Keep Fall Fire-Free

10/2/2019 (Permalink)

Halloween Safety

The fall season brings cooler temperatures, beautiful colors, and an abundance of outdoor activities. Plan ahead this season to help ensure it is safe and fire-free. 

• Fall decorations, like dried flowers and cornstalks, are highly flammable. Keep these and other decorations away from open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs and heaters. 
• Keep emergency exits clear of decorations so nothing blocks escape routes
• Teach children to stay away from open flames. Be sure they know how to stop, drop and roll if their clothing catches fire
• Remember safety first when choosing a Halloween costume. Consider avoiding billowing fabric. If you are making your costume, choose material that won't easily ignite if it comes into contact with heat or flames.
• It is safest to use a flashlight or battery operated candle in a jack-o-lantern. Use extreme caution if using a real candle. Place lit pumpkins away from anything that can burn and out of the way of doorsteps, walkways, and yards. 

Fire Extinguishers

2/25/2019 (Permalink)

Portable fire extinguishers can be life and property saving tools when used correctly. In order to operate an extinguisher, the National Fire Protection Association suggests remembering the words PASS:

Pull the pin. Hold the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism. 

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

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.

Sweep the nozzle from side to side. 

Read the instructions on the fire extinguisher and become familiar with them before a fire breaks out. Remember, extinguishers do have limitations. It is also important to ensure you have the correct type of extinguisher for your facility. To find more information on choosing the appropriate class of extinguisher, please visit the NFPA website at nfpa.org. 

BEFORE THE FEAST

11/15/2018 (Permalink)

BEFORE THE FEAST

Safety first before the feast!

Each November, families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don't practice safe cooking habits, your happy holiday could become hazardous very quickly. 

Cooking is the main cause for home fires and injuries. Review the following safety tips to help ensure you can enjoy a safe holiday. 

• Never leave cooking food unattended-stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food. 
• Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while cooking. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
• Keep the kids away from the cooking area. Enforce a " kid free zone" and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove.
• Keep anything flammable-pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging and towels or curtains- away from the stove
• Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease build up. 

SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn Professionals wish you a safe and happy holiday season. 

FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

10/18/2018 (Permalink)

Fire Prevention Month

October is Fire Prevention Month! 

Do you have a fire escape plan?

Have you charged your smoke alarm batteries within the last year?

LOOK, LISTEN AND LEARN!

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

LISTEN for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could only have minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. 

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

Stay safe and prepare now!

Fires are preventable. For Electrical and Appliance Safety keep in mind that frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately 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 to fit into a two slot outlet or extension cord. 

Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.  

CELEBRATE SUMMER SAFETY

7/3/2017 (Permalink)

Grill Safety

SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn is ready for whatever happens, you can be too this summer!

Summer is a time to enjoy the great outdoors, but it is also important to keep safety in mind. Consider following the tips provided by the National Fire Protection Association, to keep you and your family safe all summer long. 

• When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after coals are lit
• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight; check hoses for leaks
• When camping, always use a flame-retardant tent and set camp far away from the campfire
• Always build a campfire downwind from the tent area. Clear vegetation and dig a pit before building your fire
• Store liquid fire starter (not gasoline) away from your tent and campfire and only use dry kindling to freshen a campfire.  

SERVPRO of Crofton/Odenton/Severn wishes you a safe and happy summer! 

Smoke Alarms: Save Lives

2/3/2017 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives when properly installed and maintained, according to the National Fire Protection Association. In homes, smoke alarms should be in every bedroom and on every level, including the basement. In office and commercial environment, check your state requirements or contact your local Fire Marshall to help ensure all codes are met. 

Test smoke alarms monthly using the test button. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need the entire smoke alarm unit replaced every ten years. Other alarms need batteries replaced every year, and the unit replaced every ten years. If the alarm chirps signaling low battery, take the proper steps to replace the unit or batteries immediately.  Never disable or remove the batteries from the alarm. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries.  

Be sure your home or workplace has a fire emergency plan in place and conduct regular fire drills. 

Safety Tips for Heating-Related Fire

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

Heating Hazards

The winter season is here and with it comes shorter days and lower temperatures. In effort to keep our homes and workplaces cozy, many people use alternative heat sources like fireplaces, portable space heaters, and wood burning stoves. Did you know that heating equipment is the leading cause of home fire deaths?

Keep the following safety tips in mind to help reduce your risk of a heating-related fire, 

• Keep anything flammable at least three feet away from heating equipment. Have a three foot " kid-free zone" around open fires and space heaters. 
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed. 
• Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel burning space heaters. 
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. 
• Test smoke alarms monthly. 

If your property does suffer a fire damage, contact SERVPRO of Crofton/Gambrills/Odenton to help make it "Like it never even happend."

American Red Cross Fire Prevention Month

10/11/2016 (Permalink)

American Red Cross Fire Prevention Month

Did you know that home fires are actually the majority of the disasters that occur? 

You can easily prevent a home fire if you know the right protocol. The American Red Cross has many great tips for you. Please visit www.redcross.org to learn more about preventing home fires and be prepared if one does occur.

Don't let a home fire happen to you and your family. The American Red Cross can help you learn how to tips to prevent a home fire at your household. Make sure your family can safely escape your home in less than 2 minutes. Test your smoke alarms. To learn more please visit www.redcross.org/homefires

Over $7 billion in property damage occurs every year due to home fires. Your help is needed in every form. If you can give your time or effort, please become an American Red Cross volunteer at www.redcross.org to help others recover from home fires.

On average, 36 people suffer injuries as a result of home fires every day. You can help fire victims by donating to https://redcross.org/cm/SERVPROindustries-pub