Holiday Fire Safety

12/4/2024 (Permalink)

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Holiday Fire Safety

With the Holiday season upon us, we here at SERVPRO Team McGinnis would like to remind everyone of some simple steps you can take to help ensure a SAFE Holiday Season:

1. Inspect all Electrical Decorations/Lights for damage before using. Cracked or damaged wall plates or sockets, loose or exposed wires, and unsecure connections may cause shock or pose a fire risk.
2. Do not connect more than 3 strands/strings of lights together. This may cause a blown fuse, and can also start a fire.
3. Keep live trees well-watered to prevent drying out. Dry wood and needles mixed with electrical decorations pose a greater fire risk.
4. Do not leave lit candles unattended. These can easily be knocked over by playful pets or kids, or simply forgotten and allowed to burn down and start a fire.
5. Please be mindful that decorations or stockings you might hang on your fireplace mantel are flammable. Use caution if lighting a fire
6. Do not leave the stove unattended when cooking. Not only are many holiday house fires started by meal preparation, unattended hot pots and pans on the stovetop pose a burn risk for children
7. KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE! Know where the fire extinguisher is located in your home or the home you are visiting. Check them regularly, like your smoke detectors, to make sure it will work if you need it.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. But, remember that if you do experience a fire, big or small, your Fire Team is always ready to respond! 

Holiday Fire Safety

12/4/2024 (Permalink)

Wishing you and yours a wonderful and safe holiday season!

Holiday Fire Safety

With the Holiday season upon us, we here at SERVPRO Team McGinnis would like to remind everyone of some simple steps you can take to help ensure a SAFE Holiday Season:

1. Inspect all Electrical Decorations/Lights for damage before using. Cracked or damaged wall plates or sockets, loose or exposed wires, and unsecure connections may cause shock or pose a fire risk.
2. Do not connect more than 3 strands/strings of lights together. This may cause a blown fuse, and can also start a fire.
3. Keep live trees well-watered to prevent drying out. Dry wood and needles mixed with electrical decorations pose a greater fire risk.
4. Do not leave lit candles unattended. These can easily be knocked over by playful pets or kids, or simply forgotten and allowed to burn down and start a fire.
5. Please be mindful that decorations or stockings you might hang on your fireplace mantel are flammable. Use caution if lighting a fire
6. Do not leave the stove unattended when cooking. Not only are many holiday house fires started by meal preparation, unattended hot pots and pans on the stovetop pose a burn risk for children
7. KEEP A FIRE EXTINGUISHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE! Know where the fire extinguisher is located in your home or the home you are visiting. Check them regularly, like your smoke detectors, to make sure it will work if you need it.

We hope everyone has a safe and happy holiday season. But, remember that if you do experience a fire, big or small, your Fire Team is always ready to respond! 

Cooking Oil Fire

5/10/2024 (Permalink)

While it might not look like too big of a job, even a small fire can require professional trained technicians to help!

Cleaning up soot and smoke after a grease fire in your kitchen can be a daunting task.

A grease fire in your home is an unexpected disaster and can create a significant amount of damage. Pouring water onto a fire is an initial reaction, but water mixed with oil creates a splash effect, which actually can cause the fire to spread. The most effective way to snuff out a grease fire is with a fire extinguisher, baking soda, or a fire-suppression blanket.

After extinguishing the fire in your home, it is difficult to clean and restore your kitchen to its original condition. In addition to visible soot, the smoky smells permeate every porous surface and can remain for years, if not properly cleaned. We want you to look to us, SERVPRO® Team McGinnis as your neighborhood fast and friendly team to help turn things around.

Our team here at SERVPRO® will walk you through the whole restoration process making sure you understand and are comfortable leaving your kitchen in our hands. Communication is key with every job, especially yours. You chose SERVPRO® to make your kitchen look “Like it never even happened.” You experienced a grease fire disaster in your kitchen and we will be there to fix it right the first time.

Life can throw unexpected curves your way and cause disruptions you never thought possible. You can trust the Fires Restoration Specialists to get your kitchen back up and running as quickly as possible and help restore the rhythm of your home life. You can call us at SERVPRO® anytime, day or night at 541-745-2097.

A fire in your home....

5/8/2024 (Permalink)

Even small fires need professionals to make it like it never even happened!

A fire in your home….

An Oregon homeowner recently suffered fire and smoke damage in their garage. Investigation discovered that an electrical malfunction started the dryer fire. The placement of a fire extinguisher nearby allowed the homeowner to react quickly and get the fire subdued with relative speed. However, even in that short amount of time, the area of the garage surrounding the dryer became covered in soot and smoke residue.

Fire damage leaves behind odors, smoke residue and soot which can be challenging for the homeowner to clean. The heat from the fire itself causes porous surfaces, such as drywall, to open up and trap odors. And while soot might just look like dirt, breathing in soot particles can be harmful to your health. Soot contains a mixture of fine particles, such as carbon, chemicals, and other byproducts of incomplete combustion. When inhaled, these particles can irritate the respiratory system, leading to coughing, shortness of breath, and respiratory distress. And the PH of soot is such that is slowly eats away at the materials it clings to, such as ceramics, metals, glass, etc.  By calling SERVPRO® the homeowner was at ease knowing the cleanup was being professionally managed, and the soot and odor were safely and thoroughly removed.

When you are faced with a fire disaster, remember SERVPRO® is here for you. We are have technicians that operate 24/7. Call SERVPRO® Team McGinnis today at 541-745-2097.

We can make it “Like it never even happened."

What happens to my things?

5/3/2024 (Permalink)

our Contents Specialists are trained to safely pack up your items for safe removal to our warehouse for cleaning and storage.

After a fire and before the restoration can begin.

The process of packing up your belongings can be long and tedious. SERVPRO® Team McGinnis takes that burden from your shoulders. You have enough to tend to, let us help with packing and unpacking.

Our teams are extremely detailed and accurate with inventorying each item. When your contents are packed, they are then moved to a secure location at our warehouse.

When it is time to begin the move out process you do not have to concern yourself with packing items, as we come prepared with the essentials. SERVPRO® supplies sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, shrink wrap and various packing materials. Our teams set up a staging tables in each room while also identifying each box per room.

Boxed items are small to medium size objects and are packaged accordingly.

Large items that can be disassembled to safely transport will be. If we are unable to disassemble, then our team(s) will wrap the times with the necessary material and place moving pads around so other items do not cause damage.

Our teams are trained to identify and separate which items can be safely cleaned and returned, and which items are deemed ‘non-salvageable’. Non-salvageable items are items that have sustained severe damage, either from smoke/soot, water, or even asbestos or a biological source. These items are considered unsafe for continued use.

Documenting your contents is a high priority and we do it by hand and digitally. We have a move out checklist that the project lead will go over with you and list items in detail. When the project lead is back at the office, they will then record the information in a spreadsheet along with taking the digital photographs taken by the team onsite, then uploading those content photos to your customer file.

When the time has come that repairs and restoration is complete, we will then preform a move back. By bringing your items back, unload and unpack per room you will notice cleaned and restored items safely returned to their proper spaces.

If you find yourself in need of fire restoration or have question and concerns give us a call at 541-745-2097. Your local SERVPRO® is operated 24/7/365 with emergency services available.

Fire Safety Tips

2/22/2024 (Permalink)

Knowing what to do in the event of a fire can help save lives!

Fires can be very frightening – they are scary, spread quickly and can cause devastating losses.  While we cannot completely fire-proof our homes, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your family in the event of a fire.

• Install and regularly test smoke detectors. Statistics show that working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in a house fire almost in half! Fires spread quickly, and once that alarm sounds, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
• Practice Fire Drills at home. Since time is of the utmost importance during a fire, it is best to KNOW what do in the event of a fire.  What is the best escape route? Where does the family meet up outside?  In order to respond quickly, it is best to have a rehearsed plan ahead of time.
• Have fire extinguishers handy & know how to use them. Keep them in an easy access location near a likely source of fire – in the kitchen, the laundry room, etc.  And maybe buy a few extra and have your children practice using them (probably best to do OUTSIDE).
• Childproof your kitchen. To keep small children from accidentally turning on the stove, which may having something on it that could burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. And teach your children they are not toys.

