Safety tips for a safe Thanksgiving & holiday season

11/7/2024 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to keep your kitchen & home safe during the holiday season.

As Thanksgiving approaches (exactly 3 week away as we're writing this blog!), SERVPRO Team Gutierrez of Laurel, Greenbelt and Beltsville would like to offer a few important tips on how to keep your home safe during the holidays.

Believe it or not, far too many homes catch on fire during this time of year! Imagine preparing for the holidays just to have flames devour your property over something as small as a turkey. The impact around this time of year (as winter holidays quickly approach following Thanksgiving) is astronomical and quite stressful to say the least.

Yet time and time again, we are called to homes around Thanksgiving to clean up and restore fire damage… all because of a turkey.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, compared to any other day of the year, the number of house fires reportedly doubles on Thanksgiving Day.

We don’t want our friends & customers to have to experience such a catastrophe, especially during the busiest time of your year. 

So, how does the bird cause a fire? Well, these fires usually originate from a deep fryer. The oil used typically spills over the sides of fryer in these instances, and falls into flames beneath. Even vapors can react with the heat, causing a fire.

If your turkey has not been completely dried and thawed, the excess water will cause the oil to bubble and spill down.

Here in the Maryland/DC area, temperatures around the holidays drop. It’s typically quite cold outside. Rain or snow can also factor into the catastrophe. It can cause the oil to splatter.

Due to chilly weather, you might be tempted to shield yourself from the cold weather and fry your turkey in the garage or under your deck. Maybe you have a nice, screened-in deck you’d like to cook inside. Don’t! If your turkey catches on fire, the flames will extend to the ceiling or roof, then spread, engulfing the room and beyond.

Of course we understand people enjoy cooking their special dinner in a propane deep-fryer. So, we are including a few tips to help avoid a fire:

• Make sure your fryer is equipped with a gas valve controller
• While in use, keep your fryer away from children, pets, trees, shrubs, bushes, vehicles, etc. alike
• Your turkey must be completely thawed and dry before placing it in the fryer
• Make sure the fryer in placed on a flat surface
• Do not leave your fryer unattended
• When you notice the oil begins to smoke, turn the propane tank off immediately!
• Have a fire extinguisher handy

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season. Keep our number handy in the unfortunate event you have a fire in your home or business. 301-323-8862. We're here 24/7 to help!

Safety tips for Thanksgiving baking

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

Follow these tips for a safe turkey bake & Thanksgiving!

Autumn is in full swing if the colorful foliage and cooler weather are any indication. Which means Thanksgiving is just around the corner!

While Thanksgiving is a joyous time when family and friends gather and give thanks, it’s also the time of year when the number of house fires increases. Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO Laurel & SERVPRO Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E offers a few tips to better ensure your safety, as well as the safety of your family, pets, property and belongings during the holiday season.

First, let's talk turkey and oven preparation. To prepare, clean your stove and oven. Old food crumbs and grease must be removed as over time, grease can build up, leaving quite a residue that can be flammable.

When you’re ready to put the turkey (or duck!) in the oven, set a timer. Also make sure your smoke alarms are working in case of an emergency.

While a fire caused by baking a turkey in the oven is much less common than a fire caused by frying a turkey, it’s still very important to take all precautions, including constant monitoring of the oven.

A few safety tips to follow:

• No long sleeves while cooking to avoid catching on fire
• Pot handles turned towards the back of the stove to avoid tipping or falling
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure turkey has been fully cooked

SERVPRO Team Gutierrez wishes our customers & friends a happy and safe Thanksgiving!

Visit our website for more fire safety tips: www.SERVPROlaurelgreenbelt.com/fire-smoke-damage-restoration

Restoring your home or business after fire damage

11/4/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage can be devastating. Give us a call today, and we will make the restoration process as easy as possible for you.

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house or business fire. The aftermath is almost as bad but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can merit the use of a professional restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go haywire, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas. 

Small Fires Can Pose High Risks 

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction anywhere. This can cause even more damage.

Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of fire damage in Montgomery County, Prince George's County and surrounding areas. It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby. With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the skillet and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water. 

With electrical fires, the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug, without the cord, still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. 

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage 

When there has been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation. Team Gutierrez of SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E can also help with this process.

Landlords, if you are renting, will also appreciate if you inform them of the fire, and they can see the damage for themselves. It is every landlord's worst nightmare to have a fire or flood damage their properties. If they can see the amount of damage, they can rest easier knowing the extent of the repairs required. Fires do happen, through nobody's fault, and your landlord will know this. 

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts conduct the repairs needed can greatly facilitate insurance claims being resolved, as well. 

Hopefully you will never have to experience a fire in your home, business or building, but if you have recently dealt with this catastrophe and need professional restoration to your residential or commercial property, give SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E us a call today at 301-323-8862.

Our SERVPRO Team Gutierrez's highly-trained emergency response crews are always “Faster to any size disaster.” No job is too large or too small for us!

Campfire can bring family, friends together. But be safe!

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

This fall season, create memories by having a campfire with family and friends! Be sure to follow safety precautions so that everyone has a good time!

Kids are back in school and Autumn is just a few weeks away after Labor Day weekend. It'll be the perfect time to have a campfire with family or friends.

While enjoying spending time in the outdoors with your crew, it’s important to remember campfire safety, especially as dry foliage can be a serious fire hazard.

When leaves catch on fire, irritants are released into the air, which can cause respiratory problems. Additionally, campfires that aren’t properly prepared or maintained can cause huge issues such as burns or out-of-control fires, possibly developing into a forest fires.

Follow these important steps to keep everyone safe before and after the campfire, so that everyone can have a great time:

1. Selecting your campfire spot: Look for signs and follow rules! If the area has rules prohibiting campfires, find another area, and do not build your campfire in an area with dry and/or hazardous conditions. Watch out for tree branches, and be sure to make your fire at least 15 feet from any shrubs, bushes, trees and tents. Inspect the area, ensuring no flammable items are nearby. Do not build a fire if winds are strong.
2. Building your pit: If there’s no pit, you can dig your own. This website has great tips, along with pictures, on how to do so: https://smokeybear.com/en/prevention-how-tos/campfire-safety/how-to-prepare-your-campfire-pit
3. Building your campfire: For everyone’s safety, it’s always important to gather a bucket of water along with a shovel before starting up the fire. When gathering wood, do not cut a tree or an entire branch. Instead, gather small twigs, and sticks or pieces of wood you find on the ground (or which you purchase). Large pieces of wood should always be stacked upwind, away from the fire. Make sure you don’t collect sticks from an animal’s dwelling space. If you’re using matches to start the fire, make sure it’s cold before discarding (into your trash bag, of course). Once you start a fire, it must be monitored at all times. Adult supervision is required at all times. Children and pets must be closely and carefully watched.
4. Maintaining a fire: Once you are pleased with your campfire, add larger pieces of wood to keep it going steadily, but keep your fire to a manageable size. Do not let it get out of hand. Also, do not burn plastics, cans, or glass, as doing so can result in explosions, shattering, or the release of dangerous fumes.
5. Extinguishing your fire: If possible, allow firewood to burn to ash. Then, pour water on the fire. All embers must be completely soaked and dead (no red embers). Until the hissing sound stops, keep pouring water on the area. Remember, if it’s too hot to touch, it’s not yet safe to leave. Add more water, dirt, and/or sand until all materials are cool.

We hope these campfire tips are helpful and will keep you and your family & friends safe! Enjoy Autumn 2024 from your friends at SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, of Laurel and of Greenbelt/ Beltsville, Prince George's County, MD.

Commercial Fire? SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville is Faster to Any Size Disaster™!

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage at your commercial property? Leave the cleanup & restoration to our well-trained and certified technicians at SERVPRO Team Gutierrez.

Has your commercial property recently experienced a fire?

