Who Is At More Of A Risk When There Is A Fire?!

11/8/2024 (Permalink)

More than 43 million Americans have a disability, and unfortunately, they also have a greater risk of starting a fire or getting hurt in one due to: Decreased mobility, health, sight, and hearing that may limit a person's ability to take the quick actions necessary to escape during a fire.  Physical limitations. Many actions individuals can take to protect themselves from the dangers of fire may require help from a caretaker, neighbor or outside source. To overcome their unique challenges in emergency situations, disabled ones, along with their caregivers, need to create a safety plan specific to their needs.

Here are eight fire safety tips for people of any disability (physical, auditory, visual, and mental): 

Install smoke alarms in every sleeping area and every level of the home. Test the alarms monthly by pressing the test button and replace batteries each year. If you can’t reach the test button, ask someone to test it for you.

For the hearing impaired, install smoke alarms and alert devices made specifically for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. They detect the sound of smoke alarms and flash strobe lights to alert you. Those hard of hearing can also opt for smoke alarms that emit a loud, low-pitched sound alert. Additionally, use vibrating pillows and a bed shaker that wake you up when a fire alarm sounds. Also, keep a telecommunication device for the deaf (TTD) phone in your bedroom close to your bed.

Always be vigilant when cooking. The kitchen is where most fires caused by people with disabilities start. Always supervise the oven or stove when cooking and use a timer. Have a fire extinguisher nearby and be trained on how to use it.

Live on the ground floor. Whether you live in an apartment building or a multi story home, you should arrange to live on the first floor. By doing so, you’ll be able to escape quickly and more easily in case of a fire.

Discuss and practice your fire safety plan with your family, friends, building managers and/or neighbors. Practice your fire escape plan with your service animal if you have one.

Let your local fire department know about your condition and explain your needs. They can perform a home fire safety inspection and suggest escape plan ideas at your request.

If you use a walker or wheelchair, make sure you can easily get through your doorways. If possible, design your home around your disability. Widen the doorways and install exit ramps to make an emergency escape easier.

Always keep a cell phone on or near you to call 911 if a fire or other emergency occurs. Your home is where you should feel safe and secure. But often, danger occurs when we forget to pay attention to the simple things that could easily prevent a disaster. These risks are much more dangerous for people with disabilities, who have special needs and unique challenges in emergency situations. However, with the right planning and preparation, you’ll help keep yourself and loved ones safe when a crisis occurs. And if you do experience fire damage, call SERVPRO of Fayette County immediately to repair your home and make it.

"Like it never even happened."

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Mold In Heating Ducts

10/4/2024 (Permalink)

Mold In Heating Ducts

Mold in heating ducts is a serious problem. Of course, household mold is never a good thing, no matter where in the home it's found. Exposure to mold has been linked to health effects and it can literally eat away at some building materials, including wood. There are a few reasons mold in heating, ventilation and air conditioning ducts is particularly problematic, though. We'll tell you why it's such a bad thing and what to do if you think you may have mold in your heating ducts.  

You Can't See It  

Mold can grow unseen in heating ducts for a long time before you ever realize it's there. Even if you suspect you have mold in your home and look for it, you might miss mold in your heating ducts. It can be hard to see even if you try to look in your heating ducts, since only a small portion of the duct work in your home can be seen without special equipment. Even if you can't see it, though, mold in your heating ducts can grow and spread and make you sick. 

It Can Easily Spread Throughout The House 

Most strains of mold grow and spread easily. The ductwork that runs through your house provides a pathway for mold to move easily from room to room, throughout the whole house. Turning on the heat helps mold move through the duct work even faster, as the forced air carries the mold spores effortlessly along. Even worse, when the heat is turned on, the air blowing through the vents carries mold spores into every room. In no time at all, you could have mold throughout the entire house.  

Mold In Heating Ducts Is Difficult To Remove 

It's one thing to clean mold off shower stalls or to remove moldy carpet from a room. It is another thing to remove mold in heating ducts. While mold can be removed from nonporous surfaces like metal or fiberglass heating ducts, it's difficult to reach the ducts in order to clean them. 

The U.S.  Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends calling in a professional if you need to have mold removed from your heating ducts and we definitely agree. Special equipment is needed for the job, including manual or mechanical brushes, blowguns or air skippers that drive mold particles and other debris toward a collection device, a vacuum with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter to remove potentially harmful mold and other contaminants from the heating ducts, and negative air pressure devices that create negative pressure within the duct work so that mold spores are unable to drift into other areas during the mold removal process. The job must also be done carefully in order to avoid inadvertently damaging the duct work in the process. 

