What's that smell in my London home?

9/8/2023 (Permalink)

Specializing in Residential and Commercial cleaning and deodorization.

Have you ever had a small kitchen fire, and after the cleanup of the general area wondered why there was still an odor? 

If there is a lingering smell left after fire damage in your home, it is essential to address it promptly. The odor can be persistent and unpleasant due to the various materials that burned during the fire. Smoke and soot can stick to a variety of materials in your home.

Consult professional help: If the smell persists or the fire damage is extensive, it may be necessary to contact professional home restoration companies, such as SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties that specialize in fire damage cleanup. They have the expertise and tools to thoroughly clean and deodorize your home. Our team of trained technicians can not only clean your contents, but we also have a storage area on site that can house your home items that need extra cleaning. Or store them while your home is being properly cleaned and deodorized. 

Remember, fire damage restoration can be complex, and it's essential to ensure your safety during the process. If the fire damage was significant or you have concerns about the cleanup, consider contacting professionals to assess the situation and provide appropriate recommendations. They can help ensure thorough restoration and deodorization of your home. Another aspect of cleaning after a fire is getting your HVAC system cleaned. Most of the time that smoke or soot could have traveled into your duct work. We have specialized equipment to help clean that odor out.

Call our offices in London today at 606-877-2160. We always have teams on standby, even after regular business hours. Let our team of trained and certified technicians get your home back to "Like it never even happened."

Fall Safety Measures in your London Home

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

It's that time of year when summer turns to fall and with that comes fireplaces, heater use, fire damages, and needing a fire safety plan. We want your home and family to be safe this fall. SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties brings you safety tips to prevent fire in your home. 

Be aware when burning wood in your fireplace or wood stove.

• Have your chimney and flue cleaned by a professional. Buildup in your chimney can create a perfect storm for fire damage. 
• Clean your wood stove and remove any clutter that has accumulated on or near the stove or fireplace. You want to make sure nothing can catch fire. 

Test your smoke alarms and CO₂ detectors.

It is that time of year to change your CO2 detectors and smoke/fire alarm batteries. With a heightened chance of fire damage during the fall always keep in mind, that when fall hits it is time to change those batteries. 

Make a fire safety plan.

One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to have a plan. When a fire occurs make sure your family is equipped with how and where to go in your home. Fires and smoke from the fire spread quickly, especially among children or senior citizens.

• Designate a meeting location away from the home where everyone knows to go, so it's easy to see who has been accounted for from the home.
• Always make sure you have one person to call the fire department if a fire breaks out in your home. 

If you need help from fire damage restoration professionals in London, Corbin, Somerset, Pineville, and surrounding areas call SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties at 606-877-2160 today.

Reduce Your Risk of a Fire This Spring

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you experience fire damage as a result of a wildfire, SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties can help make the damage "Like it never even happened."

Spring is finally making its way to the Somerset area! It can be a relief to us that the colder months of the year are finally behind us.

Now is the time to start preparing our homes for the change in season, the warmer days and much more time spent outside. With the arrival of spring and summer, it is necessary to take extra precautions around your home to prevent house fires and reduce your risk of contributing to spring forest fire season.

Keep Wildfire Fuel to a Minimum

Spring forest fire season is from Feb. 15 through April 30 in Kentucky. That means there is an increased risk of starting a wildfire on your property at this time of year, so there are different burning regulations and restrictions in place.

It is important to follow all safety guidance laid out by our counties and individual cities in order to keep your risk of starting a fire as low as possible.

Since spring is a great time of year to address any spring-cleaning needs and head into the warmer months with a fresh start, yard projects are common for a lot of us. This includes trimming trees, removing branches or leaf piles from around your property and shaping hedges or shrubs.

If you do any of these tasks, make sure you are not stacking the debris near your house. All that debris is fuel to a fire! Choose an area far away from your home or consider removing it from your property completely.

Address Your Garage

Be mindful about storing anything that is combustible in your garage. Any gas cans that have sat dormant during the winter have the potential to leak, so be sure to toss them right away and clean up any spills.

As the temperatures rise with the change in season, it can create a dangerous and high fire risk environment if there is any improperly stored fuel on your property.

In addition, now is a great time to give your outdoor grills and lawn equipment a full inspection. A small leak in your gas line or a dent in your propane tank can create a dangerous situation, and all it takes is a single spark to start a full blaze. Inspect the gas tanks of your outdoor equipment and address any holes or leaks as well.

Keep Your Vents Clear

With summer arriving, you may be doing more laundry since your children will be home and there are more opportunities to get dirty, go swimming or just have fun running around outside. Because of this, it is important to clean out your dryer vents thoroughly.

Lint can get caught within your vents and can cause your dryer to overheat or even catch on fire. If lint builds up and blocks the vents from working properly, it can even cause a backup of carbon monoxide in your home. Clean them frequently, and make sure the vent leading outside is free of blockages as well.

Reducing your fire risk is all about prevention! These simple steps can help you avoid either sparking a wildfire or starting a fire in your home.

However, we understand that disaster can occur in any circumstance, so we are ready to respond to your call for help when you need us. Our fire damage restoration team is available 24/7 to return your home back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

If you suffer fire damage, know that you are not alone. Contact us at SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties right away.

The Three Ways of Fire

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to your London Home 

Fire can uproot so much in your life after causing fire damage to your home. There are several ways to combat fires by knowing what can cause them. We have collected a few ways that fire damage can occur and how to avoid them: 

Lightning Rods are made to attract lightning to a contained, grounded metal avenue and prevent fires. Make sure your lightning rod is in good condition and have it professionally installed. Trees can also act as a lightning rod, but be careful that they are trimmed up during the down season.

Lights Off is another way to keep the risk of an electrical fire low. Sometimes light bulbs can create a spark or catch fire during a power surge, or burn out. Try to use LED lightning when you can, and even flip the lights off when you do not need them. 

Avoid Candles is one of the biggest ways to keep a fire from accidentally starting in your home. Make sure you always blow out your candles before even leaving a room for an extended period of time with a lit candle in it. 

We want you to keep your home safe, so follow these tips from SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties. 

Fire Damage Clean-up: What to do Before Help Arrives

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Our fire damage clean-up process begins when you let us know that we have been called for help.

At this point, it is important to keep some things in mind, as the fire itself can cause further damage, if not handled properly.

Some things to watch out for include but are not limited to:

1. You want to have someone tarp or board up your roof or windows if they were damaged enough for entry from the elements or other people. 

