Top Causes of Kitchen Fires

12/13/2022 (Permalink)

The best way to prevent fires from starting is to understand what causes them in the first place!

Top Causes of Kitchen Fires

Cooking is a wonderful thing. It can bring people together and can provide a sense of comfort and security. However, like any other activity that involves combustion or high temperatures, cooking has the potential to pose risks if proper safety precautions are not taken. Fires in the kitchen can happen because of many factors including improper storage of combustible materials like food or cleaning chemicals. The best way to prevent fires from starting is to understand what causes them in the first place!

Cooking Equipment

There are a lot of things that can cause kitchen fires. One of the most common culprits is cooking equipment, including deep-fat fryers and woks. If you use an electric frying pan or griddle, make sure it has an automatic shutoff when the pan gets too hot (and it will get very hot if you forget to turn off your burner). Charcoal briquettes should also be kept away from open flames like ovens and stoves; they contain oil as well as other flammable materials that could easily ignite if they're heated up too much.

Unattended Cooking

Never leave the stove unattended.

• If you are cooking and need to leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
• When you come back, be sure that all burners are turned off (and no one has turned them on accidentally).

Electrical and Appliances

• Electrical and gas: According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical fires are the most common cause of kitchen fires. You should be sure that all your appliances have proper plugs installed and aren't overloaded their respective circuits. The same goes for your oven and stovetop — clean them regularly so they don't overheat or catch on fire!
• Unplugged appliances: If you've ever had an appliance break down while plugged in, you know how dangerous this can be! Unplugging appliances helps prevent fires because when something happens to your device while it's still plugged in (like overheating), there is nothing stopping other devices from starting a chain reaction of overheated electronics all around it. If you leave something plugged in overnight or during long periods of non-use, especially things like heaters or space heaters, this can lead to problems with short circuits that might result in a fire if left unchecked for too long.

Grease Fires

Grease fires are the most common cause of kitchen fires. Grease fires can be caused by oil or butter that is left on a stovetop. These types of fires start when the temperature of the oil reaches 300 degrees, which causes it to ignite. The best way to prevent this type of fire is to keep an eye on your cooking and remove any excess fat from your pots before you put them on a burner.

Microwave Fires

When you place a hot dish or mug on the edge of your microwave and it tips over, it can ignite the spill-over grease and start a fire.

If you haven't cleaned the oven in a while, food particles may build up inside. This can cause a fire if they're heated up rapidly by microwave energy.

It's not just microwaves that cause fires in kitchens! There are also other appliances that use heat to cook food: ovens, grills and toasters all have their own risks of causing fires if not used properly.

Understanding the most common causes of kitchen fires can illuminate the importance of being constantly vigilant and alert when cooking.

Kitchen fires can be caused by cooking equipment, unattended cooking, electrical and appliances, grease fires, and microwave fires. However, they start it is important to know how to prevent or extinguish them.

Knowing about the most common causes of kitchen fires may not help you avoid them all, but it will at least help you be prepared when they happen. If you’re more aware of the risks involved in cooking and take precautions accordingly, then hopefully these tips will help keep your kitchen safe and clear of any danger.

Mold after a Fire

12/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you have any questions feel free to contact SERVPRO of Midwest City

Mold after a Fire

A fire is a traumatic event, especially if it causes significant damage to your Spencer, OK home or business. But the aftermath of a fire can also be dangerous if you don't take proper precautions. Fire restoration companies are experts at making sure that your property is safe and secure after a fire. It's important to hire one to clean up any mold growth as soon as possible after the event occurs.

Cleaning Mold After a Fire

Mold, which is an organism that reproduces by releasing spores, can grow on a variety of materials, including wood. These spores can cause severe damage to any structure by introducing rot and eating away at mold and other materials.

To prevent mold growth after a fire:

• Keep windows open for several hours each day when weather permits, especially if you’re dealing with indoor air quality issues due to smoke or soot.
• Use dehumidifiers in areas where there was heavy water damage and high humidity levels exist such as basements and bathrooms (where excessive moisture often occurs).

Is Mold Removal Needed?

Mold removal is needed if the property has not been properly dried and cleaned, but this should be handled by a fire restoration company. Mold can damage your property, including causing structural damage through rot and weakening of materials that support the structure of your home or building.

