Appliance Fires

7/10/2024 (Permalink)

Most of us use household appliances on a daily basis. After all, these machines help to improve our lives with convenience and efficiency. Whether it be a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, these items are used routinely. Although convenient, these machines can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Even so, these fires often happen while a homeowner is away and leaves an appliance running or leaves a cooking appliance unattended. SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont and Homer Glen can be there to restore a commercial or residential property following fire and smoke damage and is always Here to help. To prevent a possible fire due to a household appliance and protect your property, here are three things you can do.  

1. Never leave an appliance running while away. Coming home to clean dishes from the dishwasher may sound nice after being away, but electrical issues may stem from heating elements which can cause fire. 
2. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap. 
3. Never leave heated cookware on overnight such as crockpots. Use of these appliances should be supervised in case of a heating element or wiring malfunction.  

Call Us For Help After A House Fire

2/21/2024 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks are gone, your home and belongings likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont, and Homer Glen has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. We also have specific training and equipment for odor removal and deep cleaning of upholstery and carpet.

Fire damage can be devastating for you and your family. Feelings of confusion and stress are common, and you need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. We always treat your family with the greatest empathy and respect, and we’ll treat your property with great care.

Kitchen Fire Damage Prevention

12/30/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Joliet understands the importance of keeping families and loved ones safe. According to the NFPA, “House fire claims over the five years have caused $6.9 billion  in property damage.” SERVPRO is dedicated to being a resource when you need us most. We want to make sure that our community is taking all the precautions necessary to prevent house fires. The following are tips to avoid fire damage in the kitchen.

Kitchen Fire Damage Safety

• When cooking food, stay at home and keep an eye on it.
• Keep children away from the kitchen when you are cooking
• Avoid food and grease buildup on cooking surfaces
• Solvents and flammable cleaners should be kept away from hot surfaces.
• Never store fuel in your home or business.
• Check that no electric cords from your appliances are hanging from the counters.

Smoke Detectors

• Replace smoke detectors every six months.
• Check the status of your smoke alarms.
• Plan a fire escape strategy for family members including pets.

In the event of fire or smoke damage, please contact SERVPRO of Joliet to help restore your home or property. Our certified technicians focus on helping you restore your home to the pre-fire condition you know and love. If you have any questions about what we do after fire damage or need help recovering from a fire damage incident, give us a call at any time. 

Call Us For Help After A House Fire

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

After the fire trucks are gone, your home and belongings likely suffer from not only fire and smoke damage, but also extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO of Joliet has the specialized fire and water damage cleanup and restoration training and experience to quickly restore your home to pre-fire condition. We also have specific training and equipment for odor removal and deep cleaning of upholstery and carpet.

Fire damage can be devastating for you and your family. Feelings of confusion and stress are common, and you need a caring expert to guide you through this crisis. We always treat your family with the greatest empathy and respect, and we’ll treat your property with great care.

Fires Caused by Household Appliances

8/23/2023 (Permalink)

Although convenient, many household appliances can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Whether it be a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, these items are used routinely and help our lives, but can also have detrimental effects if used carelessly, left unattended or malfunctioning. SERVPRO can be there to restore a commercial or residential property following fire and smoke damage and is always Here to help. To prevent a possible fire due to a household appliance and protect your property, here are three things you can do.   

1. Never leave heated cookware on overnight such as crockpots. Use of these appliances should be supervised in case of a heating element or wiring malfunction. 
2. Never leave an appliance running while away. Coming home to clean dishes from the dishwasher may sound nice after being away, but electrical issues may stem from heating elements which can cause fire.  
3. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap. 

How Long Does Smoke Smell Linger in a Home

8/1/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is Available for Expert Fire Damage Restoration, Including Addressing Smoke Odors in Your Home

There are times when one of the more significant challenges after a house fire, is ensuring that there are no lingering odors from smoke and soot residue. Unless these particles get addressed using tried-and-true expert techniques, there is the potential to spread throughout the home and to become a constant reminder of the fire event. This is where our IICRC-certified technicians at SERVPRO are here to help!

What Can Be Done to Fight Smoke Odors?

When our skilled technicians get called to help with fire damage, we pay close attention to the entire job. This means assessing the full scope of your loss, including any areas where soot particles and smoke residue settled. Even the smallest bit of residue left behind can cause odors to sprout up weeks or months down the road. This is why we have a series of carefully planned steps we take to execute a full restoration on your property.

How Do You Work Through the Damage?

Once you call us for fire restoration services, a fully equipped crew arrives at your property in as little as 4 hours or less. Our crew chief begins the assessment so that a detailed plan of action can get put into place. Addressing a fire loss with heavy smoke damage includes:

•   Testing and Cleaning

Once your interior is deemed safe to enter, and the plan is formulated, we work to remove items that are too charred to salvage. This helps us to limit the amount of soot spread from one location to another while also lessening odors throughout the interior. Our technicians test the smoke residue, which allows us to select cleaning agents carefully. This ensures more efficient cleaning as well as cuts back on the potential for damage using incorrect cleaning measures.

•   Residue Cleaning Options

We see two main types of smoke damage after a fire loss. Dry smoke requires careful cleaning because wet cleaning agents might drive the residue further into the surfaces. We take our time, using care to lift the dry smoke using sponges and soft cloths. With wet smoke, it often binds to surfaces. This calls for solvent-based cleaners to lift it for removal safely. The initial testing done helps ensure no marring happens on any surfaces.

•   Content Cleaning

There will be items within your home covered in soot and smoke residue. We handle all of these items on a case by case basis, using a variety of methods to suit each item. Non-porous items can be cleaned using our specialized immersion method. This is when items get immersed in a cleaning solution that helps carefully remove the residue, restoring it to like-new condition. Fabric items and upholstery get tested to ensure no damage comes to the materials, with our technicians often using soft bristle brushes to remove particles. 

Why Can’t I Handle the Cleaning on My Own?

Regardless of the nature or scope of the blaze, we have the cleaning technicians equipped to handle the job. Our team is fully accredited in both Odor Control (OCT) and Fire and Smoke Restoration (FSRT). Just a sampling of the tasks we cover throughout the restoration process includes:

•   Debris removal
•   Pack out services
•   Dry vacuuming
•   Surface cleaning
•   Moisture detection
•   Soot removal
•   Controlled demolition

We Make Sure No Foul Odors Linger

For any fire damage call, addressing odors is paramount. Deodorization is a critical element of the process, no matter the severity or size of the fire loss. Burning odors and smoke can intensify without professional mitigation such as removal of charred debris and surface cleaning. Our skilled technicians remove all of the noxious odors and neutralize them with a variety of advanced equipment, such as:

•   Thermal Fogging Equipment: These are units that heat up a deodorizing compound to put a fine mist on surfaces. This compound penetrates the porous materials to trap the odors in both your contents and structural materials. 
•   Hydroxyl Generators: These units utilize UV cleaning to help neutralize odors across an open area. The equipment features a HEPA filtration system that works to cut back on harmful particulates in the air. 

When Will My Home Be Ready?

Our team does everything we can to provide you with a working timeline of the project from start to finish. The crew works according to a plan that helps us to maintain efficiency without leaving anything unattended to. The job is wrapped up with a full cleaning and deodorization to ensure everything is sanitized and safe for your family to enjoy. We make it, “Like it never even happened.”

Smoke Damage Tips

6/28/2023 (Permalink)

If your home or business suffers a fire, you may be at loss on what steps to take next. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase your chances of a successful restoration.

