The Basics of Electrical Fire Safety | SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington

6/16/2023 (Permalink)

Disasters can happen at anytime. That's why SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington is available 24/7 to help you recover from any disaster.

Fires in a home or business can be a completely devastating, overwhelming event. Regardless of how they started, they can leave you sifting through ashes and facing smoke, soot and lingering odors for what feels like will be the rest of your days.

Electrical fires account for nearly 34,000 house fires every year. Nearly $1.3 billion in damages are counted as a result of electrical fires, and death is often a result when this terrible disaster strikes.

The good news is that there are steps you can take to protect your home from electrical fires. You can both put action in place that will help prevent a fire from beginning as well as learn the warning signs to look for to stop issues before they become a disaster.

The Great Neck Fire Damage Restoration Timeline

12/14/2022 (Permalink)

Great Neck property owners breathe a sigh of relief when SERVPRO arrives for fire damage cleanup and restoration.

SERVPRO Works Fast to Mitigate Fire Damage

From electrical accidents to grease fires, the causes of these disasters are widespread and ultimately need several steps to mitigate and restore. SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington has a fast response to these emergencies, incorporating multiple vehicles from our fleet stocked with needed equipment. We can rapidly focus our efforts on mitigation and emergency services to protect the property.

Emergency Services After Fire Damage

Fire damage to Great Neck homes requires fast and intentional actions taken as early as possible. Once the fire gets extinguished, professionals like ours must begin the required restoration and recovery steps to overcome the most pressing structural and safety concerns. One of the practical actions of this process is removing the debris and bulk materials damaged by widespread combustion and smoke damage.

What Must Be Done After Fire Damage?

It is crucial to identify the full extent of the damage to your household or business after the disaster. Widespread effects could exist, especially at the ignition points. Production management, our most experienced field team members, walk through the property and catalog loss and begin forming the restoration plan to come. Early efforts for recovery include steps to make the property safe for technicians and house occupants alike.

Making the Environment Safe

A safer workspace for technicians involves several necessary steps to protect the exposed structural elements, environments, and responding team members. Much of the dangers have to do with circulating airborne particles such as smoke solids and soot, which can be avoided with the appropriate personal protective equipment. Our team can overcome these airborne threats with well-placed HEPA 500 air scrubbers and hydroxyl machines.

Cleaning Surfaces and Contents

Soot management is a considerable concern, as these particles can cause additional damage. Cleaning should be carefully considered to prevent more particles from becoming airborne and protect the underlying substrate affected by the smoke solids and soils heaping up on horizontal surfaces.

Managing Offensive Fire Damage Malodors

Odors are a common concern for those contending with fire loss events. Combustion impacts hundreds of materials throughout a household, many of which can generate offensive malodors. Strong smells become a formidable obstacle in restoration, so our professionals respond with the deodorization products and equipment available in our supply.

What Makes SERVPRO a Top Choice?

There are no shortages of restoration companies, but few have the accolades and acknowledgments that our SERVPRO team does from the parent brand, former customers, and the insurance providers in the area that allowed us to become a preferred vendor. Choosing our roster is a conscious decision for:

• Experience – With training and coursework through the IICRC and continued education in-house for our technicians, few have the hands-on experience and knowledge of industry standards like our SERVPRO fire recovery professionals.
• Leading Equipment – We continue to pour our resources into the equipment, machines, products, and tools needed to complete facets of fire recovery and restoration services. Cutting-edge gear makes restoration happen at a faster rate.
• Customer Satisfaction – Few parent companies emphasize the customer like SERVPRO. Each franchise focuses on the needed steps to keep homeowners comfortable during fire restoration services and answer any occupants' questions.

Great Neck fire damage events require the top trained professionals of our roster to deploy cutting-edge equipment and technologies to help. Our SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington team works fast to get your house back to normal after disasters like fires. Give us a call today at (516) 767-9600.

A Fire Has Destroyed Various Parts of My Manhasset Property. Where Should I Seek Help to Restore it?

9/14/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO gives you access to expertly trained fire remediation specialists that put vast resources and years of experience to work for you.

Hire SERVPRO Technicians in Manhasset to Handle the Fire Damage on Your Property.

After a fire, what follows can overwhelm property owners. However, taking action immediately by working with fire restoration professionals can halt further damage in your Manhasset home. SERVPRO professionals have the skills and expertise to restore homes after fire loss incidents of any size or scope.

How Can I Help in the Restoration Process?

Most homeowners might want to begin the restoration process and do what they can to make it efficient. However, handling fire damage in your Manhasset property using household cleaning agents can worsen the situation. You may smear the residues and cause them to seep further into the affected surfaces.

Therefore, it is essential to wait for restoration experts to handle the restoration process. We have the proper equipment, tools, resources, and products to restore building materials and items safely. You can help in the restoration process by setting salvageable items aside. That can enable our technicians to be more efficient during recovery.

Do I Need Professional Restorers After a Small Fire?

Regardless of the size of the fire, cleaning the smoke and soot residues is difficult without proper skills and equipment. Small fires can cause significant damage in a short while and leave persisting odor if not cleaned effectively. Also, soot and smoke residues can leave permanent damage if ignored for over 48 hours. SERVPRO’s team of technicians has decades of experience that help us restore homes in a brief period.

Do I Have to Move Out During Restoration?

This decision depends on the severity of the damage. If we find out that the structure is not stable, you should move out temporarily. However, if the fire only affected a small portion of the house, you can stay.

Which Items Should I Take When Moving Out?

We advise our customers to take personal or valuable items with them when moving out. They include items like:

•   Personal documents
•   Medications
•   Family valuables and artwork
•   Cash and credit cards

How do you Clean Smoke and Soot on Furniture and Shelves?

Furniture and shelves can be challenging to clean. However, our technicians can use mild detergents such as wood oil soap that do not contain harsh alkalis. We can use concentrated wood oil soap to clean your finished wood surfaces. We can apply the product to the no-wax floor finishes, leather, ceramic tile, countertops, and walls. After cleaning, we can polish the surfaces using an all-purpose wax polish. We can use furniture polish on your kitchen cabinets and furniture to provide more luster, shine, and protection.

Do not expose your family to the secondary damage of a fire. Contact SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington today at (516) 767-9600 to restore your property quickly. We can make the fire loss appear “Like it never even happened.”

Fire Damage In Your Great Neck Home

7/17/2022 (Permalink)

When your home has fire damage, there is a great urgency to get it back to like it was before. Contact SERVPRO to assess and remediate the damage.

Efficiently Restore Your Great Neck Home to Like-New Condition After Suffering Fire Damage

A range of emotions come over you the moment that you set your eyes upon the devastation after a house fire. The interior of your home is left with a pile of saturated possessions from extinguishing the fire, and all of the debris is charred and dirty. SERVPRO understands how important it is for you to get your home back to normal, so we employ the use of a variety of tried-and-true methods and start working quickly.

Once we arrive at your property to clean up fire damage in Great Neck, we assess the overall fallout from the fire to put into motion the best steps to take for cleanup and restoration. Charred building materials and personal belongings get moved out, and everything is examined thoroughly to determine what is salvageable and what is not.

