What Should You Do After A Fire?

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

The unexpected has just happened and you've experienced a fire in your home! Few things are as devastating to any homeowner as a house fire. We understand there is so much emotion and stress that goes into a situation like this that sometimes you might forget to ask, "What is next?". That is where the team at SERVPRO of Cypress comes in to provide help! If your home catches fire, our team at SERVPRO of Cypress works to aid you in the process of rebuilding. However, a few things you must do after a fire has occurred apply to homeowners anywhere in the Houston area, or anywhere else.

Give Your Insurance Adjuster a Call

Calling in the Restoration Specialists

Sort Your Property

Fire Tips for your Houston Home

8/4/2022 (Permalink)

Our team knows what it feels like to lose a home.

• Install smoke alarms that combine flashing lights on every level of your home. Test them monthly and change the batteries every six months.
• Keep grills, cookers, and fryers at least 3 feet away from your house and shrubs or bushes.
• Always turn off heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.
• Service your chimneys, fireplaces, wood stoves, and central furnace once a year.
• Store a fire extinguisher on every level of your home.
• If an electric appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately, then have it serviced before using it again.
• Never smoke in bed
• Always stay near cooking to monitor it closely. Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and wear clothes with short, rolled-up, or tight-fitting sleeves when you cook.
• Use only child-resistant lighters and store all matches and lighters up high, where kids can't see or reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave burning candles unattended
• Look for frayed wires and damaged cords. If you see any exposed wires, unplug the electronics, and replace them immediately.

Recommendations for Home Fire Alarms

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

Many older homes today in Houston, TX area do not meet these standards for fire alarms which can be dangerous in the case a fire does occur. Keep your family safe by ensuring a fire alarm is located in the following four locations! Bedrooms - The National Fire Protection Association suggests the placement of a fire alarm in every bedroom of the house. This ensures that if a fire occurs while your family is asleep, the alarms will wake quickly wake up everyone. Outside Every Sleeping Area - Not only should alarms be inside every bedroom, but there should also be a smoke alarm right outside the room or any other sleeping areas as well. This is so you can react and start to escape before any fire or smoke even enters your room. 10 Feet From Your Kitchen - Kitchen fires result in approximately 50 percent of all home fires, many of which result in serious fire damage to your home. Make sure a fire alarm is located 10 feet from your kitchen rather than inside it since smoke or steam from cooking can easily trigger it. Every Level of Your Home - Ensure that there is as least one smoke alarm on every level of your home. Don’t forget your basement! Serious fire and smoke damage can occur from an undetected fire that starts in the basement. It doesn’t take long for a house fire to quickly get out of hand! That’s why it is so important to have all the required fire alarms installed so you can quickly get everyone out of your house and get in contact with the fire department and a fire restoration company to minimize the fire damage to your home.

Only Two Minutes

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home, you may have just two minutes to escape? The most effective way to protect yourself and your home from a fire are to identify and remove fire hazards. 60 % of house fire deaths occur in homes with no working smoke alarms. During a home fire, working smoke alarms and a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Fire Safety Tips

• If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms, and outside sleeping areas.
• Test smoke alarms once a month, if they’re not working, change the batteries.
• Talk with all household members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

1. Emergency Contact
2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
3. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service (if needed)
4. Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
6. Cleaning and Repair
7. Restoration

Cypress Residents Should Know About SERVPRO's IAQ Service

12/22/2021 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarms Can Save Lives!

Air Quality Improvements After a Fire in Your Business or Home

After an emergency, you might not be able to immediately return to assess damages to your property because there may be hazardous conditions such as poor air quality. Though the fire has been extinguished, the lingering effects could potentially threaten those without the appropriate training and personal protective equipment. Our team of professionals can arrive quickly to address these concerns and help mitigate other losses on your property. IAQ stands for indoor air quality, which is something people may not automatically think about when dealing with fire damage.

Airborne hazards and fire odor control are among the main concerns for property owners. While much of this preliminary stage is assessing the full scope of the damage to state the needs of the insurance provider that offers coverage for your building, we can also begin the steps necessary to overcome potentially hazardous conditions, noxious odors, and debris or particulates circulating in the environment.

Cleaning up the atmosphere throughout the fire-damaged property and improving indoor air quality requires several pieces of equipment strategically placed throughout the building. Our air scrubbers and hydroxyl generators can both be useful in this situation, as they trap particulates, debris, and smoke residue as small as 0.3 microns. The longer these machines run, the cleaner the air within the building becomes.

Overcoming lingering foul odors from the fire is another concern because it can make restoration work challenging for our technicians and others that could be in the building throughout this process. Often the best approach to permanently eliminating or substantially reducing odors present after a fire is with the use of thermal foggers. These machines release a dense chemical compound that neutralizes foul odor molecules on contact.

While odors and environmental hazards might not be as visually obvious as severe structural damage, they are a factor that needs to be addressed as promptly as possible. Our Cypress area fire restoration specialists have the tools and expertise to overcome all hurdles encountered in returning your property to pre-fire conditions. Give us a call today at (281) 469-2957.

Choose The Right Fire Extinguisher

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

Different extinguishers are designed to put out different types of fires.

For homeowners in Katy, Texas, keeping the home and everyone in it safe is a top priority. While hopefully, a fire doesn’t break out, fire preparedness is an essential component of staying safe and knowing what to do. A key tool in defending against fire is a fire extinguisher, but choosing the right one isn’t always easy.

Types of Extinguishers

When it comes to avoiding fire from spreading, an extinguisher is the first line of defense. If the flames are already too much, immediate evacuation should take place. For handling small fires, the right extinguisher needs to be used. The wrong one has the potential to fan the flames. Below are the types available and what they are designed to put out.

Class A: Common combustible materials, such as cloth, wood, and paper
Class B: Flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, and oil-based paints.
Class C: Electrical equipment and appliances
Class D: Flammable metals
Class K: Oils and animal fat used in cooking

For homeowners, the best to have around the home are A, B, or C. A combo of those is also available, which will be listed on the label. If your kitchen is a busy place and food is always being prepared, it may be worth considering having a Class K to help put out grease fire.

Choosing the Right One
A fire extinguisher also comes in different sizes, from 10 pounds to 2 pounds. That weight indicates the amount of chemical inside, not the weight of the canister. In many cases, going bigger is better, especially in garages, but it may be too heavy for indoor use. A 5-pound extinguisher near the laundry room and kitchen are a common choice. Ease of use and storage is also a consideration. Some are available with a hose and disposable, while others are rechargeable. Many come with mounting hardware, ensuring that stay in a secure, stable location.
Regardless of what is best for your home, having an extinguisher provides a little extra peace of mind.

Using Your Extinguisher

Once you have picked the right extinguisher, you can follow the P.A.S.S. technique to put out the fire. First, pull the pin and break the seal. Next, aim the extinguisher's hose or nozzle at the base of the fire. Then squeeze the handle to release the chemical or water onto the fire. Finally, sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side until the flames are gone.
Even a small blaze can cause major damage to your home. Thankfully, SERVPRO can assist with house repairs once flames have been extinguished.

Call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 if you have a fire or any fire-related questions!

SERVPRO Commercial Building Fire Damage Cleanup and Repair Services

9/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can be restored and rebuild your property completely.

Fire damage can have a devastating effect on local businesses.

SERVPRO is here to help, providing emergency and rebuild services to local property owners and managers.

Fires cause massive amounts of damage, destroying structural materials, business items, and bringing massive amounts of water damage, toxic chemicals, harmful soot pollution, and unhealthy smoke levels to your property. First Responders often extinguish the flames quickly, but soot and smoke move more rapidly. The moment authorities permit you to reenter your building, the clock begins ticking on successful property restoration. SERVPRO of Katy, Cypress, Champions, and 1960 Counties understands the need for speed and assigns skilled technicians to your job within hours of your first call.