Do:

• Limit movement in the property. It helps prevent soot particles from becoming embedded into your carpet and upholstery.
• Keep hands clean. It could further soil upholstery, walls, woodwork, etc.
• Cover upholstery, rugs, and carpet traffic areas by placing dry, colorfast towels or old linens on them.
• If electricity is off, empty refrigerator/freezer. Clean completely and prop open doors to help prevent odors.
• Change HVAC filters; leave system off until a trained professional can check them.
• Cover air registers with cheesecloth. Tape double layers to prevent soot particles from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

Common Fires And How To Stay Safe

6/22/2023 (Permalink)

Every day homes and businesses in and around the Lockport, Lemont, and homer Glen areas experience an accidental fires. It may not seem like it, but structure fires happen often. These are often smaller fires that are extinguished quickly by either the owner or the fire department. We don't usually hear about the smaller fires; it's the more massive fires that make the news where significant damage has happened, or worse when someone might have been injured.

These fires disrupt the lives of homeowners, tenants, and businesses and can cause thousands of dollars to repair. Even the smaller fires can cause severe smoke and soot damage throughout the building. The flames are often extinguished quickly, but the smoke moves everywhere, getting into every nook and cranny. While there will be flame damage right near the source, most of the damage will be from the smoke of the fire.

The smoke will cause some discoloration on the ceiling and walls nearby. Smoke will often gather in the corners of the room, causing discoloration and smoke webs or soot tags. These webs or tags are often in corners and look like a spider web that caught the smoke and soot. So while it seems like a lot of soot got stuck on a pre-existing spider web, it is actually a whole new structure that happened because of the fire.

A fire in your home can be devastating financially and emotionally for your family. Many times the occupants are displaced, and their entire lives disrupted. Although there is no way to prevent every fire, there are steps that you can take to minimize your family's risk of being victims.

Install Smoke Alarms

Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside sleeping areas, and outside every bedroom. Check once a month to be sure these alarms are functioning and replace batteries as needed. To reduce false smoke alarms, you will want to make sure the smoke alarm in the kitchen area is 10 feet away from the stove and cooking appliances.

Develop A Fire Escape Plan

Decide on a fire escape plan with your family members and practice this plan often. This plan should outline a safe way to get out of every room and every level of the structure. Establish a safe place to meet outside of your home in case of fire or smoke. This might be across the street at a neighbors house or at least a safe distance away from the house.

Install A Fire Extinguisher

Having a fire extinguisher in your kitchen is essential. This will can help you in case a fire starts while cooking. The best place for the fire extinguisher is away from the higher risk fire areas like the oven and stovetop. A good storage area would be under the kitchen sink, or in the food pantry.

Close Bedroom Doors

It is recommended to close the bedrooms doors while sleeping. If a fire should start outside your bedroom, you want to lower the risk of smoke inhalation by keeping your door closed while sleeping. By closing your bedroom door, the smoke alarm located nearest to the fire should wake you up before smoke has had a chance to infiltrate your bedroom.

Fire Damage? Here's What YOU Can (and Can't) Do

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire causes damage to your home, we understand that you want to restore everything from your home to your possessions to "normal" as soon as possible. Here are some active steps you can and can't take following a fire

• DO make sure everyone in your family is safe, including all beloved pets. 
• DON'T enter the fire-damaged structure until the fire department deems it safe.
• DO document the damage with pictures once you have permission to reenter the home.
• DON'T turn on gas, water or electric utilities until a professional has deemed them safe.
• DO call insurance and utility providers to inform them of the fire. 
• DON'T wash smoke-damaged clothing yourself. This can set the smoke odors or stains and ruin them. Smoke-damaged clothing should quickly be taken to the dry cleaner. 
• DO Call SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen: If you experience fire damage, call the cleaning and restoration pros at SERVPRO to restore your home to its normal as soon as possible.

When Fires Happen - Leave It To SERVPRO To Clean Up!

2/14/2023 (Permalink)

It's devastating to experience the chaos of a fire in your house. Not only is it difficult to deal with the loss, but the clean up too. If it is a small isolated fire, getting the area cleaned and repaired should be a priority.

The first thing to consider is the ash and smoke damage that occurred. These can lead to corrosion, discoloration and unpleasant odor. Getting ash and smoke cleaned up immediately will prevent any of these from leading to an even larger problem.

Take these action steps if you find yourself handling the aftermath of a house fire.

1. Contact your insurance company.

2. Contact your local fire restoration company.

3. Take photographs of the damage.

4. Keep a record of all conversations with your insurance company.

5. Make a list of everything you lost or that was destroyed.

6. Find a place to stay while your restoration company cleans up your property.

So give us a call if disaster strikes your home or business! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to make things "Like it never even happened." 

Appliance Fires

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

Most of us use household appliances on a daily basis. After all, these machines help to improve our lives with convenience and efficiency. Whether it be a washer and dryer, stove, dishwasher, refrigerator, or other cooking appliances, these items are used routinely. Although convenient, these machines can often malfunction and lead to home or apartment fires. Even so, these fires often happen while a homeowner is away and leaves an appliance running or leaves a cooking appliance unattended. SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, Homer Glen can be there to restore a commercial or residential property following fire and smoke damage and is always Here to help. To prevent a possible fire due to a household appliance and protect your property, here are three things you can do.  

1. Never leave an appliance running while away. Coming home to clean dishes from the dishwasher may sound nice after being away, but electrical issues may stem from heating elements which can cause fire. 
2. Do not overload your washer or dryer, and always make sure to clean out the lint trap. 
3. Never leave heated cookware on overnight such as crockpots. Use of these appliances should be supervised in case of a heating element or wiring malfunction.

Christmas Tree Safety

12/10/2022 (Permalink)

7 tips for preventing a Christmas tree-related fire

• Pick a fresh tree
• Keep the tree watered
• Keep the tree away from heat
• Shake the tree
• Check the tree lights
• Turn tree off when you’re not home
• Get rid of your tree soon after the holidays

Winter holiday fire facts

• Between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees yearly. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.
• On average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.
• In 44% of home Christmas tree fires, electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved.
• In one-quarter (25%) of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat sources, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
• One-fifth (21%) of Christmas tree fires were intentional. 
• Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.
• Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen can help if you find yourself in this type of disaster. 

Fall Fires

11/20/2022 (Permalink)

When the cold weather comes around here in Illinois, more residential homeowners begin to use heating elements to warm their space. Incidents and mishaps with these elements can lead to fires that damage the property. The American Red Cross even notes that the amount of house fires increases in the fall and winter months. 

SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen knows how frequent fires occur, so we want you to know tips to stay safe this season. If a fire does occur in your residential or commercial space, know that SERVPRO has the professionals to restore the damage. Our teams use their expertise and experience to make a fire disaster “Like it never even happened” and provide 24-hour emergency services. To stay safe this fire season, make sure to test your smoke alarms. Also, check that space heaters are clear of surrounding objects and do not leave them unattended. If you will be using a fireplace, be sure to have it inspected and cleaned of debris. Additionally, replace furnace filters and keep the area clean.

When Fires Happen - Leave It To SERVPRO To Clean Up!

9/21/2022 (Permalink)

It's devastating to experience the chaos of a fire in your house. Not only is it difficult to deal with the loss, but the clean up too. If it is a small isolated fire, getting the area cleaned and repaired should be a priority.

The first thing to consider is the ash and smoke damage that occurred. These can lead to corrosion, discoloration and unpleasant odor. Getting ash and smoke cleaned up immediately will prevent any of these from leading to an even larger problem.

Take these action steps if you find yourself handling the aftermath of a house fire.

1. Contact your insurance company.

2. Contact your local fire restoration company.

3. Take photographs of the damage.

4. Keep a record of all conversations with your insurance company.

5. Make a list of everything you lost or that was destroyed.

6. Find a place to stay while your restoration company cleans up your property.

So give us a call if disaster strikes your home or business! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to make things "Like it never even happened." 

Proper Ingredients for Fire Safety

8/13/2022 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen-more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. Most of these fires start because people aren't paying attention. While a few minutes may not seem like much time to be away from what's cooking, that is all it takes to start a fire. 

Leaving cooking unattended and other unsafe kitchen practices are a recipe for disaster. Review the cooking safety tips provided below to learn how to help prevent kitchen fires before they start.

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. 

- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you. 

- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as towels, drapes, and pot holders. 

- Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid free zone" of three feet around the stove. 

- If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department. 

- If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off and keep the door closed. Don't open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department. 

- Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (wearing the oven mitt). Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. NEVER pour water on a grease fire. 

There is no substitute for training and experience. Here at SERVPRO of Lockport, Lemont, and Homer Glen, we are built on a foundation of fire damage restoration expertise. If your property suffers from fire damage, smoke damage, or anything in between, give us a call at 708-301-4200! 

Tips After A Fire

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• 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.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen.
• 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 ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

Fire Plan

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

A backdraft of emotions often sweeps over the homeowners after a fire ravages a home. Fear, uncertainty, stress and doubt can overwhelm the homeowner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared. The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings. SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen can help prevent fire damage from creating long term problems. SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen provides timely response with mitigation services ranging from fire, smoke and soot removal to contents claims inventory and document restoration. These services help ensure your property, belongings and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible.

So after the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen help you restore it. With the industry approved training to employ rapid response, the utmost professionalism, cutting edge technology and open communication, we strive to restore not only the home, but the customer's peace of mind as well.

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you regain control quickly.

How To Make a Home Fire Escape Plan

6/23/2022 (Permalink)

How To Create A Fire Escape Plan For Your Home

A fire escape plan should account for the layout of a home and the needs of the occupants. This guide to making an emergency escape plan draws attention to several factors you should consider. Planning ahead can promote the safety of every occupant in a household in Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen, IL.

Plan Evacuation Routes

A fire plan should have at least two evacuation routes from every room in a house. To develop this plan you should:

• Work with an accurate floor plan
• Practice using evacuation routes
• Factor in the age and physical condition of occupants

If your home has two stories, you may want to invest in a non-combustible escape ladder. Keep hallways and other passages clear at all times.

Plan for Children

It is very important to account for children in a fire escape plan. In addition to child-appropriate evacuation routes, it is also a good idea to teach kids:

• How to roll out of bed
• Fire crawls
• How to check doors

You may want to test a fire alarm during drills so that children will associate these safety measures with the sound. It is important that kids participate in drills.

Plan for Pets

A homeowner can take several measures to promote pet fire safety. It is a good idea to:

• Post pet decals near the front entrance and exterior doors
• Store pet records in a fire box
• Practice evacuating with pets

A decal should indicate the number and type of pets in a household. A fire box can be easy to grab, but may also protect important documents if it is left behind.

The Red Cross provides further guidance on developing a fire escape plan. If a fire breaks out at your home in Shoreline, WA, contact the fire department as soon as possible. Once the fire is extinguished you should schedule a consultation with a fire damage restoration company.

What to Do if You Smell Natural Gas in Your Home

6/2/2022 (Permalink)

If You Smell Natural Gas in Your House, What Should You Do?

If you have appliances in your home that are operated using gas, it is possible that a leak could occur. If you notice a gas smell in your house, you should take some precautions to prevent starting a gas fire.

1. Turn Off the Stove

A common source of gas in your home is the stove. If you have a gas stove, make sure that it is turned off. If the gas is coming from this location, that might be all you need to do to fix the problem.

2. Turn Off the Gas Meter

If natural gas is leaking from somewhere else in your home, you should turn the gas off at the meter. This should keep the gas from continuing to fill your home.

3. Open Doors and Windows

To keep the gas from building up and creating the potential for a gas fire explosion, you should open all of the windows and doors. This allows the house to ventilate and will make it easier for the gas to leave your home.

4. Don’t Use the Electricity

If you have a gas leak in your home, the built-up gas is highly flammable. Don’t turn on any electrical objects, including the lights, and don’t handle any plugs or outlets. Even a small spark could turn into a big gas explosion.

5. Call a Professional

After leaving the house, you can contact emergency restoration services to take care of the natural gas leak in your home. It is important that you have a professional inspect the house to make sure the built-up gas has dissipated, and the source of the leak is repaired.

Because you cannot see if there is a gas leak, an unusual smell will likely be the first indication that there is a problem. A gas fire can start and spread easily, so make sure to follow these steps to keep your family and your home safe.

Tips for Using a Home Fire Extinguisher

5/20/2022 (Permalink)

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher at Home

Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher. This tool can help you put out a kitchen fire before it spreads. Here are some tips for utilizing extinguishers correctly.

1. Make an Evacuation Plan
Before you get too close to the fire, determine exactly how you will escape the room if the blaze becomes too big for you to handle. Make sure that no heat, smoke, or fire comes between you and your chosen evacuation path.

2. Pick the Right Extinguisher
Different fires require different types of extinguishers. Water or class A extinguishers are designed for ordinary combustibles such as plastic, cloth, paper, rubber, and wood. Class B extinguishers utilize carbon dioxide and work best on flammable liquids, including grease, gasoline, and oil. Electrical fires require Class C extinguishers, which utilize dry chemicals.

Of course, when you spot flames in your home, you do not always have time to figure out the correct fire extinguisher to use. Ideally, you should keep a multipurpose extinguisher in your house, as it works on fires caused by combustibles, flammable liquids or electrical equipment.

3. Use the P.A.S.S. Technique
The acronym P.A.S.S. can help you remember how to use an extinguisher. You just Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle and Sweep the extinguisher from side to side.

4. Know When To Evacuate
Most importantly, do not be a hero when trying to put out the fire. If the flames take up more than 60 square feet, if you feel radiating heat on your exposed skin, or if you have trouble breathing due to excess smoke, evacuate the house immediately. Contact firefighters to extinguish the blaze and fire damage cleanup specialists to restore your Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen, IL, home.

You can try to suppress a blaze using a fire extinguisher. Make sure you pick an extinguisher designed for the type of fire in your home. If the flames get out of control, evacuate immediately and let the professionals handle the situation.

When Fires Happen - Leave It To SERVPRO To Clean Up!

5/14/2022 (Permalink)

t's devastating to experience the chaos of a fire in your house. Not only is it difficult to deal with the loss, but the clean up too. If it is a small isolated fire, getting the area cleaned and repaired should be a priority.

The first thing to consider is the ash and smoke damage that occurred. These can lead to corrosion, discoloration and unpleasant odor. Getting ash and smoke cleaned up immediately will prevent any of these from leading to an even larger problem.

Take these action steps if you find yourself handling the aftermath of a house fire.

1. Contact your insurance company.

2. Contact your local fire restoration company.

3. Take photographs of the damage.

4. Keep a record of all conversations with your insurance company.

5. Make a list of everything you lost or that was destroyed.

6. Find a place to stay while your restoration company cleans up your property.

So give us a call if disaster strikes your home or business! We are faster to any disaster and are ready to make things "Like it never even happened." 

Preventing Cigarette Fires

4/12/2022 (Permalink)

People frequently will do something even when they know they shouldn’t. One more significant problem is smoking cigarettes inside the home, which increases the risk of starting a fire. We aren’t going to tell you to stop smoking, but we hope you consider not smoking inside the home for the following reasons.

• Overloaded Ashtray
• Smokers commonly sit the ignited cigarette down while inhaling nicotine if they can’t finish it in one sitting. This becomes a potential fire waiting to happen as most ashtrays have some accumulated reminisce of last cigarettes. When you have an ignited cigarette sitting, it collects hot ash, which gets naturally ashed, creating the perfect conditions for a fire. We suggest that if you can’t finish a cigarette, you put it out by lightly pushing the ignited end against a quarter. 
• Catching Z’s with an Ignited Cigarette
• Believe it, or not more people have fallen asleep while smoking than you would think. One in twenty (5%) home fires are started when someone falls asleep with a cigarette still ignited. The scary part is that most of those fires were created at an unsafe distance which doesn’t leave the person with much time to react, causing severe burns and death in some cases. 
• Discarding Properly
• One of the most common fires starts when the person smoking doesn’t properly put out the fire. This includes smoking outside as an ignited cigarette butt can easily ignite a bush.