While no one wants to imagine what they would do in the event of a fire, it is better to be prepared, and have a plan to help keep your family as safe as possible.  And if you do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO®.  We are here to help. We can take care of your home, so you can take care of your family.

House Fire? We are here to help!

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

Experience a house fire? The professionals at SERVPRO® are here to help!

You have experienced a house fire. It was not planned and now you are lost in translation of insurance jargon, municipals, technicalities and most of all out of your home. 

Here are SERVPRO® we have trained and qualified professionals that work daily in this crucial time sensitive profession. Our project coordinators work is to explain the process and guide you through the process of recovery. 

Starting with an initial inspection, they create a scope of work. Fire damage is a top to bottom experience. It will be uncomfortable and hard process, having a fire professional on your side will enable you to have a third party assisting on questions and communication through the process of mitigation and reconstruction.

With question like, where will I go? What about my personal belongings? Can it be restored? How long will it take? I don't understand. Our professionals are here to help and able to hold the hand of those that are experiencing the devastation of a fire. 

Call the professionals at SERVPRO® today, 541-745-2097!

Know that SERVPRO® is here to help!

2/5/2024 (Permalink)

The professionals at SERVPRO® can help guide you through your house fire experience

Did you know that we typically respond to every fire that we hear about in our territory? 

You might wonder why? We do this to assist in the most traumatic time of a person’s life. When you are standing in front of your home that is burning down, with absolutely no idea what to do, it is reassuring to know a professional is with you. 

There will be neighbors, looky lous, fire departments, police and sometimes utility companies present. You will be in such a state of disarray that all you will want is some to assist. 

We here at SERVPRO® can help you get to that next step via reassurance and guidance. Starting with boarding up your prized possessions and protecting them from any further liability issues. 

After the initial night we will meet with you to go over how we can help you with your fire loss. Whether it be to contents track your personal property, configure the dwelling structure integrity or start the cleanup, we are here to help. 

So when you see the SERVPRO® car show up, just know we come to help!

Cell Phone Fire Risk

12/5/2023 (Permalink)

Understand the fire risks cell phone chargers can pose, for your family's safety!

SERVPRO® of Benton/Linn County has responded to multiple home fires that were caused by cell phone chargers. Now days it’s hard to find a home that doesn’t have a cell phone in it, and if there is a cell phone then there will be charger.  Our phones are major part of our day, and we have them will us all the time. I personally have mine on me 24/7, and I charge it on my night stand next to my bed.  Did you know that chargers produce a large amount on energy? One fire we responded to the cell phone charger caught a mattress in a child's bedroom on fire. He are some tips to help keep you safe from a cell phone charger fire.

1. Only buy and use devices that are listed by a quality testing laboratory.
2. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instruction.
3. Only use the battery and charging cord that’s designed for you specific device.
4. Do not charge your device under a pillow, on your bed, on a couch or in a location that’s exposed to direct sunlight.

We here at SERVPRO® of Benton/Linn county is always here to help if your home or business has experienced a fire. We are ready to help 24/7.

Fire Safety

8/4/2023 (Permalink)

Flames can spread quickly - teach your children firesafety!

Home fires can start quickly, and spread at an incredible rate.  Studies have shown that once a smoke detector goes off in your home, you only have about 2 minutes to get out safely! When you have young children in the house, that thought can be overwhelming and frightening.  Altho we cannot always prevent a fire from starting, there are things we can do to help our families get out safely if a fire occurs.

Working Smoke Detectors/Alarms are of utmost importance!! Altho you only have about 2 minutes to escape once the alarm sounds, smoke detectors in the home have been shown to reduce fire-related deaths by 50%.  Considering half of all home fires occur between 11PM – 7AM, when most folks are sleeping, a working smoke detector sounding the alarm can make all the difference. As well as with so many fires starting during the night time, it is a good idea to have working alarms in each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms. This way, when one goes off, they all sound.  Practice a few times with the alarm actually sounding, to ensure that your child is not afraid of the sound, and that they know what they should do when they hear the alarm

Also, practice escaping out of every room of your home.  Make a game of it, see how many different ways you can get out to your designated ‘safe space’ and meeting area. Even have your kids help draw a map of your different escape routes. They will have fun. Drawing a map also helps ingrain it into their minds, making them more likely to remember what to do in the event of an actually fire.

Teach kids to not play with matches and lighters.  Make a habit of storing these items up and out of reach of young children. Teach children that if they happen to find a match or lighter, to take it to a trusted adult immediately!

Fires can be devastating, and sadly, we cannot completely fire-proof our world.   But just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family. And if you ever do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call upon your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO®! We are always here to help.

Fire in the Hole!

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

Home Fire Devastation!

At SERVPRO, we are committed to providing efficient and safe cleanup services in the event of a disaster, especially when it comes to fire damage. Recently, during a home fire cleanup, our team leader discovered a grenade on the site, and he immediately pulled the crew off the site for safety reasons.

Our team leader took the necessary steps to contact the homeowners and the appropriate officials to reassess the location and ensure that it was safe for our team to resume work. We understand that our team's safety is of utmost importance, and we do not compromise on it, no matter how big or small the job is.

At SERVPRO, we have a team of highly trained professionals who are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to ensure efficient and safe cleanup. We understand that disasters can be traumatic for homeowners, and that is why we take every necessary step to ensure that the cleanup process is as smooth and safe as possible.

Our commitment to safety has been ingrained in our company culture since our inception. We believe in providing quality services while ensuring that our employees and clients are safe. We take pride in our work and are committed to ensuring that every job is done to perfection.

Back Draft, Not Just a Movie!

2/22/2023 (Permalink)

One of the biggest warning signs of a possible backdraft is black smoke.

Do you know what a backdraft is?

You may know what it is, or what it looks like, but do you know what causes it?

We have all seen the movie, whether you loved it or not…you remember the epic scene at the end.

Here is a great overview of what backdraft is from Wikipedia: A backdraft (North American English) or backdraught (British English) is the abrupt burning of superheated gasses in a fire, caused when oxygen rapidly enters a hot, oxygen-depleted environment; for example, when a window or door to an enclosed space is opened or broken.

Firefighters are taught to recognize backdraft conditions, due to space fire is contained in, smoke emitting from the fire (how dark is it? How fast is the fire burning?), no visible flame (fires often suffocate in this stage of burning due to lack of oxygen), the biggest sign I think of is the sudden movement of air inward when an opening to the affected space is finally made.

You can learn about all the signs of backdraft more here: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/blog/cb-051920.html

How Hot is Too Hot?

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Drywall that has been affected by the severe heat of a house-fire.

How hot is Scorching?
Did you know that “Scorching Hot” is slang?
There is indeed no clear cut answer to what temperature is considered Scorching.
It can be defined as a temperature that can burn you if you come in contact with it (like a hot pan on the stove), or a weather temperature that humans are uncomfortable being outside in for any period of time.
Have you ever seen a picture of heat affected drywall taken after a house fire? That is what comes to mind when I think of scorching.
Weird things happen when drywall has gotten so hot, it has almost caught fire…Drywall in this condition is usually black and the paint/sealant on the drywall is bubbling. Drywall and the minerals that make drywall start to damage at around 175 degrees F, drywall can spontaneously catch fire at 350 degrees F.
There is such a great heat fluctuation in house fires that at floor level it may be 100 degrees F (which is why humans are told to get low or crawl in the case of a fire), at ceiling height it can easily reach 1500 degrees F. No human can survive in that type of heat. In fact, the hottest temperature humans can withstand (short-term) is 248 degrees F.
Our human bodies are made up of water and other elements that heat can affect severely.
It’s a delicate balance to keep our bodies at an optimal temperature. Even if our internal temperature fluctuates a few degrees our bodies respond with flu-like symptoms.
Fire safety is so important. Many fires can engulf and destroy entire houses in a matter of minutes. With each changing season check your smoke alarms, have an exit plan, and educate your family and loved ones on the importance of fire safety.

Total Loss House Fire!

2/1/2023 (Permalink)

Total Loss House Fire

Anytime a fire strikes, its devastating!

Most homeowners never really expect a fire damage to their own property. This Dallas, Oregon home experienced a fire damage to their home and vehicle.

In all instances of home and business fires, the most important thing to do is to keep, people safe first. 