Inspection

Skilled SERVPRO technicians go through fire loss areas of your home, looking for all salvageable items. Porous materials have the least chance of restoration due to high soot and smoke absorption levels. Non-porous materials have a high salvageability rate, especially with the use of our advanced cleaning methods.

Cleaning Methods

The process for cleaning up fire damage is unique to every situation, so there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach. Technicians test items and surfaces to determine the proper cleaning agents and methods to provide the best results for soot and smoke residue removal. We also provide pack-out services with full cleaning at our facility with a process known as immersion cleaning.

Immersion is a cleaning method for non-porous items that utilizes high-frequency sound waves that generate millions of bubbles that scrub and agitate all contaminants from contents placed within the tank. We also provide wet cleaning, dry cleaning, foam cleaning, and abrasive cleaning based on the contents and the level of residue removal required.

Repairs

After the cleanup of the fire loss event is complete, SERVPRO compiles a report assisting you with filing the claim with your insurance provider. This report includes all restoration actions taken as well as the suggested repairs to complete the restoration process fully. With such attention to detail, SERVPRO technicians save you the stress of having to take care of these details at such a difficult time.

Call us whenever you require fast, efficient help with fire damage to your home. You can reach the team at SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington by calling (516) 767-9600.

Deodorizing Your Home in Great Neck After a Fire

6/11/2022 (Permalink)

Pungent Protein fires after a kitchen blaze in Great Neck need professional restoration for good indoor air quality--Call SERVPRO

After Fire Damage to Your Great Neck Home

Fires can occur any time of year but can be more of a challenge during a cold New York winter. When the temperature outside quickly cools the contents of your home, it may be more challenging to recuperate afterward if the thick smoke residue settles throughout the structure. It is crucial to deal with the aftermath of a fire quickly and expertly to ensure your home and its contents are restored to their pre-fire condition.

If you are dealing with fire damage in your Great Neck home, contact SERVPRO immediately and have our trained technicians create a restoration plan specifically to suit your situation. Attacking odors after a fire can be one of the most challenging aspects of restoring your home.

Technicians remove valuable contents to have them cleaned by specialists or to ensure that smoke odors do not penetrate further into porous surfaces. After removing of contents, the SERVPRO team searches for the source of the smoke odor. Typically, it is wherever the fire started within the home. The team removes the appliance or heat source that originally emanated the offensive odors; this way, no remaining odors are coming from the source.

Odor Removal

SERVPRO technicians often use thermal foggers to dispense solvent-based deodorants. The deodorants go through a heated area in the machine that combusts the solution, breaking it down into microscopic particles that can disburse anywhere throughout the home. These one-half micron-sized particles pair with the offensive odor, neutralizing it by changing its composition. During the fogging process, technicians wear personal protective gear and make sure that residents, pets, and plants are not in the home. Residents may return to the home after the fogged area airs out, and it is easy to breathe.

Another deodorization technique is vapor odor control. The goal here is to attack vapors found within the air. Technicians release products created to release deodorant vapors into the air, counteracting the malodor vapors upon contact. Vapor odor control and thermal fogging work together to combat odors since SERVPRO technicians use a combination of techniques.

SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington is available to assist 24/7 after fire damage. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (516) 767-9600.

Deodorizing Your Home In Great Neck After A Fire

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO technicians can tackle fire damage and remaining odor related issues. Our technicians are standing by 24/7 to take your emergency call.

Deodorizing After Fire Damage to Your Great Neck Home

Fires can occur any time of year but can be more of a challenge during a cold New York winter. When the temperature outside quickly cools the contents of your home, it may be more challenging to recuperate afterward if the thick smoke residue settles throughout the structure. It is crucial to deal with the aftermath of a fire quickly and expertly to make sure your home and its contents are restored to their pre-fire condition.

If you find yourself dealing with fire damage in your Great Neck home, contact SERVPRO right away and have our trained technicians create a restoration plan specifically to suit your situation. Attacking odors after a fire can be one of the most challenging aspects of restoring your home.

Technicians remove valuable contents to have them cleaned by specialists or to ensure that smoke odors do not penetrate further into porous surfaces. After the removal of contents, the SERVPRO team searches for the source of the smoke odor. Typically, it is wherever the fire started within the home. The team removes the appliance or heat source that originally emanated the offensive odors; this way, no remaining odors are coming from the source.

SERVPRO IICRC-certified technicians often use thermal foggers to dispense solvent-based deodorants. The deodorants go through a heated area in the machine that combusts the solution, breaking it down into microscopic particles that can disburse anywhere throughout the home. These one-half micron-sized particles pair with the offensive odor, neutralizing it by changing its composition. During the fogging process, technicians wear personal protective gear and make sure that residents, pets, and plants are not in the home. Residents may return to the home after the fogged area airs out, and it is easy to breathe.

Another deodorization technique is vapor odor control. The goal here is to attack vapors found within the air. Technicians release products created to release deodorant vapors into the air, counteracting the malodor vapors upon contact. Vapor odor control and thermal fogging work together to combat odors since SERVPRO technicians use a combination of techniques.

SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington is available to assist 24/7 after fire damage. We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster. Contact us at (516) 767-9600.

What Should Manhasset Residents Look For in a Fire Damage Restoration Service?

2/17/2022 (Permalink)

Don’t let fire damage overwhelm you, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington.

SERVPRO Serves the Manhasset Area with Fire Cleanup Available 24/7

When the need for house fire cleanup arises, the situation is already stressful for Manhasset property owners. There are several good points to consider to drill down to the best choice for a restoration company. 

One of the first things homeowners with a post-fire property should look for in Manhasset fire damage restoration service is availability. SERVPRO techs never make property owners wait until the next business day. The team takes calls around the clock, including holidays, and arrives within a few hours to begin the cleanup. Some of the other things to notice about a company is:

• Whether or not the team members have training in handling fire damage
• The use of safety equipment
• Securing of the property
• Confirmation from the fire department, it is safe to enter
• Communicating with the adjuster as needed
• Ability to handle water damage

Extensive Ongoing Training

SERVPRO techs undergo rigorous training and continue their education as advances happen in the restoration services industry. When the techs arrive to perform the mitigation, they use the latest equipment and methods for the best possible outcome. 

Safety and Security

Soot is unhealthy to breathe or come into contact with, and SERVPRO techs use safety equipment and secure the property. They board up the windows and door as needed to keep unauthorized individuals out of the worksite. Additionally, any temporary repairs such as covering broken windows or holes in the roof with a tarp get done. 

Assistance with Insurance Claims

SERVPRO can help homeowners make the insurance claims process go smoother by communicating directly with the insurance adjuster assigned with the claim. This keeps both the property owner and the adjuster in the loop for the fire cleanup job as it progresses. 

When they need fire damage restoration services, Manhasset residents call SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 767-9600. The techs can handle all sizes, from a single room to a multistory structure. 

Fire Damage Restoration of Great Neck Properties Happens Fast with SERVPRO

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

When you need skilled technicians using professional cleaning agents and tools for fire damage restoration in Great Neck--call SERVPRO

Why Do Great Neck Homeowners Trust SERVPRO for Fire Damage Restoration?