Whether you manage or own commercial property, you know that fire loss can be extremely devastating and can have a huge financial impact. Not only does fire destroy property, furnishings, flooring and much more, but smoke also damages the property, leaving behind soot and strong, fiery odors.

Water damage is an additional loss after a fire. Firefighters must use significant amounts of water to extinguish such a fire. With water damage comes the chance of mold growth. This is why it’s important to have the water extracted and completely dried as soon as possible.

Whether you own an office building, retail or coffee shop, car garage, daycare center, museum, etc., dealing with the aftermath of a fire places a lot of responsibility on you, not to mention the stress. At SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, our certified technicians are highly-trained in all the areas aforementioned: fire, water and mold remediation & restoration, as well as biohazard cleanup and mitigation. Our tried-and-true process and equipment ensure that your property will be restored to preloss condition, “Like it never even happened.”

We also realize how stressful losses can be. When choosing SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E, or SERVPRO Team Gutierrez, you can rest assured you're in good hands. Our crew chiefs communicate very closely with clients to answer any questions they may have.

We also realize you're anxious to return to your business. Lost time is lost revenue. We will make sure your business is up and running as soon as possible. If your business has experienced a fire, call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862 and we will be there Faster to any size disaster™! 

Enjoy the BBQs, fireworks & fun, but be safe

6/13/2024 (Permalink)

Grilling is a major part of backyard gatherings in Summer. Follow these safety tips to avoid a fire.

Summer is just over a week away and is traditionally known for barbeques, picnics and of course, July Fourth fireworks!

While putting on a firework show at your own home may seem fun, there are many risks. If lighting fireworks is not legal in your residential area there could be a large fine. Moreover, keep in mind the potential dangers that could occur as a result of fireworks, such as severe burns, blindness and scars.

Kids should not be near or handling the firecrackers or rockets. Supervise children around fireworks at all times. To avoid the dangers of fireworks, enjoy a public fireworks display conducted by professionals.

If you choose to give your children sparklers, never leave children unattended with these. It is possible to get burned by the tip of the sparkler. Make sure your children do not point the sparklers towards themselves or others. Keep a bucket of water nearby for when your child is finished with the sparkler to ensure that the sparkler is no longer lit.

Take precaution for your pets, too! Leave your pets inside your home so there are no risks. Loud fireworks and unfamiliar places can be scary to pets.

And of course summer isn't summer without outdoor grills! Remember these tips when grilling:

• Never grill in an enclosed area, as carbon monoxide could be produced.
• Use caution when using lighter fluid on a barbeque. Do not add fluid to an already-lit fire, as the flame can flash back into the container and explode.
• Make sure children are away from the grill.

Have fun this summer and stay safe!

Know who to call in the event you have fire or water damage in your home or business. Our emergency response teams at SERVPRO of Laurel & SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here 24/7 to help! 301-323-8862.

Safety tips to avoid kitchen fire

3/13/2024 (Permalink)

Follow the tips above to help prevent a kitchen fire

A majority of fires that take place in homes begin in the kitchen.

Who doesn’t like cookies, brownies & other yummy baked treats? Spending time baking and cooking in the kitchen, especially with family, is also a cherished pastime for many. This also means that, with every pie and each batch of cookies or brownies you make, there is a greater risk of a fire emergency.

Aside from calling 9-1-1, which should be one of your first moves, here are some quick tips for dealing with a fire emergency in your kitchen:

* Always watch your cooking; don't leave anything unattended

* Set a timer so that you don't accidentally burn something or forget that an appliance is being used

* If something on the stove catches on fire and it is small, cover it with a lid and turn off the burner

* Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen near your cooking area where it is easily accessible

* Add baking soda to a grease fire, not water

* Clean your appliances regularly so that grease does not accumulate and start a fire

* Clean and dust around and behind appliances, as dust accumulation can cause fires if it is close to electrical wiring

* Keep flammable objects away from cooking appliances, especially those things like tea towels and potholders

* Install a smoke alarm in your kitchen

* Test your smoke alarms and make sure they will work when you most need them!

