Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts

Fire Damage in Idaho Falls

Name: SERVPRO of Idaho Falls
Address: 2525 Boge Avenue Suite A, Idaho Falls, ID, 83401
Telephone: (208) 523-5365

6/4/2024 (Permalink)

Fire and Smoke damage

A house fire is a homeowner’s worst nightmare, causing devastating damage, emotional distress, and potential health risks. Understanding the dangers and knowing who to call in the aftermath can make all the difference. Here’s why immediate professional help is crucial.

1: Causes and Common Sources of House Fires

Common Causes: Electrical malfunctions, cooking accidents, heating equipment, and smoking materials.
Preventative Measures: Reduce the risk of house fires through proper maintenance and safety practices.

2: Immediate Dangers of House Fires

Property Damage: Fires can destroy personal belongings, structural components, and irreplaceable items.
Health Risks: Immediate health hazards like burns, smoke inhalation, and toxic fumes.
Emotional Trauma: The emotional impact of losing a home and the sense of security it provides.

3: Long-term Consequences
Structural Damage: A fire can weaken a building’s structure, making it unsafe for habitation without extensive repairs.
Smoke and Soot Damage: Smoke and soot can permeate walls, furniture, and HVAC systems, causing ongoing health issues and unpleasant odors.
Water Damage: The water used to extinguish the fire can cause additional damage, leading to mold growth and structural problems.

4.Why You Should Call SERVPRO®

Expertise and Experience: At SERVPRO we deal with fire damage restoration and recovery.

Prompt Response: We emphasize the importance of a quick response to fire and water damage. Our team is available 24/7.
Comprehensive Services: Emergency response, structural repairs, smoke and soot removal, and water damage restoration.
Advanced Equipment and Techniques: State-of-the-art equipment and techniques to ensure thorough and efficient restoration.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Here to Help®

Call:
208-523-5365

How to Make Your Summer Safe

6/14/2023 (Permalink)

With everyone lighting up the grills, preparing for fire’s might not be a bad idea. Here are some tips from from your local Idaho Falls SERVPRO to keep your family safe, and your gatherings happy.

1.) Educate your family on the risks

Summer is a great time for family fun. Lets keep the fun safe though. Make sure your family knows how to keep your home safe by going over what fire hazards are and how to prevent them.

2.) Test your smoke alarms.

No one likes to wake up to a smoke alarm going off but its much better than waking up to a raging fire. Check batteries, and consider upgrading if you already haven't, to a Wi-Fi enabled fire alarm that can send you an alert anywhere you have internet service. These fire alarms are also able to connect with other smart home devices to keep your home safe.

3.) Keep lawn clippings and flammable materials in a safe place.

Lawn Clippings, dry leaves and branches, used rags, paper, even hairspray and other aerosol cans, should be taken care of in a safe way, and disposed of correctly. Make sure nothing flammable is in direct heat and sunlight. Throw away old rags with flammable liquids like oil, gas, and chemical cleaners by first washing them in water and an oil breakdown detergent before throwing them back in the garage or in the garbage can.

4.) Check your house’s wiring and crawlspaces.

Attics, crawlspaces, and wiring can be great spaces for pests to build nests in during the winter. Inspect these and other small spaces for nests, cobwebs, and other flammable objects. Check wiring where able to ensure no new wire’s are exposed since last year. Make sure your air conditioner and heaters are clear of any debris and away from any combustible materials. Check your dryer outlet and chimney for any obstacles blocking a clear flow of air.

Even with these measures we can’t expect to prevent every fire. That’s why we recommend having an Emergency Response Plan (ERP) consultation with our trained experts so you can have a quick, smooth recovery of your loss. Let one of SERVPRO’s estimators walk you through how to handle your next emergency whatever it may be.

If you have a fire, water or mold emergency, give us a call anytime!
SERVPRO is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

We are Ready to Help!

Call:
208-523-5365 for Idaho Falls

House fires

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Because a house fire is usually unexpected, most homeowners aren’t sure of the steps they should take after the disaster. House fires can happen anytime and anywhere so everyone should have an emergency plan in case a fire occurs. According to the NFPA, these are some escape plans tips you can follow.

Escape planning tips

Pull together everyone in your household and make a plan. Walk through your home and inspect all possible exits and escape routes. Households with children should consider drawing a floor plan of your home, marking two ways out of each room, including windows and doors. Also, mark the location of each smoke alarm.
A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. NFPA 72, National Fire Alarm Code® requires interconnected smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
When you walk through your plan, check to make sure the escape routes are clear and doors and windows can be opened easily.
Choose an outside meeting place (i.e. neighbor's house, a light post, mailbox, or stop sign) a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.
Go outside to see if your street number is clearly visible from the road. If not, paint it on the curb or install house numbers to ensure that responding emergency personnel can find your home.
Have everyone memorize the emergency phone number of the fire department. That way any member of the household can call from a neighbor's home or a cellular phone once safely outside.
If there are infants, older adults, or family members with mobility limitations, make sure that someone is assigned to assist them in the fire drill and in the event of an emergency. Assign a backup person too, in case the designee is not home during the emergency
If windows or doors in your home have security bars, make sure that the bars have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency. Emergency release devices won't compromise your security - but they will increase your chances of safely escaping a home fire.
Tell guests or visitors to your home about your family's fire escape plan. When staying overnight at other people's homes, ask about their escape plan. If they don't have a plan in place, offer to help them make one. This is especially important when children are permitted to attend "sleepovers" at friends' homes.
Be fully prepared for a real fire: when a smoke alarm sounds, get out immediately. Residents of high-rise and apartment buildings(PDF) may be safer "defending in place."
Once you're out, stay out! Under no circumstances should you ever go back into a burning building. If someone is missing, inform the fire department dispatcher when you call. Firefighters have the skills and equipment to perform rescues.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We have highly trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your disaster restoration needs.

