Deck the Halls Safely: Holiday Fire Safety Tips to Protect Your Home and Business

11/5/2024 (Permalink)

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. But with the festivities come potential fire hazards that could put your home or business at risk. Whether you're stringing up lights, cooking a big holiday meal, or gathering around a fireplace, safety should always be a priority. SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland is here with important fire safety tips to help you protect your property from fire damage this season.

1. Inspect Holiday Lights for Safety Holiday lights are a beloved part of decorating for the season, but they can be a fire hazard if not used properly. To reduce the risk of fire:

• Always inspect your lights for damaged wires or broken bulbs before hanging them.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Plug no more than three strands of lights into one outlet.
• Turn off all holiday lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
• Use LED lights instead of traditional incandescent bulbs—they burn cooler and are less likely to overheat.

2. Be Cautious with Candles Candles are a popular holiday decoration, but they can easily cause fires if left unattended or placed near flammable materials. Keep your holiday atmosphere safe with these tips:

• Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles away from curtains, paper decorations, and other flammable materials.
• Consider using flameless LED candles for a safer alternative.

3. Keep the Kitchen Safe During Holiday Cooking The kitchen is the heart of holiday gatherings, but it’s also a prime location for fires. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires during the holiday season. Follow these steps to keep your kitchen safe:

• Never leave cooking food unattended, especially when frying or grilling.
• Keep flammable objects, such as oven mitts, towels, and paper towels, away from heat sources.
• Keep a fire extinguisher within reach in case of a grease fire.
• Ensure your smoke detectors are working and that you have a clear escape route in case of emergency.

4. Keep Your Fireplace and Chimney Clean Many people love gathering around the fireplace during the holidays, but improperly maintained chimneys can pose a serious fire risk. If you plan to use your fireplace, make sure to:

• Have your chimney cleaned and inspected by a professional before using it.
• Always use a fire screen to prevent sparks from escaping the hearth.
• Never leave a fire unattended and always extinguish it completely before going to bed.

5. Safely Decorate Your Christmas Tree Christmas trees, both real and artificial, are a staple in many homes during the holidays. But trees, especially dry ones, can be highly flammable. Keep your home safe by:

• Watering your live tree daily to prevent it from drying out.
• Keeping trees at least three feet away from heat sources such as space heaters, fireplaces, and candles.
• Turning off the tree lights when you’re not home or when you go to sleep.

6. Plan Your Fire Escape Route With the holiday hustle and bustle, it’s easy to overlook the importance of fire escape planning. In the event of a fire, every second counts. Make sure your family or employees know how to get out quickly:

• Create and practice a fire escape plan with everyone in your household or business.
• Ensure there are multiple exit routes and that windows and doors can be easily opened.
• Install and test smoke alarms in every room, and change the batteries at least once a year.

While the holidays are a time for celebration, they also bring an increase in potential fire hazards. By following these simple fire safety tips, you can help protect your home or business from the devastating effects of a fire. However, if the unexpected happens and you experience fire damage, SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland is here to help. Our expert fire damage restoration team is ready to restore your property and give you peace of mind this season.

Contact us today for fire damage restoration services, and stay safe as you celebrate the holidays with family and friends!

Preventing Dryer Vent Fires

1/4/2023 (Permalink)

More than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing airflow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard.

Here are some of the signs that it's time to clean your vent:

• Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
• Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
• A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
• Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
• The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
• Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
• Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
• Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
• A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
• Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

Clean your dryer vents regularly and keep an eye out for these signs in case you need a professional dryer vent cleaning to decrease your risk of fire.

If you do experience a fire, smoke, or soot damage call SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland at 781-834-7707.

5 Most Common Causes of House Fires

6/6/2022 (Permalink)

A residential fire occurs every 89-seconds in the US, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). For residents of Marshfield, Rockland, and surrounding towns, knowing how to prevent fires in your home begins by understanding the top five causes of house fires:

1. Cooking

Leaving cooking unattended is the leading fire cause in homes. The risk is increased with frying and attempting to extinguish the blaze without assistance from firefighters. Never leave your home with food cooking in the kitchen. If a fire starts, call 911 before attempting to put out the flames.