COMMON TYPES OF COMMERCIAL FIRE DAMAGE

    •    Burnt Structure; framing, roofing, doors, drywall, flooring, and cabinets
    •    Office Property and Equipment; furniture, supplies, and appliances
    •    Soot and Smoke Damage; HVAC unit, surfaces, air quality
    •    Odor; smoke and toxic chemicals from damaged structure and contents
    •    Water Damage; results of fire suppression system and local Fire Department efforts
    •    Mold Damage; water damage left untreated can quickly cause mold growth

Smoke and soot damage are especially invasive attacking every space of your commercial property, including areas far from the actual fire. The residue from the fire travels in the air, coating surfaces. This debris must be removed before it begins etching, distorting, discoloring, and disintegrating wood, carpeting, fabric, drywall, plastic, metal, and glass.

CONSIDER CLEANUP REQUIREMENTS: SERVPRO can provide services to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural elements do and do not need to be repaired or replaced.

SERVPRO is here to help repair commercial fire disasters

    1.    Secure your business site including board up and tarping services
    2.    Protect areas unaffected by the fire with barriers and storage if necessary
    3.    Assess the affected areas for a full scope of damages
    4.    Take a detailed inventory of damaged property and materials
    5.    Detect, neutralize, and remove harmful gases and toxic materials
    6.    Determine the best cleaning, repair and restoration solutions for your property
    7.    Restore, replace and repair building materials with our skilled building/restoration teams

SERVPRO has the training, experience, and equipment to handle large commercial fire damage emergencies. Whether your fire emergency occurs in a restaurant, motel, public or office building, our crew will assess the damage in each room and plan proper procedures, using dry or wet cleaning strategies matched to the character of the residue found and the materials affected. Systematically, SERVPRO progresses through your business, room by room, to assure that all harm is reversed and the corrosive soot and smoke are permanently eliminated.

We answer the phone, ready to help with your property damage

As a leader in property damage restoration and repair services, we have helped countless families and businesses through very unpredictable and devastating residential and commercial property losses. We understand you may not know what to do in a disaster situation; SERVPRO can help by responding faster with professionals who can help you through the restoration process.

SERVPRO offers a Custom “EMERGENCY READY PROFILE” Preparation Service; one of our professionals will come to your commercial property and assess your proper emergency service solution, should you ever have a disaster in the future. The preparation process is quick and easy and makes the aftermath of a disaster simple because all the details are assessable to our staff and technicians should you need us. The emergency ready profile also helps your staff know what to do in the event of an emergency, and where important safety items are located. We provide this service free of charge, so call us today.

Preparing Your Business for a Potential Fire Disaster

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Back up important data and documents.

How Can I Prepare for a Fire Disaster?

Although there is only a slight chance, you never know when your Katy, TX, commercial property could catch fire. Whether it's a result of a faulty electrical system, a toaster fire in the breakroom, or a wildfire intrusion, it's essential to think about fire preparation before the worst occurs. Being proactive can potentially save lives, your building, and your business.

1. Back Up Your Important Data and Documents
The survival of your business could depend on having backups of your essential data and files. As an extra precaution, you can store this data in a separate physical location, such as on a hard drive kept in your own home. However, your best option is to keep backups of everything in the cloud. You can also scan essential paper files and upload them to your cloud storage.

2. Prepare Your Employees
Familiarize all of your employees with the building evacuation plan, the location of fire extinguishers and first aid kits, as well as other critical information. Part of your fire preparation should include routinely practicing fire drills and presenting fire safety rules with all personnel.

If you don't have a binder with this information available to employees, contact SERVPRO to come to your building and create a free Emergency Readiness Plan for your office.

3. Review Your Commercial Insurance
A critical part of your plan is reviewing your commercial insurance policy to ensure you have the correct type and amount of coverage. Having the proper insurance could mean the difference between saving your business or losing everything.

4. Create a List of Emergency Contacts
Another vital component of disaster preparation is creating a list of emergency contacts. The list should include employees and their emergency contacts, suppliers, local emergency services, your insurance company, and fire damage restoration professionals. Keep a copy of this list off-site in case the original gets destroyed in the fire.

Any type of disaster at your business can be traumatic for everyone involved. However, having a fire preparation strategy in place can provide you with some much-needed peace of mind. SERVPRO is here to help you prepare for the worst, and restore your assets if anything happens.

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk

6/21/2021 (Permalink)

A woman with a hoarding disorder receives assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto. (Photo: Newscom)

Hoarding Causes Increased Fire Risk in Katy and Cypress, Texas

            “Hoarding is defined as collecting or keeping large amounts of various items in the home due to strong urges to save them or distress experienced when discarding them.”  - nfpa.org

Hoarding is often caused by a stressful life event such as divorce, eviction, or losing possessions in a fire. This can be a vicious cycle because hoarding is also a fire hazard. 

Hoarding increases fire risk in many ways: Heating units may be too close to things that can burn, blocked pathways and exits could hinder escape from a fire which puts residents and first responders in harm’s way, and exit routes should change as new items are brought into the home.

See Hoarding Safety Tip Sheet

Ignoring clutter is dangerous. SERVPRO’S hoarding cleanup technicians have encountered innumerable safety threats to homes and businesses. We have learned from years of experience that the buildup of belongings increases the risk of accidental fires and diseases that can fester in piles of clutter. Toxic mold and carbon monoxide can develop leading to health effects.

In the photo from Newscom, a woman with a hoarding disorder receives assistance from a case manager from an outreach program near Toronto. Such services are partnering with the fire service to identify people with hoarding problems and work with them to clear clutter from their homes. Paper and other material in many hoarding households blocks windows and exits making a fire rescue difficult and giving even more substance for the fire to grow. 

We know customers can have difficulty parting with belongings. We work closely with clients to meet their specific needs throughout the process of returning their homes to a safe, comfortable, and clean environment.

“People who are embarrassed about their homes and overwhelmed by the prospect of cleanup sometimes decline to call plumbers or electricians when problems develop; hoarding homes can exist without functioning refrigerators, toilets, and furnaces, with residents resorting to bottled water, space heaters, and candles, adding to the potential hazards.” – nfpa.org 

We handle each case with the sensitivity needed in understanding the hoarding condition, working closely with the individual and their family.

SERVPRO provides hoarding cleaning services to restore Houston, Texas area homes. Our technicians can safely clean up all items and disinfect the home to provide a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment.

There are clear dangers of having too much stuff. Anyone can make a new year’s resolution to cut down on material possessions for mental health and physical safety.

Our technicians at SERVPRO are equipped and trained to remove material possessions and clean and sanitize the home for safer living conditions. If you or a friend or family member needs hoarding cleanup services, call (281) 469-2957.

Stay Safe in Your Community With The Citizen App

5/13/2021 (Permalink)

Make sure you know what is happening on the streets nearby!

In times of economic uncertainty, crime rates rise. Know what is happening around you and stay safe with the Citizen App. Whether a crime is taking place or there's a fire is spreading in your building or a building nearby, the app alerts you when something is happening in your area that you should know about. You can also report anything you see by taking a live video.

This free app is one of the most powerful ways to stay safe. It gives you access to verified 911 information and lets you know what is happening in real-time. The app covers events from missing pets to natural disasters and everything in between. This community transparency empowers everyone to create a safer world.

The app is connected to your phone’s GPS tracker so it will let you know what is happening around you according to your current location, not only your home address. Next time you see a road shut down and police sirens inside the closure, you have a way to understand exactly what is going on.