Fires in your home

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

There are many reasons why a house fire can happen. Some of the main reasons may include cooking, candles, heating, smoking and electrical problems. According to the NFPA there are more than 350,000 home fires each year in the US, leading to more than 2,600 deaths. There are helpful tips you can follow to try to help avoid a house fire. The Red cross recommends these tips below.

All heaters need space. Keep children, pets and things that can burn (paper, matches, bedding, furniture, clothing, carpets, and rugs) at least three feet away from heating equipment.
If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface (such as ceramic tile floor), not on rugs, carpets or near bedding or drapes. Plug power cords directly into outlets - never into an extension cord.
Never leave a fire in the fireplace unattended, and use a glass or metal fire screen to keep fire and embers in the fireplace.
Never use a cooking range or oven to heat your home.
Turn off portable space heaters every time you leave the room or go to sleep.

IF THE POWER GOES OUT

If electrical power lines are down, don’t touch them. Keep your family and pets away. Report downed lines to your utility company.

Use flash lights in the dark, not candles.
Eliminate unnecessary travel, especially by car. Traffic lights will be out and roads will be congested.
If you are using a generator be sure you understand the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning and how to use generators safely.
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. An unopened refrigerator will keep foods cold for about 4 hours. A full freezer will keep the temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) if the door remains closed. First use perishable food from the refrigerator. Perishables should have a temperature of 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or below to be safe to eat. Then use food from the freezer.
Use your non-perishable foods and staples after using food from the refrigerator and freezer.
If it looks like the power outage will continue beyond a day, prepare a cooler with ice for your freezer items.
Keep food in a dry, cool spot and keep it covered at all times.
Turn off and unplug all unnecessary electrical equipment, including sensitive electronics.
Turn off or disconnect any appliances (like stoves), equipment or electronics you were using when the power went out. When power comes back on, surges or spikes can damage equipment.
Leave one light turned on so you’ll know when the power comes back on.

If you have any fire, water or mold disasters give SERVPRO a call today! We have trained professionals ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Deep fried turkey demo

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Every November SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby puts on an amazing deep fried turkey fire demonstration on the do’s and don’ts of deep frying a turkey. This year we were joined by the Idaho Falls Department, Local News 8 and the Murdock company. With the help of the fire department, we do just about everything you should not do when deep frying a turkey to show the community how dangerous it can be.

We kept the turkey frozen, over filled the oil and brought the temp up to a whopping 500°. The demonstration was a success! Successful in the way that anything that could go wrong definitely did. We were so excited to be able to show the community just how dangerous it could be and help keep them safe this holiday season.

If you have a fire disaster, give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Are highly trained professionals are ready to help you!

Fire damage doesn't end with just fire damage

1/20/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage to your home does not end with fire damage to your home. There are many other things that come with all that fire including damage to your home and property caused by soot and water damage from the firefighters’ hoses. There is a silver lining however to these terrible disasters. SERVPRO has amazing trained professionals that are ready to help 24 hours a day.

A few things that are suggested to do after a fire is:

Find a safe place to stay
Contact your insurance agent
Protect your home
Take care of your pets
Get a copy of the fire report

Our teams train online and, in the field, and are certified in how to treat fire, water mold, and biohazard disasters. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

What to do if a fire happens?

1/19/2022 (Permalink)

When a fire happens to your home it can make you feel helpless. According to an online poll they estimate that 358,500 home fires occur in the United States every year. When you aren’t prepared for a home fire the aftermath can be even more scary. According to The Red Cross there are four steps to take immediately after a home fire.

Call 9-1-1. Give first aid where needed; cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
Let friends and family know you’re safe.
People and animals that are seriously injured or burned should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately.
Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.

If you have a fire disaster, give SERVPRO a call today! We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help you!

Fire in the grill

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

Just think, one minute you are cooking food on your grill enjoying a beautiful summer day with your family, and the next moment you are trying to put out a fire in your home!

When a fire starts near or around a home it will instantly start to warp parts of the structure in which it is close to. Siding and lighting among others things will start to get hot and change its structure as the fire begins to heat them up. Fire also can cause sever soot damage which can result in the loss of many of your items.

So what can you do to avoid a grill fire this summer? According to www.charbroil.com you can follow these simply tips and tricks to help avoid any kind of fire disaster.

Trim the fat. Flare-ups usually happen because of excess fat, sauces or oily marinades. ...
Keep the lid open. When searing fatty foods, leave the grill lid opened.
Avoid wind. Try to keep your grill away from windy areas. ...
Move your food. ...
Burn the grease away. ...
Clean your grill

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today. Our highly trained professionals are ready to help day or night. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all of your cleaning and restoration needs.