2. Smoking

The majority of house fires instigated by smoking involve bedding and upholstery. If you smoke, go outside if possible. Never smoke in bed or near flammable fabrics, especially when tired.

3. Heating

When heating is the reason for a home fire, it is commonly due to space heaters or wood stoves. Reduce your risk by turning off these devices when you are asleep or not at home. Furnace maintenance can help prevent fires due to central heating.

4. Electrical

Failures with electrical equipment or lighting cause 9-13% of residential fires. Check your cords, plugs, outlets, and light fixtures for damage and repair or replace as needed.

5. Arson

There is little you can do to prevent a fire that is set intentionally. About half of this type of fire is set by children and adolescents.

The best way to protect your own safety and reduce fire damage at your home in Marshfield and Rockland, MA, is to know the common causes of a home fire and how to prevent them. In addition to the above information, keep at least one functioning smoke detector at each level of your home. If possible, install a home sprinkler system. Have and practice an escape plan with your family in case of a fire. After a fire, contact your insurance agent and a fire restoration specialist, like SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland, to begin the process of smoke and fire cleaning.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today –781-834-7707

Common Mistakes Homeowners Make After a Fire

6/4/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating for your home or business and getting started on the restoration process can be truly overwhelming. Your property may have suffered fire and smoke damage, as well as widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. With SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland's specialized fire and water damage restoration experience, we can help get your home or business cleaned up and restored to its pre-fire condition. We'll even remove the pervasive smoke odor and soot by deep cleaning your upholstery and carpet.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting a SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may destroy your garments.

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition. Let us help you make it “Like It never even happened.” Call us at 781-834-7707.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

6/3/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various spaces within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. 

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting.

Here is some additional information about the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today at 781-834-7707.

The First Steps to Take After a Fire

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating for your home or business and getting started on the restoration process can be truly overwhelming. Your property may have suffered fire and smoke damage, as well as widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. With SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland’s specialized fire and water damage restoration experience, we can help get your home or business cleaned up and restored to its pre-fire condition. We'll even remove the pervasive smoke odor and soot by deep cleaning your upholstery and carpet.

What to do after a fire:

• Secure openings made to your property by firefighters using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect your home from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting a SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may destroy your garments.

Determine the Type of Cleaning Needed

Before starting the cleanup process it's extremely helpful to know what type of fire damage has occurred. There are different types of fire, smoke, and soot and each requires a different clean up method to best restore your property. Prior to beginning the restoration process, our professional technicians will test the soot to help determine which type of smoke damage occurred and will design the clean up procedure based on that information.

The Different Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot Can Include:

• Wet Smoke – Usually from Plastics and Synthetics
• Occurs from Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Produced from Paper and Wood
• Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by the evaporation of material rather than from a fire
• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition. Let us help you make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 781-834-7707.

Why Fires are more likely to occur in winter

1/31/2022 (Permalink)

During the cold weather season, people tend to find extra ways to keep warm.  Unfortunately, many alternative heating methods can also be fire hazards, especially when caution is not used.  

To prevent fire damage during this cold weather season, here are 4 things to keep in mind:

Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves

Here are some precautions you can take to keep your fireplace or wood burning stove safe:

• Shield the fireplace with a grate to prevent flying sparks from igniting in the room.
• Keep any flammable materials at least 4 feet away from the fire place.
• Perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your fireplace and/or wood burning stove.
• Make sure there are no cracks in your chimney and that the top is properly capped to keep out debris throughout the year.

Space Heaters

Here are some general rules to follow for safe space heater use:

• Use only space heaters with a “tip switch,” ones that shut off automatically if tipped over.
• Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable.
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation and base/floor support in the areas where you will use a space heater.

Electric Blankets

Here’s what you need to know about electric blanket safety:

• Check for charred or frayed cords or any dark spots, these may indicate a potential problem with the electrical element.
• Don’t allow anyone or anything on top of the blanket when it is in use, this could lead to overheating.
• Similarly, don’t fold or tuck in the blanket when it is in use, as this could also lead to overheating.
• An electric blanket should never be left unattended or used while one is sleeping.