Fire damage restoration of your Great Neck property involves several activities, from cleaning the smoke and soot residue to deodorization. Hiring professionals like SERVPRO can help you restore your home  to its preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

SERVPRO techs use various methods to clean residues from surfaces during fire damage restoration of your Great Neck home. While some situations do require the use of chemical cleaning agents, mechanical agitation is sufficient in others. SERVPRO techs use mechanical agitation in cases where a light concentration of non-greasy residue is present on non-porous surfaces. Based on the amount of agitation required, SERVPRO techs use different pieces of equipment.

Mechanical Agitation Equipment That SERVPRO Techs use During House Fire Cleanup in Great Neck

The mechanical agitation process can be classified into mild, medium, and heavy depending on the amount of force offered.

SERVPRO techs use feather dusters, brushes, and compressed air to achieve mild agitation. It is one of the safest mechanical methods to clean almost any kind of surface. However, a gentle agitation is not useful if the amount of soot is heavy or wet.

Dry chemical sponges, cleaning towels, and dusting cloths offer medium agitation. Crumbly Cleaner that SERVPRO techs use on Great Neck properties works by absorbing the residue and falling apart, much like a pencil eraser. It also provides medium agitation.

Roto pads and blast cleaning with sand, baking soda, or dry ice provide a heavy agitation. While these methods are quite effective, they are not useful on delicate surfaces. 

SERVPRO techs choose the agitation methods that eliminate the residue as much as possible without harming the surface being cleaned.

If you want assistance with fire damage restoration of your home, call SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 767-9600.

Overcoming Smoke Damage to Manhasset Homes After a Fire

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

No mater the size of the fire, smoke and soot can cause damage far from the blaze.

Experienced Restoration Professionals are Ready 24/7 to Help with Post-Fire Recovery of Manhasset Homes

While the fire that your home experiences can be destructive, lingering effects created by smoke damage can create issues of their own. Our fast responding technicians have mitigation strategies to overcome smoke damage; however it impacts your property.

Improving Indoor Air Quality

Smoke damage can be a focal point of fire damage restoration in Manhasset homes. Getting emergency services started as soon as possible can be critical to protecting the property and its contents. One such action is reducing the presence of airborne contaminants and solids, often completed with the placement of HEPA air scrubbers.

Removing Soils and Smoke Residues

Overcoming soot and smoke damage can be one of the most significant obstacles our fire restoration professionals face when working in a damaged home. Partial combustion can create soot particles that adhere to surfaces and come to rest on horizontal planes. Depending on the affected material, we have multiple cleaning approaches, such as:

• Wet cleaning
• Chem sponges
• Media blasting
• Controlled demolition
  

Removing Harsh Odors from the House

Smoke damage can often be in the form of harsh odors spread throughout the property. The troublesome aspect of noxious smells is their ability to move far beyond the damaged area to impact other rooms of the house through avenues like the HVAC system. We rely on reduction techniques to limit the severity of odors before full deodorization practices begin.

Smoke damage presents itself in multiple ways after a fire. When these damaging facts are present, we have experienced technicians capable of helping mitigate loss and remove soot and smoke residues where they are found. Our SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington team is available 24/7 at (516) 767-9600.

Why Does Fire Damage Leave Dark Stains on Great Neck Home Furniture?

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

Cleaning soot and fire damaged fabrics or porous surfaces in Great Neck is best left to SERVPRO

Great Neck SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Mitigates Soot and Smoke Stains

Home fires impact Great Neck homeowners’ property in many ways ranging from hard-to-remove soot stains to strong malodors. Fire suppression efforts can worsen soot penetration by exposing soot to water, which can corrode metals on the property.

Certified SERVPRO fire damage cleanup preserves Great Neck homes by carefully removing soot and soils. SERVPRO’s restoration-focused mitigation minimizes structure and contents damages where possible per Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) standards.

SERVPRO’s Fire and Soot Residue Cleanup for Fabrics, Fibers, and Furniture

SERVPRO professionals address fire-damaged fibers and upholstery with careful precision that renders many surfaces restorable.

• While mattresses can be left largely unscathed by soot exposure due to layers of bedding absorbing smoke particles, box springs may sustain stains or odors from smoke. These residues can also stick to mattress and box spring ticking
• Inexpensive lampshades are more cost-effective to replace than to repair after fire exposure. However, with careful wet cleaning or solvent-based dry cleaning, more expensive lampshades are often salvageable
• Upholstery care strategies differ greatly based on the materials affected. This process typically starts with pre-cleaning and removal of dry soils. After that:
  • Light to moderate damages can often be mitigated with dry solvents or vacuuming with HEPA-filter vacuums
  • Heavier soils from wet smoke or long-term exposure on colorfast fabrics can be cleaned with a one-percent chlorine bleach solution as a last resort

Property owners can call SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 767-9600 for “Like it never even happened,” restoration services.

Fire Damage Restoration on a Great Neck Homes

8/12/2021 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a fire is very devastating. SERVPRO technicians are trained and experienced in fire damage restoration of any size.

Residential Fire Damage Restoration Involves Many Important Steps. 

In the aftermath of a house fire, Great Neck residents are usually eager to begin the fire cleanup and restoration process. They are often overwhelmed by the destruction of the event and unsure of exactly what must be done. This situation is why the assistance of expert fire remediators is necessary.

While fire damage restoration on your Great Neck residence may seem like an insurmountable task, there are quality services like SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington that know what must be done. In our more than thirteen years of helping local homeowners, we have successfully performed house fire cleanup jobs, smoke remediation work, and full fire damage restoration on their fire-damaged homes. As a result, our highly skilled technicians know all the crucial steps in restoring a fire-impacted residence to its pre-fire state.

The Necessary Steps in CleanUp and Restoring Fire-Damaged Homes are: 

• Clearing away smoke-filled air and making interior environments safe by employing state-of-the-art air movers, air scrubbers, ozone machines, and other advanced air-cleaning equipment
• Sanitizing HVAC ductwork and preventing the further spread of smoke particles with high-tech HVAC cleaning systems
• Using wet, dry, abrasive, and innovative methods to remove fire-related residues and clean impacted surfaces around affected homes
• Treating smoke-impacted areas and surfaces with foggers using commercial-grade deodorants 
• Performing minor-to-extensive reconstructive work, which could include everything from minor repairs to complete reconstructions, on parts of homes affected by a fire

Once all of these measures have been taken, residences are usually returned to their pre-fire state, and it is often difficult to even notice that a fire has ever occurred. 

With that said, if your home ever experiences a fire, rest assured that nearby fire damage restoration help is available. Call your friendly SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington at (516) 767-9600 for assistance.

We Are Available 24/7 In Manhasset For All Your Restoration Needs

5/26/2021 (Permalink)

Adequate restoration services for fire damage are unacceptable. SERVPRO will have your home back to preloss condition A.S.A.P., call now for the help

Move-Out Procedures Used To Tackle Fire Damage In Your Manhasset Home

Dealing with fire on your Manhasset property can be grueling for anyone. However, it is a time that you should be worrying about your family, not about whether or not your restoration company can supply you with adequate services. You want to work with a company that helps make the entire process successful and far less stressful. 