In some areas, the company that runs the citizen app has installed antennas that allow them to listen to police and fire scanners. Artificial intelligence along with humans then decipher what is being communicated and translate that into reports that are coded with neighborhood data inside the app. Reports are a step above what you will find on neighborhood apps like Nextdoor because the data comes not only from your neighbors but also directly from police reports.

Though live streaming from the scene of a crime can be very dangerous, getting real-time alerts to situations unfolding nearby can be life-saving by preventing people from walking into a sticky situation, or allowing them to keep an eye on a nearby fire to make sure it does not have potential to spread to their residence.

The Citizen App blog tells a story of a Philadelphia resident who was alerted to a fire near his dwelling:

Before hearing sirens, smelling smoke, or seeing flames, Citizen user ‘petz215’ received a notification.

Citizen user ‘petz215’ was getting ready to leave his South Philadelphia home for a dentist appointment on November 18th when he received the Citizen notification above.

“If there were a house fire that close to me, I would definitely already know about it,” he thought. “Sure enough, I stepped outside to see a raging fire.”

He canceled his appointment to monitor the fire and make sure it didn’t spread closer to his house.

The fire destroyed the house where it sparked and affected two neighboring homes.

“I was astonished. Not only did I find out about this nearby fire with a push notification, but there was already a live video of something that started minutes ago. I couldn’t believe how fast it happened.”

From Blog: https://medium.com/citizen/south-philly-resident-alerted-to-fire-on-his-own-block-b9dbcdca8e35

----------------------------------------------------

In the few weeks I've had the app installed, I've been alerted to various incidents happening nearby including building fires, car accidents, and gunshots fired. The app tells me exactly how far away a situation is from my location, down to several hundred feet. I’m able to add friends and family to my "inner circle" to get alerts about potential situations unfolding near their real-time location as well.

If there is a dangerous situation occurring near you, it's better to be an informed citizen than not.

Download the app here:

https://citizen.com

How Professional Cleaning Can Reduce Your Loss Expenses

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

Suffering fire damage in your home does not have to be a total loss. Contact SERVPRO for effective cleanup after a fire.

Our SERVPRO Team Offers Many Effective Services After a Fire

Insurance claims can be costly, especially if filed under damage caused by you. In the event of a fire, replacement is by far the most expensive part of a claim, closely followed by resurfacing of structural elements. However, replacement or resurfacing can sometimes be avoided. Cleaning can help to restore possessions to their preloss condition and prevent your insurance rates from rising unnecessarily.

In our experience, insurance claims for fire damage in Houston properties can be lessened by thoroughly cleaning the affected area. Our restoration experts can use tried and tested methods of cleaning to help salvage some of your items and restore them to pre-fire conditions.

The first thing a SERVPRO technician does onsite is to locate smoke residues by conducting a thorough visual inspection. Tracing how far smoke has traveled as well as identifying the type of residue and surfaces affected is a crucial part of the restoration process as it allows us to apply the right cleaning chemicals and technique for each affected area.

Smoke residues bond with the surfaces that come into contact with them. Porous surfaces and materials absorb smoke which can become worse if tackled with the wrong equipment. A SERVPRO restoration specialist can use a combination of dry and wet cleaning methods to lift residue away from the affected surface.
 
The first port of call is industrial-grade wet/ dry vacuums. After vacuuming, there are four specialized methods your restorer can use depending on the situation. Temperature cleaning causes materials to react with higher temperatures and lift settled residue from soft textures like upholstery. Chemical cleaning and soaking time are also very effective in getting rid of high concentrations of soot or smoke.
 
If you have jewelry or other valuables damaged in the fire, ultrasonic equipment can be brought in to restore them. Selected items are placed in a vat of solvent or water. Sonic waves are used to agitate the liquid which produces microscopic bubbles. These bubbles burst on the surface of the items creating pressure. The pressure created by bursting bubbles cleans the surface of high-value items, sometimes bringing them back to preloss conditions.
 
In most cases, we can complete item restoration on-site. However, if there is a lot of damage or limited space to carry out cleaning, we can take items from the site to a storage facility for cleaning and restoration. Pack-outs free up space which can help us extract water, clean or dry the structure efficiently.

SERVPRO has helped some homeowners to reduce the expense of their insurance claim by restoration using professional cleaning methods. In cases of severe damage, cleaning may not be possible. As part of our service, we can walk you around the affected area after cleaning as well as completing a customer content inventory service (CCIS) that lists salvageable and non-salvageable items.

When you are next filing an insurance claim, contact SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 for expert assessment and professional cleanup services. Arrange a home visit by calling (281) 469-2957 today.

Our Technicians Discuss The Equipment We Use To Save Your Fire Damaged Home

3/19/2021 (Permalink)

Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage.

Fire Damage Experts In Katy and Cypress Texas Talk About Equipment Used To Remove Soot And Burnt Material

If something ever happens to burn inside your residence, many items inside your house can get ruined in a short period. Both the heat and flames created by an inferno can cause you extensive fire damage. In Houston, there are over 2,000 reported structure fires every year. Over 25% of the total calls fire departments in the state receive are because of buildings burning.

The longer the blaze burns, the worse the fire damage in your home can get. The first thing to do once you see flames on your property is to attempt to extinguish them yourself before the problems get out of hand. If the inferno becomes more than you can handle, make sure everyone is safe, and then call your local emergency services. Once the blaze gets put out, it is then wise to call in a professional restoration company such as SERVPRO.

In some situations, your building materials and contents could be covered in soot or burnt on the surface, but using the right tools our SERVPRO team can save certain items. When cleaning and refinishing, we use the following five tools of the trade.

1. Dry Ice Blasting
Using dry ice can be very effective in removing soot and charred substances from many different materials such as wood, concrete, and metal.

2. Soda Blasting
This method uses baking soda and not only can be used to clean many types of surfaces, but the baking soda helps absorb odors.

3. Sanding
When restoring some wooden materials inside your structure, we can sand off the burnt material and save the item.

4. Wet Cleaning
If we ever clean hard, non-porous surfaces, we usually receive good results when using water-based detergents and a damp rag.

5. Dry Sponge Cleaning
For surfaces that are porous, wet cleaning could soak the soot and burnt materials into the item making the problems worse. Dry cleaning can be useful and prevents secondary soaking issues.

If you ever suffer from a structure fire on your Katy, Cypress, Champions, or 1960 home, call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 at (281) 469-2957 any time of the day, because We’re Faster to Any Size Disaster.

Checking In On Fire Safety Measures in the Champions/1960 Area

11/26/2020 (Permalink)

Check that the fire extinguisher in your home is up to date. Having one in the house that is in usable condition can help stop the spread of fire.

SERVPRO Technicians Can Provide Fire Prevention Tips for Your Home

Preventing fire damage is far easier than cleaning up after it, so your primary concern should always be to secure your home against future disasters. Ultimately, the biggest mistake most people make is in maintenance. It can be difficult to make sure that every fire safety measure in your home is working at full capacity, but the effort is worth it to avoid disaster. Many of SERVPRO's recent calls could have been avoided if the homeowner put in place the appropriate preventative measures, and resultingly, we hope that these reminders might help local residents to prevent fires in the future. 
 
Smoke Detectors 
 
Inadequate smoke detectors are one of the most costly contributors to fire damage in Champions / 1960. Many people are content just to replace smoke detector batteries every year or two when the devices start beeping. However, this is not enough to make sure that they are up-to-date and working as intended. If the devices stop working entirely, you may forget they even exist as they fail to beep on their irregular schedule. At least once a year, go through your home and make sure all your smoke detectors are working and free of damage. 
 
Fire Extinguishers 
 
Not all fire extinguishers are created equal. Some are based on ineffective and dangerous water solutions that are weak against big fires and inflammatory for some electrical fires. Others have short lifespans and require replacement by dates long enough in the future that most people forget entirely. Make sure your fire extinguishers are modern, undamaged, and well-constructed to keep small fires from growing into much larger ones. 
 
