3 Fire Prevention Tips for a Company

5/17/2022 (Permalink)

Invest in fire prevention.

Commercial Fire Preparation

Planning for fire prevention is one of the smartest things your company can do. It could stop a fire before it gets started or it could significantly reduce the financial damages from a fire. While your small or medium-sized business in Fremont, WA, is a unique entity, it can likely benefit from these universal principles when it comes to commercial fire preparation

1. Accurately Assess Your Company's Risk Profile
While all commercial businesses are at risk of a fire, the risk level is not the same for each company. An office building is probably at low risk, while a warehouse that stores flammable materials is at a much greater risk of a business fire. Therefore, it makes sense to assess your company's risk profile and take appropriate actions such as upgrading insurance coverage or developing a detailed evacuation plan.

2. Invest in Fire Prevention
Depending on your company's risk profile, you should calculate the right amount of money to put into fire protection. A small company with low risk should still install fire alarms and carry fire extinguishers. Some of these actions will be required by OSHA. A larger facility with moderate or high risk should consider installing a fire sprinkler system.

3. Develop a Relationship With a Recovery Team
A nearby fire mitigation team can help reduce fire damage after the flames have been put out. Trained technicians will arrive quickly and perform vital services such as water removal, roof coverage, cleanup and restoration work. Specializing in fire and water damage, these experts can usually make it to your location in under two hours. As a preferred vendor for many insurance companies, the right franchise will itemize damages and services, allowing more prompt payments on your claims.
For all companies, fire prevention plays a crucial role in keeping a business strong. A smart plan can reduce damage and speed up recovery.

3 Important Components of a Fire Safety Plan

3/31/2022 (Permalink)

Most extensive home fires are completely preventable with the simple use of a smoke alarm.

Fire Safety Plan

Nearly every home in America has experienced a fire at some point in its history, and every year, over 350,000 house fires occur. Those are sobering statistics and important reasons why everyone should have a fire safety plan. These three components —detection devices (including smoke alarms and heat sensors), a fire escape plan and fire extinguishers not only can protect your property and belongings but can save your life.

1. Detection Devices

Install a battery-operated or wired-in smoke detector in every bedroom, in the halls outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home, including the basement. Though you can certainly place a smoke detector near the kitchen, a heat detector works better in the kitchen itself, because it won't be accidentally tripped by normal cooking fumes. The same is true for garages, attics and utility rooms, where electrical fires can start quickly. In these areas, a heat alarm works faster and more effectively than a smoke alarm.

2. Fire Escape Plan

A pre-determined, rehearsed escape route is an integral part of every fire safety plan. Upper bedrooms should each have a fire ladder in case the doorways are blocked by flames and smoke, and every family member should be aware of the closest exit point of every room in the house. Choose a meeting point outside your home in Greenlake, WA, in case everyone needs to take a unique escape route. If possible, install windows that are large enough to easily climb out if needed.

3. Fire Extinguisher

Keep fire extinguishers in the kitchen, basement, near your utility or furnace room, and in the vicinity of a gas grill, if you have one. Every member of the family should know where the extinguishers are and how to use them.
Most extensive home fires are completely preventable with the simple use of a smoke alarm, but in the unfortunate event, a fire does occur, have a safety plan in place. It is better to need the assistance of a fire remediation service to clean up damage to your home than a doctor to treat injured loved ones.

What to Expect During Fire Restoration

2/15/2022 (Permalink)

This home suffered from a kitchen fire. Our SERVPRO professionals quickly got to work to ensure that the fire damage was properly taken care of!

What To Expect During A Restoration After A Fire

If you have experienced a fire in your home in Woodinville, WA, then it is likely you will need fire restoration. Restoring your home can take a while and there are several steps that will need to be followed.

1. Inspecting the Damage

The first thing that you will need is a fire damage assessment. A professional will determine the amount of the damage so that they can create the best damage cleaning plan for restoring your home.