Kitchen fire turned whole house issue

7/15/2021 (Permalink)

When you think kitchen fire you usually don’t think “whole house fire”. You may think a turkey birnt in the over or a pan of oil just got way too hot. You instinguished it and after a bit of work it went out and you think you are in the clear. Wrong! When you have a fire in your home this means you probably have smoke damage learking around.

Smoke and soot is amazing at sticking to things all around your home. This includes furniture, clothing, antiques, carpet, drapes etc.

SERVPRO will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. They use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. They’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

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 it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Candles smell great, but they can be dangerous

5/14/2021 (Permalink)

Home fires are a lot more common than most people think. A home fire can come from really happen anywhere and anytime! Candles, stoves, and others items can turn a house into a large mess in the matter of minutes. Candles are however a huge reason for home fires. Anytime you decide to light a candle please follow these steps.

Keep the candle in an open area, not underneath anything
Do not light a candle near furniture
Make sure to watch children around candles

According to the NFPA

Candle fire facts

During the five-year period of 2014-2018:

Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires.
Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 40% of the associated deaths and 49% of the associated injuries.
Falling asleep was a factor in 10% percent of the home candle fires and 15% of the associated deaths.
On average, 21 home candle fires were reported per day.
Three of every five (60%) of home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 12% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give us a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Christmas Tree Danger

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

Thank you to Ammon fire department for helping us with this demonstrations. We wanted to help to educate the public on how quickly a happy holiday tradition can go wrong.

Be sure to keep your trees watered and away from any heat source such as candles, heaters, etc.

According to nfpa.org:

Between 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of two deaths, 14 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.
Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half (45%) of home Christmas tree fires.
More than one-fifth (22%) of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
Fifteen percent of Christmas tree fires were intentional.
Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.
More than two of every five (42%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room

We here at SERVPRO know how important it is to get your businesses back up and running as soon as possible. We have highly trained and certified professional ready to help If you do have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby a call today (208) 523-5365.

Candle Dangers

1/22/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know that every year candle fires destroy tons of homes! According to the www.nfpa.org

During the five-year period of 2014-2018:

Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires.
Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 40% of the associated deaths and 49% of the associated injuries.
Falling asleep was a factor in 10% percent of the home candle fires and 15% of the associated deaths.
On average, 21 home candle fires were reported per day.
Three of every five (60%) of home candle fires occurred when some form of combustible material was left or came too close to the candle.
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 12% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

Icy Inferno Christmas Tree Bonfire

1/12/2021 (Permalink)

We are so lucky to be able to get to do so much work and event with our local Fire Departments. One event that is coming and hosted by the city of Ammon, ID as well as Bonneville Country Fire District is called the Icy Inferno. Details from City of Ammon are:

The City of Ammon is very excited to announce a new event, the Icy Inferno Christmas Tree bonfire and fireworks show. As indicated on the poster, this event is strictly contingent upon the COVID environment as well as the wind. As such the event is subject to rescheduling, adjusting, or cancellation.

Lots more information is on the way, including prizes and giveaways from local businesses, a map, details about parking, etc.Please help us by dropping off your Christmas Trees beginning December 26th through January 23rd. A map will be posted before Christmas and the spot will be clearly designated at the location. This will be a lot of fun and we hope to see you as we light up the cold night!

Beware when towing

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

Did you know that chains dragging from a trailer that you are pulling could be the cause of a forest fire? It can! If you are towing a trailer for camping or other recreational reasons, make sure the chains on the tow assembly are NOT dragging on the ground. Dragging chains could cause sparks on the roads surface. It only takes just one spark to possibly burn thousands of acres of land.

According to nifc.gov, As of today, nationally, 43 large fires have burned more than 391,000 acres. Four new fires were reported. Several fires in California, Nevada, and Utah displayed extreme fire behavior yesterday. Residents near the mineral, Coyote, Big Summit, Turkey Farm Road and Veyo West fires are under evacuation orders. If you spot a fire starting to burn make sure to call 911 to report a forest fire!

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold, Asbestos or Biohazard disaster call SERVPRO. We are available 25 hours a day, 7 days a week with trained and friendly professionals ready to help! (208) 523-5365

Volunteering our time

7/16/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO has been teaming up with our local Fire Departments and EMTs to volunteer our time in helping prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CDC describes Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an illness caused by a virus that can spread from person to person.

The virus that causes COVID-19 is a new coronavirus that has spread throughout the world.
COVID-19 symptoms can range from mild (or no symptoms) to severe illness.

We have been volunteering our time and products by going out to our local Fire Departments and cleaning all emergency vehicles. We also went to our local hospitals and held an event where we fed them as well as cleaned and fogged their personal vehicles free of charge. We hope that by doing this we can help to keep our first responders safe and able to continue to be there for our community.

If you have a fire, water, mold, asbestos, biohazard or COVID-19 related disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We have highly trained professionals ready when you need us!

Cleaning and Sanitizing Fire Departments

5/13/2020 (Permalink)

We are so blessed to have the resources available to help assist in keeping our local first responders safe. SERVPRO of Idaho Falls & Rexburg/Rigby has decided to support our local heroes by going to all of our local fire departments and offering to clean and fog all of their emergency response vehicles to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We wipe down everything very thoroughly and make sure to sanitize every spot that could have possibly been affected.

This week we went to Central Fire District and cleaned and fogged all of their vehicles. We are so happy that we are able to give back to our community. We are so lucky to have such amazing heroes in our community!