Fire Audits 
 
Having a certified company like SERVPRO come to inspect your home for fire safety irregularities can be one of the best ways to identify obscure problems or unseen risks. Our training and equipment help us to identify problems you might not even know you have. Contact one of our representatives to learn more about what we can do to help in this regard. 
 
SERVPRO of Katy / Cypress / Champions / 1960 is ready around the clock to get to your home and begin fire damage restorations after a disaster. Call us for expert service at (281) 469-2957.

Summer Safety: Grilling - Fire Hazard Tips

8/17/2020 (Permalink)

Grills were involved in over 10,000 house fires in a four-year span.

It’s important to be aware of what conditions can cause a grill fire, and how to prevent one. Stay safe while having summer fun in Harris County.

Grill fires are not only dangerous to people and animals, they can cause serious damage to your deck and home. The National Fire Protection Association reports that grills were involved in over 10,000 house fires in a four-year span, with July and August being the months that these incidents are most frequent.

What Causes Grill Fires?

While there is a fire risk anytime someone is cooking indoors or outside, grills pose a unique risk for flare-ups because of the open flame and direct contact. Common causes of grill fires include:

*Uncleaned grill grates

*Overfilled grease pans

*Grilling near combustible materials- heat can really radiate, you’d be surprised how far!

*Leaving grills unattended

*Burner tubes blocked due to debris or insects

How to Prevent Grill Fires

The easiest way to avoid damage from a grill fire is by being familiar with and taking steps to prevent one from happening using safety tips. 

Here are a few ways you can care for your grill and prevent fires:

1. It’s easy to forget, but you need to clean your drip pans frequently. Cleaning your grill helps prevent grease fires and flare-ups. Under the cooking grids and burners, every grill is equipped with a drip tray. When these trays become full and reach high temperatures, grease fires can occur. Check your pans or trays every time you use the grill to ensure they are not getting overfilled. If you let the grease cool, it’s easier to scrape off and then clean with soap and water.   
2. ALWAYS Keep safety supplies nearby. Baking soda quickly cuts off oxygen the fire needs. Keep baking soda and a fire extinguisher nearby each time you grill to smother any flames.
3. Coated, sauced, gristle-covered cooking grates need to be scraped down. These dried-on bits harbor bacteria that can affect the taste and outcome of your meal, but they can also cause dangerous fires. After preheating your grill, use a grill brush to scrape off grates—and scrape again after cooking. It is also advised to frequently give grates a scrub with soap and water while the grill is cool. There are lots of great choices of grill scrapers out there no matter what type you like, it’s an important tool to have on hand whenever you’re grilling! 

Note: Never use water to put out a grease fire, as it can cause flames to spread.

SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 is here for you in the event of any fire emergency. We’ll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Pet Fire Escape Plan

7/23/2020 (Permalink)

These poor fur pups got out of the home just in time!

Fires involving structures occur every day, including homes with pets inside. Do you know how to react when faced with a home fire? Did you know that pets tend to panic and hide when faced with a house fire? The following tips are to help you save your pets when faced with a house fire:

1. Notify rescuers that you have a pet in your home. You can purchase a sticker to place by your front door that details how many pets you have and what they are. This way, even if you are not there the pets have a chance of getting out.

2. Design a fire escape plan: It is important to know where your pets usually are. What are their favorite places?  Where do they tend to hide when scared?  In an emergency like a fire, there will not be time to waste looking everywhere for your pets.  You must have a concrete search plan with at least 3 locations where your pets can be found.  This entails creating a layout of your home and marking your pets’ “go-to” locations. You should also survey your home to identify potential pet hiding spots and indicate them on your layout.

3. Be prepared: Keep all equipment you would need while escaping a fire close together. For dogs that would be leashes; for cats or other small animals that might be carriers. Make sure these items are always put in the same place and are easy to get to. Don’t bury carriers in the attic or the back of a closet.  In a fire, there won’t be any time to hunt for them. Fires are life and death situations – rapid response is critical!

4. Practice makes perfect: Once you have laid out your plan, you will need to practice it using different scenarios. For example, practice what to do if the fire is in the kitchen; then if the fire is in a bedroom, and so on.  You should go as far as to practice your escape with your pets from a second story using a ladder. (If you don’t have an escape ladder you should get one, as well as the appropriate equipment needed to assist you carrying an animal down a ladder.)  Practice finding your pets. Start outside, rush into the house, find your pet, and take them outside. Repeating this drill can help animals become familiar with the process. You may even be able to train dogs to go to a certain area outside when the smoke detector rings. Continue practicing until you are comfortable with your fire escape plan and it works efficiently.

Fires are traumatic and life-changing experiences.  Prevent further disaster by creating a Fire Escape Plan for your home. Practice it frequently and continue to test yourself.

Call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 at (281) 469-2957 after the fire is out and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Fireworks and Hot Summers

7/13/2020 (Permalink)

Fireworks are a treasured spectacle for The Fourth of July

We look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings fires and injuries due to fireworks and outdoor cooking. We here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960 want our community to know that the best way to protect their families is to not use fireworks at home. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends attending public displays and leaving the lighting of fireworks to the professionals.

During the summer months, house fires are less common but can still be a hazard. Your home is supposed to be a place where you and your family can feel safe and secure. However, there are some seasonal dangers that can catch you off guard if you don't remain vigilant. The two biggest being, cooking/ grilling and fireworks during the summer holidays. We here at SERVPRO have personally seen how fast danger can occur during fun times with family members.

Check out Firework Safety Facts from our friends at the National Fire Protection Association #NFPA

According to NFPA, each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks - devastating burns, other injuries, fires, and even death.

BE CAREFUL!

• Be safe. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by experts.
• Do not use consumer fireworks.
• Keep a close eye on children at events where fireworks are used.

FACTS

• Fireworks cause an average of almost 18,500 reported fires per year.
• Sparklers account for roughly one-quarter of emergency room fireworks injuries.

CONSUMER FIREWORKS

NFPA is opposed to consumer use of fireworks. This includes sparklers and firecrackers. Even sparklers burn hot enough to cause third-degree burns.

For additional firework safety info.  Please click the link below:

NFPA FIREWORK SAFETY INFO

STAY SAFE THIS JULY!

~Your Friends at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress/Champions/1960

(281) 469-2957

Fire Restoration

6/8/2020 (Permalink)

Fire to a home or business can be one of the most traumatizing and frightening experiences. Fire can cause huge amounts of damage and loss to property, leaving prized possessions destroyed. The fire restoration process includes mitigating damage, providing smoke damage cleanup and water cleanup as quickly as possible after damage occurs. Additionally water used to extinguish the fire can cause the wood in the home to absorb more smoke and residue. Get help call SERVPRO of Katy Cypress or SERVPRO of Champions 1960's trained technicians, they are ready to help, we respond 24/7 and will return your property to its former state after fire damage. Prevent fires, avoid unattended or careless use of candles, leaving cooking unattended, no smoking indoors and keep Barbecue grill at least 10 feet from the house. Be safe. Do not disable smoke detectors they will give you an early warning to a life saving event.

clean up after a fire

6/2/2020 (Permalink)

Any house fire can be an emotionally gut wrenching  experience, not every fire causes total destruction to a home or business and their belongings, thanks to fire safety measures. Most important thing to do after any size fire is to have the property inspected for safety and call SERVPRO of Katy Cypress trained technicians and experts in fire , water restoration and clean up. Hidden damages to electrical wringing should be corrected before cleaning and finishing touching like, painting walls, once the property has been inspected the site can be cleared to enter but, take precautions before heading inside. Fire restoration is a complicated process if done incorrectly there can be a long delay getting started with clean up . In an unfortunate event that you experience a fire, Call SERVPRO fire and water cleanup and restoration.

