California Fire & Fire Mitigation

8/14/2023 (Permalink)

Tis the season - California wildfire season is upon us. What is Fire Mitigation? Wildfire mitigation is an action taken before a wildfire ignites to reduce its severity and negative impacts such as the destruction of homes. Forest management, prescribed fire, home hardening, and defensible space are common wildfire mitigation strategies. Even though you take every precautionary measures to protect your home from the flames, smoke can be a huge problem. At SERVPRO, we are experts at Restoring your home or business after fire damage to its pre-fire condition is our main goal. As a leading fire damage restoration company, we specialize in fire damage cleanup and fire damage restoration, smoke damage cleanup, and removal of smoke odors. Our team will deep clean and remove soot from walls, carpets, and upholstery.

When a Kitchen Fire Strikes

7/1/2021 (Permalink)

Our technicians are highly trained and experienced.

There are many occasions when we may need to start a controlled fire, like a bonfire or for a barbeque. When an unexpected fire happens in the home what should you do? What is the best way to handle the situation? Why call SERVPRO of La Mirada/South Whittier to take care of the damage?

The first reaction to seeing a fire in your home in South Whittier, you may be scared and panicked. Remain calm, that is a very important step so you do not rashly make decisions that may make the situations worse. You need to immediately leave the area where the fire is and close any doors to try to contain it. Help others get out of the dangerous area and get to a safe place away from the fire. Call 9-1-1. The fire department will arrive shortly after and put out the fire.

Why is SERVPRO of La Mirada/South Whittier the company to call? Our technicians are highly trained and experienced. We know how much damage fire and smoke can bring to your home and we want to take care of it as fast as we can in a professional manner.

Basic First Aid for Burn Care

6/22/2021 (Permalink)

What kind of aid can you provide for burns?

Basic First Aid for Burn Care

When your South Whittier, CA, business suffers a fire, fire damage isn’t your only concern. People may be injured, and you may have to contend with first aid on the spot while waiting for help. But what kind of aid can you provide for burns, and how can you tell a minor burn from a major burn?

Minor Burns

Minor burns may look no worse than a sunburn. They’re usually mildly reddened, with some blistering and pain. To qualify as a minor burn, the burn should be no more than 3 inches in diameter. While it’s best to seek professional medical care, initial emergency burn first aid for minor burns involves:

• Using a cold wet compress or cool water to reduce the temperature of the burned area
  
• Quickly getting rid of any clothing or tight jewelry that may compress or abrade the area
  
• Using lotion to soothe, preferably something water-based with aloe
  
• Covering the wound with a bandage; keep it loose and use sterile gauze
  
• Being careful not to apply enough pressure to break blisters
  
• Providing pain relief with over-the-counter meds as needed
  
  

Major Burns

Major burns cause deep traumatic harm and usually make the skin crisped or leathery. Some patches may appear black, brown, or white char. Major burns are larger than 3 inches and can be fatal. Steps you should take include:

• Immediately calling 911
  
• Moving the victim away from the source of the burn or fire damage
  
• Checking for steady respiration; use CPR/rescue breathing if needed
  
• Cutting or pulling clothing and restrictive accessories away from burned areas
  
• Gently covering the burn area with a cool, damp cloth or bandage
  
• Elevating the burn area above heart level
  
• Monitoring for shock
  
  

Things Not to Do

Be careful that investigating fire damage doesn’t lead to personal injury for yourself. For burn victims, do not submerge major burns in water as this can lead to hypothermia. Never use anything grease-based to cover the burn; grease can seal the heat of the burn against the skin.

What Should I Do After a Commercial Partial Loss?

5/24/2021 (Permalink)

Fire and soot damage to an office building in South Whittier, CA.

What To Do After A Partial Fire Loss?

No commercial fire loss is the same. Sometimes, a fire will completely consume the entirety of your South Whittier, CA, business. Other times, the fire is extinguished before it does or another nearby incident affects your building. The latter scenario, known as a partial loss, has different rules regarding insurance, inspection and repair. You need to take certain actions to resolve the problem efficiently.

Take the Situation Seriously
Not all fire damage is visible and obvious. Ash and smoke damage can be found inside air ducts, water appliances and other areas you might not immediately notice. Some structures may also be more vulnerable due to fire heat or sprinkler water. These incidents can impact the well-being of everyone inside and the productivity of the business. Treat this situation as a complete loss to prevent any damage escalation. Make sure your insurance company also covers the necessary repair and replacement expenses.