On occasion, fire damage in your Manhasset area home can be severe enough to warrant moving contents to a safe, clean, controlled environment. The primary tasks involved in a move-out procedure performed by our team fall into six phases. We communicate clearly and consistently throughout the process, helping you understand each phase. 

SERVPRO technicians conduct an initial scope and estimate to determine the production staff and supplies required to complete the move-out process. The scope also assists in reaching an agreement between all parties (Insurance Adjuster, Restorer, and You) about what should happen to restore specific items.

At SERVPRO, the most time-consuming part of any move-out involves hours spent inventorying, packing, and moving contents to a warehouse or storage area. We use an organized approach during this phase to help with efficiency, accuracy, and safety.

Our team sorts items into two distinct categories during the packing and inventory process;

• Clean Items - Restorable contents that require cleaning and return packaging.
• Claim Items - Contents that are not restorable, often replaced by insurance.
• Movers and packers take precautions against causing additional fire damage while moving contents from your home to the storage facility. There are specific packing procedures for transporting lamps and shades, glass shelves, mattresses, pictures, paintings, dishware, and essential documents.

Once at the storage facility, SERVPRO teams clean, deodorize, and restore move-out items using an orderly assembly-line approach. Each item receives significant attention and a unique solution depending on the type of material and amount of exposure.

After cleaning and inspecting move-out contents, we make arrangements to return items after completing any construction and restoration services on the structure. We make every effort to accomplish these tasks in a timely, efficient manner, allowing you to return to your home as soon as possible. 

Call SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington 24-hours a day, 7-days a week, to access full-service fire damage solutions throughout the area. (516) 767-9600

Smoke Remediation in a Great Neck Home Requires Specialized Equipment

4/23/2021 (Permalink)

Great Neck Property Owners Breathe a Sigh of Relief when SERVPRO Arrives for House Fire Cleanup and Restoration

SERVPRO has the Latest in Techniques and Equipment to Restore Homes in Great Neck

You may feel smoke damage in your home even when the fire does not occur within your walls. If you live in a multi-family unit or apartment building, smoke may travel through the ventilation system and invade your space with its offending smell. If the flames burn in your property, your need for fire and smoke damage restoration and cleanup may be more significant.

SERVPRO specializes in fire damage restoration in Great Neck. When fire-damaged homes need cleanup, many property owners fail to recognize that each surface requires a plan tailored to its characteristics. The EPA-approved solutions we use can be abrasive to some materials, and our certified team of experts operates accordingly. Agitation helps us dislodge residue and facilitate its removal. Some examples of agitation techniques include-

• Dry cleaning sponges- the friction and porosity of the sponge attracts loose soil on a surface. Although not recommended for greasy residue, it is ideal for the remains of dry smoke.
• Compressed air- the air pressure helps us blast air and dislodge particles from crevices and edges. Our SERVPRO team regulates the strength of the compressed air to protect the surfaces and items being cleaned.
• Abrasive powders- as the name implies, these are abrasive and need to be used carefully. This type of solution is applied and removed as suggested by industry best practices and only on surfaces that can withstand their strength.

When you contact the professional team of SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington at (516) 767-9600, you gain access to specialized products and equipment. Our team is ready to manage your fire restoration needs with complete restoration and loss mitigation as our goal.

Winter Water Sports in Great Neck Take Place from February Onwards

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO box trucks are stocked with fire damage equipment mitigation to quickly restore your Great Neck property

Great Neck's Waterways are an Excellent Place to Pickup a New Skill this Winter

Two bodies of water surround Great Neck. The Atlantic Ocean on the eastern side of Long Island provides waves and beaches, while the western Long Island Sound is ideal for windsurfing and jet-skiing. Watersports NYC is located on Stepping Stone park providing residents and visitors with both the equipment and training they need. The instructors are knowledgeable of the surrounding area and are qualified to teach from beginner through to advanced levels. Flyboarding is among the specialties here, which is a relatively new water sport invented in 2012. The equipment uses hydro jets to push riders above the water. While it may look complicated, the learning time is around five to ten minutes to get a fundamental skill requisite. The local independent company supports group bookings, gift bookings, and individuals.

• Stepping Stone Park is located on the Northern Shore of Long Island.
• Flyboarding instructors have both safety and technical training certificates.
• Bookings can be made online or through their website.

A house fire can cause significant deteriorating damage to your home and contents. Contact SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 494-3869.

Take a Water Taxi From Port Washington For Unforgettable Winter Views of Manhasset Bay.

12/21/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is looking forward to seeing the sights on Manhasset Bay!

Manhasset Bay is an Idyllic Marina and Boardwalk, Which is Best-Viewed by Water Taxi.

The Port Washington Water Taxi was set up nearly 20 years ago by local Matt Meyran. The laid back ambiance of viewing the bay from the water has proven to be a massive hit with tourists and residents who, surprisingly, do not often go on the water. The trip runs from 8 am till midnight during the weekend and until 10 pm on weekdays. Tours can last anywhere from fifteen to ninety minutes long and are available through December and January. Highlights include wildlife, which provides for Dolphins, Turtles, and Osprey. Equally impressive are the views of the Execution LightHouse. Water Taxi passengers can even stay the night at the lighthouse, which starts at 300 dollars per room. 

• The Execution Rocks Lighthouse is registered as a historically significant structure and is undergoing restoration works.
• The City Island Restaurant Tour takes passengers from Manhasset Bay to City Island for a unique dining experience.
• For views of the Gold Coast and its influence on writer Fitzgerald the Great Gatsby Tour is available by boat throughout December.

Property fires can occur by leaving a stove unattended or due to appliance malfunctions. Contact SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 767-9600 for expert restoration of your home and contents.

Fire and Smoke Cleanup Can Be a Challenge for Great Neck Residents.

11/13/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington values their work and their community. Call SERVPRO when it comes to fire damage.

SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington has the Experience and Expertise to Neutralize Smoke Odors and Remove Fire Residues from your Home. 

Great Neck Village is one of the oldest settlements in the United States, dating back to 1644. It is a part of Nassau County and partners with nine other unique villages on Long Island. This small village's importance lies in its status as a business and commerce destination throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With business booming, it quickly developed into a thriving community. The construction of the New York City Washington Line saw a real-estate boom and the population of this "old village" more than tripled between 1922 and 1960. The rising population saw more areas incorporated into Great Neck Village, including Vista Hill, Strathmore, and Baker Hill. 

The village of Great Neck has been called home by several American luminaries, including J.P. Morgan and Walter Chrysler, who lived on Long Island. However, the writer Fitzgerald best captured the community of this New York City outpost in his seminal work The Great Gatsby- the 'West Egg' in the novel is based on King's Point, one of the more affluent neighborhoods in the Old Village. Fitzgerald and his wife took up residence in Great Neck on Gateway Drive, and it was here that he penned the world-famous novel. During the warmer months, a Great Gatsby Boat Tour can be picked up from the bay. Politically, Long Island is equally as crucial as it is to business and literary circles with Eleanor Roosevelt heading the UN commission of human rights at Great Neck's Lake Success. The nine villages that make up Great Neck have around 40,000 people, including heads of multinational corporations, political figures, and business leaders.