Smoke Alarms

It’s generally a good idea to regularly check the alarms each year. It’s also wise to double-check the alarms before you start a fire or use a heating element, just in case.

While these tips will help keep your home safe this winter, should your home be devastated by fire we’re here for you. Call us at 781-834-7707.

Teaching Fire Safety to Children

6/3/2021 (Permalink)

It is vital that you teach your children about fire safety at home. Your children should understand what to do in the event of a fire and how to protect themselves against a fire.

ESTABLISH AN ESCAPE ROUTE

In the event of a house fire, your family should have an established escape plan that you all understand. Your children should know how to get out of each room in your home and how to do so safely. You should establish a meeting point outside, far enough away from the house, so your children know where to meet you once they get outside.

FUNCTIONING WINDOWS

You should make sure that your windows can be easily opened by your child and that the screen can be removed easily. You should help your children practice opening and closing the windows in case they had to it by themselves in the event of a fire. Bedroom windows never should be sealed shut or incapable of opening. Many fires happen overnight and they may need that window to get out.

UNDERSTAND SMOKE DETECTORS

Your children should understand where your smoke detectors are in your home and how they work. They should be familiar with the sound the smoke detector makes so they can recognize it in the event that it is going off. As the adult, you need to ensure that batteries are regularly replaced and the detectors are tested.

CHECKING FOR SIGNS

You should teach your children how to check one side of a door to see if a fire could be burning on the other side. Children should understand how to feel for a fire through a door and be able to establish if there is one. You should also help children find alternative routes out of rooms if a fire is on the other side of their door, especially their bedroom.

STAYING OUTSIDE

Children need to understand that they should stay out of the burning house once they are safely outside. Many children want to run back inside for pets or toys because they don’t understand the danger of the fire inside. You should make it clear to children that they should not go back inside for absolutely anything once they are outside safely.

Is smoke damage permanent in my home?

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technicians Can Remove Stubborn Smoke Residues and Odors from the Contents and Structure of your Home.

What is smoke damage?

When a fire breaks out in your home, rapidly combusting materials release toxins into the surrounding area in the form of smoke. This smoke can have a composition, including carbon, synthetic chemicals, or ashes. In high-pressure fires, these smoke particles can force themselves into surfaces like walls, ceilings, and furnishings. Once smoke cools, it may drop to the floor below, causing a layer of ash, which can cause further harm to your property when contacting with carpet fibers. Surfaces throughout your home may show blackening, or there may be noticeable smokey odors that last long after the initial fire has been brought under control. Our technicians are trained specially to remove soiling and bring any residual odors under control without further harming the structure and contents of your home.

How is smoke removed without damaging surfaces?

Smoke can bond with surfaces making fire damage restoration in your home challenging. Technicians need to decide to remove smoke from surfaces using either agitation of the surface or with chemical components. Agitation can include mechanical cleaning methods like air-whips. Air whips rapidly rotate rubber whips against the surface to dislodge soots and make them removable. Chemical solvents suspend bonded soot into the solvent solution. The suspended soots can then be rinsed away along with the solvent. SERVPRO can perform repainting of some surfaces if solvents damage paintwork during the removal process. We aim to leave your home in a preloss condition following a property fire.

What other methods do you perform during fire cleanup?

- Debris removal
- Odor control
- Contents cleaning

If a house fire affects your home with stubborn soot and odors, contact SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland at 781-834-7707.

What Can I Do In The Event Of A Kitchen Fire?

6/1/2021 (Permalink)

No Fire Can Be Totally Prevented, But There Are Steps You Can Take And SERVPRO Can Handle the Fire Damage if it Happens in Your Home!

Over one-fourth of all fires take place in homes. The majority of these fires happen in the kitchen. Prevention is better than intervention, but if help is needed in your home, call the professionals.

What are the most common causes of house fires?

A house fire is never a pleasant thing. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) notes, cooking is the main cause of fires in the home. But cooking isn’t the only thing that can lead to a residential fire. The top five reasons are:

• Cooking
• Heating
• Electrical & Lighting
• Arson
• Smoking

Kitchen fires are one of the main reasons SERVPRO gets called out to deal with fire damage. 