We understand that it is tempting to smoke inside your property due to winter. We don’t advise this as there are health concerns when smoking inside, but the risk of starting a fire also increases. Knowing the common ways cigarettes create home fires helps you understand how to prevent falling victim to a house fire.

Fire Damage Restoration Process

3/2/2022 (Permalink)

A fire can be devastating for your home or business.

After the fire is out, you may be left with multiple areas of damage. The fire may have compromised the structure of the building, soot and smoke damage can effect walls and furniture, and you may face water damage from putting the fire out.

So, where do you start after the flames are out?

Every fire damage event is a little different, and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help us respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources. 

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

We carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of your property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action. 

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, we can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs. 

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process. 

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

We use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces. 

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. We use a variety of cleaning techniques to restore your belongings to pre-fire condition. We’re also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting your home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet; or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen can restore your property back to pre-fire condition.

We specialize in fire and water damage remediation and restoration. We’re dedicated to responding immediately when you need help with fire or water damage to help lessen the damage, limit further damage, and reduce restoration costs.

We’re open 24/7, 365 days a year to respond to your call at 708-301-4200.

What Does A Fire Damage Restoration Company Do?

1/21/2022 (Permalink)

Maybe you’ve heard of a fire damage restoration company before, but what exactly do they do? Why would it be helpful to hire one post-fire? 

What does a fire damage restoration company do?

• Damage assessment 

First and foremost, a fire damage restoration company assesses the damage caused by fire and decides the most appropriate course of action to take to tackle the aftermath. 

• Fire and smoke restoration

Anything damaged by fire is likely charred, smoke-filled, sooty, and potentially past return. Fire and smoke restoration technicians will restore any possessions that they can to their original state if desired.

• Odor control and deodorization

Smoke can be hazardous to your health and is pervasive throughout your home or business after a fire. Controlling and removing this odor is a specialty of fire damage restoration companies. 

• Upholstery and fabric cleaning

Smoke, soot, ash, and fire often severely damage and pervade upholstery and fabrics within your home or business. These can be cleaned and restored by a fire damage restoration company if they’re not past the point of no return. 

How does a fire damage restoration company restore your property after fire damage?

At SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen, our fire damage restoration process starts with you making an emergency call to us at (708) 301-4200 and answering a trained representative’s questions so we can send you the help you need. After we get the information from you, we go about the following steps.

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

For a more detailed look at each of these steps in our fire damage restoration process, check out the whole fire damage restoration breakdown. We recommend saving SERVPRO Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen number in your phone for any fire damage or water damage emergencies that you may experience: (708) 301-4200. This franchise is independently owned and operated.

Emergency Fire Damage Tips

11/21/2021 (Permalink)

Emergency DOs AND DON'Ts

These emergency tips will assist you in taking proper action until a SERVPRO of Aurora Professional arrives. Follow these DOs and DON'Ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful restoration.

• Limit movement in the home to prevent spot particles from being embedded into carpet and avoid tracking
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and artwook.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop door open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from metal kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances.

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first consulting your SERVPRO of Aurora Professional.
• Don't attempt to shampoo carpet, rugs or upholstered furniture without consultation.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting with an authorized repair service. 

Ask The Experts: The DO & DO NOT'S of Fire Damage

9/18/2021 (Permalink)

Once the fire department leaves, your home may suffer from water damage caused by firefighting efforts. We have the specialized fire and water damage restoration training, personnel, and equipment to handle fire and water damage and can quickly restore your home to pre-fire conditions. Below are some tips to protect you and your home after a fire. 

Do: 

• Limit movement in your home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets. 
• Keep your hands clean. Hands covered in soot can further damage upholstery, walls, and woodwork. 
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpeted areas. 
• If electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor. 
• Wipe soot off of chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light coating of lubricant. 
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures. 
• Wash both sides of leaves on houseplants. 
• Change HVAC filter, but leave the system off until a trained professional can check the system. 
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop soot particles from getting in or out of the HVAC system. 

Don't: 

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting SERVPRO of Tupelo. 
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water. 
• Don't attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture. 
• Don't eat any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. 
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged or wet and can cause electric shock, and air movement can create secondary damage. 
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set a smoke odor.  

If disaster does strike, give SERVPRO a call! We are faster to any disaster and ready to make things "Like it never even happened."

Fire Damage Tips

6/16/2021 (Permalink)

If your home or business suffers a fire, you may be at loss on what steps to take next. The following tips may help reduce damage and increase your chances of a successful restoration.

Do:

• Limit movement in the property. It helps prevent soot particles from becoming embedded into your carpet and upholstery.
• Keep hands clean. It could further soil upholstery, walls, woodwork, etc.
• Cover upholstery, rugs, and carpet traffic areas by placing dry, colorfast towels or old linens on them.
• If electricity is off, empty refrigerator/freezer. Clean completely and prop open doors to help prevent odors.
• Change HVAC filters; leave system off until a trained professional can check them.
• Cover air registers with cheesecloth. Tape double layers to prevent soot particles from getting in or out of the HVAC system.
• If heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.

Importance of Smoke Detectors in Your Home

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 50% of all fatal home fires occur while people are sleeping. Firefighters in the US respond to a fire every 24 seconds. That is why smoke detectors are so essential. For many families smoke alarms are all that stand between their home and escaping a fire. Smoke alarms that are properly installed and maintained play a vital role in reducing fire deaths and injuries

Having smoke detectors placed in various locations around your home allows for fast and effective detection. The siren will warn you day or night, that there is a potential fire, allowing you to quickly check the nature of the problem and hopefully prevent any damage. When placed in the right location, the smoke alarm can also help firefighters quickly locate the fire in the home.

Since smoke rises, smoke detectors are always placed on the ceiling for ideal detection. The most common types of smoke detectors to choose from are photoelectric and ionization. It’s recommended that there are smoke detectors on each floor of your home, including the attic and basement. If doors to rooms are closed often, it is best to have one installed in those rooms.

To ensure that your smoke alarms are working properly it’s important to perform regular testing and cleaning. Test each alarm once every month. Alarms should be vacuumed at least once every six months to remove any dust and or cobweb buildup. If your alarm requires a battery be sure to replace it once a year. Most detectors will have a replace-by date. If it does not, it’s important to replace it once every ten years.

If your home has suffered damage after a fire contact SERVPRO of Aurora. We are dedicated to responding as quickly as possible when you need help. A fast response helps lessen the damage, limits the secondary damage, and reduces cost. We have advanced training in restoration techniques, and the experience and specialized equipment to quickly restore your property.

The Importance of Cleaning Dryer Vents

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

According to FEMA, failure to clean home dryers causes 34% of home dryer fires. Home dryer fires cause $35 million in property loss and can even cause injury or death.

To reduce the risk of these fires happening in your or your insured’s home or business, SERVPRO® can help clean dryer vents and ducts that may have lint buildup.

Other tips for keeping your dryer vents clean from the National Fire Protection Agency include cleaning the lint filter before and after each load and making sure the outdoor vent flap will open and is not restricted by snow, a bird’s nest or other potential obstacles.

For more information on cleaning dryer vents contact SERVPRO® of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen Franchise Professionals. We are always here to help!

When fire strikes call the SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen

3/31/2021 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action.  The faster the SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen professionals arrive on-site to perform fire, smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results - including lower claims costs.  Within four hours of loss notification, SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen will be on-site to help ensure a fire damage is handled by utilizing the following services.

Structural cleaning

After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting and floors will often need a thorough cleaning.

Contents cleaning

All of the restorable content in affected areas will be professionally cleaned.  This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies and upholstery.

Deodoriztion 

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage.

If your home or business is affected by fire or smoke damage SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen will make it "Like it never even happened."

SERVPRO Is Your Best Choice for Fire Damage Remediation in Your Home

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

Fire can leave behind a significant amount of smoke and residue damage in your home. However, with the right equipment and training, a professional restoration technician can remove damage from many of the contents in your home, preventing loss and returning things to normal after an incident occurs.

