4th of July Fireworks present high risk of fires for homes and businesses.
Fireworks are fun but present a high risk for fires in the area!
ServiceMaster Restore would like to wish everyone a happy and safe 4th of July! The 4th of July is a great day to gather with friends and family and celebrate our nation’s Independence Day with a variety of traditions – whether that be a parade, picnic, camping, attending a barbecue and most common – watching a fireworks show. We want everyone to have a fun time and enjoy the holiday, but be aware that fireworks present a high risk for residential and commercial fires.
According to the NFPA (National Fire Prevention Association – www.nfpa.org), Fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and an average of $43 million in direct property damage.
If a fire damages your home or business, dealing with the aftermath can seem overwhelming. If the fire damage restoration process is delayed, the destruction caused by smoke and soot can make matters even worse. The longer people wait to address fire damage, the more repairs they may have to fix.
As unfortunate as a disaster like a fire may be, you don’t have to go through the fire damage restoration process alone. Professional restoration companies like ServiceMaster Restore are here to help you get back to normal right away. Learn more about what you can expect during the fire damage restoration process with these helpful tips.
What does a fire damage restoration company do?
The primary goals of a fire damage restoration company are to reduce the risk of further damage to your home and to salvage as much as possible. Experienced restoration companies can assess the extent of damage that’s occurred, provide you with a written estimate and begin the process of reversing the effects of fire damage. A fire restoration company can even work with your insurance company to get your claim settled as quickly as possible.
What to expect during the fire damage restoration process
Fire can damage certain parts of the building differently, and each area may require specific methods of cleaning, restoring or rebuilding. In some instances, you may not even be able to visibly see the extent of the fire and smoke damage if it’s occurred in areas such as the attic or behind walls.
A trained fire restoration company will be able to identify the degree of damage and provide you with an overview of which areas and contents of your home or business can be restored and which ones might need to be replaced. Although your situation is completely unique, here are some of the common steps ServiceMaster Restore may take to secure your property:
1. Emergency Property Securement
A home or business ravaged by flames may suffer from a compromised structure, fragile walls and holes through the ceiling, and possibly, the roof. After the fire is extinguished and the fire department leaves, ServiceMaster Restore can provide emergency board-up services and roof tarping which prevents additional destruction until restoration can begin. This will also keep out unwanted visitors who may try to enter the home or business after hearing about the fire.
2. Conduct an inspection
ServiceMaster Restore will assess the extent of damage to your home or business as well as all of your belongings and contents to determine what can be salvaged. We will document our findings through photos or videos to provide to your insurance company. During our inspection, we will also test rooms for smoke and soot damage using specialized equipment. Once we have completed the initial assessment, we will explain the cleaning process and provide you with an overview of how long the project may take.
3. Prevent further damage
Our priority is to prevent further damage to your home or business. We will remove the contents as quickly as possible because the longer your belongings are left in affected areas, the more difficult they may be to clean. If the fire has caused leaks in your roof or walls, ServiceMaster Restore will take preventative measures such as sealing and tarping to protect your home against the elements.
4. Clean-up
The damage caused by fire and smoke, plus any water damage that’s occurred from firefighting efforts, can increase quickly. For that reason, ServiceMaster Restore will start the clean-up process as soon as possible. Our teams may use a variety of cleaning agents and equipment to salvage furniture, flooring and other items impacted by smoke, soot and water. They’ll also neutralize odors that are lingering and dispose of any items that are too damaged to be salvaged.
5. Repair and renovation
The next stage of the fire damage restoration process involves actually repairing and restoring the building and contents. ServiceMaster Restore will work quickly and carefully to get you back into your home while staying in contact with you to keep you updated on their progress.
Call The Experts at ServiceMaster Restore
If the unfortunate situation of a fire occurs for you, your company or one of your clients this 4th of July, do not hesitate to call on the experts at ServiceMaster Restore. Our experts arrive quickly and immediately begin to assess the damage and create a comprehensive plan to prevent additional damage and restore your property and home. Please call us at any of our locations: