National Press Release

Article Written By: Susan Phillips

Written On: March 12, 2010, 10:01 am

– As a leader in fire and water damage cleanup and restoration, SERVPRO®receives numerous inquiries from homeowners and media contacts about how to deal with water damage whenever severe weather and natural disasters occur. “Safety is, of course, the most important issue,” says SERVPRO®CEO Sue Steen.  “If flooding, contaminated water, sewage and other factors are involved, homeowners clearly should evacuate – or at the very least obey what local government authorities are advising.” “Providing the home is structurally safe, SERVPRO®recommends several actions  homeowners can take after an incident to help in the cleanup and recovery from water damage to their home while they await the help of a professional cleanup service,” says Steen. The tips help homeowners save valuable possessions and money – particularly when storm and water damage is so severe that cleanup crews cannot respond immediately. Steen says homeowners should:  Safely turn the home’s water main off if running water inside the house is the source of the problem. Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items. Remove and prop up wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying. Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting. Turn air conditioning on the maximum drying (in summer). Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting. Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place. Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible. Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.  Steen says homeowners should not:  Leave wet fabrics in place. Dry fabrics as soon as possible and hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature. Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors. Use your household vacuum to remove water. Use televisions or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors. Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.  If water damage has resulted in exposure to sewage and other harmful waste, Steen advises to:  Stay out of the affected areas. Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening. Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated. Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage system damage.  Steen says not to:  Attempt cleanup of any kind. Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids. Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.  Steen also notes that OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical examination for anyone encountering a hazardous waste problem and suggests contacting your local health department or physician. Complete tips list for both fire and smoke damage and water damage are available at the SERVPRO®web site:  http://www.servpro.com/residential/emergency tips.pdf              Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services.  SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,300 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes.  Providing coverage in 48 states, SERVPRO®has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners. For more information, or to locate a franchisee in your area, call 1-800-SERVPRO. - END - National Media Contact: Susan PhillipsMarketing Services Division ManagerServpro Industries, Inc.615.451.0200 Ext. 1507sphillips@servepronet.com

Residential Fire

Article Written By: Dave Hawk

Written On: February 22, 2010, 1:20 pm

RESIDENTIAL FIRE DAMAGE PRESS RELEASE   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For information, please contact: Dave Hawk   Servpro of St. George (435) 656-9061 davehawk@servprostgeorge.com   Fire, Smoke Damage Deserve Professional Attention   Feb. 22, 2010 St. George Fires in the home can be among the most devastating events to ever happen.  Whether there was minimal smoke damage or large scale fire damage, the first gut reaction is to begin the cleanup efforts yourself.  However, one professional company in the area, SERVPRO®, asks that residents reconsider that decision and have specialists come in to do the job correctly.   “We understand the desire to begin cleanup immediately, particularly if the damage is small.  Especially with the ‘do-it-yourself’ crowd, it’s common place to bring out every cleaning product they have and start to work,” says Brad Tatom, a local SERVPRO® franchise owner.  SERVPRO® is a nationally franchised professional fire and water cleanup and restoration company in St. George.  “But while we can appreciate wanting to start that initial cleanup, SERVPRO® suggests that homeowners have a professional company handle it.”   Contrary to popular belief, “smoke and fire damage is very difficult to clean,” says Brad Tatom. “Household cleaning products are simply not powerful enough to dissolve sticky soot and residue. Beyond the soot and residue, odors from even a small fire can linger in your home for years if not properly mitigated.”  While organizations such as FEMA, Red Cross and the CDC offer tips on how individuals can take care of fire cleanup, they also note that there is a level of health concern for those who initiate cleanup.   “By its very nature, smoke is hard to contain. When it gets sucked into heating and air-conditioning systems or blown around by ceiling fans, smoke and soot damage from even the smallest fire can end up in every room in your house.  And as anyone who’s spent a night next to a campfire can tell you, the smell of smoke is pretty pervasive.  It gets into clothing, upholstery, carpets – you name it.  This also means that smoke can easily get into your lungs and cause breathing problems.  Even for the healthiest person, breathing in any amount these dangerous particles can pose serious concerns.  A professional company, like SERVPRO®, has the people trained to do the job right.”   In the event of a small fire in your home, a knee-jerk reaction is not necessarily the right one.  According to fire cleanup specialists, the following procedures are recommended.   The Do's and Don'ts of Fire Damage   1. Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets. 2. Blow or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets. 3. Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas. 4. If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open. 5. Change HVAC filter. 6. Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting a professional. 7. Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting a professional. 8. Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service. 9. Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.     ###   Founded in 1967, Servpro Industries, Inc. franchise system is a national leader and provider of fire, water, mold and other specialty cleanup and restoration services.  SERVPRO's professional services network of more than 1,300 individually owned and operated franchises responds to property damage emergencies ranging from multi-million dollar disasters affecting entire communities to those suffered by individual businesses and homes.  Providing coverage in 49 states, SERVPRO® has established relationships with major insurance companies and commercial clients, as well as individual homeowners.