Fire Prevention at Home

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

Chief cause of house fires and the best way to avoid and to prevent them are, when cooking do not leave your pot unattended. Stay in the kitchen when cooking, especially if cooking and using oil, pans can easily over heat and grease can spatter and will only take seconds to cause a fire. Have a qualified electrical technician inspect your home heating system annually. Keep space heaters away from anything that can burn and set on floor only. Keep candles in a sturdy holder and blow them out before leaving the room. Electrical appliances check for loose or frayed plugs and wires. Keep matches and lighters away from children room and possessions and out of reach. When a fire breaks out, every second counts, protect yourself and your love ones, have a fire plan in place before disaster strikes. Call SERVPRO of Katy/ Cypress experts in fire and water restoration.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

9/16/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Katy/ Cypress offers 24/7 emergency service and quickly to respond, when contacted to prevent damages from spreading through your property, this is very important. Fire restoration process is to assess the extent of the damage to your home, and how far the fire and smoke and soot have traveled, as well as how the walls and furniture have been affected. The main priority will always be to prevent the fire damage from getting worse. Fire damage to roofs can cause water damages to your home from holes in roof. Water damage for instance could have come from a burst pipe or a water tank or even a water heater in the attic. Your first job to do after a fire is call SERVPRO to clean all the damage and get your property back to normal.

House Fire can Destroy Everything on property

9/13/2019 (Permalink)

Having to evacuate your home during a fire can be devastating, to a home owner and can mean your home might be completely lost and you may have to move quickly. Fires can destroy your property and cause irreversible damage. Flames move from item to item burning everything to char and cause surrounding items to melt and even shatter. SERVPRO of Katy/ Cypress restoration is the best restoration services to call to help the aftermath of a fire. Our professionals will know what to do and where to begin, with significant damages to your home. When the sound of a fire alarm is going off, you’re suddenly awake in the middle of the night, get yourself and your family out of bed and out of the house, call the fire department and call SERVPRO and be safe.

Prevent a House Fire

9/10/2019 (Permalink)

Prevent fires from starting and spreading in your home, start by using safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and blankets, and installing, smoke detectors. Make sure batteries are in good working condition in your smoke detectors, and do not disable smoke alarms. When cooking, do not leave your cooking unattended. Avoid unattended or careless use of candles. Fires can be useful, but also very dangerous, it can cause houses and trees to burn to ashes and destroy a huge area in a matter of minutes. Good housekeeping can ensure buildup of rubbish that can burn easy. Practice safety tips and prevent fire or Call SERVPRO of KATY/ CYPRESS restoration and clean up services, if your home has been damaged by fire or smoke and need help to repair and restore your home back to original condition.

Fires and the Holidays

8/12/2019 (Permalink)

For most the holiday season is the best time of the year. We get to see friends and family that we normally don't get see. Happiness almost feels like its at a all time high. Unfortunately for some, the holidays prove to breathe disaster. On average, one of every 45 reported home fires began with a Christmas tree, that can result in fatal injury. You know how highly flammable turpentine is? Well, it’s made from pine trees. According to the USFA, a Christmas tree is almost explosive in nature when it come in contact with open flames. Thanksgiving is also a peak time for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas. Tis the season the be careful. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress we urge the awesome people who make up our connected community to help one another and help prepare for this next holiday season. For any question on how to do this, please contact SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress. 

House Fire Safety

6/11/2019 (Permalink)

According to a yearly statistic, 6,500 people die and 280,000 are injured in house fires each year. This is mostly due to smoke inhalation. Many of those death could possibly be avoided by prep and having a safety plan set up with family or roommates. If you think you might have the chances on your side, you would be wrong. According to the same study; during the lifetime of an average household, chances are 2 to 1 that there will be an accidental fire. First, one must understand what they call the fire triangle. The fire triangle is the three things that a fire needs to grow and spread, heat, oxygen and fuel. If one of these components is missing, a fire can’t ignite. People are most likely to die or be injuries in a house fire when there are no smoke alarms. Having multiple smoke alarms, and having them checked regularly could significantly increase your chances of survival. SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress staff and crews are repeatedly trained in this field. We work with fire departments in our neighborhoods to try and lower that percentages of house fires in our awesome communities. Please contact us here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress for any concerns about this subject. We would be more than happy to assist. 

Smoke and Soot in the Home

6/7/2019 (Permalink)

When it comes to small house fires, the damages can be way more than expected. Smoke and soot can cause just a much damage as the fire itself in some cases. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, we are trained and certified in this field and are one of the leading experts in commercial and residential smoke and fire clean up. Cleaning smoke damage out of a home is important for providing a healthy living environment. The hostile nature of smoke and soot can make it difficult to remove. However, they contain horrible odors and particles that are harmful to breathe, so it’s important to clean them completely. Fire and smoke can be troublesome so let the experts at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress handle it for you. 

After the Fire

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

The experts here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress take fire restoration very seriously. We understand that a house fire can affect ever part of a person's life. For some, it can feel like they have to start their lives over. The damages caused by a fire can be heavy, to say the least. That's where we come in. SERVPRO that is! We can remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors by using mild soaps or detergents mixed together. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress our professional technicians know the best cleaning solutions. We have equipment and tools that assist us with the job as well. Learn more on how to clean up after a house fire, including supplies you will need. Contact SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress for all of your restoration need and questions. 

Grease Fires 2019

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

Cooking normally doesn't present a lot of dangers. You might cut your finger while chopping vegetables or burn yourself on a hot pan. Besides that there is no actual danger to your livelihood or your home. Except for grease fires. Fires caused by grease are probably the most prominent way that fires start in homes. Grease fires happen when your cooking oil becomes too hot. Adding water or wet cold food to hot oil or grease can cause a flare up. This can ignite, and cause damages to your kitchen, as well as your entire home. Using heavy pots with lids when deep frying can help prevent this from happening. Oils won't immediately catch fire once it starts smoking, but smoke is a dangerous sign. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, we deal with these kinda issues all the time. Cage your worries and let us at SERVPRO take care of this for you. 

Signs of Electrical Fires

3/8/2019 (Permalink)

Electrical fires account for a lot of home fires. If you notice a burning odor or sparks coming from any outlet or switches, turn the power off at the electrical panel. The problem may be a faulty device. It can be a wiring or power overload problem. Burning smells can be a serious issues, because it can indicate the start of an electrical fire. If you smell a burning smell, or rubber smell that is consistent throughout your house, try to isolate the location. You can easily prevent electrical fires in your home, by knowing what to look for. Several discolored or charred outlets and switches is a good indicator. Old outdated wiring, burnt smell or circuit breakers tripping, and sometimes appliances pulling too much electricity on one circuit can cause an issue as well. SERVPRO are the experts in this field. For all of your fire restoration needs please call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress. Our staff of expects are here to answer any question or concerns about this subject. 

Black Soot

3/1/2019 (Permalink)

A fire can cause unthinkable damage to your home and business, but what most people do not talk about is soot damage, and what it can do to your home or business. Soot damage is quite common after a fire. Soot is a black powdery substance that forms through incomplete combustion. Soot particles can cling to surfaces like walls, ceilings, and contents. This is what makes soot so dangerous. Our textile technician are experts. Using technology with industrial solvent, helps make your home and business look and feel brand new again. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress we make it our responsibility to help educate the people in our communities, so that they understand how and why we have to take certain actions when it comes to damages to your home or business.   

