Recent Posts

How FIRE SMART are your children?

4/20/2022 (Permalink)

Working smoke alarms reduce the chances of dying in a fire by nearly 50 percent. They are a critical first step for staying safe, but in order to be effective, they have to be working properly. For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.

Teaching children fire safety-

  1. Teach kids never to play with matches and lighters. Make a habit of placing these items up and away from young children.
  2. Create and practice a home fire escape plan with two ways out of every room in case of a fire. Get a stopwatch and time how fast your family can escape. The kids will love it. 
  3. Children should know how to respond to the sound of a smoke alarm. Teach them to get low and get out when they hear it. A child who is coached properly ahead of time will have a better chance to be safe. 
  4. Use common sense in the kitchen. Limit distractions when cooking and don’t leave a hot oven or stovetop unattended.
  5. Blow out candles before you leave the room or before you go to sleep.

Making sure your children know the basics is important to getting them out of a fire quickly!

Suffer a Fire Loss? Here is a list of Dos and Don'ts

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

A home fire can be a very stressful time, but we can help! All of our fire technicians are certified to restore your property faster!

A backdraft of emotions often sweeps over homeowners after a fire ravages their home. Fear, uncertainty, stress and doubt about the future of the property can be overwhelming well after the flames have been extinguished. After the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, call SERVPRO of Wayne County to help you restore it. With the industry-approved, cutting-edge technology and open communication, we strive to not only restore your home, but your peace of mind as well. While you wait for our SERVPRO professionals to arrive, there are a few things you can do until help arrives: 

  • Limit movement in the house to prevent soot particles from spreading  
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and high traffic areas and upholstery to help preserve it 
  • Coat chrome faucets, trim and appliances in petroleum jelly or oil 
  • Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet  
  • Do not wash any walls or painted surfaces 
  • Do not clean any electrical equipment  
  • Do not send clothing to a dry cleaner 

The first 48 hours after a fire damage can make a massive difference between restoring versus replacing your belongings. Luckily for you, SERVPRO of Wayne County offers a variety of services to help ensure your property, belongings, and memories are restored to their preloss condition.  

Why is cleaning smoke after a fire necessary?

4/7/2022 (Permalink)

Our technicians are certified in the removal of smoke and soot Call us at 919-751-5353 to get started!

After a fire, there is a combination of damages, from fire to water to smoke. Smoke cleaning is one of the most challenging types of damage to remove from a property because it is so invasive. Smoke gets into electronics, snakes through HVAC systems, and seeps into porous fabrics and materials. If you want the best chance of recovering smoke-affected items, contact a fire remediation professional in Goldsboro, NC. 

The 4 Step Smoke Cleaning Process

One of the biggest complaints about fire damage is smoke odor. The odor permeates everything. It is incredibly challenging to remove and will likely require a tremendous amount of patience. Any professional service will follow a four-step approach to remove the odor of smoke residue.

1. Surface Debris Removal

The first stage of smoke damage cleanup is the surface cleaning of items in your home. There will probably be a thick coating of ash, sediment, and residue on almost every surface in the affected area. The remediation team will comb through the space using vacuums and other tools to pre-clean the space, allowing further steps to be more effective.

2. Sanitization

Smoke residue is toxic; it is not something you want to get on your hands and face or into your mouth and lungs. Whenever entering your property after the fire but before cleaning, you should wear appropriate protective gear, like gloves and a mask.

The remediation company will go through after the initial cleaning and sanitize the space using different cleaners and purification techniques. You will need to call in other professional services to clean and repair appliances or HVAC systems in some circumstances.

3. Washing and Scrubbing

The remediation service will go through at least two or three cleaning and scrubbing cycles to remove any remaining residue and odor. In some instances, you might not have a choice but to get rid of furniture and other porous items. Smoke odor tends to seep deep into fabrics, and sometimes deep cleaning is not enough to remove or eliminate persistent odors.

If you wish, you can contact specialty cleaners for items that hold particular sentimental value. These cleaners often have techniques and tools that are beyond the scope of a traditional remediation service.

4. Restoration and Deodorization

The service you hire will ensure that everything they can clean has been cleaned and scrubbed thoroughly before moving on to restoration stages. The final stages of cleaning will involve deodorization, which can utilize air purifiers.

The restoration of your property will include the replacement of damaged walls, ceilings, floors, etc. When the restoration company is done with your property, it should look like pre-disaster conditions, meaning your family can return to a place that looks and feels like home.

Smoke cleaning is a bit of a tedious process. However, when performed effectively, the process should eliminate the remaining odors and damage. The extent of the cleaning will depend on the severity of the fire, and the scope of the damage often dictates the efficacy of the restoration process. Unfortunately, after a fire, the only way to determine salvageability is to have your property assessed.

If you suffer a fire loss, call the professionals at 919-751-5353

Accidental Activated Sprinkler System?

4/6/2022 (Permalink)

Most typical business owners don’t spend time thinking about the effects of flooding due to their fire sprinklers being activated. However, it happens, and it’s an issue that could quickly get out of control and cost you tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars. The obvious solution is prevention, but first you need to know what could cause this to happen.