What Causes Cooking Fires

Kitchen fires resulting from a cooking fire involve a stove or cooktop 62% of the time. Unattended cooking is the main reason for this type of fire, but things like flammable materials too close to the stove are another reason. Electric stoves cause more problems than gas stoves. Improper disposal of hot items is another cause. Thanksgiving and Christmas appear to be the peak time for these incidents to occur.

How Can I Prevent a Kitchen Fire?

One of the foremost essential things you can do is to stay alert. Never walk away from the stove when you have something cooking, turn off the stove if you need to step out. Keep all flammable material away from the range. Many people use their flat surface stoves as additional counter space. That is a big mistake that could cost you dearly. Always assume the stove is hot even when off. Keep your heat at the proper level. If your skillet starts to smoke or your pot boil over, turn off the heat. Keep a cookie sheet handy to place over the top of a pan that does catch fire.

What Happens if There is a Cooking Fire?

If the worse does happen and you undergo a kitchen fire, our Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) accredited technicians are ready to go at a moment’s notice. Once they arrive, they will immediately assess the situation. Kitchen fires are often contained and damage minimal comparatively, but there are still things that need to be determined before fire damage restoration can begin. They will determine the type of smoke residue, pretest materials for the proper cleaning techniques, and decide if there is any structural damage. The goal is to restore items rather than replace them when possible.

Cleanup and Restoration

Once a course of action is decided, the Green Team of professionals get to work. With years of experience and specialized training, they can provide the necessary services for your situation. In the case of fire damage restoration, these could include:

• Debris removal – the stove may be charred and unsalvageable
• Dry cleaning – using techniques such as wiping down surfaces
• Wet cleaning – using professional chemical cleaners specific to the soot and the item getting cleaned
• Restoring wood surfaces
• Cleaning or replacing flooring
• Checking other kitchen appliances for problems arising from the fire
• Deodorizing – air scrubbers, thermal fogging, ozone generators or aroma pellets
• Cleaning HVAC duct systems

Do I Need Expert Restoration?

A minor house fire may look harmless enough and leave you thinking you can take care of it yourself. That isn’t generally the case. Smoke residue seeps into the tiniest cracks and crevices. Depending on the type of soot, it leaves behind improper cleaning can make it worse. SERVPRO uses industrial-grade equipment and cleaning supplies that the average homeowner does not have access too. Our experts know what and where to look for when it comes to fire damage.

Available Around the Clock

SERVPRO is ready to handle any fire damage that may occur, including kitchen fires. We hope that you can prevent a cooking fire, but if something unavoidable happens, we are available 24/7. Disaster doesn’t take a holiday, and neither do we. You can trust our fire restoration technicians to leave your home, “Like it never even happened.” Your life doesn’t stop because a fire happens, and we understand that. Our rapid response team will do everything they can to get you back to normal.

Cooking fires can destroy a kitchen. Contact SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland at 781-834-7707 for expert fire damage restoration service that is Faster to Any Size Disaster.

The First Steps to Take After a Fire

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating for your home or business and getting started on the restoration process can be truly overwhelming. Your property may have suffered fire and smoke damage, as well as widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. With SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland's specialized fire and water damage restoration experience, we can help get your home or business cleaned up and restored to its pre-fire condition. We'll even remove the pervasive smoke odor and soot by deep cleaning your upholstery and carpet.

What to do after a fire:

• Secure openings made to your property by firefighters using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect your home from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting a SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may destroy your garments.

Determine the Type of Cleaning Needed

Before starting the cleanup process it's extremely helpful to know what type of fire damage has occurred. There are different types of fire, smoke, and soot and each requires a different cleanup method to best restore your property. Prior to beginning the restoration process, our professional technicians will test the soot to help determine which type of smoke damage occurred and will design the cleanup procedure based on that information. 

The Different Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot Can Include:

• Wet Smoke – Usually from Plastics and Synthetics
• This occurs from Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Produced from Paper and Wood
• Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by the evaporation of material rather than from a fire
• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue. 

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition. Let us help you make it “Like it never even happened.”

Call us at (781) 834-7707 - We're Here to Help!