Fires Cause Damages

9/18/2018 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the most deadly things a home or business owner can face. Often negligence is a factor, other times malfunctioning electronics and even arson can be to blame. Regardless of the cause, fire damage is expensive to repair and often leaves nothing but ashes and lost memories. When wondering what to do after a fire, call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress and a trained service technician will advise you on what to do and not to do before the fire restoration process begins. Fire damage can be a devastating experience for both your home and your business, and can be caused by something as simple as preparing a meal or a smoking a cigarette. After a fire, be careful when using electronics such as the air conditioner or heater. Do not try and clean walls or clothing. We also encourage the people of our community not to eat any left over foods that were left out during the fire. For questions regarding this subject, please call the professionals at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress.  

Fires That Start With a Spark

9/18/2018 (Permalink)

Most electrical fires are caused by faulty electrical outlets and old outdated appliances. According to the United States fire administration, electrical fires account for nearly 24,000 residential fires a year. Light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs are another common reason for electrical fires. During the winter month, one of the number one causes are space heaters. These types of heaters are portable and most of the time people put them too close to combustible surfaces such as curtains, beds, clothing, chairs, couches and rugs. These types of fires can rip through a home or business and destroy everything in its path. At SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, we pride ourselves on the way we handle fire restoration, with our communication skills among the skills we already possess to get the job done the correct way the first time. 

Burns Related to Fires

9/18/2018 (Permalink)

Death from fires and or burns are the sixth most common cause of injury/death in the U.S. There are more mobile home fires than regular houses and injuries related to that. The majority of fire related deaths are caused by smoke inhalation not by the fire itself. Actual flames and burns are only 30 percent of fire-related deaths. Unfortunately people survive home fires with all types of burns mild and severe. First degree burns are considered mild compared to others. Second degree burns are burns that affect the lower layer of skin. Third degree burns, also known as a full thickness burns, affect the lowest layers and deep tissue areas. We at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress feel responsible to our community and pledge to make sure that we can prevent and or prepare for such tragedies.  

Top Five Ways House Fires Happen

9/12/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to house fires, there are many different ways for them to start. House fires can happen at anytime and anywhere. The top five ways for house fires to start are; cooking equipment, heating, candles, faulty wires and barbecues. All of these can be avoided with just being aware that it can happen to anyone. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, we are not only the experts in water restoration, but fire restoration as well. At SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, we handle just as many fire damages as we do water. When fire, water or storm damage happens it is important to select a restoration company that has the experience, knowledge and expertise to put your home or business back together like new again. 

Prep for Fires

8/17/2018 (Permalink)

Fires at your home or business can be a very difficult and stressful experience. In most cases the fire starts without notice. Each year more than 2,500 people die and 12,600 are injured in home fires in the United States. This number could drop significantly if people would prepare for the worst and hope for the best. The real problem is that the average person has the attitude that it will never happen to them. Which is the worst attitude when it comes to any form of disaster. Here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress we erg the people in our community to prep homes and businesses for any types of unannounced disasters, especially fires. They come on quick with mostly no warning and can destroy everything if not properly put out by your local fire department.     

Smoke and Soot

6/25/2018 (Permalink)

You've just suffered a fire, and you decide you wanna save a few bucks on the restoration process by handling the clean up yourself. Smoke and soot are a reminder of the disastrous fire that took it's toll on your home. Left over smoke and soot following a fire, can be unsightly and foul smelling. Fire damage can linger for years unless properly addressed and restored correctly. Adequate safety equipment is essential in reducing possible dangers to smoke and soot exposure and other health related issues resulting from the fire fighting efforts. Proper ventilation is also necessary to protect and restore indoor air quality following a fire. Hepa filtration can absorb toxic air flow in the house and is used to preserve air quality as well. If you have an concerns or question, we erg you to contact your local SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, where the experts and professionals can assist you with any type of destruction, including smoke and fire damage. Its a pledge that SERVPRO makes to its community.  

Electrical Fires II

3/30/2018 (Permalink)

You can preach electrical fire safety at home and practice all you want, but accidents do happen. When an electrical fire first ignites it can start small enough that you can extinguish with a blanket and maybe a fire extinguisher. Be prepared and quick to determine if the fire you are dealing with is able to be put out quickly without risk of injury or damage. Remember that the safety of everyone in the home or dwelling always comes first. If the fire is spreading quickly it can produces dangerous amounts of smoke. Smoke damage can be just as harmful. It can cause deaths, as well as, damage to the home. Smoke inhalation kills more people in home fires than the actual fires do, in most cases. Fire fighters say that if you can not extinguish a fire with in five seconds, call 911 and get out of the home. After the fire is put out and everyone is accounted for and safe, you can always count on your friendly neighborhood experts at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress to help you put your life back together.   

SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress and Fire Remediation

3/21/2018 (Permalink)

If you’re a native Texan, chances are you’ve come to love hot weather and hot sauce. However, when this famous Southern heat comes in the form of a house fire, it ceases to be a symbol of state pride. Luckily, SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress is prepared to treat fire damage to your  property with their time-tested expertise.

When your home has suffered the after effects of smoke and flames, remember this helpful list of guidelines to ensure your home receives the top-quality fire restoration service it requires:

• Find Safety & Get Help: Immediately after a fire, even a home appearing to be minimally damaged can be too dangerous to occupy. Oftentimes, firefighters need to cut holes in walls and roofs to add ventilation and check for hidden flames, causing the entire structure of your home to become unstable. Once you’ve found a safe place to recover, don’t forget to comfort scared pets calmly as they may translate their fear into aggression. As soon as you can, tell your insurance company what happened. They may ask you to take note of which items were damaged or suggest fire restoration services.
• Act Quickly: As soon as you’ve confirmed the safety of your family and notified your insurance company, it’s important to take action while damage is still settling in. If fire damage restoration begins as soon as possible, soot residue has less time to become ingrained in your furniture and fixtures, or eat away at the finish on your floors and walls. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress offers 24-hour emergency service, so you can get things moving while there’s still time to salvage your belongings.
• Ask Questions & Coordinate Responsibility: Once SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress arrives to inspect the extent of the fire damage, remember to ask questions about their findings, and determine exactly what needs to be done. Once the fire damage experts have explained their plans to clear out any fire or water damage that occurred while putting out the fire, SERVPRO will work with you and your insurance agent to begin restoring the beauty of your home. 

If your home has been damaged in a fire, call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress at (281) 469-2957 for emergency service. Visit the website for more information on the restoration services offered.

Electrical Fires

3/20/2018 (Permalink)

Electrical fires cause millions of dollars in damages, while also claiming lives in the process. There are so many possible causes for these types of fires. One of these causes can be faulty wiring through out the house, and overloading connection for more than they were designed for. Improper use of extension cords and power strips can cause a situation. Even something as simple as small animals chewing through wiring in the wall can cause a fire. 

You can prevent electrical fires in the home by following a few safety tips. When purchasing a used heating appliance, make sure the temperature switch will shut down the equipment if the thermostat fails. When doing duct work, make sure you use a licensed professional. Anywhere there is an electric current, there is a chance of a fire. By the time you see or smell smoke, the electrical fire may already be out of control. SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress wants you to stay safe and take action immediately to repair and replace faulty wiring in your home to reduce the risk of an unwarranted situation. Know the signs before the fire even starts. 

Space Heaters

3/12/2018 (Permalink)

One of the most common causes of house fires is something you would never think as a possible danger. Thirty-two percent of all home fires and deaths related to those are caused by space heaters, according to the National Fire Protection Association. 

With the long term cold that set over the Houston area, some Houston residents are using space heaters to try and keep their homes and garages warm during those cold nights. Having a space heater on while you sleep can put you and your family at extreme risk for a home fire. When a space heater is left unattended and is too close to flammable items, a massive fires can occur. Which can cause injury or even death to the occupants of the home. 