The initial urge to run back in to grab a few things could cause harm to you and others who follow in after you.

Please exit the structure immediately and dial "9-1-1"

Your life and those you love is more important than any possession you have. It can all be replaced.

When you need help cleaning up the mess, please call us anytime, day or night. We're always here- to help. Give us a call here at SERVPRO 541-745-2097.

Fire Damage, We're Here to Help!

12/3/2022 (Permalink)

Overloaded Plugins Can Spark a Fire!

Tis the Holidays and up goes all the wonderful lights of the joyous season. This is the time of year when we have multiple types of fires. Electrical and heat source fires are our most common. With electrical we find folks plugging space heaters into power sources that are not strong enough, so they get hot, smolder and catch fire. Lights on Christmas trees are another source of fires, trees that are not water routinely can become dry and the lights can get hot and cause a fire. Outside power cord that are not protect from weather elements can also spark and create a fire. Power surge protectors can help prevent a fire. Open fireplaces without proper roll protection are too another fire hazard. 

With all the excitement of the holidays it is often easy to forget and overlook the simple items that could be so potentially hazardous. Take the extra time needed to ensure as is safe this holiday season! 

Happy Holidays from SERVPRO!

House Fire Smoke...How Dangerous Is It?

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

“They say it’s the smoke that will get ya” I cannot recall the first time I heard that term, but it took me awhile to understand what it truly means. Here in Oregon we are exposed to smoke often, we have cookouts, we BBQ, we have campfires, we have burn piles when conditions allow, and all of us know what it’s like smelling like a campfire on a summer night.
You may ask what the difference is between campfire smoke and house fire smoke? The answer may surprise you, because both are very dangerous to the human lung. Campfire smoke is carcinogenic.
In fact, The environmental protection association finds that smoke from wood burning is 12 times more carcinogenic than smoke from cigarettes, and it stays in the human lungs and body up to 40 times longer!
The answer to why house fire and campfire smoke is so incredibly toxic and dangerous is simple. It is unfiltered. Particles and chemicals that have not been completely burned are inhaled and larger than any particle that even avid smokers lungs encounter.
When a house fire happens, the smoke is enclosed in a compact space, it is concentrated and can cause immediate acute respiratory effects.
The saying “Never go back inside a burning building” makes all the sense in the world when you think about it. You may rationalize, well the fire is in the bathroom upstairs, I can fetch something from the downstairs living room…in realty, if smoke is throughout the home, you need to remove yourself from the structure as soon as possible…and stay out.
House Fire safety and education is so important and can greatly increase your chances of surviving a house fire. The soot and residue that a house fire leaves behind is also a carcinogenic…even when the smoke has settled.
If you suffer the unfortunate occurrence of a fire to your home or business, entrust SERVPRO of Benton, Linn, Lincoln and Polk County to clean and repair the damage safely from the beginning.

Being With You During a Fire!

2/21/2022 (Permalink)

House Fires are Cause Major Destruction!

Did you know that we typically respond to every fire that we hear about in our territory? 

You might wonder why? We do this to assist in the most traumatic time of a persons life. When you are standing in front of your home that is burning down, with absolutely no idea what to do, it is reassuring to know a professional is with you. 

There will be neighbors, looky lous, fire departments, police and sometimes utility companies present. You will be in such a state of disarray that all you will want is some to assist. 

We here at SERVPRO can help you get to that next step via reassurance and guidance. Starting with boarding up your prized possessions and protecting them from any further liability issues. 

After the initial night we will meet with you to go over how we can help you with your fire loss. Weather it be to contents track your personal property, configure the dwelling structure integrity or start the clean up, we are here to help. 

So when you see the SERVPRO car show up, just know we come to help!

Someone Call SERVPRO!

2/3/2022 (Permalink)

Call the Professionals at SERVPRO for a Board Up!

Did you know we often show up to a fire right behind an emergency service provider? We do this to preserve the property after a fire. Many people will want to look in or even go into a home after a fire. They are curious and do not understand the dangers that lurk. If something was to happen to one of these people, the liability would fall back on the homeowner. Fire departments often stay on scene until the home is boarded up for this very reason. 

We here at SERVPRO work very closely with our local fire departments. Once a fire happens we are ready to go out and board up as soon as they finish, allowing them to go to other calls.

If you have a fire be sure to call us here at SERVPRO, we are available 24/7/365! We will protect your property!

Heat Lamps and Smoke- Soot Damage

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Soot Removal Should be Done by Professionals!

I sometimes like to share about fires I have been out on. Today I take you on a journey of a fire job that includes a turtle.

It was a Monday when the call came in. It came directly from one of my property management friends. Went something like this, " Hey Jenn, one of my rentals had a fire over the weekend. The tenant spent the last day and a half trying to clean it.' The thought that went through my head was "Oh No, she just created more damage, as the golden rule in a fire is to leave the cleaning to the professionals." I respond and go out and meet with property manager, homeowner and tenant.

The fire started in the dining room. Turns out that the tenant was given a pet turtle that previous Friday. The turtle came in a plastic storage container with a heat lamp. The tenant also had a withstanding camping trip for the weekend. Need I say more? 

Turns out the turtle didn't make it through the weekend as the heat lamp melted down the plastic container leaving a soot/smoke filled house for the tenant to come home to.

Fortunately, there was not a massive fire. We were able to clean and restore the property to its preloss condition. 

Have a fire? Call the pros at SERVPRO of Benton & Linn Counties. 

Covid Lock Down and Cooking 2020

2/1/2022 (Permalink)

Cooking Gone Wrong!

Covid brought a whole new meaning to our industry in 2020. Not only did we tackle many covid cleans we encountered those who began to learn how to cook.

Oh boy did we experience cooking fires. Walt Disney put out their ingredients on how to make at home churros.  

Teens were running wild with Tic Tok trends, one being, making at home deep fried Oreos. 

Yes, we had grease fire cleans from both of these experiences. Luckily no one was hurt in these incidents however many learned that throwing water on a grease fire does not work. 

We encourage parents to talk to their, of age children who are cooking, about the effects of a grease fire and how to prepare. Cooking is an aspect of life that we all require, safety measures must be taught!  

However, we are here to help if you have a grease fire! 

Fire and the Steps to Recovery!

12/2/2021 (Permalink)

Damages from a House Fire? Call the Professionals at SERVPRO!

You have experienced a house fire. It was not planned and now you are lost in translation of insurance jargon, municipals, technicalities and most of all out of your home. 

Here are SERVPRO we have trained and qualified professionals that work daily in this crucial time sensitive profession. Our project coordinators work is to explain the process and guide you through the process of recovery. 

Starting with an initial inspection, they create a scope of work. Fire damage is a top to bottom experience. It will be uncomfortable and hard process, having a fire professional on your side will enable you to have a third party assisting on questions and communication through the process of mitigation and reconstruction.

With question like, where will I go? What about my person belongings? Can it be restored? How long will it take? I don't understand. Our professionals are here to help and able to hold the hand of those that are experiencing the devastation of a fire. 

Call the professionals at SERVPRO!

Cooking can lead to Grease Fires!

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Did you know here at SERVPRO we clean up grease fires?

2020 was a twist that none of us were prepared for. Covid 19 brought an array of new ways to experience life. Including many learning how to cook and becoming their own personal chefs. With not much else to do, people were trying new fads. One of the ones, I recall, was when Disney announced how to make churros at home. This included using a deep fryer. Another was deep fried Oreos, this was a Tik Tok sensation. The two aforementioned exciting cooking ideas resulted in grease fires. The extent of damage was doubled due to people not being aware that you do not throw water on a grease fire. Keep close a box of baking soda, this is the best to put on a grease fire. In addition to the fire you have smoke damage and fire extinguisher retardant that needs to be cleaned. 

Did you know here at SERVPRO we clean up grease fires?  Call us the professionals for proper grease fire clean up. 

Commercial Fire? Call the Professionals at SERVPRO!

4/26/2021 (Permalink)

Fires are often unexpected, call professionals for cleanup!

Fire damage can be very devastating for a business or commercial property. In addition to fire, smoke, and soot damage, water damage caused by firefighting efforts and fire suppression systems may occur. Every hour spent restoring your business back to pre-fire condition is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. If you have a fire emergency, call a SERVPRO of Benton & Linn Counties.