2. You want to make sure your home has been cleaned by professionals for professional cleaners and yourself to enter to begin the cleanup process. 

3. Try to salvage any items you can before starting to throw away everything. 

4. Hire a professional team that can help you during your time of need!

We understand that when faced with a fire loss there are many additional concerns beyond simply repairing the damage caused by the fire. Our team specializes in protecting you, your home, and your investment.

Fire Damages: What do we do next?

7/8/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage: How Pack-Outs Help Your Contents

When a fire damages your London home, the last thing you want to worry about is what to do with the contents of your home. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties are here to help. Our team of trained professionals is here to help with inventory, pack-out, and storage of your beloved items. 

When the clean-up process begins, our team will take an inventory of your home contents. We know your items are irreplaceable and sentimental. We want to help keep those items restorable.  Our team is trained to process and clean these items and document them for insurance. Our team can also pack out and store most of your items that can be restored. Our team is here to help with cleaning, restoring, and deodorizing after fire damage. 

Call our office to find out more information on how we can help!

Fire Damage in London Basement

5/9/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage in London home

Fire damage?

One homeowner awoke to smoke filling his bedroom. He rushed to get his family out, and later it was discovered the fire had begun in the basement. A candle had been left on with a blanket nearby. The flame had caught the material and created a fire.

The fire was stopped but he local fire department before too much secondary damage. The fire had created enough smoke damage that it had traveled to the main floor bedrooms. The smoke had put a layer of smoke and soot on on walls, windows, floors, and soft contents. 

How do we clean fire and smoke damage? 

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties was called and able to help with the intense smoke damage. We have ozone machines, fire sponge methods, and other ways to clean up smoke damage in your home. 

And, on even more serious soot damage, we can use ice blasting. Ice blasting breaks down soot with high levels of solid carbon dioxide. It cuts soot at the source to get it off of material that is hard to clean off with traditional methods. 

Call our offices to see how we can help your home fire damages. 

Do you have a fire escape plan?

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Escape Plan 101

Have you ever thought about what would happen after a fire in your home? What would you do, what would your family do? Do you have a plan for the elderly, pets, and small children? 

If you answered no to any of these questions, you may want to consider a fire escape plan. Not everyone in your family could be ready and prepared to get out during such a dire emergency, so having a plan is the best way to keep them safe. 

You want to make sure everyone is included. You want to make sure there is a point person who can alert someone who may not hear or be disabled and not know what a fire alarm is. Also, assign someone to keep an eye out for the pets. The best way to prepare a pet is keep them in one area of the house during the nighttime or when you're away or keep them in a crate. Finding pets at night is hardest part  of making the plan. There is not way to know where they could be unless you have a standing place the entire family knows about. 

When planning this escape route for your family there are a few factors to consider: 

Have two ways to escape: You never know where a fire could start. You want to make sure there are a few different escape routes so you have a sure way to leave your home, if it is on fire. 

Pick a Meeting Spot: Find somewhere far enough away from your home that cannot catch fire from being close to your home, but it is not too far to go in the middle of the night or walk to alone.

Trial your smoke alarms: Make sure to test your smoke alarms quarterly or twice a year to keep them up to date and charged with working batteries. 

Trial your escape plan: Have every family member do the escape plan when there is not an emergency a couple times a year so everyone remembers what to do. 

Make a plan for if you cannot exit through the two escape routes: Sometimes if a fire spreads quickly it may be hard to a family member to get to an escape place. Make sure they know to keep their bedroom doors closed and to either exit through a window or stay put and lay a towel under the door to keep smoke out until emergency help arrives. 

Make a plan for when the fire is out: You want to make sure you have an idea of who to call when the fire has been put out. You may need window boarding, help with secondary damages, contents cleaning, or all of the above.

You local SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties has been cleaning fire damages for over twenty years. Call us for help after you have an emergency. We are here to help!

Preparing for Summer Fun

4/19/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage during Camping

Summer is a great time to gather with family and create a lot of fun memories! There's a ton to do when camping, and it can be a great place to light up a fire for smores.  These fun memories can mean several different situations with summer danger. There are a few ways to stay away from possible fire damages that could pose danger to you or your family's home away from home. Here are a few tips: 

• When using a charcoal grill, only use starter fluids designed for barbecue grills; do not add fluid after the coals have been lit.
• When using a gas grill, ensure the hose connection is tight, and check hoses for leaks. 
• When camping, always use a flame-retardant tent and set up 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. 
• Always make sure the fire is out before going to sleep or leaving your campsite. 
• Store liquid fire starter away from your tent and use dry debris to refresh the fire.

Keep your family safe this summer with fire safety tips for camping. 

Grilling Season is here in London

4/11/2022 (Permalink)

Grilling Safety 101

As spring arrives, so does the desire to grill for every dinner and cookout your family hosts. When grilling there are several ways that it can create a danger for your home and you. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties wants you to stay safe this spring and summer. Here are a few tips to make sure you are safe when grilling up some delicious meals. 

• Make sure your grill has no leaks 
• Make sure your grill is on a level surface 
• Always clean your grill after each use 
• Do not wear loose or draping clothing 
• Keep your grill several feet away from your home 
• Always have someone keeping an eye on the grill at all times 

Grilling season is supposed to be fun. Follow these tips to keep your home and family safe this summer.

Smoke Damage and How it can impact your London Home

3/13/2022 (Permalink)

Our team is trained and ready to help clean your fire and smoke damage from your home.

Did you know smoke damage can travel through walls, floors, and stick to ceilings? 

Smoke damage will not stay in one area. It can permeate all corners of your home.

Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor. Smoke can be tricky, and there are many different types to make cleaning and restoring a true job for professionals. 

Different Types of Smoke

There are several different types of smoke: wet, dry, protein, and fuel/oil. 

Wet Smoke:

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

Dry smoke: 

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

Protein Smoke: 

• cooking mishaps can discolor paint or varnish. Hard to spot, but easy to smell. 

Fuel/Oil: 

• Petroleum residue can be sticky and challenging to clean. This type is common in puff back damages in homes without proper releases for the smoke and soot.

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is here to help, and we are trained and ready to restore all types of smoke damage in your home.

Stay Safe when it comes to Carbon Monoxide

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide alarms are helpful in detecting this harmful gas.

