Always Prioritize Safety as You Grill

4/9/2024 (Permalink)

Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is there every time use yours.

For us, enjoying summer is all about getting outside with family and firing up the grill, but safety is key to making sure this stays a fun activity. Grilling dangers are something many people do not discuss, but as with any open flame, the risk of a grill fire is there every time you light yours up. Fortunately, a bit of prevention goes a long way.  

It is reported by the U.S. Fire Administration that grill fires occur at least 5,700 times every year, making them more prevalent than many realize. But grilling can be a fun and safe activity if you follow the proper fire safety protocols when you do it.  

Keep Grilling Fun, Safe and Fire-Free  

• Create a safe zone around your grill. It is convenient to place your grill in a spot close to your home but giving yourself plenty of surrounding space is important in case of flare-ups. Three feet is the recommended distance to have around your grill, free from wood, siding or any other flammable materials.  
• Clean your grill grates often. By keeping your grill grates clean, you can keep the temperature inside your grill steadier and reduce the chances of a sudden fire starting. Built-on food particles can get extremely hot when the grill is in use, even suddenly igniting in some cases. A quick scrape after each grill session can go a long way in reducing this danger.  
• Never leave the grill unattended. There is no safe way to ever leave a grill unattended, even if the lid is closed. Fires only take a second to start, so your best bet to circumvent damage is by always being nearby with a fire extinguisher just in case. Even for a quick break, it is best to have someone take over your grill station to keep a vigilant eye out.  
• Inspect the grill regularly. The components of a grill are not made to last forever, and even if you are using yours regularly, you never know when something could finally give out. Before you ever light your grill, do a visual inspection to make sure everything looks like it is in good shape and there are no areas that could lead to a gas leak on your connectors. 

Fire Risk During the Winter

1/25/2024 (Permalink)

Our team is prepared to help you remediate and repair in the aftermath of a fire.

House fires are common in the United States—something millions of Americans will deal with over the next year. And that number likely includes members of the community here. SERVPRO® is here to help you and your family if your home suffers fire damage. Our team is prepared to help you remediate and repair in the aftermath of a fire. 

Why Your Risk Is Higher During the Winter 

Fires can happen at any time, but they’re more common during the colder winter months—especially where residents may need to use furnaces, space heaters and more to heat their homes. Here are some household risks during the winter. 

• Space heaters without automatic shutoff functions can topple over.  
• Candles left burning can fall over if a family member or guest knocks on the wrong table.  
• Kitchen fires happen more often, as many home chefs are creating special treats for the holidays.  
• Christmas tree accidents cause numerous fires every year.  
• Broken furnaces and issues with appliances can also happen throughout cold winter months. 

How Can I Keep My Family Safe from a Fire?

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

It is always wise to make sure you have the right number of smoke detectors and that they work as you start boosting your fire preparedness.

Having a house fire occur in your home is never ideal, but are you making sure you are doing everything you can to prevent one? It can take less than a minute for a fire to begin spreading through the home, so making sure you know exactly what to do can help you be certain you can keep your family safe.  

It is not difficult to implement fire safety efforts in your home and doing so will give you the assurance that you are as safe as possible. Practicing good habits surrounding fire safety is a great way to keep your home protected.  

Practicing Good Fire Safety Habits at Home  

• Check your smoke detectors. It is always wise to make sure you have the right number of smoke detectors and that they work as you start boosting your fire preparedness. You should have them on every floor and near every bedroom, and they should be checked monthly to make sure they work.  
• Create a fire escape plan. Knowing how to exit the home quickly in case the smoke detectors sound an alarm is key to getting everyone out of the house safely. It should take a max of two minutes for everyone to escape and get to a designated meeting place outside of the home. It is recommended that you have two exits for every room to make this easier.  
• Limit your fire risks. There are little things you can do every day to lessen your fire risk as well. Simple things make a big impact, such as never leaving the room when a candle is lit, keeping a safety buffer around your grill when cooking and storing chemicals correctly so they do not combust.  
• Keep a fire extinguisher handy. Just in case a flare-up does occur, having a fire extinguisher handy can make the difference between a small incident and a large emergency. Make sure you know how to operate one and always have it within arm’s reach when cooking, grilling or performing other activities that involve open flames.  

Fire Threats Around the Holidays

11/14/2023 (Permalink)

It is as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large holiday party.

SERVPRO® fire restoration specialists say to use common sense and caution to help control risk of holiday season home fires!  

In times when large holiday gatherings may not be possible, fire damage restoration specialists at SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor say the focus on family decorating traditions and more intimate celebrations may take on extra significance. It is as important to keep safety top of mind with a small family gathering as it is with a large holiday party. We all enjoy bringing the glow of the holiday season to our homes with Christmas trees or menorahs and candlelight, but these statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration show how easy it is for home decorating to turn into a home disaster.  