2. Mitigation to Prevent Further Damage

Before fire restoration can begin, it is important for mitigation to be performed on your home. During mitigation, steps are taken to prevent any further damage. Depending on the damage that your home has suffered, this can include boarding up missing walls or windows as well covering damaged roofs with tarps.

3. Removing Water From Your Home

If the fire was big enough that firefighters were involved, you will likely have water damage as well as damage caused by the fire. Before any repairs can be made, any remaining water will need to be removed from the home. Air movers and dehumidifiers might be used to dry everything more quickly.

4. Cleaning Your Home and Belongings

Once mitigation has been performed and all of the water has been removed, the specialists will begin cleaning any remaining soot and smoke damage. Any structures and belongings that can be restored will be cleaned and smoke odors will be removed.

5. Restoration of Your Home

The last step is restoring your home to the condition it was in prior to the fire. This includes reconstruction of any areas that have been severely damaged as well as smaller repairs such as installing carpets or repainting walls.

After an emergency, it is important to call a fire restoration service as soon as you can. Because there are many steps to take in restoring your home, you shouldn’t wait too long to begin the process.

Fire Insurance for Your Business

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

Without an appropriate fire insurance policy, small businesses may not have the financial resources to survive this situation.

Your Company's Fire Insurance

Business owners generally purchase property insurance for protection against minor damages, but some don't understand that additional coverage is necessary for disasters, such as fire. While some industries are at high risk for workplace fires, just about any Seattle, WA, business should consider the benefits of fire insurance coverage.

Areas of Concern

Your business may be home to some of the most common fire risks.

• Flammable materials
• Overloaded outlets
• Open flames
• Smoking areas
• Appliances and tools without appropriate UL stickers or compliance

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire is the primary cause of property damage losses. In a typical year, fires cause several billion dollars in property damage. For a small business, a fire could mean the end of operations. The losses involved in damage to the property aren't the only problem. Fire departments may charge for their services.

There's A Lot at Risk

In addition to losses from fire restoration services, smoke cleanup, water removal and remediation services, business owners must worry about losses due to not being open during the restoration period. A lot of money is lost in paying employees and rent during a period without revenue and additional costs may be accrued because of moving the business to another location while the fire is sorted out.

You Can Survive

Without an appropriate fire insurance policy, small businesses may not have the financial resources to survive this situation. A business property policy may cover the costs of machinery, equipment, and furnishings. (Make sure you know the difference between actual cash value versus replacement costs.) A business interruption insurance policy offers protection from losses related to lost profits and the cost of continued operations.

Take Action Now

Fire insurance usually covers physical damages, the repair or replacement of office fixtures, lost income, and operational costs during the restoration period. Discuss your coverage with your insurance representative and fire restoration professionals for the best results. Small businesses in Seattle, WA, can protect themselves from many hazards with well-thought-out insurance coverage.

3 Ways To Prevent a Hotel Fire

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is here to help in your time of need. We are fire damage restoration experts who are available 24 hours a day to respond when you need us.

Three Ways To Avoid A Hotel Fire

A hotel fire can endanger the safety of everyone on the premises. Although hotels post fire safety information on doors and in hallways, evacuating from an unfamiliar place can pose a challenge. Here are three fire prevention tips for guests staying in hotels.

1. Use Electronics Responsibly

Reduce the risk of short-circuiting and fires by using electronics responsibly. Only plug devices into suitable plugs. You should never remove the third prong from a grounded plug end to plug a device into an ungrounded outlet. It is also a good idea to avoid overloading outlets. If your room does not meet your needs, ask about other options at the front desk.

2. Exercise Caution With Hot Appliances

Follow safety guidelines if you use a hairdryer, other heated tools, or a clothes iron in a hotel room. Turn off appliances after use, and allow these items to cool on a hard, flat, non-flammable surface. Do not put these appliances away until they are cool to the touch to avoid a hotel fire. If you stay in a room with a kitchenette, make sure the stove is turned off after you finish cooking. Only microwave food intended for this method of preparation.