Look for a professional that is certified by, or at least adheres to the standards established by, the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. If you have fiberglass ducts or fiberglass liners in your ducts, look for a professional that also is familiar with and follows the cleaning procedures established by the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association. Many techniques commonly used to clean heating ducts can damage fiberglass, so it is important to choose a professional with the skills and experience needed to properly clean fiberglass ducts. Until you can get a professional to look at your heating ducts, don't turn on the heat!  

Making Sure Mold In Heating Ducts Has Been Removed Completely

The Environmental Protection Agency suggests having your home tested for mold after mold remediation has been completed and we think that is especially important after having mold removed from your heating ducts. You want to make sure no mold remains in the duct work because if even a little bit of mold remains, it can grow and spread throughout the home again. Make sure you find a professional mold tester that adheres to the standards established by professional organizations like the American Industrial Hygiene Association or the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. 

Note that you want to hire a professional mold tester who is not affiliated in any way with any company or professional performing mold remediation in your home or cleaning the heating ducts in your home. You want someone completely independent and objective.  

Inspecting For Mold

Having your heating ducts cleaned may not be enough to ensure your home is free of potentially hazardous mold. Since mold spreads easily, especially through heating ducts, we recommend checking the rest of your home for mold. A professional mold tester can test the rest of your home or you can schedule a free inspection by a mold removal specialist. If any additional mold is found, the mold removal professional will provide a written estimate for the work and answer any questions you may have.

Tracie (Dusty) Nichols

724-628-3022

Steps To Take To Care For The Victim

9/6/2024 (Permalink)

Fire damage at your business can extend to more than just the property; it can result in injury to your employees. No matter how careful everyone is, an accident will happen at some point. So, make sure your first aid kit is well-stocked for such a situation. The type of burn first aid that’s required depends on the seriousness of the injury.

Take these steps to care for the victim of a major burn until emergency personnel arrive:

1. Protect the Victim Until an ambulance arrives, it’s important to protect the injured person and make sure that they’re away from the source of the burn. If it’s an electrical burn, turn off the power source before going near the victim.

2. Check Victim’s Respiration The injured person needs to be checked for signs of breathing. Begin CPR if you don’t detect breathing. It would be helpful if all employees take a CPR class.

3. Remove Restrictive Items Burned areas will swell quickly. So, if there are any types of restrictive clothing or jewelry in the proximity of the burned areas, remove them.

4. Covering the Area very critical part of burn first aid is covering the injured area. A clean, cool, damp bandage or cloth will help to protect the injury from bacteria and debris from the fire damage until professional help arrives.

5. Don’t Immerse Wound Never immerse severely burned areas in water. This could cause more damage and even hypothermia. Body heat needs to be saved; a blanket should help if there’s a clean one available. A burn this severe shouldn’t be treated with ice, as you might with a minor burn.

6. Elevate Affected Area The burned area should be raised. It should be elevated above heart level until the professionals arrive, if possible.

7. Watch for Symptoms of Shock Beware of the warning signs of shock. Paleness, shallow breathing, and fainting are a few symptoms. A blanket will help to avoid shock.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

How Humidity Can Affect Your Home

8/2/2024 (Permalink)

This time of year, many in the Fayette County area are affected by the high humidity – the mugginess and discomfort. But no matter what the season, protecting your home from moisture and humidity is the key to living comfortably and preventing substantial damage.  

By maintaining the indoor humidity level of your home between 30 and 50 percent, you can experience significant benefits. Along with enjoying a preferred comfort level, a lower indoor humidity setting prevents excess moisture which has the destructive tendency to rot a home’s wood furniture, drywall and window frames. Other household items, like musical instruments, react adversely to dampness. Maintaining low humidity also reduces the chances of mold getting a foothold and uncontrollably spreading throughout your home. Additionally, dust mites, some allergens and pest infestations have less of a chance to thrive in a properly humidified environment.  

Each home handles humidity differently. Factors that influence how a house responds to humidity include the home’s construction and design, the airtightness of the home and if the builder installed vapor barriers. The following are some ways you can help reduce moisture and high humidity levels to protect your home:  

Insulate Crawl Spaces - Crawl spaces are notorious for containing excess moisture and high humidity levels. These damp environments are a breeding ground for mold colonies. Rotted joists and damage to the home’s structure can result. But before installing insulation in crawl spaces, any standing water will need to be removed and the ground dried before laying down a vapor barrier. 