•  24 Hour Emergency Services
•  Faster to Any Size Disaster
•  A Trusted Leader in the Fire and Restoration

Our professionals are ready and prepared when you call. The process of experiencing a commercial fire includes having the right clean up crew on your side. Our team knows there are many people involved during this process. 

Preserving your property and making sure turn around time on your loss is efficient and seamless!

Fire is Unpredictable, Calls the Professionals!

3/2/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Protect and Restore your Property!

SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County believes that no job is too big or too small. We are a 24 hour/ 365 day company, and will respond ASAP . Having a fire loss at your business or home can be very difficult. We understand that a fire is traumatic and our team of skilled professionals are with you from the beginning to the end.  We start with preserving your property. This is typically with a board up, fencing or even staying on scene with the fire department until your property is deemed safe to access.  Our amazing team will see that all insurance people have all the proper documentation needed to get the repairs rolling in a timely manor.  If your place of business has experienced fire damage of any kind give SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County a call. We are here 24/7 to help.

What to DO, and NOT to do, FIRE!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Soot Damage due to a Fire is Ravaging!

While we hope that you are never in an emergency situation caused by a fire, SERVPRO
specializes in Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration. We have over 1,600 franchises in 48
states, and we pride ourselves in making it “Like it never even happened.” In the event you ever
need our services for Fire and Smoke damage, here is a list of Emergency tips to assist you
while waiting for us to arrive.
Do:
- Limit movement in the house to prevent soot particles from being embedded into
upholstery
- Keep your hands clean. Soot on your hands can soil upholstery, walls and wood
- Place dry towels on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas
- If electricity is off, empty the fridge and freezer to prevent odor
- Wipe soot from chrome faucets, trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a
light coating of lubricant
- Change HVAC filter, but leave the system of until a professional checks it
- Tape cheesecloth over the air registers to prevent soot particles from getting in or out of
the HVAC system
Don’t:
- Attempt to wash any walls or painted services
- Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstery
- Attempt to clean any electrical devices( TV sets, radios, etc.)
- Consume any food or beverages that were stored close to the fire
- Turn on ceiling fixtures, electrical may be damaged
- Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning can cause more damage

Coming Home After a Fire!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

When the unexpected happens!

There are so many things to consider when returning home after a fire. Some things to watch out for are structural damage, mold, and poor roof drainage. Not only will there be damage caused by heat and soot, most people are unaware that water damage comes hand in hand with fire damage. If water has collected in your walls or ceilings, it can cause the floor to buckle and/or weaken the structure. A lot of water is used to put out a house fire, if that water is left pooled on the roof, it can make its way into the ceiling, walls and crawl space of the home. If not taken care of in a timely fashion, this can also lead to mold. 

Call your local SERVPRO for an inspection before returning home! We have all the tools and trained professionals to restore your home and make sure it’s safe for you and your family.

I Left the Oven On!

2/3/2021 (Permalink)

Cooking can be a hot mess!

Have you ever forgotten to turn the oven off and ended up filling your home with smoke? Well it happens more often than you would think! In a recent study it was found that “Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” and accounts for over 47% of all reported home fires. 

• If there is a fire in the oven, shut it off, and do not open the door. By opening the door oxygen is now free to feed the fire, which does not solve the problem. Keep the door shut, and the lack of oxygen will eventually cause the fire to die out.
• Do not leave dirty pans on the stove, anyone, especially children, can walk by and accidentally bump the knob and thus turning on the oven.
• Do not pour water on a grease fire! The water will sink to the bottom, and steam will make the flames rise higher. Use a fire extinguisher. In addition, 55% of non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occur when the victim tries to fight the fire themselves!

If this ever happens to you, don’t be afraid to call! SERVPRO of Benton & Linn County is ready to help you!

House Fire? Call SERVPRO!

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

House fires are unexpected, so call us here at SERVPRO for help!

House Fire? Call SERVPRO!
One of the scariest things you can go through as a homeowner is having a house fire. Not only
is the fire itself scary, the aftermath is even harder to deal with. Whether it was a small grease
fire in the kitchen, or a severe fire that caused damage to the entire house, it affects many
aspects of your life and your families life. SERVPRO specializes in Fire & Water - Cleanup &
Restoration, no matter how big or small the job, we can help from start to finish!

- Mitigation Services

- Property Protection

- Heavy soot

- Smoke damage

- Structure damage and more!

We have all the tools and cleaning supplies needed to return your home to its original state.

“Like it never even happened.” Let our trained professionals help you today!

Fire pit tips

8/4/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a fire issue, commercial or residential call us at 541-745-2097. Faster to any size disaster.

Home Fire Pit Tips

Here in Benton and Linn County its a tradition to enjoy the 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, 25 feet away from apartment or multi residence buildings.
• 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. 
• Use a commercial fire pit screen on top to help prevent large amber from leaving the controlled area. 
• 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. 

Process of Fire Restoration

4/27/2020 (Permalink)

When it comes to fire damage, preparation is the key.

The first 48 hours after a fire often can be the difference between "restoring" vs. "replacing" your property and/or personal items. SERVPRO of Birmingham provides timely response with restoration services ranging from fire, smoke, and soot removal, to content claims inventory and document restoration.

If you have experienced fire damage in your home or business, here is what to expect from us:

One Hour: Within one hour from notice of loss, a priority responder will contact you.

Four Hours: Within four hours of loss notification, our certified technicians will be onsite to assess the damage.

Eight Hours: Within eight hours of on-site arrival, certified technicians will be working neatly and efficiently to clean, restore, and deodorization. Pre-cleaning for restoration, to prevent any further damage from soot and smoke.

Detailed Explanation: A trained and uniformed technician will walk you through the job process step-by-step, explaining what to expect and the anticipated outcome. We then use state-of-the-art restoration techniques to ensure your home or business is back to normal in an appropriate timeframe.

Final Walk-through: After the work has been completed, a final walk-through will be conducted with you to help ensure your satisfaction.

Fire Safety at Home and what you need to know.

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County working on a fire loss in Salem OR.

Fires can be very frightening – they are scary, spread quickly and can cause devastating losses.  While we cannot completely fire-proof our homes, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your family in the event of a fire.

• Install and regularly test smoke detectors. Statistics show that working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in a house fire almost in half! Fires spread quickly, and once that alarm sounds, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
• Practice Fire Drills at home.Since time is of the utmost importance during a fire, it is best to KNOW what do in the event of a fire.  What is the best escape route? Where does the family meet up outside?  In order to respond quickly, it is best to have a rehearsed plan ahead of time.
• Have fire extinguishers handy & know how to use them.Keep them in an easy access location near a likely source of fire – in the kitchen, the laundry room, etc.  And maybe buy a few extra and have your children practice using them (probably best to do OUTSIDE).
• Childproof your kitchen.To keep small children from accidentally turning on the stove, which may having something on it that could burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.And teach your children they are not toys.

While no one wants to imagine what they would do in the event of a fire, it is better to be prepared, and have a plan to help keep your family as safe as possible.  And if you do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO.  We are here to help. We can take care of your home, so you can take care of your family.

Cell phone charger fires and how to keep you and your home safe

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

Always use phone chargers that are recommend for you cell phone.

SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County in January 2020 responded to two home fires that were caused by cell phone chargers. Now days it’s hard to find a home that doesn’t have a cell phone in it, and if there is a cell phone then there will be charger.  Our phones are major part of our day, and we have them will us all the time. I personally have mine on me 24/7, and I charge it on my night stand next to my bed.  Did you know that chargers produce a large amount on energy? One fire we responded to the cell phone charger caught a mattress in a child's bedroom on fire. He are some tips to help keep you safe from a cell phone charger fire.

1. Only buy and use devices that are listed by a quality testing laboratory.
2. Make sure to always follow the manufacturer’s instruction.
3. Only use the battery and charging cord that’s designed for you specific device.
4. Do not charge your device under a pillow, on your bed, on a couch or in a location that’s exposed to direct sunlight.

We here at SERVPRO of Benton/Linn county is always here to help if your home or business has experienced a fire. We are ready to help 24/7.

Top Causes for Cooking fires

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

Yes! Microwaves are helpful, but can cause extreme damage when they malfunction.