* Keep these quick tips in mind and prevent a major fire damage emergency from taking place in your home!

For other tips or for fire and water cleanup & restoration, SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are here to help. Call SERVPRO Team Gutierrez 24/7 at 301-323-8862.

What To Do When Dealing With Fire Damage in Your Home

3/12/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

Life has enough interruptions and bumps along the way without the unwanted disaster of a house fire. The aftermath is almost as bad, but much longer-lasting. Even small fires can merit the use of a professional restoration company. Cooking fires that spread beyond the stove, barbecue grills that go haywire, and even small appliances that catch fire can cause damage to surrounding areas. 

Small Fires Can Pose High Risks 

While you should never pour water on a grease fire, nor on an electrical one, many times that is a person's first reaction. This can cause even more damage. Cooking fires and electrical shorts are common causes of Montgomery County fire damages. It can also create physical risks to people standing nearby.

With grease fires, baking soda should be poured into the skillet and any grease or oil that has caught fire outside of the cooking pan or skillet instead of water. 

With electrical fires, the appliance should be unplugged if it can be safely done, but not by pulling on the cord. This can cause the cord to snap, leaving the plug without the cord still in the outlet. The power to the area where this is happening should be shut off at the fuse box as quickly as possible to eliminate the hazard. 

After the Fire is Out, It's Time to Repair the Damage 

When there has been a localized fire, you should have someone assess the damages for you. This can often help with insurance documentation. Landlords, if you are renting, will also appreciate the heads-up, and they can see the damage for themselves. It is every landlord's worst nightmare to have a fire or flood damage their properties. If they can see the amount of damage, they can rest easier knowing the extent of the repairs required. Fires do happen, through nobody's fault, and your landlord will know this. 

Damage can range from blackened walls and countertops to heavily burned surfaces, electrical wires being damaged and requiring replacement, to floors suffering damage so severe they must be replaced to be safe again. Having experts assess and conduct the repairs needed can greatly facilitate insurance claims being resolved, as well. 

Hopefully you will never have to experience a fire in your home, business or building, but if you have recently dealt with this catastrophe and need professional restoration to your residential or commercial property, give us a call today at 301-323-8862.

SERVPRO® of Laurel, as well as SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E and our parent franchise, SERVPRO® of Rockville-Olney, is a full-service restoration company that specializes in the cleanup, restoration & reconstruction of residential and commercial properties after a fire, smoke or water damage. We also mitigate mold and mildew, and biohazards from your home or business, as well as thorough cleaning with CDC-certified products. 

We are “Faster to any size disaster.” No job is too large or too small!

Flames or Soot: Restoring a home after a fire can be stressful

3/7/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult, emotional process. We can help with cleanup & restoration, and can provide other resources.

SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E responded to a couple of fire-damaged homes in recent weeks. Restoring a home after fire damage is a difficult and emotional process. Not only are we here to help with the cleanup and restoration of your property, but for your family as well.

Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property but the most damage comes from the smoke and soot. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when substances are burned. Inhaling soot can cause health effects. It is important to our team that we get rid of all the after-effects of the fire - not only the damage but also the odor. Our expertise and experience allow us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.

Before restoration begins, our SERVPRO® of Laurel and SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E expert will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will be based on which type of smoke damage there is. Below are the different types of smoke:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

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

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

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

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire.

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor.

Call SERVPRO® of Laurel or SERVPRO® of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E when you are in need of cleaning after fire strikes. We know it is hard seeing your home in flames and we are here to restore it the best we can. A friendly member of our team is waiting at the phone lines to answer any questions you might have or to schedule a visit at (301) 323-8862.

Holiday & Christmas tree safety tips

12/28/2023 (Permalink)

Christmas trees are responsible for 240 home fires each year. Follow these safety tips to prevent such disasters.

Statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show the holidays are a high-risk time for home fires. Christmas trees are responsible for 240 home fires each year, and other holiday decorations are the cause of another 1,170 fires.