3. Don't Smoke or Light Candles

Most hotels are non-smoking facilities. Many fires are caused when a smoker falls asleep with a lit cigarette. If you smoke, ask about designated outdoor areas. Guests should also avoid lighting candles while staying at a hotel. Open flames pose a significant fire risk, especially if you are tired from traveling.

It is not difficult to avoid starting a hotel fire. Follow the same fire safety methods you would at home, and use hotel equipment responsibly. You should still to familiarize yourself with evacuation routes. If a fire starts at a residence located in Lake Forest Park, WA, contact the fire department and a fire restoration service.

Choosing the Best Smoke Detector

10/26/2021 (Permalink)

If your Seattle home faces fire loss, give SERVPRO of Seattle Northwest a call. We can help you!

The Best Smoke Detector to Buy

A house fire in Seattle, WA, can be a frightening experience, but according to the National Fire Protection Agency, one of the best fire safety measures is to use a properly functioning smoke alarm. This simple step can dramatically increase your chances of survival if a fire occurs while you are at home. That’s why it’s important to know how to choose a smoke detector that you can rely on to protect you and your family.

Choose the Type of Smoke Alarm

1. Ionization alarms use a minute amount of americium-241, a radioactive element, to ionize the air that flows into the mechanism. If smoke is introduced, the flow of air is interrupted, which triggers the alarm to sound. These alarms work better at detecting fires that flare up quickly and don’t produce much smoke, such as those started with highly flammable materials. Ionization alarms are the most cost-effective.
   
   2. Photoelectric alarms incorporate a light and a sensor. In its normal state, the sensor does not detect the light; however, smoke particles disperse the light, causing the sensor to detect it and activate the alarm. This type of alarm is better at detecting fires that produce a lot of smoke, such as smoldering fires that are started in beds or upholstered furniture. Photoelectric alarms are more expensive than ionization alarms.
   
   3. Dual sensor alarms combine aspects of both ionization and photoelectricity; therefore they detect both types of fires regardless of how much smoke is produced. Because they are the most effective, they are also the most expensive.

Note the Power Source

Most smoke detectors run on batteries. If they do, you need to be sure to change the batteries regularly, at least once per year. However, some use lithium batteries, which can last up to 10 years. Some even can be connected directly to your home’s current, only using batteries as backup when the power is interrupted.

A smoke alarm can help prevent fires, but sometimes they happen anyway. In the unfortunate event that your home is damaged by a fire, a professional restoration service can relieve much of the burden of home restoration.

Toss it out: A Guide to Throwing Away Items After a Fire

7/29/2021 (Permalink)

You don’t want to risk ingesting anything that you know was either in or close to the fire.

After a Fire, Toss It Out: A Guide To Disposing Of Items

It’s impossible to accurately depict how devastating a fire can be when it rages through a person’s home. If you’ve been the unfortunate victim of this tragedy, you know what a helpless feeling you can have. In the aftermath, you need to go through the cleanup process and decide what to keep and what to throw away. There are some things you can salvage, while others pose health hazards to hang onto.

Food

You don’t automatically have to throw out all of your food following a fire. However, fire damage at your Greenlake ,WA home can render some things unhealthy. Inspect your food supply carefully following a fire to determine what can say or go. You should toss the following:

• Opened containers or perishable foods.
• Food you stored in thin plastic bags or cardboard.
• Non-perishable food that was close to the heat.

Medicine

High heat will wreak havoc with your medicine or cosmetics. You don’t want to risk ingesting anything that you know was either in or close to the fire. You definitely should throw away the items if they are charred or have other obvious defects or damage.

Burned Apparel

Though you hate the thought of having to replace your wardrobe, much of it may be unsalvageable. You may be able to save some items by thoroughly cleaning it. But if there are obvious burn marks, you may be out of luck. Use caution when deciding whether to keep baby clothes.