Fire Restoration Company Near Me

When you're the victim of a fire, it can be difficult to know where to start in restoring your home. Here's a list of things to look for when choosing a fire restoration company near me:

• Experience in mold restoration. Any reputable company that offers services after a fire should have experience with restoring properties damaged by water damage and mold growth. They should also be able to provide references from previous customers who were satisfied with their service and work quality—and these references should be easy for you to contact so that you can ask questions about the process before hiring them.
• Insurance coverage and proof of licensure or bonding requirements. All businesses operating within most states are required by law (at least) to carry liability insurance coverage and/or provide proof of licensure or bonding requirements (i.e., "proof" that they will pay any damages caused by negligence). 

Mold can grow after a fire if the property has not been properly dried and cleaned, but this should be handled by a fire restoration company.

Mold can grow after a fire if the property has not been properly dried and cleaned, but this should be handled by a fire restoration company. A fire restoration company can also handle the removal of any damaged or destroyed materials so that mold is not able to grow in them.

A fire restoration company can also help with the removal of smoke damage from walls and ceilings. They will use a machine that is like an air compressor, except it blows out rather than sucks in the air. This process is called deodorization and removes odors caused by smoke damage.

We hope that this article has helped you understand how to deal with mold after a fire. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact SERVPRO of Midwest City at (405) 726-1955 or visit our website at https://www.SERVPROmidwestcity.com/.

Equipment & Safety Precautions Used in Water Removal

12/8/2022 (Permalink)

Dehumidifiers are used to remove moisture from the air.

Equipment & Safety Precautions Used in Water Removal

Water damage is one of the most dangerous and expensive types of property damage. After removal can be simple at times, but sometimes professional water damage restoration is needed. 

Water Extraction

Water extraction is the process of removing water from homes or businesses after floods, leaks, or other water damage events. Water can be removed by professional contractors or property owners using pumps and/or suction devices.

It's important to have your home dried out as soon as possible after a flood or leak because mold, bacteria, and other contaminants will begin to grow in the presence of moisture.

Dehumidifiers

Dehumidifiers are used to remove moisture from the air. You can buy a dehumidifier and use it to remove moisture from the air in your home or business.

Dehumidifiers usually come with an electronic control panel, which allows you to adjust the temperature of the room and turn on an automatic shut-off feature in case of emergencies. The controls also allow you to set specific humidity levels for each room in your home (depending on how severe its dampness problem is).

Air Scrubbers

Air scrubbers are machines used to remove water from the air. They can be rented or purchased, and they can be used in commercial or residential settings.

Air scrubbers work by drawing air into their internal filter system and then forcing it through a bed of activated charcoal, which traps the moisture within itself. This method is effective at removing mold spores and preventing them from spreading throughout your property. Air scrubbers are often paired with dehumidifiers when drying out a building after flooding occurs because they work together synergistically:

Fans

Air and moisture can be removed from the area with fans. When a fan is used, it will help to dry out the area faster and make it safer for you to enter. Fans should only be used if there is no risk of electrocution. In some cases, fans can be used in conjunction with dehumidifiers to speed up the drying process. However, it's best to let a professional handled any water damage cleanup work because of potential hazards associated with electrical equipment or mold growth.

If you're looking for an affordable way to dry out your home after a flood or other type of water damage event has occurred, then using several oscillating fans strategically placed throughout your home may help get things dried out quickly.

Containment Barriers

Containment barriers are used to contain water on the surface before it is removed. Containment barriers are made of plastic or rubber and are placed around the source of water removal. The material used in containment barriers will depend on the type of material being removed and how large an area needs to be covered by a containment barrier. Containment barriers should be set up in combination with fans and dehumidifiers so that there is no chance for any water to escape from behind the barrier while it's being removed by commercial-grade equipment such as pumps, etc.

Getting Professional Help to Handle Water Removal in Your Property

If you have water damage in your Forest Park, OK home or property, it’s important to get professional help. You need to make sure that all the necessary equipment and safety precautions are used during the process of water removal.

The first thing you should check is whether the technicians working on your property have proper training and certification. If they do not have these things, then they probably aren’t qualified enough to handle a situation like this one.

You also want to make sure that they will be using proper waste disposal methods while removing all those unwanted liquids from your home or business property. This means that they will either dispose of them themselves or take them directly where they need to go so that no harm can come from them being around other people who might put themselves at risk by encountering these harmful substances without protection first being put into place beforehand before any work begins taking place!

Water removal is a complicated process, and it’s important to take the time to learn about water removal before you tackle it yourself. If you need help with any aspect of water removal, contact us today!

What to Do if Water Heater Leaks?

11/4/2022 (Permalink)

Take it seriously when your water heater leaks.

What to Do if Water Heater Leaks?

A leaking water heater is a serious threat to your Spencer, OK home, but it's not difficult to fix. In this guide, I'll talk about the different kinds of leaks you can expect from your tankless or conventional water heater and what you need to do if your tank starts to leak.

Water heater leaks are a serious threat to your home.

Leaking water heaters can cause extensive damage to your home and belongings, including the foundation, walls, and flooring. Water heater leaks can also lead to mold growth if not taken care of quickly.

Determine the source of the leak.

To address the problem, you need to determine the source of the leak. Look for signs of water damage around your home and check for signs of leaks on your water heater. If you can’t find anything that suggests a leak, then it’s time to call in a professional.

Draining the tank will help you do a temporary repair.

If you have access to the tank, you can use a bucket or hose to drain it. Be careful not to damage the tank while doing this. You shouldn't use a power drill for this job because it can cause damage and could break the tank if the drill bit becomes stuck inside.

Once you've drained all the water from your water heater, check for leaks in the drain valve and on both sides of where you removed your thermocouple earlier (if applicable). If there are no leaks, turn on your faucet until cold water begins flowing out of it—you don't want hot water coming out while checking for any remaining liquid! Once cold water starts flowing freely out of your faucet, let go of its handle and watch as steam rises into your bathroom sink or bathtub (or wherever else). If no steam comes out when releasing pressure after turning off the hot water flow at point A above, then there's still air trapped inside somewhere; repeat steps 1-4 until all air is gone from the inside system before proceeding with testing further down below.

Try these 5 temporary fixes while you're waiting for a replacement or permanent repair.

• Check the pressure relief valve

If your water heater leaks, it could be because of a malfunctioning pressure relief valve. The pressure relief valve is attached to your hot water heater and opens when there's too much pressure inside the tank. It allows excess steam or hot water to escape until things settle down again. A clogged or broken valve will cause the pipes in your home to burst, so it's important that you keep an eye on this part of your system and make sure it functions properly. To test if this may be the cause of any leaks:

• Turn off all faucets and flush all toilets in your home before turning off the water supply to your hot water heater at its shutoff lever (a red knob located near where you turn on hot water).
• Look for signs that indicate whether or not there are any problems with either type of leak:  - If dryness around joints indicates expansion joint leaks; if wetness around joints indicates expansion joint leaks; or if rust stains on ceilings indicate pipe bursting.

If you do manage to stop a water heater leak, replace it as soon as possible.

If you do manage to stop a water heater leak, replace it as soon as possible. Replacing a water heater is a serious project that should be done by a professional. Don't try to do it yourself—you could make the situation worse.

Delaying the replacement of your unit can increase the chance of more damage being done. The longer you wait, the more leaks there are likely to be and the greater chance that you'll need expensive repairs.

A leak in your water heater could cause damage to your home and belongings if it's not dealt with promptly.

A leak in your water heater could cause damage to your home and belongings if it's not dealt with promptly. If you notice any signs of leaking, it's important to find out the source of the problem as soon as possible.

If you have small children or pets, it's crucial that you take care of leaks immediately. Water heaters should be kept at least three feet away from anything that might cause an accident if there were a leak.

If your water heater leaks, take it seriously. If the leak is small, you can use these tips to temporarily stop the flow of water until you have time to fix it. However, if the problem is more serious or if your home is at risk of flooding due to a leaky hose connection or faulty valve then you should call a professional immediately.

Should You Choose the Mitigation Company to Do the Rebuild?

10/13/2022 (Permalink)

An insurance adjuster will help you navigate the claim process.

Should You Choose the Mitigation Company to Do the Rebuild?

When a fire damages your Midwest City, OK business, you will likely hire a mitigation company to handle the clean-up. But what if that same company handles the rebuild as well? Should you choose the same company for both services?

