articles on how to protect your home and business from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, wind, or other damage. Here are a few blog posts on safety issues that you might find helpful:  

Contact Us Anytime
In Manchester, the team at SERVPRO 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 anytime at 860.649.0836.

SERVPRO of Manchester/Mansfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
540 N. Main Street
Manchester, CT 06042
Call 860.649.0836
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!