Bedding

If a fire at home affected mattresses, your best bet is to discard it. You don’t want to sleep on something that was exposed to smoke damage and harmful materials.

It’s hard to throw away items, especially if they have intrinsic meaning and value. However, you’ll feel better knowing you’re providing a safer environment for your loved ones.

3 Tips To Eliminate Cigarette Smoke Odor

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call for deodorization services.

What Is The Best Way To Eliminate Cigarette Smoke Odor?

Cigarette odors can be very persistent. It is possible to eliminate the smell that lingers after smoking indoors through home deodorization treatments. Here are three tips that can be helpful for getting rid of the residual smell of cigarette smoke at a home in Seattle, WA.

1. Clean Exposed Surfaces

Nicotine, tar, and other chemicals in cigarettes can cause a residue to form on surfaces such as ceilings, walls, and window blinds. These surfaces can be treated with either dry or wet cleaning methods.

A chemical sponge is an effective way to clean residues. This treatment does not contain chemicals, and is made of absorbent rubber. Wet cleaning with a degreasing cleaner such as Trisodium Phosphate or the phosphate-free TSP-PF formula can break up residue and eliminate odors. These treatments are ideal before allowing painted surfaces to dry, applying a stain-blocking primer, and repainting.

2. Filter the Air

Air filtration can reduce the number of smoke particles in the air. Homeowners may use a free-standing HEPA air filter or attach an air scrubber to an HVAC system. Filtration may not completely eliminate smoke odors. A home deodorization treatment can reach smoke particles on surfaces or areas that are difficult to clean and neutralize smells.

3. Deodorize

There are several treatments that a homeowner can pursue depending on the severity of smoke odors. Ozone machines and thermal foggers are both very fast and effective, but require evacuation during treatment. Hydroxyl generators and vapor modification may take longer, but these treatments can proceed while occupants remain at home.

These three tips can help a homeowner get rid of the odor of cigarette smoke at a residence in Seattle, WA. While it may be possible to start the cleanup process on your own, a smoke damage remediation service can provide home deodorization treatments to ensure that every trace of the smell is gone.  

What to Expect in a Fire Damage Restoration

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Board up services after a fire in Fremont, WA.

Basic Procedure For a Fire Restoration Project

Seeing your home go up in flames can be an emotionally draining experience. However, you have to act quickly to prevent further destruction. Any delay could potentially drive the damage cleaning costs through the roof as the structure sustains more water damage, and mold builds up in the walls.
Here’s the basic procedure for a fire restoration project in Fremont, WA:

• Initial contact
• Assessment
• Board up and tarp
• Cleanup and rebuilding
  
  

Call a Restoration Company

Call a fire restoration service as the first thing you do after getting off the phone with insurance. Regardless of the time of day, a representative from the cleanup service should pick your call and schedule an inspection ASAP. Consider that as an essential feature of a restoration company when shopping around.

Inspection

The cleanup service should come to check out the damage. During this visit, the expert will be assessing the extent of fire, soot, and smoke damage throughout the house. They will also identify things that can be salvaged and those that need replacement. At the end of this exercise, the service should be able to give an accurate quote for the job.

Board up and Tarp Services

On the first day of work, the restoration team will start by sealing any holes in the house. For example, if a fire burns a hole through the roof, sealing it will keep rainwater out, preventing further water damage and mold growth.

Clean up and Rebuilding

Your average restoration services will clean up the soot, get rid of burnt materials, and remove water from a fire-damaged home. Only the best will go the extra mile to rebuild the structure and make it habitable. Look for a service that covers cleanup to finishing work and everything in between.
Generally speaking, fire restoration is a multistep process that will breathe life into your burnt structure, making it a home again.

Top Reasons One Fire Alarm Isn't Enough

6/9/2021 (Permalink)

Having at least one fire alarm definitely increases your protection against a fire.