If you have a Water, Fire, Mold, Asbestos or Biohazard Disaster give SERVPRO a call today. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week! We have trained professionals ready to help.

Emergency Board Up

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Local business caught on fire and two other buildings as well

Over the weekend a local business caught fire affecting 2 other businesses within the building. SERVPRO was able to respond and provide Emergency Board up for all 3 businesses. Here are four reasons to board up after a fire.

In a commercial setting, there may still be viable stock on the premises. If products that appear viable remain in the building, you should consider boarding up. These items may require assessment and cleaning and may not be fit for sale, but having them properly processed rather than stolen can be helpful for insurance purposes.
You want to protect electronics and other valuables. Depending on the extent of the fire damage, you may be able to restore some electronics or other valuable property to working condition.
You need to keep out the elements. If the structure of your property has sustained extensive damage, you should try to keep the elements out to prevent additional damage. Exposure to additional water, wind, or sunlight can compound the damage caused by smoke residue and soot.
You want to limit soot damage. It is generally a good idea to reduce foot traffic on the scene of a recent fire. When soot gets embedded into carpeting or upholstery, it can be much more difficult to restore these materials to a pre-fire condition.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

After a fire cleanup

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Fire that broke out and we did a board up

SERVPRO is usually one of the first people to come out right after a fire disaster. Our job is to clean up after the disaster and help salvage any contents we possibly can. We know that after a fire disaster occurs the results can be devastating. Although, the longer you wait the more things can go bad. We like to get in right away so that we can get a game plan going to help salvage anything we possibly can.

www.statefarm.com suggests these steps after a fire disaster:

Find a safe place to stay. No matter the amount of damage, you likely can't stay in your own home.
Contact your insurance agent. You'll need to start a claim and address your immediate needs. "Loss of use" funds from your insurance policy will cover living and other daily expenses.
Address your finances. You'll still need to make mortgage payments — even if your home is destroyed. Your insurance policy, which should cover your home's value and mortgage, will make payments to you and your mortgage lender.
Recover your possessions. Items destroyed in a house fire are usually covered by insurance.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Dangerous candles

1/17/2020 (Permalink)

Our team cleaning up the fire damage from a candle.

This disaster happened because of a candle that caught a couch on fire! The candle happened to be extremely too close and set the couch a blaze. Candles caused 2% of reported home fires, 3% of home fire deaths, 6% of home fire injuries, and 4% of the direct property damage in home fires. Roughly one-third (37%) of home candle fires started in bedrooms. These fires caused 33% of the associated deaths and 51% of the associated injuries.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to about 9,300 home structure fires started by candles between 2009 and 2013. Those fires led to 86 deaths, 827 injuries, and $374 million in direct property damage. Fires do so much damage to homes and businesses.

If you have a Fire, Water, Mold or Asbestos Disaster give SERVPRO a call at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

4th of July

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

It’s that time of year again… the 4^th of July!! As much fun as this holiday can be, it can also cause a lot of disasters. Did you know that thousands of people every year, mostly children and teens, are injured while using or being around fireworks. www.nfpa.com has some scary but useful facts we should all be aware of.

Fireworks by the numbers

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
In 2017, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 12,900 people for fireworks related injuries; 54% of those injuries were to the extremities and 36% were to the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2017 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2015 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling Tu.

Fire = Soot

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Fire disasters not only cause FAST damage but it also causes lasting damage. When you have a fire in your home or business it is not just the flames that are dangerous, it is the smoke as well. We have specialized trained employees who take their time to make sure there is absolutely no remains of soot on your personal belongings after your fire disaster.

Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

We here at SERVPRO know how devastating a water, fire, mold, or asbestos disaster can be and we are dedicated to helping you get through it. Give us a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Fire Bags

5/7/2019 (Permalink)

This photo shows one of our Marketing/Sales Reps Corey got to go around to local fire departments and hand out these amazing Fire Bags our Marketing Department has put together for families in need! SERVPRO knows how unexpected fires can be and wanted to find a way to help families in our communities. We decided to put bags together that the fire departments could hand out to families after they have a fire disaster. With the help of donations, we have been able to put together more than 100 bags so far!

The contents of these bags include toiletries, towels, paper, pens, Chapstick, coloring books and many other items families may need if they experience a fire disaster in their home.

If you have a fire, water, mold or asbestos disaster give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

Tips and tricks to help avoid a fire

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

How to avoid fire damage in your home?

Having a fire in your home or business can happen fast and unexpected. There is something little or no warning so knowing how to help avoid it is a very smart idea.

On www.safewise.com, they offer several tips and tricks on how you can help to prevent a house fire.

Test your smoke alarms.

Properly maintain your smoke alarms by testing the batteries once a month. If they’re not working, replace them immediately.

Inspect heating sources.

Regardless of what kind of primary heating you have in your home, an annual inspection will reduce your risk of fire.

Keep the stove and oven clear.

Don’t leave anything flammable near the stove or oven. Make sure curtains don’t hang over the stove, and never rest towels or a cookbook on the stove.

Stay in the kitchen.

Don’t leave a hot cooking surface unattended. Whether it’s a pot on the stove or an electric griddle, you need to be close by. If you have to leave the room, take the pot off the stove or turn off the griddle first.

Check the dryer.