Insulate the Basement - Many basements have problems with condensation which forms when moist air hits cold pipes, walls, and exposed ductwork. Adding insulation to these problem areas prevents the humid air from reacting to cooler surfaces.  

Run the Air Conditioner - Did you know that air conditioning units help to dehumidify because the refrigeration process naturally gets rid of some of the moisture in the air? That’s why you see them dripping when running. If you don’t have an AC unit, then run a fan. It won’t directly remove moisture, but a few hours a day of steady airflow will help lessen minor dampness.   

Run a Dehumidifier - Installing a dehumidifier will efficiently reduce humidity in high-moisture spaces like the basement. Mold grows in environments with humidity levels above 60 percent, so it should be set significantly lower than that. Monitor the dehumidifier; if the unit never shuts off, it is a sign of an air leak. 

Possible Underlying Problems   Possible factors contributing to moisture and high humidity in your home may be:  

• a leak in your plumbing system   
• water entering your home due to clogged gutters 
• cracked sealants around windows and drains   
• landscaping or pavement sloping toward the house   

So, the most important thing that needs to be done is to identify and stop the water source before water damage can spread. This may be difficult for you to do, so call in the professionals from SERVPRO of Fayette County to take care of it. Our skilled technicians have the tools needed to find water damage and its source. They’ll remove all excess moisture with advanced water extraction equipment and techniques, dry your property, and repair the source of the damage. This will give you peace of mind so that you can enjoy your home again.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Wind Damage

7/12/2024 (Permalink)

High winds can damage your home As high wind speed moves through the community, they can carry debris from homes and buildings, which can contribute to the widespread destruction of properties. It is for this reason that it is essential to put in place preventive measures to prevent high winds from incurring damages on your property. Read on to learn more about how much wind your home can withstand and ways to strengthen your home from high winds. 

How Much Wind Can Your Home Withstand?   Even though all properties are truly unique in their own way, they all have relatively similar structural features that help them sway with the high winds. As storms have increased in severity in recent years, many building codes have been updated to ensure that properties of all sizes and classifications can withstand strong high winds, thereby decreasing the costs associated with storm damages.  

According to the NOAA, hurricanes start at 74mph which are then classified by specific categories (1-5). For wind speeds weaker than 74 mph, you can still note these characteristics: 

• 19mph: the swaying of small trees.  
• 25mph: one cannot use the umbrella, and whistling of wires and branches can be heard. 
• 32mph: difficulty when walking through the wind and swaying of the whole trees.  
• 39mph: branches begin to break from trees, and vehicles veer on the road.   
• 47mph: small structural damage.   
• 55mph: wind begins to uproot trees, more structural damages.  
• 64mph and up; most structural damage. As you can see, it’s not until wind speeds top 47 mph that structural damage is likely to occur. 

Ways to Strengthen Your Home From High Winds   If you want to rest easier when high winds blow through your neighborhood, then start with investing in modifications to your home that help reduce damage from heavy winds, such as pressure-rated windows. If you get the right pressure-rated windows, your property could be able to withstand wind gusts of up to 150 mph (Category 4 hurricane). Any doors that are leading to the outside should also be secured with three hinges and should be anchored to the door frame with a deadbolt.  

Turning your home into a wind fortress may be extreme if you aren’t regularly forced to deal with strong winds. But that doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take simple preventative measures to mitigate potential damage from the occasional heavy gusts. 

Restoring Your Home Following High Wind Damage   Following a high wind severe storm has rolled through, assess your property from top to bottom to determine if any damages have occurred. No matter when you end up sustaining high wind damage to your property, you can trust SERVPRO of Fayette County to restore your property back to its pre-storm condition. Call us today at 724-628-3022 to request a consultation!

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Helping Daycares

6/6/2024 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Fayette County, we know it’s important to make sure your commercial property reaches a high standard when it comes to a clean and safe environment for your clients, employees, etc.

Quite often, we help daycares in the surrounding areas reach these standards. It’s very important to ensure your smallest customers are safe and healthy at all times, especially since they are more susceptible to common issues such as mold as well as bacteria pests such as rodents can leave behind, for instance. Maybe you own or manage a daycare. Maybe you are considering starting your own daycare, or maybe you are a parent considering which daycare to enroll your child in. In this blog, we will provide you with a checklist of what a daycare must include to provide the safest environment possible. Please note this list focuses on a few security measures, emergency safety measures, as well as cleanliness measures. There are many other factors involved with regard to a daycare facility. They can be investigated in more detail on the web. Here are a few!  

Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers must be present and in excellent, working condition Windows in every classroom to provide fresh air and an emergency exit  Clean sleeping area, play areas, and toys (including carpets and upholstery, which can easily become soiled at daycares!) Take a look at what we have to offer for that issue All cleaning supplies must be locked away Electrical outlets must be covered  Strict hygiene procedures (important when changing diapers)  Any necessary safety and cleanliness certifications (state and/or county, depending on local laws) 

Regular health and cleanliness inspections  We can help you prepare for the inspection you’re anticipating. Documented emergency evacuation plans 

Mold-free  Any expired food the center provided must be discarded Professional pest removal is needed if you suspect or know there are pests in the building. Mouse traps present a danger, especially to small hands that like to get into everything! Pests can carry diseases, bite children, and leave trails of bacteria behind Fire drills are necessary in preparing for a smoother evacuation in an unfortunate event when an actual fire might take place 

Similar to drills for potential earthquakes or storms, especially if the region is prone to these acts of nature. Locking gates at the top and bottom of any stairs  Exterior locking doors We have worked around Fayette County and beyond to ensure local daycares are clean and safe places! Whether involved with mold remediation, restoring flood damages, or performing a general cleaning, we make it a priority to keep the children in our community safe and healthy!  If you have any needs regarding your daycare center or any other questions, don’t hesitate to give us a call today! Our telephone number is 724-628-3022.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Seasonal Storms

5/2/2024 (Permalink)

Here in Fayette County, we are no strangers to the seasonal storms that affect our area.  Whether it be hurricanes, flooding, snowstorms, or freezes it is important to be prepared for whatever may come. 

Part of being prepared is knowing what to do when the storm has passed.  If you find yourself being affected by a storm event in the area, call SERVPRO of Fayette County immediately.  Time is of the essence in these types of situations, so it is important to act as quickly as possible so we can start making your storm damage, "Like it never even happened."

How You Can Start Preparing Now:

• Know Our Area's Risk 
• Heavy rainfall, high winds, flooding, snowstorms and freezes are weather related things our area needs to be aware and cautious of.  
• Stock Up on The Necessities It is not uncommon for these larger storms to lead to power outages. 
• Make sure you are stocked up on water, food, batteries for flashlights, and anything else you may need to feel more comfortable during a power outage. 
• Keeping your cell phones fully charged as the storm nears is also smart; being able to contact family, friends, and first responders is always important!
• Stay Informed Keep an eye on our local news and weather alerts, for information regarding the storm. 
• Staying alert for flash flood warnings and strong wind advisories can help keep you and your family safe throughout the storm.
• Have a Backup Plan If your home is in an area prone to flash flooding, have a backup plan! 
• Call relatives and friends and make a plan to visit a home in a safer location during the storm! For more information on emergency preparedness, visit ready.gov

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols 

724-628-3022

We have Commercial Services!

4/5/2024 (Permalink)

At SERVPRO of Fayette County, we offer many commercial services. From working in office buildings and restaurants, to government agencies and malls, we solve problems anywhere from water damage to mold damage and beyond.   

We realize it’s important to keep your commercial property in the best repair possible. Your building, both on the outside and inside, is oftentimes the face of the company. Below, we have listed a few of the most common issues commercial properties face. You may want to take note of these issues and check your building for them. If you do come across any of these problems, it’s important to get them fixed immediately as holding off can increase the problem (and cost). 

Check for the following (or you may need to hire a professional to investigate for some of these): Leaks: From roofs, to gutters, to serious moisture buildup, water leaks can cause an assortment of problems including mold growth and rotting Asbestos: If your building is older than 20 years, you should have it inspected for asbestos, which if present, can cause detrimental effects on one’s health    

Cracking: Could possibly be a sign of an underlying problem in the building’s structure

Fire and safety regulations: Make sure your building and property meet all standards regarding the current safety and fire requirements

Infestation of bugs or rodents: Yikes! No one feels comfortable working in a building knowing it’s home to an abundance of rodents. It also doesn’t look pleasant to visitors or clients when ants or gnats are buzzing around or see a few rodent droppings. Additionally, pests can damage the wiring of a building.

High energy costs: Keeping your commercial building in good repair can help keep your energy consumption at a manageable level. Also consider installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances. Consider creating energy and water-saving campaigns throughout your building. Make colorful posters and have prizes for whichever floor most actively participates, for example. 