Request a Full Inspection and Restoration
Any type of fire loss warrants a full damage inspection and repairs as needed. The fire remediation company working on your case should check the following areas:

• Windows
  
• Iron and steel structures
  
• Roofs
  
• HVAC and plumbing
  
• Interior walls
  
  

These elements are crucial to your commercial building, but also the ones most vulnerable to fire heat. Run detailed inspections to fix them as soon as possible.

Work With Professionals
A partial loss still presents a challenge to you and your business, so you might not have all the necessary time and resources to handle the situation. Therefore, it is important to work with not just your insurance agency but also with professional fire restoration specialists. They have the right equipment and expertise to detect any potential issues you might not see immediately and fix them to keep your commercial building in strong shape.
Even if your property seems intact, it is still a fire loss if some items and structures are in need of a fix or a replacement. A complete inspection and remediation can prevent any future problems.

The Aftermath

5/2/2021 (Permalink)

These are just a few steps in the process of dealing with fire damage.

When a fire is put out, the results are insane. There is ash everywhere, everything is wet, your furniture and belongings get ruined. This would definitely be a stressful time for the homeowner in the La Mirada area.

Our job at SERVPRO of La Mirada/South Whittier is to take away that anxiety and stress you are facing and fix revert your home to its original condition. Our crew is highly trained and qualified to handle situations like these and we do our best to get in there look at what we need to take care of and accomplish in the fastest period of time. We would patch any holes or damaged areas the fire department may have caused when putting out the fire. Then, we would vacuum up any ash and clean up the debris. Next, we would clean the furniture to rid it of the smoke smell and make how it originally was.

These are just a few steps in the process of dealing with fire damage.

4 Things to Do After a Fire

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in Leffingwell, CA.

Things You Must Do After A Fire

A fire can be a trying time for a business owner. Knowing how to react afterward can protect your business from unexpected threats, like looting. Here is a list of things you must do after a fire.

1. Prepare Yourself
After the event, there will likely be serious fire damage. Your building will have extensive damage from the flames, smoke, heat, and water. Anything that was not burnt by the fire will likely be soaked with water. All of your equipment will need to undergo content cleaning before it looks like you remember. There will be holes in the walls. You will probably also see holes in the roof. Take a minute to prepare yourself for this sight before returning to your building.

2. Use Caution
You must use caution when entering a building that has seen fire damage. Any soot or smoke particles can be harmful to your health if inhaled. Avoid touching any damaged items and stirring up these particles. Always wait for permission from the fire department before entering your building.

3. Secure the Building
Do not enter a building with fire damage until you have been permitted to do so. This is because fires can restart even if they look like they are out. After entering, look for damage. Secure any holes that were cut into the exterior.
Also, check with the Leffingwell, CA fire department to see if you can use the utilities. If not, have them turned off. Do not turn them on until it is safe to do so.

4. Contact Your Insurance Company
Immediately contact your insurance agent. Ask them what you are allowed to do before the agent arrives to perform an inspection. Some may let you pump water out.
After this, ask what else you can do. Some will want a detailed list of items that were damaged. Include everything and the original prices of the items. Others will recommend that you contact a professional remediation company to get that process started.
Getting the fire cleanup process can seem like a daunting task. However, following these steps will get you started.

Heating Equipment Is the Leading Cause of Home Fires

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

House fire damage in La Mirada, CA.

Three Of The More Prevalent Concerns

Heating Equipment Is the Leading Cause of Home Fires

In 2021, the National Fire Protection Association released a study revealing home fire most often occurs as a result of heating equipment. In fact, between the years 2014 to 2018, research indicates that approximately 48,530 residents were impacted by heating equipment fires. With this information in mind, it's important that homeowners in La Mirada, CA, take extra care when using these devices.

1. Space Heaters
During the winter, temperatures drop drastically. In efforts to stay comfortable, owners turn to space heaters to warm up the area. The portable devices are convenient since they emit intense heat. This power, however, when placed near flammable objects, has the ability to spark a fire that quickly consumes a home. While only used during a portion of the year, this equipment is considered the leader in fire causes.
If using this unit, remain in the room at all times. Sleeping with it on is not recommended. Be sure to use the proper fuel supply, and keep it away from other objects. Give up to three to five feet of distance from other valuables, and make sure it is out of the reach of children.