Be safe and reduce your risk when using a space heater, as they can be a great addition to the home during those annoyingly cold months. Following safety precautions can reduces the risk of fire. Making sure your heater is on a flat surface, and is being used in proper area of the home and garage, can also reduce your risk of starting a house fire. 

So we here at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress ask the wonderful members of our community to be responsible and think about all the risks that go along with having a home and living in the community. We are not only responsible for ourselves but also our neighbors and fellow community members.

What Is Smoke Damage?

3/2/2018 (Permalink)

When you think about fire damage to a structure, most of us think about a burned destroyed home or business. The truth is, that smoke damage can be just as destructive. Closed fireplace flues, and electrical fires can send smoke throughout your house, charring walls, covering everything, and stinking up the place. The longer you let smoke and odors linger, the more they soak into walls, carpets, and furniture.

One of the first things one should to do is ventilate the house as quickly as possible to mitigate smoke damage. Quick action is the only way to minimize the destruction. Restoration costs increase, and damages escalate when the cleaning process is extended.In most cases when it comes to major destruction to a home, it’s always smart to have a professional give his or her opinion on the matter. SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress, can offer that in person, or over the phone depending on the severity of the situation.

In the aftermath of a fire there is a sizable secondary task to replace all destroyed property while cleaning what remains.To repair and recover your damaged property, you will want to clean the smoke and soot damage from walls, textiles, clothing, and furniture, to remove the odor. After that happens, the professions (SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress) will apply their ozone machines and air scrubbers to ensure that the smoky odor leaves the affected area in a timely manner.

House Fires Vol. 1

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

How to Prevent House Fires

SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress works with the community to help prevent home fires. House fires contribute to many deaths annually. We feel its our duty to help prevent these as much as possible. These are some tips from us at your neighborhood SERVPRO.

First off, always check wiring in the home annually to make sure that everything is up to code. Fires caused by faulty wiring can be prevented. Electrical fires can be devastating to houses and apartment communities. Even electrical cords can cause damage. Check the electrical cords throughout your home for signs of fraying, and replace all frayed wires. Do not pinch or cover electrical cords with items such as rugs and carpet.

Being careless in the kitchen while cooking may also lead to a house fire. In fact, its one of the number one reasons for house fires. Never leave your pots or pans unattended on your stove. Keep a kitchen fire extinguisher readily available and know how to use it. Keep your stove and oven clean. Built up grease can later ignite when the stove or oven is turned on. Never try and put out a grease fire with water. Always use baking powder or an extinguisher.

We are told that it takes less than five minutes for a fire to completely engulf most homes. There is not much time to decide what to do. Fire doesn't care what you need or want out of your home. It is critical to make a plan in advance. Hesitation could cost you, your life or the lives of others.

House Fires Vol. 2

3/1/2018 (Permalink)

Who You Gonna Call?

That is a great question. Who are you gonna call in the event of a house fire? No, its not gonna be the ghost-busters. They don't fix fire damages unless a ghost causes the fire, and that almost never happens. Obviously its going to be the fire department. The only problem is, they only put out fires. They don't clean up the damages. We do, though. So after it's all over and done, call SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress.

We at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress believe its our civic duty to the members of our community to help each person victimized by house fires. One wouldn't believe the amount of devastation that a house fire can cause. All of your earthly possessions are gone. Photos, family heirlooms, and items that are dear to you, can be gone in a blink of an eye.

If there is any chance of saving these items, SERVPRO is your best bet. We have expert specialists that dedicate there time and resources to restoring these priceless items. We do this by using state of the art tools and materials. Plus having certified individuals with an elite intellect helps.

How to react to a Fire

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Fire restoration can help save your most precious things you own!

What to do during a Fire

              Imagine; you’re sitting at home and minding your own business. You got a bowl of popcorn and you are watching some Netflix. Suddenly you smell smoke and see a bright light in the corner of your eye. What do you do? Do you have family or pets sleeping somewhere? Do you have important documents that you need to have? Do you have irreplaceable photographs that are not in the cloud lying around the house? Do you have a plan? These are things that need to be pre-meditated when it comes to fire. It can take less than 5 minutes from the beginning of a fire to make it unlivable inside your house. It is important to have an escape route planned. The same reason that we use to do fire drills at school is the same reason you should do fire drills at your house. Time it. Plan it out.

How to react to a Fire Part II

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Fire restoration can help save your most precious things you own!

Some things that you can do to help with your planning stage are to make sure your smoke alarms have refreshed batteries. The last thing you need is for your alarm system to fail because you were too lazy to put batteries in the machine (speaking from personal experience it is not worth it)! Another thing you can do is do a mock fire drill (not like Dwight Schrute did in that episode of the Office). Grab your most necessary belongings and people and pets and get out. Also plan a window escape from the second floor. Start keeping all your most important documents in one place. These are some simple things to keep in mind when doing your fire drill. At the end of the day you need to remember that the most important thing is you and your families lives. Things can always be replaced but people can’t.

How to react to a Fire Part III

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Fire restoration can help save your most precious things you own!

After the fire has caught and you have escaped safely because you have been preparing for this event for years it is time to take a step back and stay calm. If the fire department is not already on the way call 911 and tell them what is going on. At this point the fire department will do its best to save your house and contents. Once they leave your house will smell like smoke and it will have water damage due to the water the fire department saving your house. Now it comes down to hiring a restoration crew. You need a restoration company to come in and perform water restoration, fire restoration, and smoke restoration. If you can’t think of one you can always call SERVPRO but I also recommend calling your insurance agent and telling them what is going on. Your insurance agent should have a company in mind for this event.

How to react to a Fire Part IV

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Fire restoration can help save your most precious things you own!

If you call SERVPRO we will be there within 4 hours at least. We usually can get there within 2 hours though. Also, we are never closed so no matter what time it is we can get there. First, we will walk the job and figure out what contents are salvageable and what is not. Then we will restore the contents and get them out of the way. Next, we will begin the restoration process on the property itself. We will clean all the surfaces and use our house made products that are specifically made to clean fire and smoke damage. What isn’t restorable we will remove. We also constantly have the proper PPE on to keep our workers safe. Throughout the job we have air scrubbers running to help clean the air as we clean the property. I hope you never need us but if you do make sure the job is done right!

Turkey Fry

8/11/2017 (Permalink)

Turkey Fire

When it comes to frying turkeys, you need to remember one thing; DO NOT PUT A FROZEN TURKEY IN THE FRYER. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), about 4,300 house fires are started on Thanksgiving every year, accounting for 15 deaths and almost $27 million in property damage, many of them due to deep fried turkey accidents. Every year my family likes to fry a couple of turkeys in our turkey fryer. We do it outside on the driveway to make sure that if something goes wrong we are safe because the fryer is on a concrete driveway. While it is summer time and there is plenty of time to plan for Thanksgiving we at SERVPRO of Katy/Cypress and Champions/1960 want to give you a friendly reminder to deep fry turkeys that are thawed and do it on your driveway.

“Those Machines that Scrub the Air”       

6/7/2017 (Permalink)

airscrubber

“Those Machines that Scrub the Air”           Today, Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be discussing a machine known as an air scrubber. These machines are used by restoration companies like SERVPRO. Air scrubbers “scrub” the air of its biologically imperfections and keep it as clean breathable air to make the surrounding environment perfect for drying. Air scrubbers are used as a negative air machine or HEPA air scrubber to remove airborne contaminants during restoration, and remodel work. Air enters units passing through a three-stage HEPA filtration system to remove airborne particles. Optional carbon filters remove airborne odors. Capable of four air changes per hour in a 14,000 cubic feet area. This process is used in mold remediation, water damage restoration, fire damage and air quality control.          
There are certain environments to use these air scrubbers. They are for indoor use only. Do not block air intake or outlet. Also keep one foot minimum distance from obstructions. Make sure not to operate with a damaged cord or plug. Only certified SERVPRO Technicians can tame the wild beasts known as air scrubbers and bend them to their will for restoration purposes. So, if the crud must hit the fan, let it hit our air scrubbers instead.
From all of us at SERVPRO; we hope you don’t need to call us but we are waiting nonetheless.  