If you have a gas-powered dryer, have it inspected once a year to make sure all connections are secure. No matter what type of dryer you have, always clean out the lint trap after a load is finished. Regularly check behind and around the dryer for pockets of lint or items of laundry that have fallen under or behind.

Maintain cords.

Regularly check the condition of cords and watch out for frayed wires: repair or replace cords with frayed wires immediately. Electrical cords can produce heat, so don’t trap them under a rug or between furniture and the wall.

Store flammable products properly.

Many household cleaners and cosmetic products like shaving cream and hair spray are flammable. Keep flammable products away from heat, including exposure to sunlight. Designate a cool, dark cupboard for flammable products and make sure all family members know where they go.

Be careful with candles.

Never leave candles unattended and always keep them away from flammable items like blankets and curtains. Place candles in secure, tip-proof holders and extinguish them before leaving or going to sleep.

Use the fireplace responsibly.

To keep errant sparks from escaping, install a durable metal fire screen in front of your fireplace. Don’t leave a fire unattended, and give ashes ample time to cool down before disposing of them. Always place fireplace ash in a dedicated metal container that isn’t used for any other household refuse.

Keep fire extinguishers handy.

Stock key areas of your home with fire extinguishers. At the very least, keep one in the kitchen and others near high-risk areas like a fireplace. Regularly review the instructions and make sure all members of the home know how to properly use the extinguisher.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365

Are your alarms ready?

1/21/2019 (Permalink)

Having fire alarms in your house and working is one if the most important things you can do to stay prepared if a fire did happen. It is a small items that seems to be overlooked quite a bit but with just a few minutes of your time it could save yours and your families lives.

According to www.cpsc.gov, they indicate why smoke alarms are important and also where smoke alarms should be installed in your home.

Why Are Smoke Alarms Important?

Every year in the United States, about 2,000 people lose their lives in residential fires. In a fire, smoke and deadly gases tend to spread farther and faster than heat. That's one reason why most fire victims die from inhalation of smoke and toxic gases, not from burns. A majority of fatal fires happen when families are asleep because occupants are unaware of the fire until there is not adequate time to escape. A smoke alarm stands guard around the clock, and when it first senses smoke, it sounds a shrill alarm. This often allows a family the precious, but limited, time needed to escape. About two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms are considered to be one of the best and least expensive means of providing an early warning of a potentially deadly fire and could reduce by almost half the risk of dying from a fire in your home.

Where Should Smoke Alarms be Installed? Smoke alarms should be installed on every level of the home, outside sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms A smoke alarm should be installed and maintained according to the manufacturer’s instructions. When installing a smoke alarm, many factors influence where you will place the alarm, including how many are to be installed. Consider placing alarms along your escape path to assist in egress in limited-visibility conditions. In general, you should place alarms in the center of a ceiling or, if you place them on a wall, they should be near the ceiling.

If you have a fire, water, mold, or asbestos disaster, give SERVPRO a call today at (208) 523-5365.

Fire in the attic

1/16/2019 (Permalink)

Fires can be very serious and cause damages that are hidden within the walls. Fires in attics can burn through supports leaving structures unsafe and potentially dangerous to those that are in the structure.

The U.S.Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), there are over 10,000 attic fires each year, resulting in an average of 35 deaths, 125 injuries, and $440 million in property damage. And even with all of the newly updated building codes and flame-retardant building materials, the number of residential attic fires isn’t declining.

On their website they list 3 major causes. These causes include:

Electrical Malfunction

The single most common cause of residential attic fires is electrical malfunction. When circuits are overloaded and the breaker fails to respond appropriately, the excess “draw” could result in a fire. The FEMA document previously mentioned states that a whopping 43% of all residential attic fires are caused by electrical malfunction.

Heating

Another common cause of attic fire is heating. Roughly 5% of residential attic fires are caused by home heating systems.

Natural

An estimated 13% of residential attic fires are caused by natural sources. So, what constitutes a “natural” source? Well, this may include lighting, fallen trees or even rain water dripping onto electrical outlets and wires.

Fire Season is here!

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

With these hot temperatures warming up the Eastern Idaho region, you will need to be very careful with all of your outdoor activities. If it becomes very hot, windy, and dry it is probably a good idea to limit your outdoor activities that might possibly result in a wildfire. Burning debris and target shooting are a couple activities that need to be rethought if the weather is too hot.

Because of the lack of snow pack this year there is a higher risk of fires. Snowpack keeps the ground and soil moist by covering it longer into spring and summer which in turn influences the onset of fire season as well as the widespread and seriousness of wildfires.

As many as 90% of wild fires in the United States are caused by burning of debris, campfires being left unattended, throwing out cigarettes, and simply people intentionally starting fires, aka arson.

Because of this, wildfires threaten thousands of homes a year. www.readyforwildfire.org
suggests these steps.

1.       Review your evacuation plan checklist
2.       Ensure that your emergency supply kit is in your vehicle
3.       Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, heavy shoes and boots, and goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is always preferred
4.       Locate your pets and take them with you to safety

Always remember that if you are evacuated and then able to return home to be alert and look over a few things.
1.       Always be alert for downed power lines and other hazards,

2.       Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning on your gas

3.       Check your residence carefully for any hidden embers or smoldering fires

If you do unfortunately happen to have fire damage on your home make sure to call a professional like SERVPRO to help with your disaster.

Fire season is here!