We typically teach our customers about fire safety. We stress the importance of keeping batteries and checking the efficiency of your smoke detectors in your home up to date. But, another important detector is carbon monoxide. Carbon Monoxide poisoning can be a lethal killer in your home. We have a few tips to help keep your home safer when it comes to battling carbon monoxide:

• Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves inspected by a professional each year.
• Open the damper for proper ventilation before using a fireplace. Never use your oven or stovetop to heat your home.
• Make sure all fuel-burning vented equipment is vented to the outside to avoid CO poisoning. Keep the venting for exhaust clear and unblocked.
• If you need to warm a vehicle, remove it from the garage immediately after starting it. Never run a vehicle or other fueled engine or motor indoors, even if garage doors are open.
• Make sure vents for the dryer, furnace, stove, and fireplace of debris

There are several things like heaters, generators, dryers, or idle cars that can cause carbon monoxide poising and could result in a trip to the hospital according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Following the above tips can help keep your home carbon monoxide-free.

Commercial Fire Damage in London

9/25/2021 (Permalink)

When a fire damage occurred in a London restaurant, we were here to help. 

Commercial Fire Damage

This London fire broke out because of a grease trap that caused build-up in the duct system. When the vapors of the fires in industrial kitchens go through the duct systems, the grease tends to cause a build-up. This build-up can cause fires, if not cleaned and taken care of properly.

How does an Emergency Readiness Profile help during an emergency?

This restaurant was prepared and had an Emergency Ready Plan with us so they knew who to call to minimize damage. After the fire was put out and the scene secure, we were on the scene to help. They had the correct contact numbers and how to turn off the water to minimize water damage after the sprinkler system went off. 

The owners were thankful they called us at SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties. We began cleaning up the smoke and soot damage, next we will begin the reconstruction process. 

Here to Help!

We know how to handle fire damage once the smoke clears. Call us today for more information on our Emergency Readiness Profile, so you can be prepared like these customers were in case of an emergency.

Fire Safety for Fall Bonfire Season

9/7/2021 (Permalink)

London residents throwing a bonfire this season? 

This time of year the weather is getting cooler, the leaves are crisp and falling, and everyone gets the urge to gather around a backyard fire pit. 

Fire pits are fun backyard activities, but they can pose some danger to your London home. 

Tips for Fire Pit Season:

• Follow the directions that come with your fire pit (if they are included and store-bought).
• Check the weather first. Make sure there are no heavy winds headed your way before you start the fire. 
• Do not use flammable products in or around the fire pit. 
• Keep your clothing away from the fire and do not wear any loose clothing. 
• Keep pets and children away from the fire at all times. 
• Keep a fire extinguisher, a bucket of water, and a safety kit around the fire at all times. 

After the fire is safely out, consider where to safely dispose of the ashes from the fire. Remember, have a safety kit and the local fire department's phone number handy in case your fire pit gets out of hand. 

Insurance and your Fire Pit 

Have you told your insurance company about your fire pit? You never know when the wind will pick up or unfortunate circumstances could cause things to go wrong. Make sure you disclose this information to your insurance company so if the fire pit causes fire damages, you and your home are covered. 

Stay safe this fall season and remember, if you have a fire or smoke damage to your London home, call our offices at 606-877-2160.

Microwave Safety for your Corbin Home

8/31/2021 (Permalink)

Microwaves and How to Extend Their Lifetimes

Microwaves are a great, quick, easy way to heat up food; however, they can create unsafe kitchen situations if not properly taken care of overtime. 

Here are a few ways to keep your microwave safe: 

• Keep It Clean
  

The most important thing about a microwave is to keep it clean. Not only will bacteria build-up with splatters of food and grease, but it can make it unsafe. Grease and food debris can be the most common cause of the malfunctioning microwave.

• Use It Correctly

Be sure to read and follow all directions on any microwavable prepared foods that you heat up. Remember not to heat up plastic that will melt, paper, or anything with tin foil. 

• Check the Parts
  

Microwaves seem like a simple appliance, but they often contain several parts that need to be replaced or restored as time goes on. One of those is the ventilation filters. When pollutants build up over a six-month period, they need a way to be absorbed. The best way to do that is to get new ventilation filers every 3 to 6 months depending on your microwaves usage. 

A microwave that is not at peak performance may begin to fill your home with a smoke smell. When this occurs, you will need someone to restore your home and clean up a smoke (which sometimes is not visible to the untrained eye. Calling a professional to make sure an unkept microwave has not been causing an overage of smoke damage is the best way to create safety and sanitization in your home. 

Microwaves are a great modern convenience, but take care of them, so they do not cause a BIG modern problem. 

Grilling Safety!

7/9/2021 (Permalink)

Summertime: Grilling Edition

It's that time of year when the grill gets going and family and friends head over for a cookout. When the grilling occurs, it is always time for grilling safety. 

Grills can be a fun summer activity, but there are ways to make sure the barbecue is safe for you and your family. 
Here are a few tips for grilling season: 

1. Make sure to keep the grill away from any structures, like your home, and away from over-hanging trees or branches. 
2. Keep the grill clean. You want to make sure things are cooling off before cleaning them and keeping coals in metal containers to throw them away.
3. Always keep your grill stable and on stable ground. 
4. Check for leaks in your grills that are gas. 
5. Make sure to never leave a grill unattended around pets or children. Making sure there is supervision when the grill is hot even after it has been turned off or put out.

Keep these tips in mind this summer when you're firing up the grill for a family barbecue. Safety is key when it comes to having summer fun!

Fire Alarms: Why are they important?

5/12/2021 (Permalink)

Remember, go check your fire alarms!

Fire Alarms

The possibility for a fire is always there. It is best to be safe than sorry, and the best way to prepare is by having a fire alarm. There are a few ways to keep fire alarms updated and working in the most efficient way:

Here's what you need to know

• Install smoke alarms in every single room and outside. Install alarms on every level of the home. 
• Smoke alarms should be interconnected. When one sounds, they all sound. 
• Depending on the square footage, depends on how many alarms you may need.
• Test your smoke alarms at least once a month. Press the test button to be sure the alarm is working. If the alarm still does not work replace the batteries, and if it still doesn’t work replace it.
• When a smoke alarm sounds, get outside and stay outside. 
• Create a family plan, so you have a meeting place to make sure everyone is accounted for in the home.
• Replace all smoke alarms in your home every 10 years, even if it still working.

WHY do you need a smoke alarm? 

• In 2009-2013, smoke alarms sounded in more than half (53%) of the home fires reported to U.S. fire departments.
• The death rate per 100 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms compared to the rate in homes with working smoke alarms
• Dead batteries caused one-quarter (24%) of the smoke alarm failures.
• (Facts from the Red Cross and local fire departments)

When fire damages occur, the damage can be detrimental but keeping your family safe is the number one priority. Fire alarms help do that from the second a fire occurs in your home.