Here are some tips to keep your home safe this holiday season: 

•Check the stand daily to make sure that the level of water does not go below the base of the tree.

•Keep trees at least 3 feet away from major sources of heat (fireplaces, heaters, heat vents, and direct sunlight). Lowering the room temperature will slow the drying process.

•Use lights that produce low heat, such as miniature lights, to reduce drying of the tree.

•Always inspect light sets before placing them on the tree. If worn, replace with a new set.

•Do not overload electrical circuits.

•Always turn off the tree lights when leaving the house and before going to bed.

•Monitor the tree for freshness. After Christmas or if the tree is dry, remove it from the house.

•Install and ensure smoke alarms work inside and outside each bedroom and sleeping area. Install alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.

If you have a fire, call SERVPRO of Laurel & Greenbelt/Beltsville, 301-323-8862. We are here 24/7 to make it "Like it never even happened."

In Prince George's County, we serve Ammendale, Bowie, Burtonsville, Calverton, Glenn Dale, Goddard, Lanham, Greenbelt NE and Beltsville E.

Windy, Dry Weather Conditions Can Enhance Threat of Wildfires

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

Follow these NWS tips to help prevent a wildfire!

Spring brings lots of sunshine and beautiful flowering trees in full bloom all around us, but also warmer temperatures and oftentimes strong winds and dry conditions that can spark wildfires.

If you live in the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C. region long enough, you've likely experienced countless days of strong winds and dry conditions. It's common to receive warnings from the National Weather Service urging area residents to be careful with any source of ignition and to dispose of smoking materials properly during the warmer months.

In general, it's always wise to properly discard all smoking materials, as any dry grasses and tree litter can catch fire and that ignite will have the potential to spread quickly.

The NWS offers these safety tips:

• Take ashes outside, away from the house and combustible material.
• Put ashes in a metal bucket/container.
• Always use a metal container; never use a plastic or paper bag.
• Completely immerse the materials in water.
• Clear an area for the container — possibly down to dirt, ruling out the possibility that grass could catch fire if it were knocked over.
• Allow the contents to soak for at least a week.

Fire damage can have extremely catastrophic effects on your property. SERVPRO of Laurel and SERVPRO of Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E are the area’s fire & water damage experts and are always “Faster to any size disaster.” Large or small, we will restore your fire- and water-damaged property, residential or commercial, with efficiency and detail.

Call us 24/7 at 301-323-8862. We’re here to help!

BBQ Season: Enjoy, but be safe!

4/1/2022 (Permalink)

A fun bbq is a safe bbq. Follow these tips to help prevent a fire!

Spring is well under way and with nice, warm weather, who doesn't itch for those outdoor gatherings and grilling!

It's Barbecue Season, and while we want to enjoy a good barbecue with family & friends on our deck or yard, following some basic safety rules can help avoid disasters that would spoil the fun.

The local Fire & Rescue Service offers these tips from the National Fire Protection Association:

• Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
• Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets far away from grills: declare a 3-foot "safe zone" around the grill.
• With charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit. NEVER use gasoline!
• With gas grills, be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks. Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks.
• All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices (OPD). OPDs shut off the flow off propane before capacity is reached. OPDS are easily identified by their triangle-shaped hand wheel.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional, if necessary.
• Remember to keep your grill clean! Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill.
• Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto grill and catch fire.
• REMEMBER: Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors. If used indoors, or in any enclosed spaces such as tents, they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation.

(Learn more about fire safety by visiting https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/tips/citizens/grill.html)

Grilling and BBQ fires are not to be taken lightly. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), gas and charcoal grills cause an annual average of 1,500 structure fires and 4,200 outdoor fires in or on residential properties, resulting in a combined direct property loss of $29.8 million. 

For more safety tips, or if you have fire & smoke damages to your property, call SERVPRO of Laurel and Greenbelt NE/Beltsville E today at 301-323-8862 for professional remediation and restoration services. 

We are the fire & water cleanup and restoration experts!