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

Because of the lack of snow pack this year there is a higher risk of fires. Snowpack keeps the ground and soil moist by covering it longer into spring and summer which in turn influences the onset of fire season as well as the widespread and seriousness of wildfires.

As many as 90% of wild fires in the United States are caused by burning of debris, campfires being left unattended, throwing out cigarettes, and simply people intentionally starting fires, aka arson.

Because of this, wildfires threaten thousands of homes a year. www.readyforwildfire.org suggests these steps.

Review your evacuation plan checklist
Ensure that your emergency supply kit is in your vehicle
Cover-up to protect against heat and flying embers. Wear long pants, long sleeve shirts, heavy shoes and boots, and goggles or glasses. 100% cotton is always preferred
Locate your pets and take them with you to safety

Always remember that if you are evacuated and then able to return home to be alert and look over a few things.

Always be alert for downed power lines and other hazards,
Check propane tanks, regulators, and lines before turning on your gas
Check your residence carefully for any hidden embers or smoldering fires

If you do unfortunately happen to have fire damage on your home make sure to call a professional like SERVPRO to help with your disaster.

Knicknack pattywack please clean up my home

5/9/2018 (Permalink)

If having a fire happen in your home isn't detrimental enough, there is still the aftermath of cleanup that has to be addressed. Fire not only affects the home but the smallest of items. We here at SERVPRO understand this process can be difficult but we are dedicated to making it go as smooth and painless as possible.

With fire comes soot and ash which in turn may engulf some or all of your personal belongings including sentimental items such as Knick knacks. We always go into each job with the mindset that we would rather restore than have you replace. We have many different cleaning methods that we use to restore your most valuable of items. These methods include...

Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that withstand wet cleaning.
Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.
Immersion Cleaning - Contents are dipped into a bath of the cleaning product.

When special care is needed SERVPRO will be there.

The First 24 Hours After A Fire

1/12/2018 (Permalink)

A fire can be a devastating event to a home now matter how small. SERVPRO understands that your home is more than four walls. It includes your memories and personal belongings.

By responding quickly with our full line of fire cleaning and restoration services, SERVPRO can help to restore your home and personal belongings.

The first 24 hours can make a difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings.

Things To Do:

Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from spreading and additional damage from occurring
Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery
Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances with petroleum jelly or oil.
Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.

Things To NOT Do:

Wash any walls or painted surfaces
Shampoo carpet or upholstery
Clean any electrical equipment
Send clothing to dry cleaner since improper cleaning may set smoke odor

Grease Fire Tips

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

This SERVPRO reported loss was caused by a careless cook.

A basement apartment was recently rented to a first time young resident with little cooking skills.

The resident was cooking bacon for the first time on her new stove. The bacon grease caught on fire and the ensuing flames rose towards the ceiling.

The heat from the fire melted the face of the microwave above the stove and the cabinets began to smolder.

The ceiling had acoustic cork tiles that absorbed a lot of the smoke and needed to be removed.

While the fire was contained to the stove area the smoke traveled through each of the basement bedrooms and also in the stairwell leading up to the main level.

SERVPRO tips for grease fires

NEVER TRY TO PUT OUT A GREASE FIRE WITH WATER
Cover the fire with a large metal lid
If there's no lid nearby, douse the fire with salt or baking soda
Turn off the heat source if possible
As a last resort, use a fire extinguisher

Tips To Heating Your Garage With Space Heaters

12/22/2017 (Permalink)

A recent SERVPRO loss occurred after a homeowner reported a space heater had caused a fired in their garage.

During these cold Idaho months we are tempted to keep our garages as warm as our homes with space heaters but the reality is that unless you have super duper insulation, which most garages dont due to the cost during construction, it is just not realistic.

If you must put a space heater in your garage for any purpose, here are a few SERVPRO tips

* Do not leave space heaters unattended. If you cannot monitor it, turn it off and for extra safety, unplug it.

*Place it on a hard stable surface so that is does not fall over

*Leave plenty of space around the heater so avoid items catching on fire

*Do not block intake or exhaust vents

*Do not try to dry articles of clothing on them

Fire Causes Smoke Damage in Ducting System

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke Damage to Ducting

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls employees have been working to restore a local restaurant that had been damaged due to a grease fire in its kitchen.

Getting the smell of smoke out of any structure regardless of the cause can be challenging. It can require extensive demolition to parts of a structure that did not receive any damage from the fire its self. However, in this case there was smoke damage throughout the ducting.

Once smoke permeates certain materials, getting that smell out permanently is impossible. Knowing the difference between what can be cleaned and what cannot be cleaned comes with training and experience and will save the client thousands of dollars. SERVPRO invests a lot of time and money ensure you have the best of both. If you have had smoke damage to your structure, SERVPRO is here to help.

Commercial Fire in Rexburg Idaho

9/29/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Idaho Falls responded to a request to help restore a local family restaurant that was badly damaged from a grease fire in the kitchen.

Grease fires can be especially intimidating because they can happen so fast. If not responded to quickly and appropriately the damage can be extensive. Thankfully this fire was handled correctly and now SERVPRO can begin the restoration process and allow this business to get up and running as fast as possible.

On this job, SERVPRO will be able to employ the employees of this restaurant to help with the restoration process helping them to continue to have an income for their families. When a fire happens let SERVPRO put its experience to work for you.