Fire Damage Creates Odor Removal a Process

4/21/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties and Odor Removal

Fire damages in your home can cause a lot of damages. They can even create a lasting impact on your home for months and years if the odors are not handled correctly.

What impacts an odor?

There are a variety of factors that causes odors to linger in your home after fire damages. Depending on the type of fire, the materials that were impacted, and the length of time that the fire lasted-- are all factors that illustrate how odors need to be removed.

How do odors get removed?

One method often falls to portable machines like thermal foggers. The machines can produce a gaseous compound that can penetrate services to reach trapped odor molecules and eliminate them from your home.

How does SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties remove odors in your home? 

There are a few different ways SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties might address odor removal in the most efficient method: 

• ULV and Thermal Foggers 

• Hydroxyl Machine 

• Ozone Machine

Call our offices today to find out more information on how we can help get your odor removed.

Fire Damage --Time for a Board-Up

4/20/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damage Board-up

When fire damages occur in your home, places can be left open with holes and openings. Not only does this leave your home vulnerable, but it also leaves an opening for further damage. Here are a few negatives of not opting for a board-up after severe fire damage:

• Weather: the rain or snow (depending on the time of year) could enter your home. 
• Pests: animals or small rodents could make their way into your home. 
• Vandalism: when vandals see an opening, they typically take it. Leaving an opening that is easy for them to enter, could be dangerous. 

Let the professionals help!

Did you know that SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties do board-ups? We can help with your fire damage and secure areas of your home until the work can begin.

Spider "Soot Web"

4/13/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage can create a variety of problems, call our offices today for more information on how we can help.

Fire Damage "Soot-Webs"

During this commercial fire damage, particles from smoke and soot created what we see as 'spiderwebs.' They looked exactly like a spiderweb that has been spun in the corners of this room. In this room where the fire damage source was, a lot of "soot webs" inhabited several inches of door frames and corners. And, according to ACAC.org, the definition of these soot webs is "electrostatic bonding causes fire particles to pair to ceiling and corner spaces."

That's why after fire damage you may see these types of "soot-webs" in areas beyond where the fire actually started.

When fire damages occur, it is best to trust a professional to clean these areas. Call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties to clean any smoke or soot damage, and even "soot webs."

Fire Damage: Springtime Brings Disaster to your London, Kentucky Home

3/14/2021 (Permalink)

Keep your home smoke and soot free this spring!

Keep your home smoke and soot free this spring!

Picture it-- spring is here and time to grill for you and your family. You are outside and the weather is perfect. You let yourself become distracted for a few moments. Your chimney and items close by ignite from the fire --and flames are whipping at your home. The fire created a bigger damage than you thought with the grass and surrounding area covered in debris and soot. 

This is just one picture of what can happen when a fire damage occurs spontaneously at your home. You think think the only damage is to your awning or overhanging structure but the smoke and soot damage can travel much farther. After the fire is out and the damages are all that is left, the real work begins. 

This is the best time to call a professional. You will notice soot and smoke cover over anything outside and inside your home that was close by. Smoke and soot can travel faster and farther than you may think. You will notice contents in your home need to be cleaned. 

Call the professionals at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties to help with your fire damages including smoke and soot from minor fire damages. 

Fire Damage Restoration- Soft Contents Division

2/25/2021 (Permalink)

Fire Damage and Contents Restoration

After severely charred objects get taken out and discarded, our SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel technicians work towards cleaning off soot residue.

Since smoke can penetrate deeply into substances, unpleasant aromas could still exist after removing the items that have been impacted by smoke odor. When foul smells are still present, we take further steps to deodorize your building materials and contents.

The deodorization process includes several different techniques that work in various ways to provide more pleasant aromas.

We want to take care of your beloved home items that need deodorization and odor removal. We know that smoke and fire damage can be traumatizing and you want your home and contents clean as soon as possible. We are here to help 24/7 and 365 to help our customers.
 

Fire Extinguisher Refresher

9/29/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these tips for fire safety!

Do you have a home fire extinguisher?

There are important steps to take in protecting your family and home from an unexpected fire emergency. One of those ways is to have a fire extinguisher on hand and ready. It's not enough to just have a fire extinguisher, you have to know how to properly use it. Using the the acronym P.A.S.S. is one of the best ways to learn how to accurately use it:

• PULL the pin
• AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire
• SQUEEZE the handle to release the fire extinguishing agent
• SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire appears to be out

Use these P.A.S.S. tips to safely and effectively use the fire extinguisher in your home. 

Fire Damage Board-Ups

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

Call us today if your home or business needs a board-up.

Missing windows or doors or parts of your home/business after a fire damage? 

The term "board-up" may have been used when talking to your insurance company after a fire damage has occurred. You may have even heard it said by the firefighters. The term relates to securing your home after it has been damaged by fire.

When your home or business has been damaged by a fire, it can seem overwhelming. There can be windows, doors, or other parts of your home that are "showing" to the world after a fire. Weather damage and other irritants that you do not want in your home can be impacted by not fixing this issue. We are here to help!

We offer a board-up service that can help protect your home from unwanted attention from weather, insects, etc. When you are worried about rebuilding your home, let us worry about protecting it while you go through the process. 

We are here to help with your board-up damages after a fire. Call our offices today for more information.

Firefighter Appreciation

9/2/2020 (Permalink)

We appreciate the firefighters in our lives and yours!

There are a lot of people who have fires in their homes in every year. When someone gets a fire, whether it be in their basement, garage, or other parts of their home -- we all call the same person, a firefighter. 

Here at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties, we see the aftermath of the fire. We clean it, tarp it, and clean out customers homes after a fire damage. However, the people who run into the fire to save us when a fire happens -- are the real heroes. 

We want to give a shout out to all the firefighters out there. The heroes who run into the fire to save us, our pets, and help put the fires out before they spread. 

We truly appreciate the firefighters in our lives. If you see a firefighter today, make sure to turn and thank them! 

Why Dry Ice Blasting?

7/13/2020 (Permalink)

Call us today for more information on your dry ice blasting for a fire damage clean-up.

Why dry ice blasting?

When you have a fire damage, the last problem you want to have is worrying about how it is going to be cleaned. 

There is typical fire cleaning, but sometimes fire damages create a thick char and smoke damage that creates a need for a different type of cleaning.