If your home suffers from fire

If you live in the Aurora area and find yourself facing fire damage to your home, we can help. Our technicians specialize in the restoration of your property and belongings after a fire, making it easier for you to get the help you deserve as quickly as possible. SERVPRO also works with your insurance company and assist you with filling out required paperwork for your claim, relieving stress while providing you with caring professionals who are on your side. 

SERVPRO certified technicians

Whether you have a small fire in your kitchen or a significant structural fire throughout your home, SERVPRO’s IICRC-industry certified technicians can perform a variety of services that help get things under control fast. Our services go above and beyond; we pay close attention to personal belongings and perform any necessary repairs to complete the job as quickly and efficiently as possible, collaborating with you the entire time so you know what the situation is with your damaged belongings. We can also provide a pack-out service to store and clean your possessions offsite.

Full-service fire remediation for homeowners

With qualified professionals in the field, SERVPRO provides you with a full-service solution to fire damage on your property. We use cleaning and restoration methods created to remove smoke and soot residues before they have a chance to cause further damage to surfaces found in your home. Walls, floors, ceiling, furniture, cabinets, and other contents all receive the professional attention needed to return them to a quality pre-damage condition.

Work with Your Local SERVPRO 

Your local SERVPRO is ready to deploy at a moment’s notice, making our 24/7 emergency service, the one to call when you experience fire damage in your Aurora home. Our technicians take pride in providing each member of our local community with the assistance needed to recover quickly, helping you make informed decisions that reduce your stress and get your life back to normal.

SERVPRO of Aurora has qualified professionals standing by to assist anytime, day or night. Call our offices, today. 630-862-3930.

Fire Extinguisher FAQs

12/15/2020 (Permalink)

It is widely known that having an in-date fire extinguisher on your property is imperative to fire safety, but did you know that there are different kinds of fire extinguishers, as well as a proper way in which to use one?  Keeping yourself, your family, and your property protected in the event of a structure fire is paramount, and the below information can help facilitate that process.

Q:  What are the different kinds of fire extinguishers, and what is each used for?

A:  The U.S. Fire Administration defines five primary types of fire extinguishers used to put out different kinds of fires:

1. A – used for ordinary material fires, such as wood, cloth, or paper.
2. B – for use with combustible or flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, or oil.
3. C – for use with electrical equipment like appliances and tools.
4. D – for use with flammable metals.
5. K – for use with animal oils, vegetable oils, and fats in cooking appliances.

Many fire extinguishers may also be multipurpose, in that they carry multiple letter definitions and can put out a variety of material fires.

Q:  What is the proper way to use a fire extinguisher?

A: The U.S. Fire Administration suggests the acronym “PASS” as a means of properly discharging a fire extinguisher:

     P - Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

     A - Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

     S - Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly

     S - Sweep the nozzle from side to side

To keep yourself safe, it is important to use extreme caution within a fire damaged structure, and always follow the guidance of local fire authorities.  SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen offers a full line of fire clean up and restoration services, and we are Here to Help when you need.  Give us a call at 708-301-4200 to learn more.

Five Ways to Prevent Kitchen Fires

10/6/2020 (Permalink)

1. Keep Your Vents Clean

It’s important to keep the vent screens above your stove clean. Otherwise grease can build up on the screen and inhibit the ventilation becoming a contributing factor in a kitchen fire. The grease build-up could even make a fire worse. 

2. Don’t Leave Pans Unattended

Most cooks know never to lean a pan unattended on the stove. The pan could be knocked over, grease can splatter, or the food can be allowed to cook too long. Each of these things can be a fire hazard.

3. Don’t Put Grease Down the Drain

When you're done cooking it may be tempting to pour the hot grease down the drain. Built up grease in drain can lead to a drain clog and sink overflow. Instead the grease can be poured into a container, allowed to cool and then placed in the trash.

4. Wipe Out Greasy Pans Before Washing

Wipe out any remaining grease and food particles before washing your pans. This can help prevent buildup that may lead to a sink clog.

5. Call a Professional to Service Appliances

If you’re having problems with your stove or drain it may be time to call a professional. They will know how to fix the problem without causing a potential electrical fire. These can come from attempting to fix a broken stove or clogged dish disposal without the correct tools. If fire or flooding does occur, then a fire and water damage restoration service may be able to help.

Following these tips can help you prevent problems like a drain clog or grease fire. Never leave your stove unattended when it’s on, don’t put grease down the drain, and call a professional if your kitchen appliances need maintenance. In the event a fire or flooding does happen in your kitchen, then a restoration professional may be able to help.

Fall Fire Pits

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

Here in Illinois its a tradition to enjoy the cooler nights outside around a homemade fire pit! Many of us are looking forward to spending time gathering around them to enjoy time with family and friends. Before you start dreaming of moonlit nights and toasted marshmallows, take a moment to check out some of these tips from Allstate to remember.

Backyard Fire Pit Safety Tips:

• Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.
• Make sure that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.
• Check wind direction before lighting a fire.
• Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
• To start the fire, use a lighter to ignite crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks. Then, add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning. 
• Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke. 
• Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
• Never leave the fire unattended, and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.
• Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby.
• As the fire dies down, use a shovel and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in a specially designated ash storage metal can. 

How To Make Sure Fire Sprinklers Function

7/5/2020 (Permalink)

Fire sprinklers should be regularly tested and maintained

Commercial fire sprinkler system design must comply with fire codes and function properly in the event of a blaze. Property owners need to schedule regular sprinkler inspections, tests, and maintenance at a building in Palos Park, IL. These checks can ensure sprinklers operate as intended when the temperature inside spikes due to the presence of open flames.

Have Sprinklers Tested

Depending on the usage of a commercial building, a fire suppression system may need to be tested more or less frequently. Test the following components every year:

• Fire pump
  
• Main drain
  
• Control valve trip
  
  

The National Fire Protection Association recommends testing water flow and alarm operation on a quarterly basis. Local fire departments may mandate hydrostatic testing every five years. Regional fire codes may also require visual inspections on a monthly, quarterly, biannual, or annual basis.

Adjust for Changes In Use
If the layout of your operations has changed significantly, your fire safety needs may also change. Consult with a fire sprinkler company about options for ensuring that sprinklers are as effective as possible throughout a commercial building floorplan.

Maintain Fire Safety Equipment
Fire sprinklers, extinguishers, smoke detectors, and alarms should be regularly tested and maintained. In addition to regularly scheduled sprinkler inspections and testing, it is also important to make sure that extinguishers are charged and of the right class to suppress the most likely causes of fire. Smoke detectors should be effective for the use of the structure and alarms should sound throughout the location and provide emergency notification.
Regular fire sprinkler inspections are necessary to ensure safety equipment will activate during a fire. To limit water damage, only the sprinkler heads that detect temperatures higher than about 155 degrees Fahrenheit will burst and activate. Timely mitigation and fire sprinkler cleanup can stop water from intensifying fire damage or supporting mold growth at a commercial property in Palos Park, IL.

Home Fire Damage: Here’s What You Need To Know

6/4/2020 (Permalink)

Home fire damage in Bolingbrook, IL

Statistics reveal that US fire services respond to more than 300 thousand home fires each year. Fires are destructive. Items that aren't burned are likely to be affected by smoke, heat, or water if a fire hose was used. This presents a complicated cleanup process that should be performed by fire restoration specialists.

Why Hire Professionals?

Most homeowners don’t have the equipment or knowledge to adequately address fire damage. Unless your damage is very minimal, it is recommended that you consider using a fire restoration service for the following reasons:

• Professionals have access to specialized equipment that is designed to address complex cleaning situations.
  
• Experts are able to work quickly to prevent secondary damage, such as mold, from developing.
  
• Technicians are trained to use safety-rated equipment and safe practices to prevent injuries or accidents.
  
  

If you have some trepidation about turning your home over to strangers, it might help to understand some specifics about what you can expect.