Teaching Fire Safety to Children

4/27/2021 (Permalink)

It is vital that you teach your children about fire safety at home. Your children should understand what to do in the event of a fire and how to protect themselves against a fire.

ESTABLISH AN ESCAPE ROUTE

In the event of a house fire, your family should have an established escape plan that you all understand. Your children should know how to get out of each room in your home and how to do so safely. You should establish a meeting point outside, far enough away from the house, so your children know where to meet you once they get outside.

FUNCTIONING WINDOWS

You should make sure that your windows can be easily opened by your child and that the screen can be removed easily. You should help your children practice opening and closing the windows in case they had to it by themselves in the event of a fire. Bedroom windows never should be sealed shut or incapable of opening. Many fires happen overnight and they may need that window to get out.

UNDERSTAND SMOKE DETECTORS

Your children should understand where your smoke detectors are in your home and how they work. They should be familiar with the sound the smoke detector makes so they can recognize it in the event that it is going off. As the adult, you need to ensure that batteries are regularly replaced and the detectors are tested.

CHECKING FOR SIGNS

You should teach your children how to check one side of a door to see if a fire could be burning on the other side. Children should understand how to feel for a fire through a door and be able to establish if there is one. You should also help children find alternative routes out of rooms if a fire is on the other side of their door, especially their bedroom.

STAYING OUTSIDE

Children need to understand that they should stay out of the burning house once they are safely outside. Many children want to run back inside for pets or toys because they don’t understand the danger of the fire inside. You should make it clear to children that they should not go back inside for absolutely anything once they are outside safely.

Why Fires are more likely to occur in winter

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

More fires occur during the winter months than any other time of the year

During the cold weather season, people tend to find extra ways to keep warm.  Unfortunately, many alternative heating methods can also be fire hazards, especially when caution is not used.  

To prevent fire damage during this cold weather season, here are 4 things to keep in mind:

Fireplaces and Wood Burning Stoves

Here are some precautions you can take to keep your fireplace or wood burning stove safe:

• Shield the fireplace with a grate to prevent flying sparks from igniting in the room.
• Keep any flammable materials at least 4 feet away from the fire place.
• Perform regular maintenance and cleaning on your fireplace and/or wood burning stove.
• Make sure there are no cracks in your chimney and that the top is properly capped to keep out debris throughout the year.

Space Heaters

Here are some general rules to follow for safe space heater use:

• Use only space heaters with a “tip switch,” ones that shut off automatically if tipped over.
• Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions.
• Keep the space heater at least 3 feet away from anything flammable.
• Make sure there is adequate ventilation and base/floor support in the areas where you will use a space heater.

Electric Blankets

Here’s what you need to know about electric blanket safety:

• Check for charred or frayed cords or any dark spots, these may indicate a potential problem with the electrical element.
• Don’t allow anyone or anything on top of the blanket when it is in use, this could lead to overheating.
• Similarly, don’t fold or tuck in the blanket when it is in use, as this could also lead to overheating.
• An electric blanket should never be left unattended or used while one is sleeping.

Smoke Alarms

It’s generally a good idea to regularly check the alarms each year. It’s also wise to double-check the alarms before you start a fire or use a heating element, just in case.

While these tips will help keep your home safe this winter, should your home be devastated by fire we’re here for you. Call us at 781-834-7707.

The First Steps to Take After a Fire

1/11/2021 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating for your home or business and getting started on the restoration process can be truly overwhelming. Your property may have suffered fire and smoke damage, as well as widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. With SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland’s specialized fire and water damage restoration experience, we can help get your home or business cleaned up and restored to its pre-fire condition. We'll even remove the pervasive smoke odor and soot by deep cleaning your upholstery and carpet.

What to do after a fire:

• Secure openings made to your property by firefighters using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect your home from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting a SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may destroy your garments.

Determine the Type of Cleaning Needed

Before starting the cleanup process it's extremely helpful to know what type of fire damage has occurred. There are different types of fire, smoke, and soot and each requires a different clean up method to best restore your property. Prior to beginning the restoration process, our professional technicians will test the soot to help determine which type of smoke damage occurred and will design the clean up procedure based on that information.

