Did You Know September is National Preparedness Month?

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

If your home has been damaged due to a fire loss, call SERVPRO of East Cobb. We are the pros that make fire damage "Like it never even happened."

This year for National Preparedness month, join your community in preparing for emergencies and disasters of all types, and leading efforts to encourage the community as a whole to become more prepared. “Disasters happen” and not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but entire communities. Learn how to be prepared.

Smoke Alarms are Life Savers

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fire alarms and smoke detectors save lives when properly installed and maintained.  In residential settings, smoke alarms should be on every level of the home including the basement and in every bedroom. In commercial settings or in office spaces, please confer with your local fire marshal to insure your business or commercial property is in compliance with local and state requirements.
Smoke alarms should be tested monthly using the test button or in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. Smoke alarms with non-replaceable batteries need to be completely replaced every ten years unless otherwise noted by the manufacturer. Alarms that utilize batteries should have the batteries replaced every year, and the unit itself should be replaced ten years from the manufacture date. Chirping alarms often signal a low battery and proper steps should be taken to replace the unit or the batteries immediately. Never disable or remove the battery from an alarm without first securing a suitable replacement fire alarm or smoke detector. Almost half of fires where smoke alarms were present but did not activate had missing or disconnected batteries (NFPA). Some larger commercial facilities have hard wired or wireless smoke alarms which give the added benefit of not needing to be tested as often, and some can even activate alarms throughout the entire building if smoke is detected in just one area. (NFPA). 

If you need help installing, testing, or changing batteries in your smoke alarms, contact the Cobb County Fire Department, an electrician, or the American Red Cross. Be sure your home or business has a fire emergency plan in place and conducts regular fire drills. For more information on Emergency Preparedness, contact SERVPRO of East Cobb. 

September Preparedness Tips: 

Make & Practice Your Plan

Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Make sure your family is informed and practiced in your emergency plan. Be sure to sign up for alerts and warnings for your area, and download other necessary apps to stay informed, such as the FEMA app.

Learn Life Saving Skills

Do you or someone in your family know CPR? Could you turn off your natural gas if necessary? Do you know how to take cover in an earthquake? Knowing these life saving skills could mean life or death in an emergency situation for you, your family or your neighbors.

Check Your Insurance Coverage

Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster? Evaluate which hazards are relevant to your area and obtain the appropriate insurance for your home, business, or other property and become familiar with your coverage.

Save for an Emergency

Are you prepared financially in case of a disaster? Does your family have an emergency fund for unexpected expenses after a flood or fire? Check our FEMA’s Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK) for an in-depth document to help you identify and compile important documents and account information all in one spot. Just search “EFFAK” on fema.gov for the free PDF.

Whether it's a flood, wildfire, or extreme winter weather, we must ensure our families, businesses, places of worship and neighborhoods are prepared. Contact SERVPRO of East Cobb to find out how we can help make it “Like it never even happened,” if disaster strikes in your life.

Portable fire Extinguishers can be life and property saving tools when used correctly. In order to operate an extinguisher, the NFPA suggests remembering the following acronym PASS.

• Pull the pin while pointing the nozzle away from yourself and release the locking mechanism
• Aim low by pointing the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side

*Remember to read the instructions on the fire extinguisher and become familiar with your particular model fire extinguisher before a fire breaks out. Fire extinguishers have limitations so be aware of all safety precautions and ensure that you have the proper type of extinguisher for your facility. To find more information on choosing the appropriate class of fire extinguisher, please visit the NFPA website nfpa.org.

Fire Damage Cleanup Advice:

These fire restoration tips and advice will assist you in taking helpful first steps and actions until the professionals from SERVPRO of East Cobb arrive. Follow these dos and don’ts to help reduce damage and increase the chances of a successful fire restoration project.

Fire Damage Cleanup DOs:

Do...limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into carpet and avoid tracking particles to other areas of the home or business.

Do...keep your hands clean. Soot on your hands can further soil upholstery, walls, and furniture.

Do...empty the freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor, if electricity is off.

Do...wipe soot from metal faucets, fixtures, trim, and appliances in kitchen and/or bathroom(s).

Do...pour RV antifreeze in sinks, toilet bowls, holding tanks, and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures during winter months.

Do...Remove soot particles from plants with a damp cloth.

Do...Change HVAC filter, but leave the unit turned off until trained professionals can inspect the system.

Do...tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

Fire Damage Cleanup DON’Ts:

Don’t...attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting trained fire restoration professionals like those found at SERVPRO of East Cobb.

Don’t...attempt to shampoo carpets, rugs, or upholstered furniture without first contacting trained fire restoration professionals like those found at SERVPRO of East Cobb.

Don’t...attempt to clean any electrical appliances (such as TVs, radios, computers, etc) that may have been close to the fire, exposed to high heat, or water used to extinguish the fire without first consulting an authorized repair service like those found at SERVPRO of East Cobb.

Don’t...consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to the fire, exposed to heat, or water used to extinguish the fire. They may have been contaminated, and are not safe for consumption.

Don’t...turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet or has been damaged by the fire. The wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock or shorts. Air movement can also cause secondary damage to your property.

Don’t…send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odors in some types of fabrics.

For more information on fire safety and fire restoration check out some of our previous Fire Restoration Blogs: “Help Prevent Fire In Your Kennesaw GA Home”; “Seven Ways to Protect Your Cobb County Home From The Silent Killer: Carbon Monoxide”; “PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep”; “SERVPRO of East Cobb’s Advanced Fire Restoration Process and Equipment”; “Cobb County Fire Claim Scope and Walk Through”; “Cobb County Kitchen Fire Cleanup”