Deer Park Idaho Fire Gives Homeowners a Scare

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

Menan Idaho Fire

The recent Deer Park fire that burned nearly 20,000 acres north of Menan and put several homes on evacuation was a clear reminder that disaster can strike at any time. This time of year, poses and an even greater threat because of hot dry conditions. Those conditions can turn brush around your home into tinder that can increase your chances of fire, especially if you live in a rural area with natural habitat surrounding your home. No matter the time of year or where you live take the time to help protect your home.

Check for fire dangers and minimize them
Verify you have smoke detectors and they are in working condition
Create a family emergency plan and make sure everyone understands it

Soot and Smoke Will Linger if Not Treated Properly

9/16/2017 (Permalink)

Lingering Smoke Damage

If you have had fire damage affect your home you know how scary and intrusive it can be. Long after the fire has been put out the smell of smoke can linger. SERVPRO of Idaho Falls and Rexburg is an expert in cleaning and restoration.

As you can see in the this picture the walls and ceiling of this basement have been stained with soot. The smell of smoke will continue even after its rebuilt if the soot isn’t removed and all the surfaces treated. Many people do not realize concrete is a porous material and will absorb the smell of smoke. It will take Soda blasting and several different treatments in order to remove the smell from this structure.

After you have rebuilt or repaired your home from a fire the last thing you will want is the smell of smoke in your home as constant reminder of what happened. If you have had a fire in your home let us put our experience to work for you.

How are Electrical Outlets Affected During a Flood in Idaho Falls?

5/8/2017 (Permalink)

If flooding reaches your outlet and causes a fire, make sure that you call SERVPRO to remediate your propery quickly before secondary damage sets in.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Remediate Both Fire and Flood Damage After a Disaster

When flooding rises high enough to enter an electrical outlet, the usual result is usually just a loss of power. In some cases, however, the resulting sparks and damage can start a fire in a house, apartment, or commercial building.

There are restoration companies that specialized in water damage, but very few have the experience and knowledge to handle the effects of both fire damage and flood damage in Idaho Falls. SERVPRO has decades in the business of returning your home to its original condition; our response teams can pump out a basement and scrub away smoke residues with equal ease.

Fortunately, fire damage caused by a flooded outlet is generally small and primarily smoke damage in nature. Drywall affected by either type of disaster requires removal, so the workload for our team members is not increased by dealing with two disasters on one job site. The rising smoke, however, leaves smoke residue higher up the walls which means that more wall panels require removal. Ceiling tiles may have to be cleaned or replaced as well.

Water damage to an outlet means a replacement from the hardware store; normally less than $5 apiece. The point of ignition is where the fire begins, and in this case, the electrical outlet is only the start of the damage. The wires leading to the outlet are melted to the outlet box and require cutting above any visible damage. An additional inspection is necessary to make certain that the burned wires did not compromise other building material.

If the damage runs very far back along the wires, then they require replacing, so the new outlet is set in the original location. Our technicians can run new wiring from any point in the structure back to the breaker box if needed to rebuild your home’s wiring system. This task is simpler once other team members finish removing the flooded drywall; exposing the electrical system for easier access.

Dealing with damage from a fire or flood is a long, complicated process. Restoring your home and property from both requires a professional service with access to a nationwide support network of equipment and training. SERVPRO of Idaho Falls is proud to call this area home and stands ready to help you whenever a disaster strikes. Call us today at (208) 523-5365.

Preventing a Grease Fire in Idaho Falls

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

Grease Fires in Idaho are a High Fire Alert

SERVPRO Suggestions Concerning Grease Fires

Most often, grease fires happen when a pan is left on the stove unattended and for too long. Another way a grease fire can occur is when extra grease on the stove top or drip pan catches fire accidentally. Keeping these fires from happening is not hard if you stay in the kitchen while you are cooking, and take a few safety measures. A small mistake, however, can lead to the need for fire damage restoration from professionals such as SERVPRO. If the unthinkable does happen, our trained staff can help you to restore your home back to normal quickly.

Steps to Prevent Grease Fires
Always have a Class B Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher close at hand, under the sink base cabinet, or in another reachable place. A small investment may save you a lot of money and also mitigate dangers caused by fires. As mentioned above, stay in the kitchen at all times when you are heating oil for pan-frying or deep-fat frying to prevent a grease fire. Leaving cooking unattended in your Idaho Falls home is the biggest reason for fires in the kitchen. Before you turn the heat on, also make sure that the burner on the stove top is cool. Clean any excess oil or grease spills from the drip pan around the burner, too.

Before you start, check out the heat ratings of the cooking oil. These indicate the maximum temperature the oil can be cooked at before it catches fire. For most vegetable oils, for example, this temperature is around 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while for animal oils this temperature is around 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Attach a thermometer to the side of the pot to keep track of the temperature of the oil. When it is close to its burning point, it will let off smoke and ruin the taste of your food. Turn off the heat if this happens, and carefully remove the pan from the burner to let it cool off.

Be careful when you are putting food into oil that is already hot. Use long utensils like tongs which let you gently insert the food without dropping it and splashing oil on yourself. Use a cover or lid to stop hot oil from splattering. Remove the lid carefully if you do have to stir the food, and put it back when you’ve finished. Also, as soon as any food or oil spills happen, clean them up.