• The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve.  
• More than half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.  
• A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes one in every four winter fires.  
• On average, one of every 52 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in death.  

SERVPRO® is an industry leader and provider of fire damage restoration services. For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire and water damage restoration services, call us at 734-992-3138. 

Preventing a Kitchen Fire

11/7/2023 (Permalink)

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.

More home fires start in the kitchen than anywhere else. Every year, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,300 home fires that caused:  

• 470 deaths  
• 5,390 injuries  
• $1 billion in property damage  

These numbers could be greatly reduced if people paid more attention when they cooked and practiced simple fire safety behaviors.  

Unattended Cooking is The Leading Cause of Kitchen Fires  

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food  
• Check food regularly – use a timer to remind you the stove/oven is On  
• If you must leave – turn the oven Off 

Stay Alert to Avoid Stirring Up Trouble  

• Don’t use the oven or stovetop if you are sleepy, have consumed alcohol or are using drugs.  

Hot Tips  

• Keep pot handles turned in  
• When you microwave food, open the container slowly to let steam escape and let food cool before eating  
• Cool a burn under water for 3 to 5 minutes and cover it with a clean dry cloth  
• If the burn is bigger than your fist, seek immediate medical assistance  

If you do have a problem in the kitchen or any other room in the house give SERVPRO® of Romulus/Taylor a call.  Our team can clean up all fire, smoke, and water damage. 

Fall Brings Changing Leaves...and Fire Hazards

9/14/2023 (Permalink)

Fall is some people’s favorite time of year—time for talks around campfires, tailgates, and holidays on the horizon.

With chillier evenings starting up, you can recognize that fall is right around the corner. 

Fall is some people’s favorite time of year—time for talks around campfires, tailgates, and holidays on the horizon. Fall also brings about hazards that we want to get you ready for. So, curl up and give these safety tips a review. 

Campfire Safety 

When you go on a hike or you’re sitting in your backyard, something about a burning fire seems to make the night even more perfect. While some of these things might come as second nature, sometimes we need a simple reminder to bring safety tips to the forefront. 

Knowing where and how to build a campfire is step one. You should keep it away from anything flammable and only use dry wood. As you are trying to get it started, you should never use an accelerant like kerosene or lighter fluid. 

The last step is that once you are done enjoying the fire, you must make sure that your campfire has been completely extinguished. You can slowly douse it with a bucket of water to ensure that all embers have been put out. It doesn’t take much to reignite a fire. 

Space Heaters 

When it becomes chilly in the evenings, sometimes it’s easier to use a portable space heater to warm your area rather than turning on your heater. But space heaters are a common cause for house fires in the fall and winter, so before using one, refresh your memory on the safety tips. 

When using a space heater, first and foremost, it’s important to make sure you keep it on a level surface. While most heaters now come equipped with an automatic shutoff capability in case of a tip-over, you still can’t be too safe. 

Keep it up and out of the way of heavy traffic areas, making sure to keep it on something level and steady so that it can’t be knocked over. 

Halloween 

Fall festivities and the holidays are right around the corner. The best part of fall and the holidays is decorating your home so that you can help get yourself in a more festive mood, or to help others feel welcome. 

But when decorating, it’s best to remember that candles, costumes or décor are all potential fire hazards. It’s smart to stay attentive to your décor when you are putting it out, but also throughout the season.

Fire Safety and the Warmer Months

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

Did you know that summer sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year?

In the summer, people typically look forward to all the extra free time with family. It’s a reminder that the days are long—and an invitation to go outdoors. With summertime comes barbecues and camping trips with roasting marshmallows, but it also means an increase in fire activities. 

Did you know that summer sees more daily fires on average than any other time of year? Just by paying attention, though, you can do your part in preventing fires this summer. 

What to Pay Attention To 

• Fire pits. Fire pits create the best ambiance for friends to gather, laugh and tell stories. But it is also important to play it safe. Remember not to ever leave your kids unattended around a fire. Keep a bucket of water near the fire pit or drag a water hose close to the pit. You should also never add leaves or pine needles to the fire, and finally, put the fire out slowly to avoid scattering embers. 
• The grill. BBQ, hot dogs, hamburgers…they all remind us of a hot summer day, but the grill is also the biggest risk for fires. The combination of flames, heat, grease and gas can make things escalate quickly. Before you start the grill up, check to make sure the grill is in proper working order, is placed at least three feet away from everything, and is cleaned before each use. Cleaning the grill before use is the best tip there is, because almost 20% of grill fires are due to poor cleaning. 
• Chimneys and dryer vents. Have your chimney inspected and cleaned out rather than waiting until winter. This helps avoid a dangerous buildup of ash and coal. Clean your dryer vent pipes as a once-a-year checkup for trapped lint. This also helps maintain your dryer and helps it last longer!