Four Reasons for Accidental Activation

Contrary to popular belief, the modern sprinkler system is not activated by fire alarms or even smoke caused by burnt food in your breakroom. They actually have to be subjected to extreme heat that either bursts the red liquid bulb or melts the sensor on the device. There are several things that can cause them to accidently activate, here are some reasons this could happen:

  • Vandalization of the sprinkler system
  • Improper installation of the system
  • An accident
  • The sprinkler heads being used inappropriately.

Here are some Immediate Steps to take Prevent Loss

The first step to take in an emergency flooding situation is to turn off the water. Multiple people within your organization should be capable of doing this. Once the water is shut off then cleanup can begin. It’s possible that hundreds of gallons of water have been released in a short time, so damage to machinery, walls and floors can happen quickly. The best plan is to contact an experienced and reputable water restoration company like SERVPRO of Wayne County. They’ll be able to quickly and correctly dry each surface and reduce the risk of mold.

What’s the Long Term Approach?

With the initial cleanup underway, the next step is to contact your insurance company and prevent the problem from occurring again. Your employees should be trained to never hang anything from a sprinkler head or even touch it. The ideal placement for sprinkler heads is in a location which is difficult for a person or even a machine to accidentally contact it.

Flooding in your business may seem inconceivable, but there are steps you can take to prevent and minimize your damages. But an experienced restoration company like SERVPRO of Wayne County can get your facility looking “Like it never even happened.”

Is your business prepared for disaster?

4/5/2022 (Permalink)

As the spring season begins, North Carolina is prone to storms and potential tornadoes. With these types of weather events, comes damage and wind, water and mold damage are just a couple things that can disrupt your business.

Did you know that over 50% of businesses who are affected by a disaster may not recover? That’s HALF, and the number one reason a business DOES survive is because they have a plan in place for when a disaster does strike.

SERVPRO of Wayne County is here to help your business be prepared for any type of disaster by creating an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP) for your business. By developing an ERP, you can reduce interruptions because you will have an action plan if and when disaster strikes. Knowing what expect and do is key to minimizing how fire, water and mold can affect your business.

What’s in an Emergency Readiness Plan (ERP)?

  • A list of priority contact information for the business
  • A list of personnel, their contact information and responsibilities after the disaster
  • Building details such as where are the breaker boxes, floor plans, shut off valves and any other items that may need immediate attention
  • A file containing critical information that would be needed in the event of an emergency such as username and passwords to office equipment, file servers, bank accounts, etc.
  • A list of external groups that could be available to assist you and your business
  • And finally, a plan to help you get back on site, and then back to work

For more information on how to put together an Emergency Readiness Plan for your business, call SERVPRO of Wayne County and one of our trained professionals can help you.

Commercial Building Fires and What Can Cause Them

4/4/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial buildings, just like residential properties, face many potential risks of fire. There are many contributing factors that can lead to an accidental fire that can easily decimate a business in a matter of minutes if not quickly and properly handled. 

Although proper insurance can help a business recover financially, no business owner wants to experience a loss due to fire. It is important to understand, and proactively work to prevent, situations that can lead to a commercial fire of any kind. Keep in mind that many businesses house combustible items. 

We’ve put together a list of potential issues that can lead to a fire. Becoming aware of these risks and contributing factors can help lower the chances of a fire. Whether it’s faulty equipment or flammable materials, identifying these common causes of commercial building fires will help you in the long run and allow you prevent accidents before they happen. 

Faulty or Inadequate Wiring of the Building
Fires caused by inadequate wiring are caused by overheating. In order to prevent this, make sure that all wiring is properly installed and equipped with proactive, fire prevention features. 

Flammable Liquids

Some businesses house flammable liquids that can spontaneously combust, causing a chemical fire. This occurs when there is a reaction of certain chemicals with oxygen providing enough heat to ignite. Be mindful to store chemicals, fuel, and other liquids in proper containers to prevent overheating. 

Heating Appliances
Even small heating appliances like personal space heaters and baseboard heaters can cause a commercial fire when in the presence of fabrics or other combustible items. To prevent a fire, we recommend to never leave a space heater running while unattended. 

Electrical Equipment

A short circuit in electrical equipment can cause a spark that could ignite materials in the business. Because they are hidden in location, short circuits are difficult to locate which can cause a fire to start before anyone is even aware of the situation. Make sure that all electrical equipment is properly maintained.

If your commercial property does experience a fire, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Wayne County. Our team is here to help you repair your business

Water Damage is our Business

4/2/2022 (Permalink)

Anything can happen at anytime! You never know when water will disrupt your business! Call us to get back open faster!

When business owners visualize water damage, they often picture a massive storm wiping out power lines, flooding offices, and shutting down businesses for days at a time. It is true that commercial water damage is often the result of floods and water that stems from weather events and storms. 

 
However, many entrepreneurs and business space renters forget that storms and severe weather aren't the only causes of floods and water damage. Here are some of the typical causes of water damage to commercial buildings. 
 