The Different Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot Can Include:

• Wet Smoke – Usually from Plastics and Synthetics
• Occurs from Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Produced from Paper and Wood
• Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by the evaporation of material rather than from a fire
• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder and fire extinguisher residue.

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition. Let us help you make it “Like it never even happened.” Call us at 781-834-7707.

5 Most Common Causes of House Fires

4/26/2020 (Permalink)

Soot and Smoke Damages Walls and Ceilings following a fire incident.

A residential fire occurs every 86-seconds in the US. For residents of Marshfield, Rockland, and surrounding towns, knowing how to prevent fires in your home begins by understanding the top five causes of house fires:

1. Cooking

Leaving cooking unattended is the leading fire cause in homes. The risk is increased with frying and attempting to extinguish the blaze without assistance from firefighters. Never leave your home with food cooking in the kitchen. If a fire starts, call 911 before attempting to put out the flames.

2. Smoking

The majority of house fires instigated by smoking involve bedding and upholstery. If you smoke, go outside if possible. Never smoke in bed or near flammable fabrics, especially when tired.

3. Heating

When heating is the reason for a home fire, it is commonly due to space heaters or wood stoves. Reduce your risk by turning off these devices when you are asleep or not at home. Furnace maintenance can help prevent fires due to central heating.

4. Electrical

Failures with electrical equipment or lighting cause 9-13% of residential fires. Check your cords, plugs, outlets, and light fixtures for damage and repair or replace as needed.

5. Arson

There is little you can do to prevent a fire that is set intentionally. About half of this type of fire is set by children and adolescents.

The best way to protect your own safety and reduce fire damage at your home in Marshfield and Rockland, MA, is to know the common causes of a home fire and how to prevent them. In addition to the above information, keep at least one functioning smoke detector at each level of your home. If possible, install a home sprinkler system. Have and practice an escape plan with your family in case of a fire. After a fire, contact your insurance agent and a fire restoration specialist, like SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland, to begin the process of smoke and fire cleaning.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today –(781) 834-7707

Preventing Dryer Vent Fires

4/26/2020 (Permalink)

15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers.

More than 15,000 fires are sparked every year by clothes dryers according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Lint and other debris can build up in your dryer vent, reducing airflow to the dryer, backing up dryer exhaust gases, creating a fire hazard.

Here are some of the signs that it's time to clean your vent:

• Clothing does not dry completely after a normal drying cycle.
• Drying time for clothing takes longer than 35 to 40 minutes in duration.
• A musty odor is noticed in the clothing following the drying cycle.
• Clothing seems unusually hot to the touch after a complete drying cycle.
• The dryer vent hood flap does not properly open as it is designed to do during the operation of the dryer.
• Debris is noticed within the outside dryer vent opening.
• Excessive heat is noticed within the room in which the dryer is being operated.
• Large amounts of lint accumulate in the lint trap for the dryer during operation.
• A visible sign of lint and debris is noticed around the lint filter for the dryer.
• Excessive odor is noticed from dryer sheets that are used during the drying cycle.

Clean your dryer vents regularly and keep an eye out for these signs in case you need a professional dryer vent cleaning to decrease your risk of fire.

If you do experience a fire, smoke, or soot damage call SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland at (781) 834-7707.

Smoke and Soot Cleanup

1/27/2020 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your South Shore Home or Business

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various spaces within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action. 

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting.

Here is some additional information about the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage. We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?

Call Us Today at 781-834-7707.

The First Steps to Take After a Fire

11/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland specializes in fire and water damage restoration.

A fire can be devastating for your home or business and getting started on the restoration process can be truly overwhelming. Your property may have suffered fire and smoke damage, as well as widespread water damage and flooding from firefighting efforts. With SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland's specialized fire and water damage restoration experience, we can help get your home or business cleaned up and restored to its pre-fire condition. We'll even remove the pervasive smoke odor and soot by deep cleaning your upholstery and carpet.

What to do after a fire:

• Secure openings made to your property by firefighters using sturdy, durable materials designed to protect your home from both weather intrusion and intrusion by outsiders.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls, and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery, and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.