Dry ice blasting is a type of blasting method that uses dry ice pellets (CO2 in solid form) as the blasting material that cleans off the char and smoke debris. The process is environmentally friendly and provides a fast and effective alternative to traditional methods of cleaning.

Dry Ice Blasting has become the preferred method to remove smoke soot, vaporized synthetic resins, and char. Dry ice blasting can reduce or eliminate the musty burnt smell that results from fire and smoke damages in a home.

Typically, the technician puts on PPE before performing this task depending on the severity of the smoke and char. The ice blast can create a dirty environment once it is blasted off the wall or smoke damaged items. 

In the photo, you can see our technician blasting smoke damage off a fireplace in a basement of a home in Somerset. The process can take several days or weeks to complete depending on the severity of the damages. 

It takes a trained technician to complete this process. We have trained ice blasting technicians to help our customers get their homes back to "Like it never even happened," condition. 

If you home is damaged by fire, call our offices today. We have more information on ice blasting available. 

Unexpected Place that Cause Fire Damages

5/22/2020 (Permalink)

We all know about the kitchen fires, the cigarette fires, and the electrical fires that cause severe damage in homes. There is another kind of fire that causes over 34% of home fires each year: Dryer Vents. Failure to clean these drying vents are causing more and more fire damage in homes each year. 

Dryer vents cause a number of damages in homes. Sometimes we turn the dryer on and go to bed, or leave the home, or sometimes leave for vacation --and our dryers cause fire damages to our homes. When those dryer vents are not properly cleaned out, the particles can sometimes build up and spark a flame.

During holiday weekends, unexpected damages can occur. If you return home and need SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties, call us at 606-877-2160.

Who to trust with dealing with a fire or smoke damage in your home?

4/23/2020 (Permalink)

Fire damage can leave you reeling from considerable losses that may be hard to recoup depending on how long you wait to remedy the problem. After contacting first responders to handle a fire accident, the next call should be to a professional fire damage restoration service. The time you wait to have a restoration company to come and clear up the resulting destruction will dictate how bad the situation gets.

Smoke damage and soot damage will continue to devastate your property the longer it goes uncleared. The advanced equipment and techniques that restoration services utilize are a few reasons to call a fire cleanup crew. However, you must be certain that the people responsible for the restoration process are suitable. Even though you may not have enough time to do proper research, keep a few tips in mind:

• Range of Service
• Certifications
• Experience
• Training

Trust your local SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties with your fire or smoke damage. Call today for more information at 606-877-2160.

How to Handle a Fire Damage in Your Home

4/16/2020 (Permalink)

Fires can be devastating.

They can can do a lot of damage to your home. Here are a few DO's and DON'T's for handling a fire or smoke damage in your home or business.

What To Do After A Fire

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery.
• Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water.
• Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

If you have a fire or smoke damage emergency in your home, call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties today at 606-877-2160.

Quarantine Safety Tips

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

During quarantine, most people are going to be home more often than they usually would be any given week. 

They may partake in an increase of activities that might normally be reserved for a weekend. Fires in the home occur more often than one would think. During everyones time at home, we are bringing you some tips to keep your home safe. You may decide to cook more often since people cannot go outside. 

• Always watch your stove and oven --never leave them unattended while on. 

This may be a time for you catch up on some much needed laundry time. 

• Make sure to clean out your dryer vents after every other cycle or every cycle depending not the size of the load. If dryer vents get clogged with fuzz, they can overheat and cause a fire. 

We have also been dealing with cold to mild temperatures during this home quarantine. Please consider the type of heater you are using to warm your home. 

• Do NOT leave heaters unattended or around furniture or blankets. It's not a good practice to use them in the bathroom, so try to refrain from that as well. 

We are here to help during this time, and we offer proactive cleaning services to commercial and residential businesses. Keep safe Kentucky! 

Time To Spring Forward and Change Those Fire Alarms

3/5/2020 (Permalink)

It's that time of year when we spring forward. We move our clocks forward an hour, and we change the batteries around our home. The best way to keep your family safe throughout the entire year is to regularly check those smoke/fire alarms. Here are a few tips on how to update your home for the new season:

• Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home and in every bedroom.
• Keep smoke alarms away from windows, doors, walls, or ducts that can stop your alarms from working properly.
• Check your smoke alarm monthly.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries every year, or more if needed.

 If you follow these tips we hope your home does not come in contact with any of these issues. But, we are here to help! SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is here to help with smoke and fire damage.

Safety Tips to prevent Fire Damage this Fall

9/30/2019 (Permalink)

Keep your house safe from fire damage this fall.

It's that time of year when summer turns to fall and with that comes fireplaces, heater use, fire damages, and needing a fire safety plan. We want your home and family to be safe this fall. SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties brings you safety tips to prevent fire in your home. 

Be aware when burning wood in your fireplace or wood stove.

• Have your chimney and flue cleaned by a professional. Buildup in your chimney can create a perfect storm for fire damages. 
• Clean your wood-stove and remove any clutter that has accumulated on or near the stove or fireplace. You want to make sure nothing can catch fire. 

Test your smoke alarms and CO₂ detectors.

It is that time of year to change your CO2 detectors and smoke/fire alarm batteries. With a heightened chance of fire damage during the fall always keep in mind, when fall hits it is time to change those batteries. 

Make a fire safety plan.

One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to have a plan. When a fire occurs make sure your family is equipped with how and where to go in your home. Fires and smoke from the fire spread quickly, especially with children or senior citizens. Designate a meeting location away from the home where everyone knows to go, so it's easy to see who all has been accounted for from the home. Always make sure you have one person to call the fire department if a fire breaks out in your home. 

We hope you do not have fire damages, and that you follow these safety tips this fall. 

If you need help from fire damage restoration professionals in London, Corbin, Somerset, Pineville, and surrounding areas call SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties at 606-877-2160 today.

Fire Odor Specialists

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is here to help with your fire and smoke damages.

The Deodorization Process

When fire damage occur in your home --there are other aspects that can be damaging to your home and contents inside your home. 

Soot removal and fire odor control are also two common aspects of any restoration process. A professional company, such as SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties, has decades of experience dealing with smoke and odor damages in your home. 

Before tackling fire odor problems, our technicians take steps to make sure the working area is secure, and all soft contents items that are impacted get removed.
 
After severely charred objects get taken out and discarded, our SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel technicians work towards cleaning off soot residue.  Since smoke can penetrate deeply into substances, unpleasant aromas could still exist after removing the items that have been impacted by smoke odor. When foul smells are still present, we take further steps to deodorize your building materials and contents. The deodorization process includes several different techniques that work in various ways to provide more pleasant aromas.
 