Cooking fires are one of the most common fires that accrue in a home. 

The top main cause of a cooking fire are:

1. Towels or pot holder left on the stove to close to the burner.
2. Cooking with hot oils.
3. Cooking on to high of heat.
4. Food that burns in the oven or on the stove top.
5. Microwaves 

The Damage that cooking fires can be very hard to deal with, and to clean up.

That where we come in. SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County has many years of experience with fires, and smoke restoration. SERVPRO can make your kitchen and home like new. I know I need to be reminded to keep an eye on the stove when I am cooking. If your home experiences a fire give us a call. Here at SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County we are always here 24/7 to help.

Fire Emergency Plan, and why we need one.

2/5/2020 (Permalink)

We are all busy with kids, school, work, after school activities, but we all need to take some time out of our busy schedule, and make a family fire plan. I know as a parent it hard to juggle family life, but safety for my family is always on my mind. Here is what you can do.

• Make a map of your home, and make a fire exit plan. Post you fire plan in the kitchen area a daily reminder.
• Teach safety techniques like step by step how to instructions to stay low to the ground, and cover your face with your shirt or a pillow case to protect from the smoke
• Conduct drills like listening for the smoke detector, and practicing the fire exit plan for evacuation.
• Talk about fire safety with your children. Play games to teach them stop drop and roll, and to be ready for if a fire if it happened in your home.

If a fire happens in your home SERVPRO of Benton/Linn County can help you fix your home. We are here for you and your home 24/7.

Fire Safety with Kids

12/9/2019 (Permalink)

It is extremely important to teach Fire Safety to children , and how to properly evacuate and area with fire and smoke.

Home fires can start quickly, and spread at an incredible rate.  Studies have shown that once a smoke detector goes off in your home, you only have about 2 minutes to get out safely! When you have young children in the house, that thought can be overwhelming and frightening.  Altho we cannot always prevent a fire from starting, there are things we can do to help our families get out safely if a fire occurs.

Working Smoke Detectors/Alarms are of utmost importance!! Altho you only have about 2 minutes to escape once the alarm sounds, smoke detectors in the home have been shown to reduce fire-related deaths by 50%.  Considering half of all home fires occur between 11PM – 7AM, when most folks are sleeping, a working smoke detector sounding the alarm can make all the difference. As well as with so many fires starting during the night time, it is a good idea to have working alarms in each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms. This way, when one goes off, they all sound.  Practice a few times with the alarm actually sounding, to ensure that your child is not afraid of the sound, and that they know what they should do when they hear the alarm

Also, practice escaping out of every room of your home.  Make a game of it, see how many different ways you can get out to your designated ‘safe space’ and meeting area. Even have your kids help draw a map of your different escape routes. They will have fun. Drawing a map also helps ingrain it into their minds, making them more likely to remember what to do in the event of an actually fire.

Teach kids to not play with matches and lighters.  Make a habit of storing these items up and out of reach of young children. Teach children that if they happen to find a match or lighter, to take it to a trusted adult immediately!

Fires can be devastating, and sadly, we cannot completely fire-proof our world.   But just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family. And if you ever do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call upon your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO! We are always here to help.

OMG Did I leave the oven on!

8/9/2019 (Permalink)

About Ten years ago I was a mother of two very small boys, and a stay at home mom with a military husband that was gone a lot for work. It was a cold winter’s night and I decided to make brownies. Well it was dinner time and I realized I was out of butter. I loaded my littlies in to the car, and off we went to the store. I took us about 30min to get back to the house. To my surprise the fire department was about to break down my front door. The smoke alarm went off which notified our security system which then called the fire department. I had forgotten the brownies in the oven!! Thank goodness there was no fire but my home was full of brownie smoke. I am sure we have all been there at some point in our lives.

In the study, the NFPA outlined that “Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” and accounts for over 47% of all reported home fires.most cooking fires occur during the holiday season between November and December, however, the risk is always there. Be cautious, and aware of all cooking equipment.

Here are some tips:

1. If there is a fire in the oven, shut it off, and do not open the door. By opening the door oxygen is now free to feed the fire, which does not solve the problem. Keep the door shut, and the lack of oxygen will eventually cause the fire to die out.
2. Do not leave dirty pans on the stove, anyone, especially children, can walk by and accidentally bump the knob and thus turning on the oven.
3. Do not pour water on a grease fire! The water will sink to the bottom, and steam will make the flames rise higher. Use a fire extinguisher. In addition, 55% of non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurs when the victim tries to fight the fire themselves!

Enjoy your meal, but please be careful of the dangers of cooking equipment. But if the unthinkable happens, don’t be afraid to call SERVPRO of Benton and Linn County, we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Tips to avoid a brush fire, or yard fire.

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

We are approaching higher than normal temp for the Willamette valley which means the grass will dry out faster, and wild fire season will be here. Here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your yard and home safe this season.

• Avoid outdoor burning.
• Remove all dead foliage from your property.
• Mow your yard before 10am in the morning.
• Water your yard for at least 10 minutes every other day.

Keep in mind that when a Fire starts on dead or dry grass it will spread quickly, and can be very difficult to control. When fires are un-controlled it will destroy everything in its path. If your home is damaged by fire or smoke from an outdoor fire SERVPRO of Benton/Linn Can help you restore it to new.

SERVPRO and Smoke Damage Restoration

6/5/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke Damage

While some fires are a total loss not all of them are. There may be nothing or very little left to save but many fires are not as serious as a total loss. In some cases there is little structural damage to the home. Even in these cases, there is usually significant smoke and soot damage to the contents of the home. When the contents of a home such as furniture, kitchen utensils, dishes, toys, clothing, bedding and draperies or other personal items are damaged by smoke and soot mitigating the fire damage as soon as possible is important. Cleaning and restoring the contents to its preloss condition is a job for restoration professionals.

The first concern in every fire situation is safety. The fire restoration professionals at SERVPRO will take steps to make sure all workers and others entering a structure after a fire are safe. It is important to ensure the structure is sound before any evaluation work is done or before work begins.

Smoke and soot particles are Products of Incomplete Combustion (PIC). These are carcinogens that are considered to be dangerous. They can start to degrade contents of a home within just a few days, so dealing with them properly and immediately is necessary.

Once you have taken safety precautions the next step is to determine which items should be cleaned and where. Most soft goods such as bedding, clothing, and draperies will be taken to a dry cleaning or laundry facility for processing. Remaining items will be sorted as to whether the items are suitable for the restoration process or are to be thrown away.  SERVPRO is a restoration company and so taking care of all your items and restoring what we can to make it "Like it never even happened."

Odor issues come with smoke/soot damage. The first step in getting rid of odors is to get rid of the source. Most of the time, when restoration professionals are helping they will eliminate odor issues. Once the restoration is complete, if there is still a small odor then an additional step may be added to the restoration process.

When dealing with fire/smoke damage call your local SERVPRO. We are able to help you restore your home from damages. We look forward to helping you get the damage repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How we handle fires at SERVPRO.

3/6/2019 (Permalink)

This is a before picture of a fire job Benton SERVPRO worked on.

Typically, we are called out at all times of the day and night. We do get some who come in the door and referrals from the people we've worked with.

Usually fires have a pretty short timeline. We're first call responders. We get the fire alerts and then one of us will go out to the fire and just let the customers know that we're there to be of assistance. We get out of the way of the professionals and will hang out and give the property owner any assistance we can. We can help them get the insurance process started by calling their agent for them while they take care of their family.

A lot of the time we will send pictures to the insurance agent and help the customer communicate with their insurance agent. In the off-hours the customer has no way to contact their insurance agent, but we have most of their cell numbers, so we can text their agent and let them know about the incident. The agent appreciates it and the customers do too.

Every now and then, an agent, an adjuster or a customer will call us on a fire, but that's less common than us going out and actually seeing the fire right after it happens.

The other work we do is with water damage, mold, and bio-hazard. It comes to us through referrals, our corporate office and through good people who know us or see us through our advertising.

If you have a fire in your home SERVPRO can help you with so much more than just the restoration process. Let SERVPRO of Benton County take care of you in your time of need.

If you have any questions please call 541-745-2097

What are the most common cause of a fire?