• Long Island is just seven miles away from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, with many spectators of the US open staying in Great neck Village during the tournament.
• The Nassau County Museum of Art has 145 acres of grounds and was established as a cultural center for contemporary and traditional art pieces and located on Roslyn Harbor.
• The Belmont Park Racetrack features two racing schedules each year. The triple crown challenges the most demanding course, the Belmont Stakes, takes place here each year.
• Rare wildlife, including Osprey, Trailing Arbutus, and Pixie Moss, can be observed by taking a trip to the nearby Connetquot River State Park Preserve on High Route 27.
• The Gold Coast Mansions along West Gate Drive are among the most iconic in the US. Regular tours past the homes of Theodore Roosevelt, Jackson Pollock, and Walt Whitman are readily available to visitors of Great Neck. 

Shopping in Great Neck Plaza

The shopping district of Great Neck has an international reputation with some of the finest fashion brands, boutiques, and furniture stores waiting to be explored along the promenade. Just off South Middle Neck Road, this plaza features over 250 unique shops and fashion outlets. Proximity to Manhattan ensures that Long Island retains a cutting edge when it comes to fashion choices. Garden on Old Country Road stands out as one of the highlights for finding a wealth of options and stores. Once you are finished shopping at some of the best-branded outlets in the world, you can head to the village's beaches, golf courses, or historical sites. 

The beaches of Great Neck and Long Island

The beaches of Long Island and Great Neck have a unique character that has made them a central attraction for visitors worldwide. Typically characterized by their white sands and pretty wooden promenades, there are many beach-front restaurants, bars, and boardwalks to explore. Many of these beaches have won annual awards and feature volleyball, surfing schools, paddling, and swimming classes.

• Jones Beach State Park is a barrier island with a 6.5 mile stretch of white sand facing the Atlantic Ocean. Jones Beach features two massive bathhouses as well as iconic mosaics that run along the Central Mall Walkway. An amphitheater plays music and performance during the summer months.
• Coopers Beach came in third place on a list of the United States' best beaches this year, rising one spot from the previous two years when it finished fourth. This gold coast beach is exclusive, with guests having to apply for non-resident passes to visit.
• East Hampton Main Beach on Ocean Avenue included a harbor and was rated as one of the US's top ten beaches. This quiet getaway is immaculate and an excellent example of the fair, white sands that characterize the gold coast.

SERVPRO Provides Expert Fire and Smoke Damage Cleanup to Great Neck Residents All Year Round.

The common causes of property fires are malfunctioning appliances, electrical malfunctions, or human errors, such as leaving a stove unattended. While most house fires are controlled quickly, even a small fire can cause significant cosmetic damage to property. The movement of smoke through a structure occurs rapidly when materials combust while microscopic odors can permeate soft fabrics and cracks and crevices. Often the process of restoring a property requires careful pre-testing to avoid causing damage through the application of cleaning agents, especially in properties with sensitive fabrics or materials. SERVPRO technicians have extensive experience assessing a property and putting in place a practical game-plan to return it to its pre loss condition. 

• Our services include stripping and refinishing valuable features such as hardwood floors, which may become damaged by high temperatures or falling soots. 
• Odor Control Technicians can mobilize advanced deodorizing equipment and fumigate properties to tackle unwanted burnt odors that may persist after a fire. 
• In-depth knowledge of material building assemblies and installation can help technicians perform efficient cleanup of fire debris and soiling after a home emergency. 
• Our specialty services include the restoration of artwork, electronics (exteriors), or valuable ornaments available at the property owner's request. 

Fires can cause damage to home or contents even after the flames are extinguished. Contact SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 219-9674 for urgent assistance.

Why Is The Type Of Soot Important When Planning Fire Damage Restoration?

9/17/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Removes the Soot and Smoke--"Like it never even happened."

Great Neck Homeowners Are Looking For Thorough Fire Damage Recovery.

People living in Great Neck understand the importance of fire safety in the home. After all, a disaster is often costly to recover from, and means dealing with insurance, upheaval, and loss.

Unfortunately, a disaster can still happen, no matter how careful you are. If you need fire damage restoration in Great Neck, you need a service that understands the fire theory and the impact of soot damage.

What is soot?

Soot is the residue left over after the incomplete burning of organic materials. Soot is composed mostly of carbon but may also contain traces of metal, chemicals, and dust. Soot can circulate and coat many unaffected rooms after a small, isolated house fire. The cleanup of these residues can be extremely difficult, especially if the correct tools and products are not used. 

Cleaning away soot is a significant part of fire restoration, as it looks unsightly and often smells terrible.

Are there different kinds of soot?

There are several different kinds of soot, including:

• Dry soot, which forms when organic materials burn fast and hot
• Wet soot, which begins when plastics and rubbers burn in a slowly smoldering fire
• Protein soot, which starts when proteins (such as meat) burn in a fire, or even through overcooking

Why is understanding soot significant in fire restoration?

Different types of soot require different cleaning methods, which is why a thorough analysis is an integral part of fire damage remediation.

• Dry soot produces the lightest particles, which are relatively easy to brush or vacuum away from surfaces
• Wet soot produces a sticky residue which smears over surfaces and has a pungent odor
• Protein soot residues are harder to see, but cling hard to surfaces and have a particularly noxious smell
  
  

Although dry soot is easier to wipe away, the fire's higher temperature can mean more extensive damage to surfaces. Protein soot often forms during a kitchen fire, and so SERVPRO technicians must be extra mindful about electrical appliance safety.

How can SERVPRO help?

Our technicians use a range of cleaning techniques to get rid of soot. Depending on the situation, we can choose between dry and wet cleaning, vacuuming, abrasion, spot cleaning, or even baking soda blasting to remove soot from surfaces. We also deodorize your home afterward, to get rid of lingering smoky smells.

For help with fire damage restoration, call SERVPRO of Great Neck / Port Washington at (516) 767-9600.

What Are the Necessary Tools to Clean Up After a Fire?

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Contact SERVPRO for fire damage restoration services.

Fire Restoration is Best Left to Professionals, So Call SERVPRO to Address the Damage to Your Manhasset Home

There are countless reasons to call in the help of trained restoration technicians after a fire in your Manhasset home. For example, smoke and soot bring on foul odors that linger past the fire-loss zone and call for specialized techniques to rid your interior of them. Additionally, the only way you can ensure you salvage the most materials and belongings is by having specialized cleaning methods and the industry's best products today. SERVPRO comes to each fire restoration job, ready to work with all of the latest advancements in the field. 

How Do My Furnishings, Walls, and Ceilings Get Cleaned?

When you call us for help with fire restoration in Manhasset, we arrive with our Green Fleet loaded with all of the equipment and proper cleaning agents to handle the job. To determine the best measures for cleaning your interior, we test surfaces covered in smoke residue. This allows us to match the right cleaning techniques and products for optimum results. 

Anytime a homeowner tries to handle fire-loss with consumer cleaning tools and DIY methods, they run the risk of worsening the damage. Some of the standard, professional-grade equipment that we bring to each fire damage project includes:

•   Personal protection equipment (PPE), which protects the crew from harmful irritants, such as soot
•   Durable wet-sponges best for working on the removal of wet smoke residue
•   Dry-sponges that work to lift away any dry smoke residue on surfaces easily
•   Moisture detection tools to help find hidden moisture pockets from the water used to extinguish the flames
•   Air scrubber equipment that helps capture the soot particles from the air
•   EPA-registered solvents and cleaning solutions to fight smoke odors

What Sets SERVPRO Apart from the Rest?

