Preparing For Winter Fire Damage: What Do I Need To Know?

1/3/2024 (Permalink)

You may not think of fire damage at your Willard location as a priority concern during the winter months. The hot, dry weather of late summer or the extreme storm activity with its accompanying lightning in the spring will come to mind first when talking about fire danger. 

The reality is quite different, however. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) says there are over 353,000 home structure fires each year in the US; this results in an average fatality count of about 2,620 annually. In addition, there are over 11,000 civilian injuries each year due to house fires, with about $7.2 billion in damage.

With these statistics in mind, you can see that it’s a wise choice to practice fire prevention during the winter!

What Are Some Essential Suggestions For Fire Safety At My Willard Home This Winter?

As always, SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties has some helpful suggestions to keep you safe from fires during the winter months!

•  Space heaters may keep you warm and cozy as the temperature dips, but they also dramatically increase the risk of fire in your home. It would be best if you never left a space heater unattended. You must also position these heaters to have at least three feet of space between every object. Lastly, these heaters should be plugged directly into a wall rather than a power strip.
• Winter is also when more people rely on generators if the power goes out. Although these generators can be a lifesaver when you are without power, it is essential that you take care when using them. Portable generators should only be used outside. They must also be kept at least 20 feet from buildings or other structures.
• Being alert in the kitchen is vital at any time of the year, particularly over the holidays when you may have many things going simultaneously. Many fires start when people use fryers to cook Thanksgiving turkeys. You need to use these devices outside and never insert a frozen turkey into them, as this raises the risk of fire.

These are just three ways to practice fire safety during the colder months. Visit the FEMA website for even more helpful information.

If A Fire Occurs, How Does SERVPRO Help Homeowners Recover?

If a fire occurs in your Willard home, SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is here to help. 

No matter the circumstances, fire damage is devastating for a family or business, and feelings of great confusion, loss, and stress are entirely to be expected. SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is your caring expert to guide you through this trying time. You can count on us to always treat your family with the greatest empathy and respect, and we will treat your property with great care.

Please refer to our Fire Damage Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property while waiting for the SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties team.

Every fire damage situation is a little different and requires a unique solution, but the general process stays the same. When various materials burn, the soot they create differs significantly and requires a specific cleaning procedure. 

The steps listed below illustrate our process for the “typical” fire damage restoration. 

1. Emergency Contact
2. Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment
3. Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service (if needed)
4. Water Removal and Drying (if water damage is present)
5. Removal of Smoke and Soot from All Surfaces
6. Cleaning and Repair
7. Restoration

Follow this link to learn more about our fire damage restoration process.

SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is here to help you if your Willard home suffers damage from a fire. In addition to fire damage, we handle water damage, odor removal, and much more. If you are a Willard-area business owner, you’ll find helpful information about our commercial fire restoration services here.

Contact us immediately in an emergency; we can be at your location immediately to get you started on your recovery process. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.