2/19/2019 (Permalink)

Outlet fire

While there are many reasons why a fire can start, many business fires start as a result of not paying attention to many different fire hazards in the workplace. 

While every workplace is different, there are some common fire hazards to watch for in your business.

Heat Generating Machinery

Hot machinery and heavy equipment can pose a fire risk. Be sure material that is combustible is kept away from sources of heat and are unplugged when not in use. Never leave equipment on overnight.

Broken Electrical Equipment

Fires caused by faulty equipment are the most common type in the workplace. Be sure to look out for loose or damaged wires. They need to be replaced immediately. Also keep your equipment checked and up to date. 

Faulty Fire Alarms

Be sure to check fire alarm systems and equipment often to make sure they are still in working order. If batteries run out your fire alarms will not sound in the case of a fire or smoke. It is important to make sure you have functional fire alarms in your office. 

Overloaded Sockets

Having too many things plugged in the same socket can be dangerous. Be sure to put one plug per socket and do not exceeds 300 watts in the entire socket. This can reduce the risk of a fire in your workplace. SERVPRO of Benton County is here to help 24/7 if you home, or workplace experiences a fire.

Do you have a emergency fire plan for your home?

2/18/2019 (Permalink)

Fire evacuation map

We are all busy with kids, school, work, after school activities, but we all need to take some time out of our busy schedule, and make a family fire plan. I know as a parent it hard to juggle family life, but safety for my family is always on my mind. Here is what you can do.

• Make a map of your home, and make a fire exit plan. Post you fire plan in the kitchen area a daily reminder.
• Teach safety techniques like step by step how to instructions to stay low to the ground, and cover your face with your shirt or a pillow case to protect from the smoke
• Conduct drills like listening for the smoke detector, and practicing the fire exit plan for evacuation.
• Talk about fire safety with your children. Play games to teach them stop drop and roll, and to be ready for if a fire if it happened in your home.

If a fire happens in your home SERVPRO of Benton                  County can help you fix your home. We are here for you and your home 24/7.

Cooking Fire Oh NO!

2/11/2019 (Permalink)

The damage of forgetting a towel on the stove while cooking.

Cooking fires are one of the most common fires that accrue in a home. 

The top main cause of a cooking fire are:

1. Towels or pot holder left on the stove to close to the burner.
2. Cooking with hot oils.
3. Cooking on to high of heat.
4. Food that burns in the oven or on the stove top.

The Damage that cooking fires can be very hard to deal with, and to clean up.

That where we come in. SERVPRO of Benton        County has many years of experience with fires, and smoke restoration. SERVPRO can make your kitchen and home like new. I know I need to be reminded to keep an eye on the stove when I am cooking. If your home experiences a fire give us a call. Here at SERVPRO of  Benton County we are always here 24/7 to help.

How to get rid of odors after a fire

12/10/2018 (Permalink)

House Fire

When a fire happens, you find that your property looks dark, stained and charred and likely will have a bad smell. The first thing your fire restoration company will do is to clean up all the damage and get your property looking as normal as possible.

The first steps to start with are:

• Removing and disposing of belonging that are too badly damaged and cannot be repaired.
• If you carpet and flooring were damaged from the water that was used to put out the fire, and you have carpet cleaned and dried the flooring, but the smell is still there. The best thing would to remove the flooring and carpet.
• Painting you walls with primer and odor resistance paint will help with removing the smoke odor.

The Cleaning up after a fire can be hard. SERVPRO can help you with making those choices as well as restoring your damages and getting rid of those terrible smells that come with a fire.

How to prevent an Electrical Fire

12/5/2018 (Permalink)

Overloading an outlet

12/5/2018

Knowing how to prevent an Electrical Fire is Important especially during this time of year when many of us have extra lights, and heaters plugged in….

Here are the top 5 things to remember when plugging things in.

1. Hold a plug securely to pull it from the wall.
2. Use multi-outlet extenders, power bars, and surge protectors sparingly.
3. Use extension cords temporarily…
4. Avoid running electrical cords beneath carpets.
5. Keep electrical cords away from sources of heat and water. 

A good thing to have in your home just in case of an Electrical Fire would be a fire extinguisher, because water can cause more problems. Keep a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible area in case of emergency.

If you have electrical fire damage, we can Help you here at SERVPRO. We come out and assess the damage and then work to make it like it never happened.

Burn season: what is it for?

11/30/2018 (Permalink)

Courtesy of the Albany-Democrat Herald

In the area where SERVPRO of Benton County is located, our community has set guidelines from out local fire department, one what times are legal to “burn” items on our property.

This includes brush burning and fire pit usage. In Oregon, and particularly the Pacific Northwest, we have a lot of trees and flammable growth, which if a burn is done, one little flicker of fire can create a whole wildfire, which damages homes and the landscape of our state.

According to the DEQ (Department of Environmental Quality), burn days are March 1 - June 15 and October 1 - December 15.

To our local customers, please remember to be safe and follow the protocols of burn season, it will keep our beautiful state, beautiful.

Did I leave the oven on? You better double check!

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.

Don’t forget to turn off that oven!

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency), between the years of 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 170,200 house fires each year involving cooking equipment.

In the study, the NFPA outlined that “Cooking equipment was the leading cause of home structure fires and civilian fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths,” and accounts for over 47% of all reported home fires.

Timewise, most cooking fires occur during the holiday season between November and December, however, the risk is always there. Be cautious, and aware of all cooking equipment.

Here are some tips:

1. If there is a fire in the oven, shut it off, and do not open the door. By opening the door oxygen is now free to feed the fire, which does not solve the problem. Keep the door shut, and the lack of oxygen will eventually cause the fire to die out.
2. Do not leave dirty pans on the stove, anyone, especially children, can walk by and accidentally bump the knob and thus turning on the oven.
3. Do not pour water on a grease fire! The water will sink to the bottom, and steam will make the flames rise higher. Use a fire extinguisher. In addition, 55% of non-fatal home cooking fire injuries occurs when the victim tries to fight the fire themselves!

Enjoy your meal, but please be careful of the dangers of cooking equipment. But if the unthinkable happens, don’t be afraid to call SERVPRO of Benton County, we will make it “Like it never even happened.”

Importance of a Working Smoke Detector

8/6/2018 (Permalink)

A working smoke detector can give your family time to escape a fire.

Importance of a Working Smoke Detector

We took a call from a client who got an unpleasant early morning wake up call: her smoke alarm was going off.  She awoke to discover a small electrical fire had started in her kitchen.  With the early warning, her son and her were able to put out the fire and minimize the damage before it spread.  Now, imagine, if a fire started in the early hours in your home, while everyone was sleeping….and there was no Smoke Detector to awaken you and your family?

Since they came onto the market in the early 70’s, smoke detectors have reduced fire fatalities roughly in half.  Most fire fatalities are from smoke inhalation, a working smoke detector can get you responding sooner!

Here are some Smoke Detector tips to help keep your family safe:

• A closed door may slow the spread of smoke, heat and fire. Install smoke alarms in every sleeping room and outside each separate sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home. Install alarms in the basement. Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Large homes may need extra smoke alarms.
• It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. When one smoke alarm sounds they all sound.
• Test all smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working.
• Today’s smoke alarms will be more technologically advanced to respond to a multitude of fire conditions, yet mitigate false alarms.
• A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall. Keep smoke alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms. They should be at least 10 feet (3 meters) from the stove.
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms. These alarms have strobe lights and bed shakers.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.
• Smoke alarms are an important part of a home fire escape plan.

If you and your family do experience a fire, call upon your Fire Restoration Experts at SERVPRO of Benton and Linn County today!  541-745-2097

Wildfire Season is here...

7/18/2018 (Permalink)

although we cannot prevent every fire from starting, we can take certain steps to help reduce the risk of wildfire

With the volume of rain we see every winter here in Oregon, it is surprising how quickly the landscape dries out each summer!  When you couple the lack of rainfall during summer months with the drying vegetation, we have officially entered what's become known as, "Wildfire Season".

Homes and property are damaged, even destroyed, every year because of wildfires. It’s not just the fire that damages homes, the smoke, ash and soot can get into homes as well.