What Will Restoration Crews Do?
Smoke, water and fire damage require special cleaning methods. A restoration team leader will supervise the process, starting with the removal of burned and water-damaged items. If deemed safe, you will be able to supervise and participate in the cleanup process. Crews will set up an elaborate dehumidification system and begin sorting your personal property.
Your belongings will undergo a series of restoration processes, depending on the damage. Textiles, upholstery, and carpets that aren’t burned can often be dried, cleaned, and disinfected. Electronics without fire damage will be dehumidified and repaired, if possible. Water-damaged paper documents, photos, and books are challenging to restore. They go through several specialized processes in an attempt to clean, dry, and press them.
If you experience a fire in your Bolingbrook, IL, home, you are navigating many tasks. A professional service can step in and manage the cleanup of fire and water damage, so you can focus on other business. They will restore your structure and property as completely as possible. Knowing what you can expect may help you make the right decisions toward returning your household to normal conditions.

The Science of Deodorization

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

When you’re dealing with a bad smell in your home or office, it can be downright distracting.

And depending on what’s caused the smell, it might be really tough to get rid of it. If the odor was caused by a fire and/or smoke damage, for example, the scent can linger for months, if not years.

If this is something affecting your home or business, you might be tempted to spray an air freshener and try to forget about it, but we have some bad news: you won’t be able to forget. The air freshener won’t make the smell go away.

The good news is, team SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen has the equipment and scientific know how to eradicate those bad odors. And we mean ERADICATE them. We don’t try to cover up the smell with perfumes, we use scientifically proven methods to get rid of them.

Here’s a few of the odors we can deal with:

• Cigarette Smoke
• Pet Odors
• Decomposition
• Mold

And we deal with those using a few different methods. One is by using a piece of equipment called an “ozone generator.”

An ozone generator works by pumping ozone into the affected area. Ozone is a gas that’s made up of three particles of oxygen. (Ozone is different from the “oxygen” or O2 humans need to breathe, which is made up of two oxygen particles). When the ozone comes into contact with the particles making the bad odors, whether they be smoke, bacteria, etc., the ozone will literally change the chemical makeup of those particles through oxidization. Changing the odor-causing particles’ chemical makeup destroys the smell. After use, the ozone then turns into O2, which we’re eventually able to breathe.

Another method our technicians use to destroy stinky smells is thermal fogging.

Through this method, a deodorizer is put through a machine that turns it into a fine fog. That deodorizer fog can then get into every nook and cranny of the affected area, even the smallest, most porous spaces. The fog is even able to reach under floors, into ceilings and behind walls. The fog is then able to alter the particles causing the bad odors and destroy them.

Commercial Buildings May Require a Security Fence After a Fire

4/7/2020 (Permalink)

Suffering a fire at your business in Lemont, IL, is a dreadful event.

Suffering a fire at your business in Lemont, IL, is a dreadful event. It’s not enough that it shuts down operations and causes serious or even catastrophic damage – there’s the aftermath to face. At this point, the building needs to be protected from further damage, including

Shutting off utilities, such as water, gas, and electricity.
Tarping and boarding the structure to block out the weather.
Erecting a security fence around the building.

Disconnect Utilities ASAP
Make sure every damaged area has all utilities turned off. A gas leak is the last thing you need now! Water and electric lines should also be disconnected. If you can shut them off to only the damaged portions, do so; otherwise, they must be turned off for the entire business. Once the area has been inspected by qualified technicians, hopefully, you can return service to undamaged areas.

Cover Exposed Building Areas
To prevent further water damage, all exposed portions of a commercial building that are supposed to be water-tight need to be tarped or boarded up quickly. This should always be done by a licensed fire damage restoration company that knows how to keep out the elements. They can also inspect for hidden smoke damage and help get the insurance claim process started.

Create a Protective Security Fence
Not only will fencing keep out the idly curious and potential thieves, but it’ll also prevent them from being injured on your property. While you won’t usually be held responsible for accidental fires, you are expected to take standard measures to keep the public (and your employees) safe. Also, many insurance companies won’t cover further damage if you don’t utilize basic safety procedures.

A temporary security fence – in some cases as simple as a plastic construction-style barrier – is often satisfactory for the job. This can be quickly erected and is usually a bright orange for high visibility. Other circumstances may require a more durable fence and barricades. Your fire cleanup company can help you understand local requirements in Lemont, IL, and get the right fence installed rapidly.

Homeowner’s Insurance Usually Exempts Two Types of Fire Damage Claims

2/25/2020 (Permalink)

Vacant home fire in Willow Spring, IL

Homeowner’s Insurance Usually Exempts Two Types of Fire Damage Claims

Having homeowner’s insurance in Willow Spring, IL is not only recommended by all the experts, it’s also a little piece of mind in a complicated world. When a home fire happens, the coverage is often the last refuge you have while you’re watching your home go up in flames. However, insurance isn’t a panacea – two types of fire damage are specifically exempted from coverage:

• Vacant home fires, and
  
• Certain cases of arson
  
  

A Vacant Home Is an Invitation to Trouble

Most insurance companies define a vacant home as one that’s been unoccupied for at least 30 consecutive days. Leaving a home uninhabited for long periods of time increases the chances and severity of many types of structure damage.
When a house is known to be vacant, it invites squatters and vandals to make your place their own. If a pipe or roof is leaking with no one to notice it, it’ll have much longer to create havoc. And with no one to see a vacant home fire, the resulting damages are usually far in excess of a fire in an occupied home. Plus, emergency response in general prioritizes situations where there’s a threat to life, meaning that a home fire in a vacant property might have to wait during high-volume call times.

Some Instances of Arson Are Never Covered by Insurance

Intentionally set fires to an insured property are usually a crime. If anyone who is in any way connected to ownership of the property played even a small role in the crime (such as asking a friend to burn it down), that will automatically negate insurance coverage and may lead to criminal charges if the investigation find evidence of wrongdoing. If the fire had nothing to do with the insured, it will then usually be covered.
If you have any questions about your coverage, talk to a professional restoration company that’s used to dealing with insurance adjusters. They can give advice and help start the cleanup after a home fire in Willow Spring, IL.

Smoke Webs

9/4/2019 (Permalink)

Actual Smoke Webs

Did you know?

Residues (such as burning plastics or the soot from furnace disorders) form long chains of ionized smoke particles that assemble in corners or at junctions of walls and ceilings which are called smoke webs!

The picture is from a fire damage that our large loss division assisted with out of state. The building had 35,000 square feet that was affected, it took our team a few weeks to completely clean the facility. 

Does your business have a plan? Check out these tips:

Protect your people : Your employees are your most important business asset. These tips can help prevent them from being injured in a fire.

• Fire Plans: Make sure your employees know what to do if there's a fire, including calling 911 immediately. Conduct a fire drill at least once a year to keep employees aware of your workplace fire safety protocol. 
• Evacuation Plan: In larger buildings, post a fire evacuation plan in several spots around the workplace. Never include elevators in an evacuation plan; always use the stairs. 
• First Aid: In case of fire injuries, your employees should be familiar with the location of the first-aid kit, which should be kept where possible hazards can occur most-such as in the kitchen.

Call SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen (708) 301-4200

Home Fire Escape Plan

7/17/2019 (Permalink)

You had fire drills growing up at school, (hopefully) you have the occasional fire drill at work now that you are an adult, but do you ever have fire drills at home? Coming up with and practicing family safety drills can help to make sure your family is prepared in the event of an emergency. It is an important topic to discuss with your family, especially children.

The National Fire Protection Association has a helpful section on how to create a family fire escape plan. It includes how to draw a fire escape path for your home, how to reinforce fire safety to younger children, and tips how to stay as safe as possible during a fire.

Some of the tips include:

• Call 911 as soon as possible, even if you think you can contain the fire
• Know at least 2 ways out of each room
• Have a designated outside meeting place a safe distance from the home
• Assign “partners” for young, elderly, or family members with mobility issues
• Close Doors behind you as you leave each room to slow the spread of smoke, heat, and fire

Your family’s safety is the first priority. After emergency services have done their job SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen will be here to help you repair, restore, and recover your belongings.