Reasons One Why One Alarm Isn't Enough

Public awareness has made fire detectors one of the most common fire-prevention devices in a home. As a result of public awareness efforts:

• As many as 96 percent of American homes are believed to have alarms
• Smoke alarms have contributed to cutting the risk of home fire fatalities by nearly half
  
  

Clearly, any alarm is better than none. But to be effective, it’s key that you have more than just one.

One Per Room

It’s natural to think that an alarm in a common area is enough. But experts say at a minimum, you should have one alarm per room. This can help protect your property against fires that can start in unexpected places like bathrooms.

Bigger Means More

A typical detector is only effective for about a 900 square-foot area of a building. Use your home’s measurements when buying detectors. For example, a 2,000 square-foot home should have at least three alarms.

Level Up

Fires that start on one level often result in destruction to other levels of the home. This can be prevented by having detectors on every level, which experts suggest.
Having at least one fire alarm definitely increases your protection against fire. Take things a step further by equipping your home with the ideal number of alarms. Use these tips or talk to your local fire and smoke damage cleanup experts to learn more about how many alarms your home truly needs.

Tips for Grilling Safely

4/18/2021 (Permalink)

When your Seattle home or business experiences fire or smoke damage, you need professional help quickly.

If you enjoy grilling at your Seattle, WA home then you may already know some of the important safety steps for avoiding a grill fire. If you’re new to grilling, then some of these tips recommended by many fire damage professionals may help.

1. Before You Grill

One way to help prevent a barbecue fire before you even begin to cook, is by placing your grill in a safe location. It’s recommended to have a debris free area away from the house, awnings or overhanging trees. It’s also recommended to clean your grill before use, and on propane units to check all the connections to ensure there are no leaks.

2. While You Grill

There are also steps to help avoid a grill fire while you cook. Never leave your grill unattended, and keep children and pets away from the unit while it is on. Keep an eye out for any embers or sparks that may occur during the cooking process to ensure they don’t land anywhere where they can catch. If you smell gas while using a propane unit turn the grill off immediately. If the smell persists call the fire department.

3. After You Grill

You can help prevent fire and smoke damage by following safety steps after you finish cooking. Ensure that your grill is properly turned off after use, or if using a charcoal grill that all the coals or embers are completely cool before they are removed from the grill. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper cleaning.

With the right safety steps in place you can prevent a grill fire at your home. Keep your grilling area clear of debris, make sure the grill is placed away from any area where sparks could catch while you cook, and always make sure any embers are put out when the grilling is complete. If you do experience a fire, a restoration professional may be able to help. 

3 Ways to Be Rid of Smoke Odors Fast

4/15/2021 (Permalink)

Our Seattle area SERVPRO team is trained to address small and large fire damage projects.

Whether the result of a fire or merely of a guest with a habit, smoke odors can be tough to get rid of. When smoke has infiltrated your Seattle, WA home, smoke cleaning is in order. Do you know what to do? Start with these three tips and you’ll be rid of smoke odor fast.

What Causes the Smell

Smoke can cause odors by direct contact with materials or via getting into a building’s HVAC system. Smoke can penetrate things like

• Furniture

• Walls

• Carpets

Smoke smells can be tough to get rid of, but there are a few steps that can help.

Remove the Source

Removing the source of smoke smells is one of the most obvious steps to take. Furniture in an area frequented by a smoker can hold odors and may be a loss. In the event of a fire, items that are extensively exposed in the room whether the fire started can be a big source of smell, so you’ll want to get rid of them as part of your smoke cleaning efforts.

Clean What You Can

Particularly after a fire, it’s tempting to toss out the obviously damaged items and move on. But even things that aren’t destroyed can be reservoirs for smoke damage. Use a wet sponge to wipe down porous surfaces and a dry one for less porous materials.

Use an Odor Counteractant

For the best results, you may want to invest in an ozone treatment. Ozone is what causes the fresh, clean scent we sense after rain. Ozone treatment works by exposing smoke damaged surfaces to ozone gas for a set amount of time. This is typically highly effective.