To start, our SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties team conducts chemical containment to chemically block or restrict particles from circulating into the air. We use a pump sprayer to dispense out these chemicals in areas around the source. We have an ESPORTA machine that washes your soft contents in with a force to remove the smoke odors and fire damages. 

We clean out HVAC systems to get the smoke and fire smell out of the smaller parts of the home. We have foggers that can break down these aromas, if they stay present in HVAC systems that do not have traditional metal coils. 

Trust your home with a professional when you have fire or smoke damages present. 

The Next Steps After a House Fire

9/6/2019 (Permalink)

A home was fire damaged at a home in London that SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties re-mediated.

The next steps after a house fire can help you recover more quickly with your family. Some of the steps you can are below:

1. Get Everyone Out Safely

When a fire occurs the first thing you should do is double check with your family that everyone is okay. This includes taking care of any medical needs, finding a safe place for pets, and informing close friends and family what happened and that everyone is okay. Sometimes you may want to find another place for you and your family to stay or for your pets. 

2. Contact Your Insurance Company

It’s important to contact your insurance company as soon as you can. Most fire insurance coverage includes repairs and restoration, although it’s a good idea to know what’s in your policy beforehand. (If you have not had a fire damage, use this time to connect with your insurance company and update your policy where it is needed). Your insurance agent may even recommend a fire damage professional who can take care of the cleanup and restoration of your home. Your agent should also be able to help your with the claim process.

3.  Get in Touch with a Fire Damage Restoration Company

Most of the time your insurance company does cover repairs and restoration for your home. Sometimes this includes soft contents and sometimes it does not. Soft contents can include:couches, stuffed animals, clothes, shoes, and hats. Make sure smoke damage is a part of the policy as well as that it usually what impacts your soft contents. You should double check with your insurance company on if your policy covers soft contents. Contacting a professional for cleanup may be your best option. These professionals are well versed in every step of the restoration process, and can take care of any cleaning, sanitation and restoration that may be needed.

Also, knowing who your agent is and what office they work at is the first step in knowing an effective plan when you have a house fire. 
The right fire restoration team can take care of your damage and repair needs allowing you to focus on your family. Many insurance companies have fire damage restoration professionals they recommend, and your agent should be able to walk you through the steps of your claim. 

You can also call the fire damage professionals at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties at 606-877-2160.

Ways to Beat the Heat this Summer

5/31/2019 (Permalink)

This summer has already started out with a bang! With temperatures rising, know the tips now on how to beat the heat. 

When being outside all day consider these tips: 

1. Keep several water bottles handy and in coolers to keep them nice and cold!
2. Try to wear and reapply sunscreen *and bring a hat* to keep the sun rays at bay. 
3. Take breaks! We cannot stress this one enough. 
4. Try not to dress heavily or wear dark clothing that can attract the sun. 
5. Eat! Bring snacks and break for lunch when the time comes. 
6. Always know when enough is enough, once temperatures reach a certain point, know that going inside is truly the best option.

Keeping these tips in mind when going into the sun can help make more pleasant days in the rays. 

Pulaski and Laurel Counties: Fire Damage Safety

5/22/2019 (Permalink)

Is your bedroom fire proof?

We are guessing the answer is no to that question. Majority of home fires are due to smoking in the bedroom. Think about it-- tons of bed linens, pillows, and clothes -- it's a fire hazard waiting to happen. 

The best way you can protect your home against fires (unless you are willing to fireproof your entire house) is to keep anything that can catch other things on fire out of the bedroom. 

Yes, that includes candles. 

Anything with an open flame can catch onto linen so quickly that your entire bedroom can be up in flames before you even realize it is happening. 

Keep open flames and tobacco products that can be ignited out of the bedroom too. It' the best way to keep your bedroom "fire-proof." We know other things can happen for fires to occur, but why not take out any hazards that are in your control? 

We want to keep you and your family safe -- follow these tips London, Somerset, Corbin, and Hyden to keep your home away from the flames.

Rebuilding After a Fire

4/19/2019 (Permalink)

Depending on the type of fire that occurred in your home, depends on the type of rebuilding you can do. 

Our reconstruction team walks you through, what and how we can help you rebuild after a fire damage. 

Tarp and Sealing Services

We want to first make sure the damages that were done by the fire do not get worse. We want to seal off any parts of the home that are exposed or had severe smoke or soot damage that needs to be sealed off from other rooms. 

Clean-Up

When smoke and soot get into your home during the fire --it can create massive amounts of smoke and soot damage. Anything that can hold smell will hold those odors. We have extensive cleaning services and soft contents machinery to clean your smoke or soot damaged items. 

Repair Work

Most fire damages are not a complete loss. Usually, a few parts of a home are damaged and need repairs. We have a reconstruction division who can help chose flooring, wall installations, and other necessities for home repair. 

It can be overwhelming after your home has a fire, smoke, or soot damage. We assure quality and sensitivity when it comes to your beloved items and family home. Call us today for a consultation.

Home Upgrades after Fire Damage

4/4/2019 (Permalink)

When your home or business is impacted by fire damage, all you can think about is how to make that home or business back to "Like it never even happened." 

We have new solutions for you. We are talking about upgrades. We have a reconstruction division that specializes in getting your home or business the newest windows, flooring, and finishes for the best prices. 

There's a new type of windows to consider after dealing with a fire, smoke, or soot damage: double- hung windows. 

They are easy to clean on both the top and bottom and the sashes will open and tilt inside for even better cleaning. After a fire damage getting the smoke and soot off the windows is one of the first priority. With these new features --it makes it faster and easier to clean.

Another upside to these windows besides being efficient for cleaning is they are energy efficient, and the seals are less likely to break. Most of these types of windows even have a glazing, so it makes it harder to see inside of your home during the day and blocks heat from entering. 

Not only do these windows have several new features, but they can be done in just a few short hours, if they stay the same size. 

Another feature of our reconstruction division is you do not have to have damages to your home to get in touch with SERVPRO on upgrading your home. We can do upgrades and reconstruction without water or fire damage occurring. Call us today at 606-877-2160.