Electrical faults: Dead outlets, melting wires, and faulty circuits can cause fires. A trusted electrician should be called to check out the situation immediately.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

How Fires Can Happen

3/8/2024 (Permalink)

Mistakes can happen while cooking, and that’s why being prepared is key. You can protect your home from a kitchen fire, especially young children living in the home, by teaching about kitchen fire safety. Putting safety plans into place is always a great idea. If you can extinguish the fire before it gets out-of-hand, that would be best to limit the amount of damage in your home. Be prepared to think quickly and determine if the fire can be put out without risk of injury or endangering any of your family members. Always put safety first. Smoke inhalation is the number one cause of death in home fires. Not to mention, smoke causes just as much damage to the home as the fire itself. There is a five second rule of thumb that firefighters use. They say that if you cannot extinguish a fire within five seconds then dial 9-1-1 and get out of the house. Make it a priority to review at least once a year what to do in case there is a fire in your home so your family members know exactly what to do. After the fire is put out and everyone is accounted for and safe, you can always count on your friendly neighborhood experts at SERVPRO of Fayette County to help you put your home back together.  Here is a list of things to have established in a place of home when it comes to fire safety. These items are ultimately for your safety, and the safety of your family members and family. 

Kitchen Appliances Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States. A fire can start from:  

• food left unsupervised on a stove or in an oven or microwave  
• grease spills 
• a dish towel too close to a burner 
• a toaster or toaster oven flare-up 
• a coffee pot accidentally left on 

Tips for using the stove:  Always supervise kids while cooking.  Turn all pot handles in so they can't be knocked over. Don't wear loose-fitting clothing that could catch fire around the stove. 

Cigarettes According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), cigarettes are the No. 1 cause of fire deaths in the United States and Canada, killing about 1,000 people per year. Most fires start when ashes or butts fall into couches and chairs.  If you smoke: 

• Be especially careful around upholstered furniture. 
• Never smoke in bed. 
• Make sure cigarettes are completely out before you toss them into the trash. 

Matches and Lighters Playing with matches is still the leading cause of fire-related deaths and injuries for kids younger than 5 years.  

• Always keep matches and lighters out of children's reach. 
• Store flammable materials such as gasoline, kerosene, and cleaning supplies outside of your home and away from kids.

It's good to practice fire safety with your family. There are also steps you can take to protect your home and prevent fires in your home.

If you’ve experienced fire damage or water damage, SERVPRO of Fayette County is here to help. Our technicians are fully trained in fire remediation, and our 24⁄7 Emergency Line means we’ll be there for you when you call.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022

Do You Have a Leaky Ceiling?

2/23/2024 (Permalink)

Leaky Ceilings can be disastrous to your home or business. They can also be detrimental to your time, and money because it is often hard to determine the cause of the leak. All you know is the ceiling is dripping, but you don’t yet know why.

Therefore, finding the cause of the leak can delay the repair process, but it can also add to the expense of the repairs because the longer it takes to find the leak the more damage it will cause. So the first thing you should do is either call the experts at SERVPRO, or, if you are going to tackle the problem yourself, at least eliminate all the obvious non-causes so that you can start to pin-point the problem. When trying to determine the cause of a leaky ceiling, consider whether the leak occurs only in inclement weather, or if it occurs non-stop.

If the leak only occurs when it is raining or snowing outside it’s a safe bet that the roof could be the source of the leak.

On the other hand, if the leak occurs regardless of the weather conditions outside then the leak is most likely caused by a plumbing line inside the house or structure. 

Another thing that can help you pin-point the source of the problem is to consider the water itself. Does it appear to be clear and fresh? If so, that could indicate to you that the water is coming from the water supply line. On the other hand, if water is coming from the roof you could see that dirt and other substances from the roof are being dragged along with it, and it would stain the ceiling.  

If you have determined that the leak is possibly from the roof, and you want to fix it yourself you should start at the top and work your way down. Be sure to take all the necessary precautions, and have all required safety gear needed for a roof inspection. 

If you have eliminated the roof as the source of the leak then it is going to take an inspection of the pipes in your home or building to solve the problem. Of course, not all people are prepared for home improvements and repairs, especially when it comes to major repairs.  

If you have a leaky ceiling, or any kind of water damage to your home or business. For more information visit our water damage services page. We’re faster to any size disaster.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

724-628-3022