What NOT to do after a fire:

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting a SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland Professional.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat, or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may destroy your garments.

Determine the Type of Cleaning Needed

Before starting the cleanup process it's extremely helpful to know what type of fire damage has occurred. There are different types of fire, smoke, and soot and each requires a different cleanup method to best restore your property. Prior to beginning the restoration process, our professional technicians will test the soot to help determine which type of smoke damage occurred and will design the cleanup procedure based on that information. 

The Different Types of Fire/Smoke/Soot Can Include:

• Wet Smoke – Usually from Plastics and Synthetics
• This occurs from Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary.
• Dry Smoke – Produced from Paper and Wood
• Fast burning, high temperatures, dry, powdery, non-smeary residues.
• Protein Fire Residue – Produced by the evaporation of material rather than from a fire
• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.
• Fuel Oil Soot – Furnace Puff Backs
• Other Types – Tear gas, fingerprint powder, and fire extinguisher residue. 

SERVPRO of Marshfield/Rockland has what it takes to restore your home back to preloss condition. Let us help you make it “Like It never even happened”.

Call us at (781) 834-7707 - We're Here to Help!

Schools out, so are the renters.

5/29/2017 (Permalink)

The rain on the coast has finally stopped and the neighborhood is drying out. Speaking of drying out, the college kids are moving out, and as you can imagine; dorms, apartments and other personal and commercial property needs to be cleaned up swiftly and properly.

Property damage this time of year is crucial, parents don’t want big surprise bills for outrageous clean up and disposal. Property owners want to be able to turn over their property as quickly as possible.

The little fire that Junior started with the hot plate and hastily extinguished, isn’t cleaned up properly ~ unless you’ve already called a professional. Smoke damage can be undetectable until at the end of the year you find your painted walls and surfaces a different color and you just can’t find where that hideous smell is coming from.

That’s Protein Fire Residue, it’s caused by the gases in the smoke. Junior isn’t fooling anybody. SERVPRO comes in quickly, assesses and remedies the damage - we can even check for mold under the carpet while we’re there. 

SERVPRO offers 24/7 restoration services to customers experiencing difficulties with water, fire, smoke, or mold damage! We are always readily available to take care of any emergency restoration needs in a timely and professional manner possible to restore any property to pre-damage conditions and quickly make your property ready to rent again!

A culinary fire and a burned ego!

5/29/2017 (Permalink)

Recently we had a quick little culinary fire, lucky for us it was a dessert and only my ego was injured.

Home fires often are devastation and cannot be traced to human error. All you know is everything is burnt, and it stinks!

After the fire quick assessments need to be made about the structural and physical damage.

Professional clean up is a must. There are different types of smoke damage.

• Wet Smoke, caused by plastic and rubber.
• Dry Smoke, caused by paper and wood.
• Protein Fire Residue, caused by evaporation of materials in the heat of the fire.

The latter is virtually undetectable aside from the unbearable odor it leaves behind. SERVPRO is your local South Shore, reliable source for clean ups. Residential and commercial, we’ll take care of all!

The Unique Needs of Commercial Business

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

Imagine you are a Dry Cleaning Business located in a strip mall location. Your business model is to keep other peoples clothes clean. With business booking you decide to do an expansion of your services and a mall sends in a crew to help you with the build out.

Things seem to be running smooth. You are still able to provide service to your clients and the build out is happening on the over night shift. What could go wrong?

Well, a lot. Next thing you know, the fire department is calling you at 1:30 am and it appears old wiring has triggered a fire.

This is just what happened to Marshfield's locally owned Dry Cleaner/Franchise Operator, Kim Wilkinson. Fortunately, we were her first call!

When big messes happen, SERVPRO is the industry leader in making it clean again. You need to keep your business running and can’t be undone by unforeseen disasters. Opening the doors to your clients daily is your number one priority. Our professional restoration technicians' number one priority is - you. SERVPRO is locally owned and operated by professionals that are available 24/7 for all of your commercial cleaning and restoration needs. Commercial properties have unique needs when it comes to safety and the comfort of your customers. Don’t delay calling for any of your restoration or cleaning needs.