Fire Safety Awareness for October

10/8/2018 (Permalink)

It's that time of year again where holidays are getting closer, you're cooking more, and fireplaces are being used more than ever. The month of October is all about Fire Safety. Take a look at these tips for staying safe:  

1. LOOK for places fire could start. Take a good look around your home. Identify potential fire hazards and take care of them.
2. LISTEN for the sound of the smoke alarm. You could only have minutes to escape safely once the smoke alarm sounds. Go to your outside meeting place, which should be a safe distance from the home and where everyone should know to meet.
3. LEARN two ways out of every room and make sure all doors and windows leading outside open easily and are free of clutter.

We want you and your family to stay safe! Teach your family these tips to be aware for this upcoming season. 

Fire Damage Restoration in London, Somerset, Corbin, and many more!

9/28/2018 (Permalink)

Our team of trained technicians deal with fire and smoke damage daily at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties. Cleaning fire and smoke smell is one of the most important activities that is required after the fire has damaged your homes and its contents.

Did you know?

Carpets, draperies, upholstered furniture and clothing usually can be refurbished after a fire, unless they have been scorched or severely water damaged. The most important thing to do is get professional help from a experienced fire smoke damage company. 

Smoke odor could remain in clothing, upholstered furniture, carpets and draperies unless it is properly deodorized. Our team have specialized Esporta machines to bring your items back to former glory. Call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties as we are here to help!

Residents of London, Somerset, Corbin, and other areas: Fire damage cleanup? Call SERVPRO.

9/27/2018 (Permalink)

This is a fire job of a church clean-up, and it demonstrates the partially cleaned wall of where we had began to clean and the smoke damage present.

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties continues to be the primary restoration company in water and fire damage cleanup. 

Our team of trained technicians are certified in fire damage restoration to bring you the best for your fire, soot, or smoke damaged contents and structure.

We don't just clean up after soot and smoke in our facility. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties cleans and launders hundreds of items of clothing a day. Items that would have otherwise been discarded because of smoke or soot damage. 

Our Esporta machine, along with our Production Manager of Laundry, are top of the charts when it comes to cleaning beloved items of clothing, hats, children's stuffed animals, and even shoes. 

We have done hotel curtains, job training facility uniforms and other major jobs. We are a 365 service that is here to help when you need it the most.

Summer Fire Safety Tips to Minimize Fire Damage

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

It's that time of year again that everyone wants to pull out the grill and barbecue every night. We agree, but we also want you and your family to stay safe this summer season. Below are a few tips from FEMA to keep you stay grilling fire free this summer:

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. 
• Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas, and foot traffic. Grills should be positioned at least 10 feet away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep matches, lighters, and starter fluid out of the reach of children in a locked drawer or cabinet.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area: declare a three-foot "kid-free zone" around the grill.

Remember these tips and you'll help minimize your chances of a fire damage!

London Church Fire

6/14/2018 (Permalink)

Right down the road from our office in London, KY a church fire needed our help. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties was here to help. We got the call and were at the fire within the day.

The church had water damage from the sprinkler system with severe smoke and soot damage to pews and flooring. The church did not want to replace the valuable pews, so restoration was their favorite option.

Their bathrooms and entry way were covered in debris as well. We sent a large team to help cover this commercial fire loss. 

Our crew had this fire damage cleaning done within two weeks, so that church could resume on Easter Sunday as scheduled. Our team worked long nights and hours to make this fire damage "Like it never even happened." 

Documents Damaged in a Fire?

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties we don't just recover fire damaged goods like stuffed animals, clothes, or shoes. Our team of trained technicians can restore fire damaged documents, art, and other priceless items. 

We have various stages of cleaning for your documents. We will separate them page by page and remove excess dirt, soot, or other contaminants caused by the fire. 

Often times, these documents or items could have been impacted by other smells or contaminants that need to be cleaned and deodorized before being returned to you. Deodorization is a top service for SERVPRO, because if you don't have the smell removed from your items, they will re-contaminant your home once returned. A home that has already been cleaned and deodorized of all contaminants. 

We want to make your fire damaged items like new again, and we work hard for our customers.

Have a fire damaged item? Call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties today! 

Clothes Dryer Vents Cause More Fire Damages thank you Think

5/1/2018 (Permalink)

We all know about the kitchen fires, the cigarette fires, and the electrical fires that cause severe damage in homes. There is another kind of fire that causes over 34% of home fires each year: Dryer Vents. Failure to clean these drying vents are causing more and more fire damage in homes each year. 

According to our friends at FEMA, during the peak months of fall and winter they are even more likely to occur in your home. 

The facts do not lie,  FEMA reports: "2,900 home clothes dryer fires are reported each year and cause an estimated 5 deaths, 100 injuries, and $35 million in property loss." That's a staggering statistic. 

Keep your home safe during the winter season and year around by keeping those dryer vents nice and clean! 

What to do When You’re NOT Thankful for Those Thanksgiving Flames

11/10/2017 (Permalink)

When you have fire, soot, or smoke damage --call us today!

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties wants you to stay safe this holiday season. We know the day gets busy, while cooking for usually a high number of people, but it’s important to remember safety tips. Keep these tips in mind when cooking on Thanksgiving during the hustle and bustle of family visiting, children, and pets:

• Don't wear loose-fitting clothing around open flames.
• Don't leave your food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
• If deep-frying turkey, do it outside.
• Never put water on a grease fire.
• Store fire extinguishers in plain sight and near an exit - not under the sink.

Follow these tips, and we wish you and your family a safe and Happy Thanksgiving! We hope you don’t need us, but if you do: call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties today. We’ll make your fire, smoke, or soot damage “Like it never even happened.”

Summer went by in a flash, before you can blink Thanksgiving will be knocking on your door!

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties wants to keep your family safe this Thanksgiving. Look out for more tips on how to prevent fire damage!

Thanksgiving is a time for giving, but also a time to stay safe. With the turkey roasting, children laughing, and family members gathered close: SERVPRO and the American Red Cross are here to keep your family safe! Here are some cooking safety tips for your Thanksgiving holiday:

• keeps fire alarm batteries up to date
• keep potholders and containers at least three feet from heat sources
• avoid loose clothing and long sleeves while cooking

We hope you don’t have to call us, but if you do, remember SERVPRO cleans fire, smoke, and soot damages. We even have special equipment to clean your soft contents that are impacted by fire damages. Residents of London, Somerset, and Corbin SERVPRO is here to help with your restoration needs!

Soft contents are our niche!

10/3/2017 (Permalink)

These shoes were exposed to fire, smoke, and soot damage. Our Esporta can make your contents cleaning damages "Like it never even happened."