If the grease does catch fire, do not ever try to move the pot or pan. Use a metal lid to cover the pan and shut off the supply of oxygen to the fire. A small fire contained inside the pan can be extinguished by putting baking soda on the fire until it burns out, but if you do not feel safe controlling it by yourself, exit the house immediately and call 911 for help. If your home does sustain fire damage, remember to give our technicians at SERVPRO a call right afterward. Remember, do not ever use water to put a grease fire out! This can cause the grease to splash and spread the fire further.

Accidents do still happen. If you experience a grease fire in your home and need fire damage repair, contact SERVPRO of Idaho Falls right away once the fire is out. We can be reached at any time by dialing (208) 523-5365.

Area Residents: Don't Let Fire Damage Ruin Your Next Vacation!

7/21/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Create Damage

SERVPRO Can Remediate All of Your Smoke and Soot Damage

From smoke damage caused by campfire smoke that the wind blew on your sleeping bags while they were airing out in the great outdoors to cooking disasters on the inside of your camper or cabin and beyond, we can help you eliminate those smelly odors and other types of fire damage.

Fire damage isn't just the burnt materials but is also smoke damage. Smoke damage has other sources in addition to fires, such as blocked chimneys and malfunctioning furnaces. If your cabin has a furnace, you should be aware that puff-back can cause smoke damage in a home or cabin.

Smoke and Soot Bring Microscopic but Highly Damaging Particles with Them

Blocked chimneys can create the same type of fine mist of smoke and soot to settle throughout your cabin as puff-back will produce, but if materials placed in the fireplace have been limited to only wood and paper, the soot is much easier to clean up. Wood- and paper-only fires have much less oily residue in them than other types of smoke have. However, the particles are microscopically tiny and can travel through the entire cabin before settling on something.

Puff-back happens when the furnace's supply of oil or gas is not timed correctly with the ignition of the fuel, and too much of that fuel is present or in the wrong location. When the fuel is ignited to begin a heating cycle, an explosion occurs. This explosion forces smoke and soot out of the furnace and through all areas of your home. Even the particles present in oily smoke are extremely small and can remain airborne for rather long periods of time before settling on something in your vacation home.

Cleaning and Eliminating that Horrible Smell in Your Cabin or Camper

Smoke and fire damage to your Ammon area property can quickly be removed by our professionals. We have earned the right training and certifications and have the extensive experience your cabin or camper deserves. At SERVPRO, we understand you want to live in, and also vacation in, a healthy environment. This is why we don't stop at just the cleaning-up stage but continue on with the odor elimination techniques needed to fully eliminate the aroma of burnt materials, including that of gas and oil from puff-back.

We clean textiles and upholstery in your cabin or camper, including upholstered furniture, curtains, rugs, wall hangings, and mattresses using several different methods. The techniques used depend on the type of soot and the material we are cleaning. When finished, we employ ozone-producing equipment to reduce the levels odor-causing soot particles found in your cabin's interior to non-detectable. These particles can exist in places that are nearly impossible to clean – however, the ozone employed is also microscopic in size and can eliminate bad odors in only a few hours.

If you've noticed the smell of fire damage in your cabin, call us – we are available 24/7 to take your call at SERVPRO of Idaho Falls at (208) 523-5365. We can help you save your vacation plans and get your cabin ready for your upcoming vacation.

Palisades Fire Damage - Fire Damage in Palisades and the Role that Fire Damage Professionals Play in the Recovery Process

4/4/2016 (Permalink)

Fires can cause major Palisades Fire Damage to your property.

Fire Damage Palisades - Fire Damage in Palisades and the Role that Fire Damage Professionals Play in the Recovery Process

Displacement for months at a time is not uncommon for people when a fire has occurred in their homes. Based on the severity of the Palisades Fire Damage, the family may need to make other living arrangements temporarily until they can move back into the home after all of the repairs are complete. In some cases, the timing for making the repairs may be only a couple of months while other situations the timing of the repairs can range as much as six months or more. Therefore, it is essential that the family gets started with initiating the recovery process as soon as they can.

With this said, if the Palisades fire damage from the fire is severe, most families need to contact a fire restoration company to help them with the entire process. Once contacted, they have the proper expertise to advise the owner on what needs to be done first. The role that they play involves numerous critical activities, some of which are listed below.

#1. Makes Sure Unauthorized Entry is taken care of
After the fire, most people find that they may be distracted by the fact that they have just entered into a devastating situation. In fact, in some cases, people may lose everything that they own, and may be left with solely the clothes that they were wearing at the time of the incident. Therefore, they may not be thinking clearly enough to ensure their property is not disturbed by those who are unauthorized. In fact, when this team enters the property, they are responsible for coordinating these and many of the activities that take place.

#2 – Begin the Process of Clean-up
As stated above, if the damage is severe enough, a significant part of the recovery process is cleaning up. Therefore, the team visits the site carrying the appropriate equipment and tools for these jobs. They also wear the appropriate gear so that they are not affected by smoke damage or any other related hazards related to the fire.

#3 – Provide an Assessment of What to do Going Forward
Because the fire damage is different in each circumstance, some somethings may or may not need to be done. Therefore, these professionals are also trained to provide the information that’s required to guide the family through the recovery process.

So, for those of you who need a contact for your situation, you should call SERVPRO of Idaho Falls at (208) 523-5365 today.

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (208) 523-5365