2. Fireplaces
Architects designed chimneys so that residents could use a home fire safely; yet, if this space is not cleaned properly or is left unattended, this convenience could become troublesome. As wood burns, it produces a dark brown substance known as creosote. This byproduct is flammable. Have specialists inspect and clear it out regularly to safeguard from unexpected outbreaks. Like heaters, remain in the vicinity.

3. Utility Equipment
Maintenance costs may seem frustrating, but the cost of repairs with a fire cleaning and remediation company is more expensive. Assess water heats and central heat systems for malfunctioning parts or rust buildup. Annual tune-ups are helpful.
A home fire can consume property within a short matter of time. To prevent this situation, adopt safety measures and perform routine maintenance cleanings and checks.

5 Business Preparation Tips for Fire Safety

3/22/2021 (Permalink)

Create an emergency escape plan for your business.

5 Business Preparation Tips for Fire Safety

When you're trying to prepare your La Mirada, CA, company for a possible business fire you may turn to the advice of professionals like those working at your fire damage restoration service. Here are five tips that may be recommended to you in order to help keep your business property safe.

1. Make an Emergency Plan

One of the first things you can do for fire preparation at your place of business is to create an emergency plan. This plan should contain all the information needed by your employees in the event of a fire. This should include emergency exits, locations of fire extinguishers, and important phone numbers.

2. Keep Extinguisher’s Accessible

It's also important to make sure that any fire safety equipment, such as a fire extinguisher or alarm pool, are easily accessible. They should be inspected regularly to ensure their functionality and replaced in the event they are not working.

3. Have a Suppression System

The installation of a fire suppression system can also help prevent a business fire. There are many system types to choose from, so you may want to ask a professional which system is the most suitable for your business property.

4. Maintain Any Equipment

One way to help avoid fire damage is to maintain any equipment you use. This means suspecting regularly for any areas of disrepair and either having a professional restore the unit, or investing in a new one. Frayed cords or damaged components have the potential to cause a fire.

5. Follow Safety Procedures

When using machinery or equipment in your place of business it's important to follow the recommended safety procedures. These are set in place to help avoid potential problems such as sparking a fire.

When preparing your company for a business fire, it's important to keep these tips in mind. Making an emergency plan, keeping fire extinguishers easily accessible, and installing a fire suppression system are all great steps to take. Additionally, you may want to make sure that any equipment you use is properly maintained and follow all safety protocols for its use.

How to Fire-Proof Your Home

5/25/2020 (Permalink)

Looking through a window at a fire-damaged home

House fires are devastating and can cause severe financial issues, especially if you don’t have insurance covering the damages. However, there are measures you can take to fire-proof your home and keep your family, property, and possessions safe.  

Install Smoke Alarms

The earlier you detect a fire, the faster you can react and mitigate the damage - provided the fire is manageable. Install smoke alarms strategically throughout the home. Also, make sure the smoke alarms are situated away from air vents. Conduct a maintenance check of your smoke alarms to make sure they’re working.

Invest in a Fire Extinguisher

It would be a shame if after installing a smoke alarm you can’t do anything to prevent the spread of fire. A fire extinguisher strategically located and within timely reach can help clear minor fires quickly. Be sure to invest in a high-quality fire extinguisher and to keep it well maintained.

Use Building Materials that are Resistant to Fire

Some building materials are more prone to fire so it’s best to use fire-resistant materials wherever possible. Concrete panels, bricks for exterior walls, and steel frames are excellent options for your fire-proof home. 

Design Your Landscape In a Way That Can Slow the Spread of Fires

There are cases when fires come from outside your home. A landscape designed to slow fires from reaching your home can help minimize or even prevent fire damage. Hard landscaping such as concrete and gravel are good choices. Also, make sure to get rid of dry vegetation since this can make the fire stronger, especially during the summer.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (714) 361-0572

FASTER TO ANY SIZE DISASTER

SERVPRO of Diamond Bar South Ponoma is locally owned and operated, so we’re already close by and ready to respond immediately when you need us. We’re also part of a national network of over 1,700 Franchises, which gives us access to more resources for larger cleaning or restoration projects or major storm scenarios.