Have you ever wondered what happens when your beloved items have fire, smoke, or soot damage? Who do you call? How can you trust them with your child’s favorite stuffed toy, or the upholstery on a pillow your grandmother made for you?

The answer: SERVPRO’s Esporta system. The Esporta (housed in our Pulaski and Laurel Counties site) is a soft contents revolution. We take damaged goods and make them “Like it never even happened.” The Production Manager of our soft contents department, Kenny Davis, has been in the restoration industry for over twenty years. He handles your items as he would his own. He trains his team rigorously on the Esporta, and he has even trained other SERVPRO teams from all over the U.S.

Don’t trust just anyone with your most prized possessions. Trust Kenny and the SERVPRO team! We are here to help!  Call us today at (606) 877-2160.

See the video for more information on our soft contents system.

Having the right equipment during a fire can save your home –and your life!

6/22/2017 (Permalink)

Follow P.A.S.S. to make sure your fire extinguisher is working properly to protect your family from fires and fire damage.

Fires and fire damage are common tragedies among homeowners. But, there are ways to lessen the damage. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is Here to Help so fires don’t ruin your summer. One is having a proper fire extinguisher --especially, during grilling season. Make sure you follow these rules from our friends at the American Red Cross when it comes to having a good extinguisher:

-Always have more than one working extinguisher in your home.
-Install extinguishers high on the wall and away from any heat sources.
-If an extinguisher doesn’t work on a fire immediately, drop it and get out. Most portable extinguishers empty in 8 seconds.
-Make sure the gauge on your extinguisher is properly charged.
-Once you have the right fire extinguisher, always remember PASS:

P- Pull the pin and hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you.

A- Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
S- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly

S- Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

We hope these tips keep fires and fire damage from your homes. But, if you have fire damage and need SERVPRO, we are always Here to Help. Call SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties at (606) 877-2160.

It’s not time to change the clocks back, but it is time to change your smoke alarms!

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

It's always that time of the year to check your smoke alarms!

Smoke alarms can improve the safety of your home a significant amount when it comes to fires. A fire can happen at any time, and you will want to make sure you and your family are safe. Here are a few tips from the American Red Cross on how to update your smoke alarms to keep your family and home safe before a fire ignites: 

• Have a smoke alarm on every level of your home and in every bedroom.
• Keep smoke alarms away from windows, doors, walls, or ducts that can stop your alarms from working properly.
• Check your smoke alarm monthly.
• Replace smoke alarm batteries every year, or more if needed.

Keeping your family safe is the main priority to having a properly working smoke alarm; but fires can also cause hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars’ worth of damage every year. There is soot, smoke, and even water damage when it comes to a bad fire. The faster you know there is a fire, the faster you can get it put out. Visit: www.redcross.org to learn more tips on how to keep your home safe in case of a fire.

Experienced Contents Restoration Services

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

Often times when we think of fire damage, the images that first come to mind are of burning roofs, buildings, or the remnants of a house left behind.  But what about the contents inside?  Those sentimental items passed down from generation to generation or even the everyday items in our homes we take for granted.  At SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties, contents restoration is something we pride ourselves on.  We are able to provide inventory services, packing services, temporary storage in a climate controlled building with insurance coverage, as well as cleaning and deodorizing. SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is also able to provide in-house laundry and soft contents restoration.  If you need an item while it’s in storage, no problem!  Stop by our facility any time and allow us to prepare those items for you.  We are able to work with our clients to restore wood items, electronics, appliances, art, documents and books and can even assist with saving old home videos.  If you are affected by fire or soot, call us at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties for all of your content needs.

Smoke Odor Elimination – No Problem!

5/5/2017 (Permalink)

Often time the first question SERVPRO gets on a fire or smoke loss is – can you ever get this odor out? Yes we can!  The highly trained staff at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties have many tools and techniques at their disposal.  While the first step to any odor elimination process is to remove the source, the smoke odor may linger much longer after that step is completed.  Whether it’s from a fire damage, burnt items in the kitchen or even just years of cigarette smoke – eliminating that odor is one of our specialties!  We have experience in odor elimination in rental units, vehicles, RVs, businesses, commercial buildings and of course with any fire or smoke damage.  Let the odor elimination experts at SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties help you today with any smoke odor issues you may be facing.

Home Fire Danger Peaks During Holiday Season

11/23/2015 (Permalink)

As the holiday season approaches and families gear up for decorating their homes and hosting large gatherings of friends and family, Anthony Roberts of SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties reminds homeowners to take note of some sobering statistics about home fire safety from the National Fire Prevention Association: 

“These statistics are a serious reminder of how the excitement of holiday entertaining can quickly turn into a life-altering fire or even a tragic injury or death,” says Roberts. “While glowing candles and elaborate meals set the stage for a great holiday get-together, homeowners need to exercise extra care in controlling the dangerous potential for fires.” 

According to the NFPA³, unattended cooking is by far the leading cause of home cooking fires, with frying posing the greatest fire risk and electric ranges posing a higher risk than gas ranges. Range top cooking in general started the majority of home cooking fires and caused 86 percent of related civilian deaths for the reporting period. 

While incidents of candle fires peaked in 2001 and have been falling since, candles are still one of the top 10 causes of U.S. home fires, according to the NFPA. As with cooking fires, unattended or abandoned candles account for a large portion of candle fires–almost 20 percent–but the most frequent cause of candle fires is placing the candle too close to something that can burn, like curtains, decorations or furniture. 

“It’s easy to see why cooking and candle fires both peak during the holiday season,” says Roberts, “and it’s also easy to see why homeowners need to take extra care when decorating their homes or entertaining. A moment’s inattention at the stove or a guest repositioning a candle on a tabletop may be all it takes to turn the festivities into a fight to save property and lives. While our business is fire and water damage restoration and we stand ready to help at a moment’s notice if disaster does strike, our sincere hope is that our friends and neighbors will enjoy a fire-free and festive holiday season.” 

For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, please visit www.SERVPRO.com. For more information on SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties, please contact Anthony Roberts at (606)877-2160 or marketing@SERVPROofpulaskilaurel.com. 

¹ http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/causes/cooking 

² http://www.nfpa.org/research/reports-and-statistics/fire-causes/candles 

³ http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/for-consumers/holidays/put-a-freeze-on-winter-fires 

About SERVPRO

Founded in 1967, the SERVPRO Franchise System is a national leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services and mold mitigation and remediation. SERVPRO’s professional services network of nearly 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from small individual disasters to multi-million dollar losses. Providing coverage in the United States and Canada, the SERVPRO System has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.