Fire Season Already?

7/14/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Season seems to come earlier every year. With that comes the need to remind people how they can be proactive in protecting the families, homes and businesses from some potential hazards. At SERVPRO we work closely with home owners and business owners along with their insurance carriers when they experience a loss due to fire, so we reached out to one of those Insurance Carriers to get some tips that they would give their policy holders.

Helpful Tips from State Farm:

• Protect your family, home or business with smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and make sure they are properly installed according to manufacturers directions. If you use battery operated units, check those batteries at least monthly by testing the unit for functionality. If it doesn’t sound an alarm, replace the batteries immediately.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy and remember the key word “PASS”. Pull the trigger to release the locking mechanism, Aim the nozzle low and at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly, Sweep the nozzle side to side to extinguish the fire.
• Review your home for potential fire hazards:
  • Check electrical cords for fraying
  • Review extension cords – avoid “octopus plugs” or using multiple extensions cords plugged into on another
  • Examine light switches for buzzing or sparking – replace if either of these things are happening.
  • Review light bulbs – do not use higher wattage bulbs than the device calls for.
  • Examine clothes dryer – keep it clean and free of lint.
  • Glassware can create a concentrated ray that cold ignite paper or wood.
  • Loose batters if they connect with other forms of metal can create an electrical charge that could cause a spark.
  • Electric blankets – keep them flat while using and make sure they are certified.
• Practice Fire Safety
  • Talk to your family about fire safety
  • Have a plan to get out of a room or your home if a fire occurs
  • Agree on a meeting place to make sure everyone is out safely
  • Practice your plan at least annually.

Hopefully these tips will help you or at the very least spark the conversation with your family. If a fire damage occurs, SERVPRO of Hesperia/Apple Valley and SERVPRO of Barstow/Twentynine Palms is here to help.