Air quality can have a huge impact on your quality of life. If smoke odors persist in your home, try the above tips or reach out to an expert in ozone smoke cleaning to get the stink out.

What You Should Do When Dealing with Fire Damage in Your Seattle Home

4/4/2021 (Permalink)

Our Seattle area SERVPRO team is trained to address small and large fire damage projects.

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house fire. The aftermath is almost as bad but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can use the assistance of a professional cleanup/restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go up in smoke, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas. 

Small Fires can Pose High Risks 

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction anywhere. This can cause even more damage. Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of Seattle home and business fire damage.  It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby. With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the pan and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water. 

With electrical fires the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug, without the cord, still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. 

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage 

When there's been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation.

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts conduct the repairs needed can expedite insurance claims being resolved, as well. 

Locally Owned Company with National Resources

At SERRVPRO of Seattle Northwest, we have highly trained and skilled professionals who are experienced in all sizes of fire damage clean up and restoration. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help clean up and repair fire damage, no matter how large or small. Call us at (206) 789-2300 to get the necessary damages repaired, and the mess eliminated so you can go back to your daily routine. 

How To Prepare for an Emergency

3/18/2021 (Permalink)

Test your smoke alarms monthly to prevent a fire to become dangerous to your family.

How To Prepare for an Emergency

You hope you’ll never have to leave your Greenlake, WA home in a rush because of a fire. It is wise to create a fire escape plan for your household, however. Preparing your family in advance will help them make smart decisions when they have to act fast.

1. Consider Special Needs of Family Members
Make sure you account for children and elderly family members who need assistance leaving the house. Smoke alarms don’t always wake children up, so assign someone to wake them and help them exit. Consider involving your kids in the planning stages of the emergency escape plan so that they feel more connected to the process.

2. Establish Exits and Meeting Spot
Think about each room in the house and find two ways out. This could be a door and a window, but make sure it is easy to open. Choose a meeting spot away from the house outside, preferably at the end of the driveway. This helps emergency responders see that everyone is safe. Emphasize the importance of not returning to the house for any items.

3. Check Smoke Alarms
Your fire escape plan should include inspecting the alarms frequently to ensure they work. Change the batteries at least twice a year as well. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you place one alarm in each bedroom, as well as one in the hallway near the bedrooms. Each level of the house should also have at least one alarm. In addition, place one in the kitchen.

4. Practice the Plan
To ensure that everyone is prepared, go over the plan and practice the escape at least once each year. Children especially will be less likely to panic if they feel confident about the routine. Keep the emergency number of a fire restoration service handy as well.
Prepare in advance to keep your family safe with a fire escape plan.

The Best Ways To Banish Smoke Odor

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Odor removal after residential fire

How to Get Rid of Smoke Odor

Smoke odor lingers long after cigarette smoke has been eliminated from indoor environments. The secret to a successful home deodorization treatment is that this process involves several stages of cleaning. Here are the best ways to get rid of every trace of smoke odor at a residence in Greenlake ,WA.

Filter the Air

Attempts to eliminate odors may have limited success without first filtering smelly particles out of interior air. Ask restoration professionals about the best filtration method for capturing very small particles. Here are a few of the most effective air filtration mechanisms for smoke:

• True HEPA air filter
  
• Air scrubber
  
• HVAC attachment
  
  

Smoke cleanup specialists select a filtration technology based on severity of the smoke odor. Filtering the air is only the first step toward home deodorization.

Clean and Renew Surfaces

You may detect smoke odors as long as residues remain on surfaces. Experts may recommend the use of some or all of the following treatments to eliminate traces of tar and other chemical compounds in cigarette smoke:

• Dry chemical sponge
  
• Wet cleaning solvents
  
• Anti-staining primer
  
  

Depending on the extent of smoke buildup, it may be possible to simply wipe down surfaces with a chemical sponge, which is made out of natural rubber. Other treatments may be necessary for severe cases. If repainting is necessary, an anti-staining primer can prevent stains from resurfacing through fresh paint.