Fire Restoration Process

3/20/2017 (Permalink)

Not actual fire ppe

Fire Restoration

              Here at SERVPRO of Katy Cypress and Champions 1960 we take restoration very seriously. There are many types of restoration. There is fire restoration, water restoration, mold remediation, furniture restoration and many other types of cleaning a restoration. In the greater Houston, Texas area we consider ourselves the best in the business. SERVPRO of Katy Cypress and Champions 1960 makes sure that every job we do is done efficiently and with great care for the customer.

              When performing a fire restoration job, we start with the least aggressive maneuvers at first. If we do not see a difference after 24 hours, then we use more aggressive maneuvers. The best part about using SERVPRO of Katy Cypress and Champions 1960 is that we try and restore over replace which means our bill is smaller. We are the best at what we do and it is widely accepted by most insurance companies. Please give us a chance!

-The list of our services are water restoration, fire restoration, mold mitigation, storm response, move outs and contents restoration, electronic restoration, document drying, contents claim inventory service, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning, deodorization, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and vandalism cleaning in the greater Houston, Katy, Alief, Cypress, Champions, 1960, highway 6, Bellaire, Myerland area and many more!-

Fire Preparation

3/20/2017 (Permalink)

not actual fire ppe

Things to be aware of

              What causes a fire? Well mistakes and arson do but in this article, you will read some things that will protect you if you do have a fire. Here are some facts about fire that you should know. Seven people die every day from home fires. Thirty-six people suffer injuries every day from home fires. Over $7 billion of property damage occurs via home fires every single year. It takes about two minutes for a house to burn down once the fire starts. Can you and your family escape in two minutes?

              Some precautionary steps you can take are to have fire extinguishers in the house. Know where they are and make sure everyone else knows where they are. Practice two minute drills with your family so everyone knows how to escape. Lastly test your smoke alarms monthly. The last thing you want is something like that going out and you have no idea.

-The list of our services are water restoration, fire restoration, mold mitigation, storm response, move outs and contents restoration, electronic restoration, document drying, contents claim inventory service, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning, deodorization, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and vandalism cleaning in the greater Houston, Katy, Alief, Cypress, Champions, 1960, highway 6, Bellaire, Myerland area and many more!-

Fire Restoration Process

3/10/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Restoration Team in Houston, Texas

Fire Restoration Process

              In the Restoration business, we (SERVPRO of Katy Cypress and Champions 1960) consider ourselves experts in the field. We see all kinds of disasters that we restore back to normal and make the property look brand new. Some of the messiest jobs we see are caused by fires. Fire restoration is a messy business that needs to be done and it’s hard to figure where to start if you don’t know what you are doing.

The first step is to determine the point of origin. Once you have done this you can start by cleaning every single surface. We (SERVPRO of Katy Cypress and Champions 1960) start with dry cleaning and if that doesn’t work then we move to cleaning with our own house made cleaning products. If we must use our products, then we do some testing on the walls where it is not very noticeable. Once we figure out the correct product we apply it accordingly to all the surfaces.

As we are cleaning the affected areas we have an air scrubber running. Air scrubbers are not literally scrubbing the air but they are the closest thing in existence to that. Air scrubbers literally get the particulates out of the air. If you are cleaning ash off the walls and ceiling, then there are a lot of particulates in the air. The have about 4 different air filters inside of them and suck the air in and blow out clean air. Air scrubbers must be running day and night during a fire restoration job.

So, after we clean all the surfaces of the affected areas we clean the floors. We have probably been walking throughout the job and have made a mess on top of what was probably a messy floor already. Check out Part II for more information on how fire restoration is done!

-The list of our services are water restoration, fire restoration, mold mitigation, storm response, move outs and contents restoration, electronic restoration, document drying, contents claim inventory service, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning, deodorization, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and vandalism cleaning in the greater Houston, Katy, Alief, Cypress, Champions, 1960, highway 6, Bellaire, Myerland area and many more!-

Fire Restoration Process Part II

3/10/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire and water restoration team of Houston, Texas, Katy, Texas, and Cypress, Texas

Fire Restoration Part II

After cleaning the floors, we now must determine the perfect way to deodorize the property. We always use a mix of SERVPRO masking agents and disinfecting agents. So, we have foggers that kill the smell with a mix of both agents. We have an ozone machine that blows O3 into the building and kills all smell. That usually takes 3 days and you can’t have anything living in the building while that is going on. After that we use some type of SERVPRO made masking agent (basically an air freshener).

While we are deodorizing the building we also are cleaning the contents. Content cleaning and restoring is a big part of the fire restoration process. If a piece of furniture or an article of clothing is restorable we are going to restore it. This not only returns a piece of property that might have sentimental value but it also makes the job cheaper which is good for both the property owner and the insurance agent. Our job is to make sure that everyone involved is happy with our work. Content cleaning is usually done off site because cleaning the content on the property can either cause secondary damage or spread damage to un affected parts of the property. If you take an ashy piece of furniture to a clean carpet, then that carpet will be dirty now. It is basic decorum to not make a mess.

Once we have restored all the property and have properly deodorized the building we can now return the contents to the building. Luckily, we know where everything goes because our content storing process is picture based. So, we just look at the pictures and put it back just as we got it.

After we return everything we make sure the property owner is happy with the work we did and then we make sure that the insurance agent knows that we appreciated them using us (SERVPRO of Katy Cypress). Then we leave the site and let the property owner get back to their life. “Like it never even happened.”

-The list of our services are water restoration, fire restoration, mold mitigation, storm response, move outs and contents restoration, electronic restoration, document drying, contents claim inventory service, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning, deodorization, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and vandalism cleaning in the greater Houston, Katy, Alief, Cypress, Champions, 1960, highway 6, Bellaire, Myerland area and many more!-

Matches are not a Game

3/10/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO owners. Experts in fire and water restoration

Matches are not a Game

              Last year was a year of floods and rainfall. Floods and storms happened all over the world. Houston, Texas was not an exception. We received flood water throughout the entire year. With all of that rainfall you would think that there would be less fires (because the houses are wet still). Unfortunately fires are caused by accidents or arson so they are not affected by the weather usually. We (SERVPRO of Katy Cypress) had one job in particular that sticks out to me.

              Last year we received a phone call about a house fire that affected the entire two story house. We got out there in an hour to see how bad it was and the cause of the fire. We found out that one of the kids had been playing with matches. Now we have all done this. I know that I played with them when I was a kid and burned myself. Luckily for me I burned my finger not my parents house.

              Once we found the room of origin we begin to clean all the surfaces and contents. We threw out anything that was not restorable and started to make the house back to something of what it was. The ash on the walls begin to disappear. The contents were shiny again. The furniture was clean as it was before the fire if not cleaner. The house started to smell like a house and not a fire pit.

              At the end of the day this could happen to anyone. While fire restoration is our job and we take pride in our work this was also something that didn’t need to happen. Make sure you tell your kids about this horror story so they know that matches aren't a game. Fire is dangerous and this family is lucky they didn’t get hurt!

-The list of our services are water restoration, fire restoration, mold mitigation, storm response, move outs and contents restoration, electronic restoration, document drying, contents claim inventory service, reconstruction, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, air duct and HVAC cleaning, deodorization, biohazard and crime scene clean up, and vandalism cleaning in the greater Houston, Katy, Alief, Cypress, Champions, 1960, highway 6, Bellaire, Myerland area and many more!-