While quite a few wildfires are started by lightning strikes, unfortunately, many are started by human activity.  Being aware of how your actions may impact your environment can help reduce the occurrence of wildfires. Please visit:
https://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/FirePrevention.aspx
to learn how some simple actions from you can help prevent forest fires.

If your area is impacted by a wildfire, please follow any evacuation instructions given to you by authorities.  Getting yourself and your family to safety is most important! And if you do find your home has been damaged by fire or smoke, do not hesitate to call upon your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO!

After a fire.....

6/7/2018 (Permalink)

Fire Damage can effect the way your home holds up, SERVPRO can help you repair your home after a fire

When returning to a home after a fire, there’s a lot to consider. Many homeowners will begin by assessing the damage caused by heat and soot. However, water damage comes hand in hand with fire damage. Before determining if it’s safe to return to your home, make sure you know how the water used to put out the fire may have affected your house. SERVPRO of Benton County can help you determine the extent of the damage and repair fire and water damage. Here are some things to watch out for when you return to your home for the first time after a fire.

Structural damage

If water has collected in your ceilings or walls, it could create a dangerous situation. Many homes have plywood subflooring, which will separate when exposed to extreme moisture. This could result in unsightly floor buckling or a dangerous weakening of your floor’s structural integrity.

Mold

As your house dries out from the water used to put out the fire, mold can begin growing. In fact, it happens fairly quickly: Mold spores can start developing in as little as 24 to 48 hours after the fire occurs. You can remove saturated carpets and furniture, but mold will grow in any areas of excess moisture – including places you can’t see, such as inside walls, ceilings or air ducts.

Poor roof drainage

If firefighters needed to direct water to the roof of your house, make sure it drained off properly. If that water poured into the yard too close to the house it could cause shifting, cracks and eventual leaks in the foundation. Inadequate roof drainage can also send water spilling into the ceilings and crawl spaces of the home.

Before returning to your home, call the experts at SERVPRO for an inspection. We can deal with all the different kinds of damage that is associated with fire and water. We look forward to working with you to restore your home and make sure it is safe for your whole family.

Kids and Fire Safety

3/6/2018 (Permalink)

Flames can quickly get out of hand. Be prepared.

Home fires can start quickly, and spread at an incredible rate.  Studies have shown that once a smoke detector goes off in your home, you only have about 2 minutes to get out safely! When you have young children in the house, that thought can be overwhelming and frightening.  Altho we cannot always prevent a fire from starting, there are things we can do to help our families get out safely if a fire occurs.

Working Smoke Detectors/Alarms are of utmost importance!! Altho you only have about 2 minutes to escape once the alarm sounds, smoke detectors in the home have been shown to reduce fire-related deaths by 50%.  Considering half of all home fires occur between 11PM – 7AM, when most folks are sleeping, a working smoke detector sounding the alarm can make all the difference. As well as with so many fires starting during the night time, it is a good idea to have working alarms in each bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area, and on every level of the home. For the best protection, install interconnected smoke alarms. This way, when one goes off, they all sound.  Practice a few times with the alarm actually sounding, to ensure that your child is not afraid of the sound, and that they know what they should do when they hear the alarm

Also, practice escaping out of every room of your home.  Make a game of it, see how many different ways you can get out to your designated ‘safe space’ and meeting area. Even have your kids help draw a map of your different escape routes. They will have fun. Drawing a map also helps ingrain it into their minds, making them more likely to remember what to do in the event of an actually fire.

Teach kids to not play with matches and lighters.  Make a habit of storing these items up and out of reach of young children. Teach children that if they happen to find a match or lighter, to take it to a trusted adult immediately!

Fires can be devastating, and sadly, we cannot completely fire-proof our world.   But just a little bit of planning can make a big difference for your family. And if you ever do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call upon your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO! We are always here to help.

Creating a Defensible Space

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

Creating a Defensible Space can help protect your home from fire.

Last Summer, and into the Fall, Forest Fires ravaged the West Coast.  Thousands of acres of timber were lost.  And, unfortunately, so were many homes.  While a wildfire is beyond our control, as a homeowner, there are certain steps you can take to help reduce your property risk in case of a Forest Fire.

• Install a fire-proof roof. A metal roof is ideal here in the PNW due to the heavy rain and also provides excellent fire protection. Contact your local Roofing Professional for all your options,
• Create a ‘defensible space’ around your home – in some areas, it is required by law. Think ‘Lean, Clean and Green’ – remove all flammable vegetation within 30 feet of your home.
• Clear debris from the yard – this includes dead branches, twigs, any old building material, etc.
• Stack wood piles at least 30 feet from your home, and remove vegetation from within 10 feet of the woodpile.
• Remove lower branches, at least 6 feet from the ground.
• Trim any unhealthy looking trees. Remove dead branches, and clean out dead leaves/dried debris from under the trees.
• Consider removing any trees that are too close to your house – many fires jump tree top to tree top, as well as Emergency Vehicles need to be able to work all the way around your home in the event of a fire.
• Store any fuel tanks, propane or butane, at least 30 feet from the house.

For more information on Fire Safety & Prevention, you can visit : http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/FirePrevention.aspx

If your home is damaged by a Wildfire, or sustains any kind of fire damage, please contact your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO!

Candle Safety

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

Candles can be inviting, but also are a leading cause of home fires.

Candles may be pretty to look at, but they are a common cause of home fires.  Remember – a candle is an open flame.  This means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn.  Here are a few simple tips to help you safely enjoy burning candles in your home:

• Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Avoid the use of candles in the bedroom, or other areas where people are likely to fall asleep. Roughly one-third of home candle fires started in the bedroom.
• Keep candles at least 1ft away from anything that may burn
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, and less likely to tip over.
• Place candles on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. More than half of all candle fires start when things that burn are too close to the candle.
• Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
• Keep matches and lighters up high and out of reach of children
• Never use a candle is oxygen is used in the home.
• Consider using flameless candles in your home. Newer ones look and even smell like the real thing. 

Candles are appealing because they can create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.  Following the above tips can help you and your family safely enjoys candles in your home.  And, if the unexpected happens, know that you can count on your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO to help make it “like it never even happened”.

Heating Safety

2/20/2018 (Permalink)

Space heaters can add warmth during the cold months, but can be a fire risk if not used with precaution.

As the snow falls outside, we cannot help but think about home heating safety. Did you know that half of home heating fires are reported in December, January and February?  Home heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires.  With a few precautions, you can stay warm while preventing most heating fires from even happening.

Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are a wonderful way to heat your home during the winter months. As well as there is a comfort in the light smell of wood smoke on a cold winter day.  Install wood burning stoves following manufacturer’s instructions, or have a professional do the installation.  Any fireplaces should have a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.  All fuel-burning equipment should also be vented to the outside to prevent CO poisoning.  This means also keeping chimneys clear/clean to allow for proper ventilation. Installing a CO detector is also a good idea.

Portable heaters are another common option used when the temperature drops.  Just remember to keep anything that can burn at least three-feet away from the heating equipment. Try to keep this three-foot space a kid-free zone, as well.  This will help prevent burns to fingers, keep children from accidentally knocking over the heating equipment, or leaving a toy or blanket ON the heater.  Also, remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed.

In addition to having Carbon Monoxide detectors in your home, it is important to have operational Smoke Detectors in various locations throughout your home.  Smoke Alarms have been credited with saving many lives in the event of fire.  Check the batteries at least twice a year – a good way to remember is to change the batteries when we turn our clocks for Daylight Savings.

Following a few simple precautions when the temperatures drop can save your family from a home fire.  But, if disaster strikes, do not hesitate to call upon your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO. 

Fire Safety at Home

2/19/2018 (Permalink)

Many fires start in the kitchen. It's smart to keep a fire extinguisher easily accessible nearby.

Fires can be very frightening – they are scary, spread quickly and can cause devastating losses.  While we cannot completely fire-proof our homes, there are a few steps you can take to help protect your family in the event of a fire.