Smoke & Soot Clean-up

6/3/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Lockport/ Lemont / Homer Glen (708) 301-4200

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

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 Lockport / Lemont/ Homer Glen 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:

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 – (708) 301-4200

Tips on Kitchen Fires

2/28/2019 (Permalink)

Kitchen Fire

Kitchen Fires: Four Risk Factors

While every home should have a smoke detector in the kitchen, there are several other tips for keeping your home and yourself safe when cooking. From rolling up your sleeves and tying back your hair to keeping flammable materials, like paper towel and dish towels, away from the stove, cooking safety is essential when it comes to fire prevention. However, many homeowners can be complacent about the following four risk factors.

1. Appliances  Fire Damage is devastating, but the fact that so many fires are caused by faulty or mishandled appliances is shocking. Appliances, if not maintained, are a leading cause of home fires. Be sure to service all your appliances properly. Additionally, unplug small countertop appliances as they draw electricity even when not in use, which can lead to overheating.

2. Too Much Oil or Grease One of the most overlooked cooking tips is to use less oil and grease. In cooking, a little goes a long way when it comes to these two substances. Using too much of either can lead to grease fires which, if left unattended, can get out of hand quickly. It is important to remember not to throw water on a grease fire because it will only splash the pan and cause the fire to spread, instead use salt or baking soda. 

3. Spills Another common cause of many kitchen fires is a dirty stove or oven. Always wipe up spills immediately and clean cooktops after use. Leftover grease, oil or food can ignite on the burner, causing a fire. This is another reason why it is essential to keep an eye on food as it cooks because these types of fires require a quick response, or they can spread quickly. Unfortunately, while the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is also the most likely place for fires to begin. The above tips offer several suggestions for helping you maintain a safe and fire-free home.

SERVPRO of Lockport / Lemont / Homer Glen - (708)301-4200

Power to the People

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

December and January are peak months for electrical fires due to holiday decorations and the usage of space heaters, however; with the increase in electronics per household, such as computers, wide screen televisions, and video and gaming systems, circuit overloads can happen at any time.

Electrical circuits in your home or businesses are designed to take a limited amount of electricity. Overloads occur when you draw more electricity than a circuit can handle. Overloaded outlets and circuits carry too much electricity which generates heat in undetectable amounts. The heat causes wear and tear on the internal wiring system and can start a fire. All wiring systems have circuit breakers or fuses to disconnect power when circuits become overloaded, however; an improperly sized fuse or breaker can cancel this built in safety feature.

Signs of overloaded circuits are:

1-Buzzing from outlets or switches.

2-Outlet or switch covers that are warm to touch.

3-Burning odors from outlets or switches.

4-Scorched plugs or outlets.

5-Power tools, appliances, or electronics that seem to lack sufficient power.

Prevention is the best way to eliminate an electrical fire to your home or business. You can never be too careful when it comes to the safety of your family, pets or customers. If you feel you may have circuit problems or want to check your electrical system before a problem occurs, remember to call a reliable licensed electrician and if a fire should occur, know that SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen is there to get your life back in order and make it “Like it never even happened.” Call 707-301-4200.

"Baby it's Cold Outside!"

12/13/2018 (Permalink)

Once again the cold weather is upon us and in an effort to stay cozy and warm, people turn to alternative heat sources such as fireplaces, wood burning stoves and portable heaters to provide that warmth. Heating is the second leading cause of home fire deaths making it important to review ways to reduce the risk of a heating-related fire.

Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them cleaned and inspected annually by a qualified professional.

Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from heating equipment.

Plug space heaters directly into outlets. Do not use extension cords or power strips.

When using fuel-burning heaters, use only the type of fuel specified by the manufacturer.

Never use kitchen stove burners to provide heat, they were made for cooking only.

Install and maintain carbon monoxide and smoke alarms inside your home. Test alarms monthly.

Stay warm and be safe. Start the New Year out the right way and if needed, call SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen at 708-301-4200.

Turkey Frying Safety Tips

11/13/2018 (Permalink)

If you plan to deep fry your holiday bird, be sure you know how to safely use the fryer, and take these precautions to protect yourself, your guests and your home.

• Fryers should always be used outdoors on a solid level surface a safe distance from buildings and flammable materials.
• Never use a fryer on wooden deck or enclosed space.
• Purchase a fryer with temperature controls and watch the oil temperature carefully.
• Make sure the bird is completely thawed before it is placed in the fryer.
• Do not overfill the fryer. 
• Choose a bird no heavier than 12 lbs.
• Never leave a fryer unattended.
• Never let children or pets near the fryer.
• Use well insulated pot holders or oven mitts and wear long sleeves and safety goggles to protect from splatter.
• Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby.
• Once finished, carefully remove the pot from the burner, place it on a level surface and cover to let the oil cool overnight before disposing.

By following the above tips, you can have a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving. Everyone at SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen would like to wish you and your family a "HAPPY THANKSGIVING".

Fires are Preventable

10/12/2018 (Permalink)

When it comes to your property, certain safety precautions can be taken to help prevent fires. below are some tips that can help you to prevent a fire.

Electrical and Appliances Safety

• Replace frayed and old worn electrical cords on appliances. Also make sure all extension cords are in good working condition and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• If an appliance has a three prong plug, use it only in a three slot outlet. Never force it into a two slot outlet or extension cord.
• Immediately shut off light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker and have replaced by a trained professional.

Fireplaces ans Woodstoves

• Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check for damage or obstructions monthly.
• Always use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop a burning log from rolling out and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying embers.
• Make sure that the fire is completely out before leaving your home or going to bed.

For more fire safety tips, visit ready.org and if a fire should occur call SERVPRO of Lockport/ Lemont/Homer Glen at 708-301-4200 and our trained professionals will make it "Like it never even happened."

Fire Prevention Week October 7-13, 2018

9/12/2018 (Permalink)

This year's theme for Fire Prevention Week is "Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware-fire can happen anywhere." 

"LOOK" for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home and identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.

"LISTEN" for the sound of your smoke alarms. You could have only minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm goes off. Go to your outside meeting place which should be a safe distance from your home and where everyone should meet.

"LEARN" two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside can be easily opened and are clutter free.

People need to be educated about these three basic but essential steps to reduce the likelihood of having a fire and how to escape safely in the event a fire should a occur.

For further information visit www.firepreventionweek.org and learn how to keep you and your family safe.

Unfortunately fires do occur. When fire and water damage take control of you life, we help you take it back. Call SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/    Homer Glen at 708-301-4200.

Recipe for Safety

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

Cooking Safety Tips:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you have to leave the room for even a second, turn your stove or cooking device off.
• When you are simmering, baking, or roasting, check the food regularly or use a timer to remind you.
• Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as potholders, paper towels, food packaging, etc...
• Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove.
• If an oven fire starts, turn off the oven and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the house and the fire department.

Please remember that education in prevention is the best way to keep you and your family safe. In the event there is a fire, call your local fire department and then call SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen at 708-301-4200 to help you with all your fire restoration needs. 

Warning Signs of Faulty Wiring or Electrical Systems

7/12/2018 (Permalink)

Electrical failure or malfunctions account for an estimated 34,000 home fires, on average, per year and result in roughly 440 deaths and $1.3 billion in direct property damage according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This threat is higher in older homes built before the 1950's due to lower electrical wiring standards, however; even newer homes are at risk. Older homes were built to handle 30 amps of power, but most newer homes demand 100 to 200 amps. Listed below are some of the warning signs that may indicate an electrical problem in your home:

• Flickering or dimming lights.
• Switches or outlets that are hot to touch and/or give off a strong burnt rubber odor.
• Discolored cords, outlets and switch plates.
• Repeatedly blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers.

If you have any any of these, contact a licensed electrician immediately to examine and repair any electrical problems and if the need for fire restoration is required, we are there to make it "Like it never even happened". SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen, 708-301-4200.