Once you choose us for your fire damage restoration needs, we send out a team to begin assessing your interior. The crew chief examines each area and records each detail, which allows for the formulation of a tailored plan of action. We use research-based planning to help facilitate the mitigation and remediation steps. Several areas that we address when putting a plan into place include:

•   Integrity and safety of any structural materials
•   Whether pack-out services are required
•   The level of damage within the loss zone, including potential materials that must get treated using controlled demolition methods
•   Any residual moisture from water or chemicals used to douse the flames
•   What drying or dehumidification equipment, if any and how many, is needed 
•   What odor-control equipment will work best on the project

What are Pack-Out Services?

There are times when items can be relocated to another room of the home for cleaning, or we will send them to our facility for detailed cleaning. We may also suggest a partial move out, where only some of your contents get moved at any given time. Whatever we decide is best, all of your belongings get logged for your records and to your insurance provider to go with your claim. 

Of course, there will be items that can be cleaned on-site, which our technicians will address and handle with care. 

What is Done to Address Foul Odors?

A common complaint after a house fire is the strong smell of smoke and charred materials. Without proper techniques, the smoke remains a constant reminder even after other traces of the fire get removed. Handling smoke odors is something that our IICRC-certified technicians at SERVPRO are trained to do. We take measures to contain the fire-loss zone so that mitigation can begin, which includes tarping off the area and covering vents. This helps to keep soot and smoke from getting tracked throughout the home and limit particulates in the air. Whenever soot and smoke residue get into the ducts of your HVAC system, these foul odors can spread throughout each room in your home.

Some of the advanced technology that we bring with us to help battle smoke odors includes:

•   Sealants for walls and ductwork that halt odor transmission from soot that has become embedded
•   Powerful deodorizing agents
•   Hydroxyl generators with UV light technology that help to eliminate odors safely
•   Thermal foggers that use chemicals to bind with odor molecules for easy removal.

What Items are a Total Loss?

As mentioned with our pack-out services, we take the time to catalog all items that are handled. Our Contents Claim Inventory Service (CCIS), reports the condition of each item as well as anything that has been discarded. What this service does is establish a chain of custody, which then helps to give you added peace of mind while also helping to expedite your insurance claim. Any items deemed unsalvageable are adequately disposed of according to local guidelines.

To have a team deployed to your home for fire restoration services, call SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington at (516) 767-9600. We are here to make sure that your interior is "Like it never even happened."

Can I Paint Over Fire Residue??

5/9/2020 (Permalink)

Are you trying to figure out who can take care of the fire damage in your Great Neck home? Call SERVPRO!

Do Not Paint Over Smoke and Soot Left Behind in Your Great Neck Residence

Whether you live in Great Neck or elsewhere, your home is not immune to catching on fire. Even a small kitchen fire can result in residual smoke and soot that fills your entire home. Although painting over it sounds like a great idea, it is best to clean the area thoroughly before getting your paintbrush.

For professional fire damage restoration in Great Neck, call our SERVPRO team for help. Our technicians are certified in water and fire restoration, and we apply our knowledge to your situation. We intend to leave your home in mint condition while protecting your personal belongings and minimizing your costs.

Do soap and water eliminate soot?

When you call our SERVPRO team, you will realize that there are many ways to clean smoke and soot depending on their origin and how it presents in your home. Organic and inorganic materials have different burn patterns and settle onto your walls and furniture in different ways. Our staff takes a look at your situation and cleans your walls accordingly. Sometimes our cleaning is enough and others it serves as preparation for a fresh coat of paint. Some techniques available to us include-

• Dry cleaning sponge
• Wet cleaning
• Peroxide active cleaning

SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington is your ally. Call us at (516) 767-9600, whether you live in Manhasset or Roslyn and let us leave your home, "Like it never even happened."

How Do You Stay Safe While Recovering From a Kitchen Fire?

4/14/2020 (Permalink)

Homeowners have to deal with many things which may include fire damage. Contact SERVPRO right away.

Rely On the Safety Procedures SERVPRO Uses for Manhasset Homeowners

Safety is an essential issue after any fire damage, but kitchen fires pose especially unique and difficult challenges. The problems include possible structural damage, safe kitchen access, and electrical hazards, and having the help of trained professionals is critical to avoid being overwhelmed.

What initial steps are necessary to make the kitchen safe after fire damage in your Manhasset Home?

A thorough, professional assessment should be performed as soon as possible after the fire. Three significant issues must be addressed immediately:

o Identify unsafe areas and safe areas

o Secure and organize the worksite

o Cleaning protocols and debris disposal

What procedures are used to ensure kitchen safety before the recovery work starts?

SERVER professionals know how to separate safe and unsafe areas, and part of that process includes pinpointing structural issues that may be dangerous. Safe cleanup procedures are also spelled out, along with the steps necessary to remove hazardous debris. Charred debris sometimes produces foul odors and can be especially dangerous, so special procedures may occasionally be required to remove it.

Precisely what safety hazards must be addressed specifically?

o Electrical hazards and lighting issues

o Potential problems for at-risk individuals

o Using PPE

How are electrical issues handled?

Restoring electrical service is a priority, but dangerous hazards must be accounted for and eliminated as part of the process. These include damaged wiring and power cords, along with the complete verification of all circuits. Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters are used to do this if moisture is present.

What about the safety of homeowners and workers?

Slip-and-fall accidents and injuries are common after a kitchen fire, but this can be prevented by identifying slick surfaces and dangerous obstacles. SERVPRO professionals have experience using protective gear while working, and they know how to implement special procedures to protect at-risk residents who have health or mobility issues.

Turn to SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington to stay safe while kitchen fire issues are being addressed. Call us at (516) 767-9600 for an assessment.

Find out more about Manhasset.

Older Homes and Fire Damage Replacements

6/21/2019 (Permalink)

Plaster and Lathe in Historic Older Home after Fire Damage

In the fires and other events that we see at SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington, older historic homes often require substantial attention and often pieces are irreplaceable.  Even when they are replaceable, you may find your insurer will not cover an exact replacement.

Those with plaster and lathe tend to have lots of dry flammable wood, and the plaster layers are not so amenable to repairs and patching like modern drywall.  Damage to plaster and lathe may require a complete gut and renovation of a room or home. 

Often other details affected such as columns, inlaid flooring, plaster ornamental details, ceiling medallions, door, window, crown and baseboard trim, and more will not receive exact or even like replacements from your insurer.

You might be surprised to find that your insurer will allow only standard replacements for columns and molding, not the fancy plaster and wood decorative pieces you have cherished.  You may opt for basic coverage and pay out of pocket for the difference, should an event occur, pay more, or your insurer may have other options for you. 

It is wise to consider what your expectations are when first arranging for homeowners insurance and have that discussion before selecting your policy. 

Fire Destroys Tenant's Apartment and Primary Residence

6/23/2018 (Permalink)

Apartment fire damages entire home.