1. Outdated Sprinkler Systems 
Some older office and retail buildings still have outdated sprinkler systems that work in conjunction with fire protection systems. While such sprinklers can come in handy during a fire emergency, they can also cause commercial flood damage if they are faulty or in need of replacement. This could easily damage inventory and business assets.

2. Damaged Appliances and Equipment 
This cause of commercial flood damage is more common in restaurants and catering facilities, as well as any business that has appliances and equipment that make use of water. If the appliance fails and sends water across your building, especially during late hours when no one is around, you may come back to work and face a water emergency. 
 
3. Busted Pipes and Plumbing 
Just like in a residence, if the plumbing system in your workplace fails water damage could be the result. 

4. Backed Up Sewer Lines 
This is another cause of commercial water damage that often catches business owners by surprise. Should the sewer line to your building back up or become damaged, realize the potential dangers of contaminated Black Water which can cause health effects and ruin products and office furnishings. 
 
If your business has suffered commercial water damage, SERVPRO of Wayne County and we'll get you back up and running again. Call us anytime 24/7 at (919)751-5353

How do you rate your hurricane preparedness?

3/30/2022 (Permalink)

Being prepared in crucial during hurricane season Be prepared all year long, not just during hurricane season!

Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. These large storms are called typhoons in the North Pacific Ocean and cyclones in other parts of the world.

Basic Preparedness Tips

  • Know where to go. If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay. Contact your local emergency management agency for more information.

  • Put together a go-bag: disaster supply kit, including a flashlight, batteries, cash, first aid supplies, medications, and copies of your critical information if you need to evacuate

  • If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads.

  • Make a family emergency communication plan.

  • Many communities have text or email alerting systems for emergency notifications. To find out what alerts are available in your area, search the Internet with your town, city, or county name and the word “alerts.”

After a Hurricane

  • Listen to local officials for updates and instructions.

  • Check-in with family and friends by texting or using social media.

  • Return home only when authorities indicate it is safe.

  • Watch out for debris and downed power lines.

  • Avoid walking or driving through flood waters. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of fast-moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

  • Avoid flood water as it may be electrically charged from underground or downed power lines and may hide dangerous debris or places where the ground is washed away.

  • Photograph the damage to your property in order to assist in filing an insurance claim.

  • Do what you can to prevent further damage to your property, (e.g., putting a tarp on a damaged roof), as insurance may not cover additional damage that occurs after the storm.

Tornado watch or warning? Here is what you need to know!

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Tornados can happen fast! Be prepared Do you know the difference between a tornado watch and a warning?

Tornadoes are violent: they can completely destroy well-made structures, uproot trees and hurl objects through the air like deadly missiles. Although severe tornadoes are most common in the Plains States, they can happen anywhere. Learn what to do to keep your loved ones safe.

Top Tips

  • Identify a safe place in your home where household members and pets will gather during a tornado: a basement, storm cellar or an interior room on the lowest floor with no windows.
  • In a high-rise building, pick a hallway in the center of the building. You may not have enough time to go to the lowest floor. 
  • In a mobile home, choose a safe place in a nearby sturdy building. If your mobile home park has a designated shelter, make it your safe place. No mobile home, however it is configured, is safe in a tornado.

Know the difference

  1. A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible.

  2. A tornado WARNING means a tornado is already occurring or will occur soon. GO TO YOUR SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY.

    After the storm if you do nothing else:

    1. Let friends and family know you’re safe. - Register yourself as safe on the Safe and Well website
    2. If evacuated, return only when authorities say it is safe to do so.

    3. Continue listening to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for updated information and instructions.
    4.  Check for injuries. If you are trained, provide first aid to persons in need until emergency responders arrive.

Can Spring Cleaning Prevent Fires? It Sure CAN!

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

The best tip for fire safety is prevention Follow these cleaning tips to help reduce the risk!

With the arrival of spring comes blue skies, blooming flowers and spring cleaning. This is the perfect time for a refresher on fire safety tips that should be followed year-round. Keeping fire safety in mind when doing things around the house will help prevent fires.

First and foremost, check your smoke alarms. It’s a task that can easily go forgotten for months, but how convenient that you should change your battery once a year and spring cleaning comes around once a year. Put it on your list of chores for the big clean to ensure that it happens every 12 months. According to the NFPA, a functioning smoke alarm in your home cuts your risk of dying in a house fire by 50 percent. 

The leading cause of dryer fires is the failure to clean them. Clean the lint filter before and after each load of laundry. Also, be sure to clean the lint that may have collected around the drum and the dryer vent. Keep the area around your dryer clear of things that can burn like boxes, cleaning supplies, and clothing.

Check your electrical cords to make sure that they are not running across doorways or under carpets. Extension cords are intended for temporary use.  If you are in need of extension cords, have a qualified electrician to install additional receptacle outlets.  

Clean your garage of stored newspapers or other rubbish that can fuel a fire.  Properly store household chemicals in an approved container and never mix cleaning agents. 

Check and clean filters above stove. Pull refrigerator out and vacuum or dust the coils. 

Add these to your spring cleaning list to help reduce the risk of fires in your home