Legal or Not, Fireworks are Risky!

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

Each 4th of July, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using consumer fireworks which includes sparklers and firecrackers. 

Sparklers burn hot enough to cause third degree burns. Sparklers account for roughly one quarter of the emergency room firework injuries.

Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries and an average of $43 million in direct property damage as per the NFPA's Research, Data & Analytics Division.

Be careful and be safe by not using consumer fireworks. If you want to see fireworks, go to a public show put on by experts in your town and keep a close eye on children at events where fireworks are being used.

Let's keep the spark in our patriotism and not on our homes, friends and family members.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!!!!! 

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen

Self Cleaning Oven Safety Tips

5/14/2018 (Permalink)

As one of the most hated household chores, oven cleaning ranks among the top; which is why so many people invest in self-cleaning ovens. There are some downsides and possible hazards to be aware of before using your self cleaning oven such as smoke, fumes, and even possible fires if the oven contains a lot of grease or food particles.

The self cleaning ovens use a process called Pyrolytic cleaning which burns off grease and food particles by reaching temperatures of up to 500 degrees. The food particles turn to ash and then can be wiped away.

Some important tips to follow before using your self cleaning oven are:

1. Make sure there isn't an over abundance of grease and food particles in your oven.
2. Make sure the oven door seal and other sealing mechanisms are working perfectly.
3. Make sure the kitchen is well ventilated while using the self cleaning oven.
4. Make sure to follow all instructions from the manufacturers.

Your first priority is to keep you, your family and your pets safe. Your second priority is too know that SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen will be there for you to make everything "Like it never even happened" 708-301-4200.

First Responders to Fires

4/25/2018 (Permalink)

Local fire and police departments, as well as Emergency Medical technicians (EMT's), are often first on the scene of an emergency. In the United States, there are more than 29,700 fire departments with 1,160,450 total firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association's 2015  U.S. Fire Department Profile. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost 245,000 EMT's and paramedics in the United States. In the U.S. there are about 18,000 federal, state, country, and local law enforcement agencies, employing more than 750,000 full time sworn officers according to he Uniformed Crime Reporting Program collected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

When fire affects your life, make SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen, 708-301-4200 your 2nd responder and we will make it "Like it never even happened."

Every Second Counts

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Every second counts during a fire.  Fire experts agree; people have as little as two minutes to escape a burning home before it's too late to get out.  In a matter of moments, a small flame can become a major fire, making it critical to be prepared and have an escape plan in place.  A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 26 percent of families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan.  Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home understands the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year.  Increase your chance of surviving a fire by ensuring you have working smoke detectors in place, building an escape plan, and then practicing the escape plan.

Fire!!

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Mitigation requires quick action.  The faster we arrive on site to perform fire, smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results - including lower claim costs.  When we are called to a fire loss we ensure a fire damage is handled by utilizing the following services.

Structural Cleaning - After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning.  We will pretest to determine the extent of damage, then use specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces within the structure.

Contents Cleaning - All of the restorable contents in affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized.  

Deodorization - We provide specialized services that rid your home of offensive odors left by fire or smoke damage.

Recipe for Safety

12/21/2017 (Permalink)

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) research, cooking is the leading cause of home fires. Two of every five home fires begin in the kitchen-more than any other place in the home. Cooking fires are also the leading cause of home fire-related injuries. Most of these fires start because people aren't paying attention. While a few minutes may not seem like much time to be away from what's cooking, that is all it takes to start a fire.

Leaving cooking unattended and other unsafe kitchen practices are a recipe for disaster. Review the cooking safety tips provided below to learn how to help prevent kitchen fires before they start.

- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food.

- When you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home, and use a timer to remind you.

- Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles such as towels, drapes, and pot holders.

- Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid free zone" of three feet around the stove.

- If an oven fire starts, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. If the fire does not go out, get out of the home and call the fire department.

- If you have a fire in your microwave, turn it off and keep the door closed. Don't open the door until the fire is completely out. If in doubt, get out of the home and call the fire department.

- Always keep an oven mitt and a lid nearby. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan (wearing the oven mitt). Do not move the pan. To keep the fire from restarting, do not remove the lid until it is completely cool. NEVER pour water on a grease fire.

Thanksgiving

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

November - when cooler temperatures arrive, and the leaves change, and family-oriented get-togethers, like Thanksgiving, begin the holiday season. While you are busy whipping up delicious dishes in the kitchen, it is also important to take time to remember safety.

Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires and home-fire-related injuries in the United States. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports "Cooking equipment was involved in almost half (48%) of all reported home fires...and tied with heating equipment for the second cause of home fire deaths."

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen wants you, your family, and your property to stay safe. If you do experience a fire or water damage during the holidays, or any time of the year, we can make it "Like it never even happened."

Five Dangers of Deep Frying a Turkey

11/12/2017 (Permalink)

A deep-fried turkey: delicious, but worth it? If you've seen any of the numerous videos of turkey fryer explosions and fires online, you may have asked yourself this question before. Running the risk of bodily injury or property damage is something to consider when menu plannning this holiday season.

* Turkey fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area.

* An overfilled cooking pot will cause cooking oil to spill when the turkey is put in, and a partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter when put in the pot.

* Even a small amount of cooking oil spilling on a hot burner can cause a large fire.

* Without thermostat controls, deep fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire.

* The sides of the cooking pit, lid, and pot handles can get dangerously hot.

Fire Prevention Week

10/6/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke alarm usage and maintenance is key to fire safety.

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives.

This October, in recognition of Fire Prevention Week (Oct.9th-15th), the Red Cross will focus their efforts on raising awareness about fire safety nationwide, and by canvassing local communities to install smoke alarms in homes that need them, teaching people about what they can do now to be prepared should a fire break out in their home.

Some top tips for fire safety:

- Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

- Test smoke alarms every month and replace batteries as needed.

- Talk with family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

- If a fire occurs in your home, Get out, Stay out and Call for help. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

For more fire safety tips, checklists and fact sheets go to www.redcross.org. Also, like and follow our SERVPRO of Joliet and SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen Facebook page for more fire prevention ideas all month long.

Fire Fears

8/3/2016 (Permalink)

A commercial kitchen fire at a local school.

A backdraft of emotions often sweeps over the homeowners after a fire ravages a home.  Fear, uncertainty, stress and doubt can overwhelm the homeowner long after the flames have been extinguished and the smoke has cleared.  The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings. SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen can help prevent fire damage from creating long term problems.  SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen provides timely response with mitigation services ranging from fire, smoke and soot removal to contents claims inventory and document restoration.  These services help ensure your property, belongings and memories are restored to preloss condition when possible.

So after the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen help you restore it.  With the industry approved training to employ rapid response, the utmost professionalism, cutting edge technology and open communication, we strive to restore not only the home, but the customer's peace of mind as well.

SERVPRO of Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to help you regain control quickly.

Fireworks Safety

6/30/2016 (Permalink)

Fireworks are synonymous with our celebration of the Fourth of July.  Yet, the thrill of fireworks can also bring pain and damage.  On average, 230 people go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month around the July 4th holiday.  Not to mention countless number of fires started by fireworks, causing structural and vehicle damage.  As we approach the Fourth of July holiday weekend, The National Council on Fireworks Safety encourages consumers to review all safety tips before puchasing and using fireworks.

First and foremost, know and obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.  In many cities, including Joliet, fireworks are illegal.

* know your fireworks; read labels and warnings

* an adult should supervise all fireworks activities

* wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks

* use fireworks in a clear area, away from buildings and    vehicles 

* never relight a "dud" firework; wait 20 minutes then soak it  in a bucket of water before discarding

*always have a water source nearby

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to leave them to the professionals. Our communities have several opportunities to view professional fireworks displays.  What better way to celebrate but to sit back and enjoy the show!

Happy Fourth of July! Enjoy the long weekend and be safe!