Should you choose the mitigation company to do the rebuild?

If you have chosen a mitigation company to do your fire mitigation, it might be a good idea to ask them if they can also help with the rebuild.

The insurance adjuster will work with the mitigation company on your behalf too and this will make things go much smoother if all three parties are involved from the start. The insurance adjuster will probably be able to get you better deals on materials and labor because of their experience working with these companies before so it might pay off in more ways than one!

It can be confusing knowing who to call when fire damages your commercial building. 

When fire damages your commercial building, the fire department, the insurance adjuster, and the mitigation company all play a role in the restoration process. It can be confusing knowing who to call when fire damages your commercial building. You must know what your insurance company will cover and what they won't cover. The key is finding a restoration professional that will help you understand everything so you can make informed decisions on how best to move forward with restoring your business back to normal operations.

Fire damage restoration

Fire damage restoration is a specialized job that requires a lot of equipment and training to get the job done right. It is often the first step in the long road to recovery, so it should be done by a company that specializes in fire damage restoration.

The mitigation company, like SERVPRO of Midwest City, plays an important role in restoring your business after fire damage. 

If your business has been affected by a fire, it's important to learn about the mitigation process and how it can benefit you. The mitigation company, like SERVPRO of Midwest City, plays an important role in restoring your business after fire damage.

The fire restoration process is complex, and it's important to have a team that knows what they're doing. If you don't know who or where to turn for help, SERVPRO of Midwest City would be happy to help with any questions or concerns during this difficult time. Mitigation companies are specially trained to handle fire damage because they specialize in restoration services and understand how fires affect property differently than other water-related disasters such as floods or rainstorms do. They can be a valuable resource for the insurance company, the owner and the tenants who may be affected by this type of disaster on their property.

What is an insurance adjuster?

An insurance adjuster is a person who works on behalf of your insurance company to help determine the value of your claim. They're experts in your policy, and they will be able to answer any questions you have about how it works and how much coverage you might need. Insurance adjusters are trained to help people navigate the claims process and maximize the benefits of their policies.

They can also help identify gaps in coverage or other areas where an insured person might not be covered by their policy, which means that even if an adjuster recommends against filing a claim, it's worth paying attention to what he has to say about what you do or don't have covered by your insurance plan.

If an adjuster tells you that no one should make a claim for something because there's no coverage for it—or even worse, says that there's plenty of coverage but insists on following a cost-cutting strategy—that should raise red flags!

The insurance adjuster serves as an intermediary between you and your insurance company. 

In their role, they will help you navigate the claim process by explaining it to you in plain English and guiding you through all the paperwork involved, including filing a claim with the insurance company and providing a proof-of-loss letter for any damaged items that need to be replaced. They also serve as a liaison between you and any contractors or service providers on the project, ensuring that everyone is getting paid appropriately.

The best approach is one where both parties understand each other's roles so there aren't any misunderstandings about what needs to happen next or who should do what work at which stage of the project (or whether something should even get done at all). In this way, everyone saves time by knowing exactly what type of input they need from others before making decisions.

Do fire mitigation companies work with adjusters?

Yes. The adjuster works with the fire investigator and the property owner to gather information about the fire damage. The insurance company will also work with you, but they will also send a representative to your home to inspect it. There are many factors that come into play when assessing what repairs need to be made after a fire has occurred in your home, such as:

• Do you have enough money saved up?
• How much coverage do you have? Is it enough?
• What type of materials were damaged by water or smoke?

These are just some of the questions an adjuster will ask during their inspection of your home after a fire has occurred onsite. If there is any sort of dispute over whether or not certain items were damaged by water or smoke (which can sometimes happen), then an independent third party may be called in for arbitration before making any decisions about how much money should be given back from either party involved.

The fire mitigation company is a valuable resource for commercial customers. They have experience with insurance companies and can help you file your claim. They also know what types of equipment are used in fire restoration work, like dehumidifiers or commercial-grade fans. In addition, they have access to products that may not be available at retail locations such as cleaning solutions made specifically for removing odors left behind after smoke damage has occurred. It's important that when choosing a mitigation company, you ask them about their relationship with adjusters so that everything runs smoothly throughout the entire process.