When you have a tenant in a basement or attached apartment, make sure that you have ample and proper fire safety detection equipment - namely, smoke detectors throughout your unit and theirs. 

Luckily in this fire no one was injured, but the apartment as you see was a total loss, the contents were destroyed.  The source of this fire is under investigation but originated in the apartment.  However, the smoke damage permeated the owner unit as well, which had extensive amounts of antiques and collectibles, the owner's business.  The entire home had to undergo restoration.

As a homeowner and landlord safe egress, properly maintained utilities, and fire detection equipment is a primary responsibility.

As a tenant, you should make sure smoke detectors are present, know your egress escape points, and make sure that you create no potential fire hazards.  Additionally, make sure you have renter’s insurance with fire coverage, don't expect the homeowner's insurance to cover your own belongings.

Fire Safety Week is in October, but it is never too soon to do a fire safety check in your own home!

Fire and Smoke Damage When You Have Valuable Antiques, Art and Collectibles

6/23/2018 (Permalink)

Fire and Smoke Damaged Collectibles Can Often Be Restored!

A fire is a devastating event, no question - but one particularly more complicated when you have valuables that are irreplaceable affected.

At SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington we often encounter property owners with unique situations of all types.  The matter of valuables is one worth addressing because of their monetary value and irreplaceable nature.  

While you can safeguard the value end with special insurance coverage, be sure to make and keep a digital file in the cloud and in a safe deposit box with a complete inventory list with adequate invoices, bills of sale, dates of purchase/acquisition, provenance records, descriptions, valuations and photographs.  

Make sure your homeowners policy agent knows that you have valuables that need coverage, don't assume your policy covers all.

If there is a fire, call in SERVPRO as soon as possible to ensure that restoration can begin on anything salvageable.  We restore whatever can be saved and also will provide an inventory list of losses for your insurance claim. 

We're here for you, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington is Ready for any Fire Damage Situation

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Massive fire damage to your property is compounded with additional damage from water, smoke odors & soot, whether from the fire department in order to put out the fire and of course rainy whether.

In the even of a property fire SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington will ensure the property is secure, by assessing the damage and address all health and safety issues and concerns. Our trained technicians will remove damage content or if its necessary storage salvageable content. We will mitigate the water damage, deodorize smoke odors, clean and restore surfaces. We have special equipment to remove odor and soot from surfaces.

SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington will leave the property prepare for the restoration/construction phase. We are dedicated to help you during a stressful time. Contact us if you experience fire damage at 516-767-9600.

Kitchen Fire Prevention Tips

6/4/2018 (Permalink)

The aftermath of a kitchen fire.

We've all done it - put something on the stove and got busy elsewhere in the house - completely forgetting that we were cooking until we smell something acrid and burning.  In some cases, maybe you've actually gone outside or on an errand.  

Kitchen fires travel fast and knowing some tips to extinguish them could reduce the risk of injury and damage.  

Tip #1:  Never throw water on a kitchen fire.  It seems counter to what you'd intuitively do, but water on a grease fire will act as an accelerant and the fire will flash and spread rapidly.

Tip #2:  Keep a kitchen rated fire extinguisher in an easily accessible cabinet and install a smoke detector in the far end of the kitchen (not so close to the stove that regular use sets it off).

Tip #3:  With a stove fire, dampen and wring out a kitchen towel, then toss it over the flames to smother it.

Tip #4:  Cook pots should have the handles turned in, so toddlers cannot grab and tip them.

Tip #5:  Use a timer and set an alert on your mobile phone if you plan to leave the room so you don't forget you were cooking.

Clean Soot and Grease After a Fire Damage

5/29/2018 (Permalink)

Kitchen with a lot of soot and grease are notoriously difficult to clean up.

SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington is trained to help you to cleaning your house or property after a fire. Soot and grease are notoriously difficult to clean up, and it needs to be done quickly to prevent secondary damage. you also find residue of grease and soot in the walls, ceiling, appliances, and other areas you might not be able to access, such as behind the walls, cabinets.

We have all the equipment and services necessary to handle even the most difficult task. Our professionals can identify the proper cleaning procedures, have all the necessary equipment to remove the odor from the property and knows how to properly remove kitchen cabinets without causing further damage.

In situations of a lot of soot and grease its necessary to have a quick clean up response that will also help to prevent getting your items permanently staining from soot. SERVPRO of Great Neck/Port Washington is available to help 24/7.

Secondary Fire Damage – Water, Soot and Smoke

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage can result in secondary damages

Secondary damage in areas of homes and buildings isn't what you think about after a fire but areas not burned in a fire are often affected.  

Smoke and soot can work their way into nooks and crannies on all floors - not stopped by doors. It may not be immediately obvious as all surfaces may be coated.  Water damage from the fire can cause lots of losses by damaging furnishings, building materials, electrical or mechanical systems and personal belongings.

In this house fire, water in a room not directly burned has caused extensive damage. Additionally, soot and ash coat everything and every surface, and smoke odor as well.  Many things may seem as if totally destroyed. Restoration and cleaning of some soft items and hard surface items are sometimes possible.

SERVPRO has special document drying chambers for completely drying out important irreplaceable papers and books that have become water damaged in a fire or flood.

Hospital Fire - Statistical Information

2/16/2017 (Permalink)

Hospital Electrical Fire

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association), the leading resource on fire, electrical and related hazards reported recently that while structure fires in health care facilities has followed a steady downward trend over the past decade, cooking was the leading cause in 65% of all fire property damage (specifically in health care facilities), followed by electrical distribution and lighting equipment - causing 34% of health care fire property damage.  To a far lesser extent, other causes include intentionally set fires (16%), heating equipment (5%), smoking materials (5%) and clothing dryers (4%). 

U.S. fire departments respond to more than 5,600 health care structure fires each year.

Homeowners Take Note! Holiday Fire Risk Increases after Christmas Day

12/11/2014 (Permalink)

Most homeowners are aware that holiday decorations should be used with care.  Each year, statistics tell the story of the fire danger resulting from frayed wires, proximity to heat sources, and lights left on unattended.  But SERVPRO of Great Neck Port Washington wants local homeowners to know that the danger of fire cause by holiday decorating, and by Christmas trees specifically, actually increases after the holiday.  Research from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)* says that, while four out of five Christmas tree fires happen in December and January, the 10 days with the highest average number of fires were all after Christmas Day.

For many families, preparing for the holiday season is a very busy time. Come December 26, it’s tempting to relax; stop watering the Christmas tree, replacing bulbs in outdoor lights or tucking indoor garlands back into place.  Dry greens, open sockets and decorations that slip dangerously close to light sockets or fireplaces can all increase the risk of fire in the days after the Christmas holiday.

The American Christmas Tree Association** (quoting Nielsen research) says Americans purchased 21.6 million live Christmas trees in 2011.  That number is significant because, according to the NFPA, Christmas trees remain the number one culprit in holiday fires.  43 percent of Christmas tree fires happen in December, but January is close behind, claiming 39 percent – numbers that demonstrate the danger of allowing Christmas trees to dry out during and after the holiday season.  Tragically, Christmas tree fires are particularly deadly, claiming on average one life in every 40 fires compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires.