• Install and regularly test smoke detectors. Statistics show that working smoke detectors reduce the risk of death in a house fire almost in half! Fires spread quickly, and once that alarm sounds, you may only have a minute or two to escape.
• Practice Fire Drills at home. Since time is of the utmost importance during a fire, it is best to KNOW what do in the event of a fire.  What is the best escape route? Where does the family meet up outside?  In order to respond quickly, it is best to have a rehearsed plan ahead of time.
• Have fire extinguishers handy & know how to use them.  Keep them in an easy access location near a likely source of fire – in the kitchen, the laundry room, etc.  And maybe buy a few extra and have your children practice using them (probably best to do OUTSIDE).
• Childproof your kitchen. To keep small children from accidentally turning on the stove, which may having something on it that could burn.
• Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children. And teach your children they are not toys.

While no one wants to imagine what they would do in the event of a fire, it is better to be prepared, and have a plan to help keep your family as safe as possible.  And if you do experience a fire, do not hesitate to call your Fire Restoration Specialists at SERVPRO.  We are here to help. We can take care of your home, so you can take care of your family.

Getting rid of odors after a fire

12/11/2017 (Permalink)

How we at SERVPRO repair damages after fire.

After a fire often you will find that your property looks dark, stained and charred and likely will have a bad smell. The first job of your fire damage restoration company will be to clean up all this damage and get your property at least looking as normal as possible.

During this fire damage restoration process, you will also need to address any odors that can linger after the smoke has been in the room. This might involve carpet cleaning as well and you will need to address adjacent rooms as well as those directly affected by fire damage. The smell of fire is very pungent and lingers.

The clean-up part of the fire damage restoration process will also involve the removal and disposal of items that are too badly damaged to be repairable. If you have furniture for instance that has absorbed a lot of contaminated water, or if you have carpet that has been badly burned, in these cases often the best case scenario is just to throw these things out and to replace them with new items. SERVPRO can help you with making those choices as well as restoring your damages and getting rid of those terrible smells that come with a fire. 

How to handle an electrical fire

12/8/2017 (Permalink)

Handling an electrical fire can be very scary. Let SERVPRO help you get your damage remediated.

When dealing with electrical fires you must know what to look for. This can protect you from an electrical fire disaster.

these warning signs include:

• Circuit breakers that repeatedly trip

• Shocks or tingling feelings as you touch an electrical appliance

• Flickering lights

• Discolored electrical wall outlets

• A burning smell or smoke coming from wiring, a plug or an appliance

Take action with an appliance by unplugging it immediately and cutting the power at the electrical panel. Pay attention to the voltage of the appliance you are plugging in.

Never Use Water By Itself

But speaking of water, it's imperative that you never, ever try to extinguish an electrical fire with water alone. Water conducts electricity and you could be badly shocked. 

If you have electrical fire damage we can help you at SERVPRO. We come out and assess the damage and then work to make it like it never happened. 

Check your fireplace for damage before your burn

9/25/2017 (Permalink)

Fireplace safety is very important as it is the difference between a house fire or a safely contained fire.

When winter comes it is a special treat to have a wood burning fireplace in your home.This is if the fireplace has been well maintained and works properly when you light it. Here are some maintenance tips for your fireplace this winter

Hire a Chimney Sweep

It is recommended that you get your chimney cleaned and swept out once per year. This clears it of any additional debris and also is a good way to address any problems that may be going on in your chimney. Hiring a professional for this job is probably the best idea as it requires special tools.

Install a Chimney Cap

The cap provides several benefits, including: it prevents water from entering the chimney when it rains, causing costly water damage; a chimney cap with mesh will prevent animals from getting into your chimney and nesting or getting stuck and dying; a chimney cap can prevent other types of blockage, all of which can cause deadly carbon monoxide to enter the home; a spark arrester can help prevent hot embers and sparks from escaping onto the roof or other combustible materials.

Check your chimney and fireplace for any damage.

Before lighting your first fire of the year take some time to look around your fireplace inside and out and notice any changes that may be questionable. If you find damages, hire a wood stove expert to come and address your chimney.

Leave a layer of ash when you clear out your chimney

When you clean out ashes from the firebox, leave at least one inch of ash, which acts as insulation. The ash will allow coals to heat more quickly and will also allow them to retain heat longer.

Watch out for sparks

Place a rug that is non-flammable in front of the fireplace so that if sparks escape, they won’t do any damage to your floor or carpeting. This comes in handy for those embers that you aren't expecting to come out of your fireplace. They will burn your flooring quickly and before you can grab them safely.

Smoke Damage Restoration

2/24/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke damage can ruin your home. SERVPRO can restore your whole home

While some fires are a total loss not all of them are. There may be nothing or very little left to save but many fires are not as serious as a total loss. In some cases there is little structural damage to the home. Even in these cases, there is usually significant smoke and soot damage to the contents of the home. When the contents of a home such as furniture, kitchen utensils, dishes, toys, clothing, bedding and draperies or other personal items are damaged by smoke and soot mitigating the fire damage as soon as possible is important. Cleaning and restoring the contents to its preloss condition is a job for restoration professionals.

The first concern in every fire situation is safety. The fire restoration professionals at SERVPRO will take steps to make sure all workers and others entering a structure after a fire are safe. It is important to ensure the structure is sound before any evaluation work is done or before work begins.

Smoke and soot particles are Products of Incomplete Combustion (PIC). These are carcinogens that are considered to be dangerous. They can start to degrade contents of a home within just a few days, so dealing with them properly and immediately is key.

Once you have taken safety precautions the next step is to determine which items should be cleaned and where. Most soft goods such as bedding, clothing, and draperies will be taken to a dry cleaning or laundry facility for processing. Remaining items will be sorted as to whether the items are suitable for the restoration process or are to be thrown away.  SERVPRO is a restoration company and so taking care of all your items and restoring what we can to make it "Like it never even happened."

Odor issues come with smoke/soot damage. The first step in getting rid of odors is to get rid of the source. Most of the time, when restoration professionals are helping they will eliminate odor issues. Once the restoration is complete, if there is still a small odor then an additional step may be added to the restoration process.

When dealing with fire/smoke damage call your local SERVPRO. We are able to help you restore your home from damages. We look forward to helping you get the damage repaired as quickly and efficiently as possible.

How SERVPRO Handles a Fire

2/20/2017 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Restoration from SERVPRO of Benton County

Here is how we deal with a fire from one of our team members.

Typically, we are called out at all times of the day and night. We do get some who come in the door and referrals from the people we've worked with.

Usually fires have a pretty short timeline. We're first call responders. We get the fire alerts and then one of us will go out to the fire and just let the customers know that we're there to be of assistance. We get out of the way of the professionals and will hang out and give the property owner any assistance we can. We can help them get the insurance process started by calling their agent for them while they take care of their family.

A lot of the time we will send pictures to the insurance agent and help the customer communicate with their insurance agent. In the off-hours the customer has no way to contact their insurance agent, but we have most of their cell numbers, so we can text their agent and let them know about the incident. The agent appreciates it and the customers do too.

Every now and then, an agent, an adjuster or a customer will call us on a fire, but that's less common than us going out and actually seeing the fire right after it happens.

The other work we do is with water damage, mold, and bio-hazard. It comes to us through referrals, our corporate office and through good people who know us or see us through our advertising.

If you have a fire in your home SERVPRO can help you with so much more than just the restoration process. Let SERVPRO of Benton County take care of you in your time of need.

If you have any questions please call 541-745-2097

How to manage Fire Damage In Your Home or Business

6/3/2016 (Permalink)

Fire Repair for your home & business

Having a fire that damages your home or business can be scary and definitely costly in repairs.

The most important part of repairing your fire damage is to find a restoration company that will help put your worries to rest and then get to work on fixing the damage as fast and effectively as possible. Every fire damage event is 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.

Please call SERVPRO of Benton County and SERVPRO of Linn County immediately at 541-745-2097 if you have any questions about the process.

Step 1: Emergency Contact 541-745-2097. You can call us 24/7.

Step 2: Inspection, Testing, and Fire Damage Assessment

Our Professionals will 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, our SERVPRO of Benton County and SERVPRO of Linn County Professional can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

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

After the Fire Department Leaves, there is often Water Damage. The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. We will then use equipment, such as dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces

The SERVPRO Benton County & SERVPRO of Linn County Professionals use specialized equipment and techniques to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

We will clean all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire, using 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-loss condition. As General Contractors we can handle anything, making it “Like it Never Even Happened.”

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 large areas or rooms in a home or business.

Call us Today and let us make it “Like It Never Even Happened!”