Neutralize Odors

Experts recommend deodorization only after all filtering smoke particles out of the air and cleaning surface residue. Quick and effective ozone treatments and fogging require temporary evacuation, while slower hydroxyl or vapor modification methods can go on while occupants remain at home.
If you want to get rid of stubborn smoke odors, look for damage restoration experts who specialize in home deodorization in Greenlake ,WA. Within a matter of days, the smell of cigarette smoke can be gone for good.

How To Prepare for a Fire at Home

7/5/2019 (Permalink)

Do you have a fire escape plan ready?

It’s often important to prepare for an emergency in your home in Seattle, WA and having a fire escape plan can help keep you and your family safe. There are several ways in which you can prepare yourself for a fire in your home.

1. Take Preventative Steps

Having tools in place that can alert you to a fire quickly can be a key part of preparing for a fire. It can sometimes be helpful to test your fire alarm to ensure you and others in your home know what the alarm sounds like. Additionally, you should make sure to replace the batteries in your smoke alarm at least once yearly and replace your alarm once every ten years.

2. Know How To Escape

A key part of emergency preparation involves creating a plan to escape your house. While you hopefully will never have to use your fire escape plan, having a plan in place saves you the time of having to decide how to escape. Often, it’s best to have multiple routes of escape in case you are unable to enter a certain area. Consistently practicing your emergency escape plan will make it quicker and easier to escape if the need arises.

3. Plan a Meeting Place

In addition to knowing how to get out of your home quickly if needed, it’s also often wise to plan a place for you and your family to meet once you are all out of the house. It can be helpful to choose a place that is a safe distance from your home, such as a neighbor’s mailbox, to meet. With everyone agreeing to meet at one place, you will easily be able to see who is out of the house, and you will be able to provide emergency responders with accurate information.

Having a fire escape plan can help you and others in your home feel prepared in the event of a fire. If your home has been damaged by a fire, you might find it helpful to work with fire restoration experts. Visit https://www.SERVPROseattlenorthwest.com/ for more information on fire damage restoration services. 

What To Do When a Fire Hits Your Business

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Commercial fire damage restoration services are available through SERVPRO of Seattle Northwest.

Managing a business through fire restoration in [City, State], requires clear thinking and knowledge of the task ahead. Following these three steps can help your business return to top shape as efficiently as possible.

1. Keep the Property Secure

Keeping yourself and others safe is a top priority when handling a commercial fire. To prevent trespassing and vandalism, consider boarding up the property or installing a fence around the area. This can keep your business secure as you schedule damage assessment and smoke cleaning services. If you have to return to the area, make sure to touch the damaged property as little as possible.

2. Call Your Fire Insurance Agent

Because you will be supplying information to your insurance agent and a fire restoration service, it is important to stay organized. Keep track of contracts, calls, damage photos and other forms of documentation.

If you think the insurance company’s assessment of the damage is inaccurate, you may want to hire a public adjuster or other intermediary. Because these professionals work for business owners, not insurance companies, they may be able to negotiate a claim more favorable to your business.

3. Determine the Value of Lost Property

In order to secure a payout from an insurance agency, owners need to know how much damage the fire caused to their assets. An expected payout depends on which kind of policy the owner has opted to use:

• If the policy covers Actual Cash Value (ACV), the business owner will need to take depreciation into account.
• If the owner has a policy that covers replacement cost, the agency will cover repairing or replacing the original assets.

In either case, an accurate record of how much the building, technology and other assets cost are necessary to file a claim.

Keeping this checklist in mind when dealing with fire restoration can take some of the stress out of the process. Fires can cause severe damage, but staying organized and working with your insurance agent give you a good chance of success after a disaster. Visit https://www.SERVPROseattlenorthwest.com/ for more information on fire damage.