SERVPRO of Great Neck Port Washington encourages homeowners who choose to decorate with live Christmas trees to be diligent about watering their trees both before and after the holidays.  If a Christmas tree dries out, it only takes a single spark from a fireplace, a candle flame or carelessly held cigarette to turn a holiday celebration into a tragedy. 

As the holiday season moves into full swing, SERVPRO of Great Neck Port Washington reminds homeowners to take precautions based on a clear understanding of the potential danger to help prevent holiday traditions from turning into a holiday nightmare.  For more information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.SERVPROgreatneckportwashington.com.

About Fire Prevention Week

10/6/2014 (Permalink)

Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.

Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, the tragic 1871 conflagration that killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, but continued into and did most of its damage on October 9, 1871.

Commemorating a conflagration
According to popular legend, the fire broke out after a cow - belonging to Mrs. Catherine O'Leary - kicked over a lamp, setting first the barn, then the whole city on fire. Chances are you've heard some version of this story yourself; people have been blaming the Great Chicago Fire on the cow and Mrs. O'Leary, for more than 130 years. But recent research by Chicago historian Robert Cromie has helped to debunk this version of events.

The 'Moo' myth
Like any good story, the 'case of the cow' has some truth to it. The great fire almost certainly started near the barn where Mrs. O'Leary kept her five milking cows. But there is no proof that O'Leary was in the barn when the fire broke out - or that a jumpy cow sparked the blaze. Mrs. O'Leary herself swore that she'd been in bed early that night, and that the cows were also tucked in for the evening.

But if a cow wasn't to blame for the huge fire, what was? Over the years, journalists and historians have offered plenty of theories. Some blamed the blaze on a couple of neighborhood boys who were near the barn sneaking cigarettes. Others believed that a neighbor of the O'Leary's may have started the fire. Some people have speculated that a fiery meteorite may have fallen to earth on October 8, starting several fires that day - in Michigan and Wisconsin, as well as in Chicago.

The biggest blaze that week
While the Great Chicago Fire was the best-known blaze to start during this fiery two-day stretch, it wasn't the biggest. That distinction goes to the Peshtigo Fire, the most devastating forest fire in American history. The fire, which also occurred on October 8th, 1871, and roared through Northeast Wisconsin, burning down 16 towns, killing 1,152 people, and scorching 1.2 million acres before it ended.

Historical accounts of the fire say that the blaze began when several railroad workers clearing land for tracks unintentionally started a brush fire. Before long, the fast-moving flames were whipping through the area 'like a tornado,' some survivors said. It was the small town of Peshtigo, Wisconsin that suffered the worst damage. Within an hour, the entire town had been destroyed.

Nine decades of fire prevention
Those who survived the Chicago and Peshtigo fires never forgot what they'd been through; both blazes produced countless tales of bravery and heroism. But the fires also changed the way that firefighters and public officials thought about fire safety. On the 40th anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire, the Fire Marshals Association of North America (today known as the International Fire Marshals Association), decided that the anniversary of the Great Chicago Fire should henceforth be observed not with festivities, but in a way that would keep the public informed about the importance of fire prevention.  The commemoration grew incrementally official over the years.

In 1920, President Woodrow Wilson issued the first National Fire Prevention Day proclamation, and since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls. According to the National Archives and Records Administration's Library Information Center, Fire Prevention Week is the longest running public health and safety observance on record. The President of the United States has signed a proclamation proclaiming a national observance during that week every year since 1925.

14 Ways to Prepare for Fire Prevention Month

9/29/2014 (Permalink)

Reprinted from SafetySmart.com

Though most of us need a careful balance of caffeine, sleep, food, exercise, and regular installments of our favorite TV shows to get by, fire only needs three elements– heat, fuel, and oxygen — to come to life and wreak more destruction than Gallagher at a farmer’s market.  October is National Fire Prevention Month, so there’s no better time than now to evaluate your emergency preparedness. Workplace fires can result in loss of life, loss of jobs, and loss of property. But by taking these 14 precautions, you can make sure that a fire-related emergency is something that you’ll likely never have to worry about. Get ahead of Fire Prevention Month and use this as checklist to evaluate your workplace:

1.  Know your fire extinguishers!  One size does not fit all – in fact, using the wrong fire extinguisher during an emergency can quickly turn a small flame into a big emergency.  

 2.  Test your smoke alarms. Batteries should be changed at least once a year.

3.  Do a fire drill and establish an employee meeting place. Make sure you have emergency plans in place and that all exits are visible and accessible.  Also ensure that workers with mobility challenges are assigned a helpful coworker to assist them in the event of an emergency.

4.  Check your electrical outlets. Don’t overload electrical circuits.

5.  Keep heat producing appliances away from flammable materials – this includes coffee makers, copy machines, and space heaters.

6.  Check your electrical cords. If they have been damaged (or give off mild electrical shock), replace them immediately.

7.  Make sure you have metal containers available for the disposal and storage of oily rags.

8.  Designate safe areas for employees who smoke. Never smoke in storerooms or near chemical storage areas.  Make sure that receptacles are available for the safe disposal of cigarettes.

9.  If you have equipment that delivers mild electrical shock when energized, don’t use it! Also refrain from using equipment that gives off unusual heat or smells odd.   If in doubt have it checked and repaired or replaced.

10.  To help prevent fires that occur as a result of arson, lock up your workplace after hours and report suspicious behavior. Never leave combustible material outside of your building.

11.  Check for blockages – make sure that clutter isn’t blocking your access to emergency equipment and fire exits. Signs posted on walls and doorways may also be blocked by stacked items.  Make sure all emergency signs are visible.

12.  Check that your alarm system includes voice communication or sounds, like bells, whistles, or horns. Ensure that your workers are familiar with its sound.  Review your alarm system and evacuation plan whenever it is changed.

13.  Post reporting instructions and local fire department codes on information boards, common areas, and near telephones.

14.  Talk about the importance of sleep and encourage workers not to perform risky jobs while fatigued. It’s much easier to make mistakes when you’re sleep-deprived.  You could leave an appliance plugged in, forget to properly store an oily rag, or make a dangerous mistake.  Make sure you and your colleagues get the rest you need so you can stay alert at work.

Sudden, Swirling Firenado Rises out of Farm Fire

5/9/2014 (Permalink)

A firenado is spawned on a field in Chillicothe, Mo., the week of April 7, 2014. (Photo/Janae Copelin)

Stunned by the "coolest, scariest thing" she had ever seen, Photographer Janae Copelin caught a snapshot early this week of a rare weather marvel known as a firenado.The whirling "fire-devil" was spawned as a farmer burned off his field in Chillicothe, Missouri.

A swirling rotation of smoke, gas and debris, a firenado is generated when an active fire is swept upwards by strong winds, creating a vortex.

"The heat of the fire rising through the air allows the vortex to strengthen and create the firenado," AccuWeather Meteorologist Eric Leister said. "The firenado can then suck more brush and debris into itself and fuel the fire further."

Firenadoes can be extremely dangerous, as they have the ability to throw burning embers miles away. They are usually between five and 10 stories high and can measure up to 10 feet wide.

While this rarity lasts usually only minutes, the largest firenadoes have been known to create winds topping 100 mph.