How We Perform Fire Restoration for Homes in Willimantic

9/24/2024 (Permalink)

A Willimantic kitchen requires SERVPRO's fire and smoke damage cleanup. "Like it never even happened."

Restoring a Home Post-Fire Ensures It Is Livable

When a fire sweeps through a home, it can affect it in various ways. If your Willimantic home has paneling, this might burn faster than drywall, while brick walls experience significantly less structural damage. Fire restoration teams need to respond to your home's specific condition. One-size-fits-all responses are not optimal.

Our training and experience in fire restoration benefit Willimantic's homeowners. We provide the precise services needed without adding unnecessary steps or skimping crucial processes. Fire damage can include charring, water damage from firefighters' hoses, smoke odors, soot deposits, broken glass, damage to the roof, and much more.

There are different tasks involved in restoring a home with fire damage, including:

• Cleanup of destroyed items and materials,
• Elimination of soot and control of odors, and
• Rebuilding affected structures.

SERVPRO® ensures the safe and efficient removal of debris, damaged belongings, and structural materials following a disaster. This process is critical to restoring the affected home's interior, preventing further damage, and ensuring a safe environment for restoration work.

Soot, which can settle on surfaces and penetrate materials, must be carefully removed to prevent further damage and staining. Odor control is equally important, as smoke and soot can leave lingering smells that are hard to eliminate. Specialized cleaning techniques and equipment neutralize odors, ensuring the space is clean and free from unpleasant smells.

Restoration is not complete without the crucial rebuilding phase. This involves repairing or reconstructing damaged walls, roofs, and other essential parts of the building to restore its integrity and functionality. Our professional team uses quality materials and techniques to ensure the rebuilt areas are safe, durable, and match the original design. The goal is to bring the structure back to pre-fire conditions, making it "Like it never even happened."

Calling SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447 ensures your family has expert fire restoration professionals performing the work your family home needs.

Effective Fire Damage Control in Norwich Homes

11/25/2023 (Permalink)

If your Norwich home has fire damage, call SERVPRO. We'll make it “Like it never even happened.”

Effective Fire Damage Control in Norwich Homes

SERVPRO® Masters Puffback Cleanup and Restoration

In Norwich, unexpected incidents like puffbacks create distress for homeowners. Not only do they tarnish the aesthetic of a residence, but they can also be a sign of deeper issues with the HVAC system. 

Fire damage in a Norwich abode isn't always due to a roaring blaze. In fact, something as seemingly minor as kicking on the furnace when the outside temps begin to drop can trigger a big problem. A puffback happens when an oil burner misfires, sending soot throughout a home through every vent. This soot can cover walls, ceilings, carpets, and other household items.

Puffbacks are Challenging to Clean

Specific challenges presented by puffbacks include:

Soot particles adhere to various surfaces, making cleaning challenging.

A pungent, lingering odor that's tough to neutralize.

Potential health risks from soot.

Outsourcing Professional Fire Cleanup Benefits

SERVPRO is equipped to tackle these fire damage and puffback challenges in Norwich homes head-on:

• Assessment: Before any cleanup begins, professionals will assess the extent of the damage. This inspection includes identifying areas with the most soot and potential hazards like electrical issues.
• Safety Precautions: Ensuring the area is safe for cleaning is crucial. 
• Soot Removal: Using specialized dry cleaning sponges, professionals will begin removing the soot from walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. These sponges are designed to lift and remove soot without smearing.
• Cleaning Soft Furnishings: Items like curtains, upholstered furniture, and floor coverings will be cleaned using specific methods suitable for each material. Hot water extraction, for example, might be used for carpets, while upholstery may require foam or dry cleaning methods.
• Deodorization: Puffbacks can leave an unpleasant odor. Professionals will use industrial air scrubbers, fogging equipment, and high-quality deodorization agents to neutralize these odors.
• Air Filtration: Using HEPA filters and air scrubbers, professionals will clean and purify the air, removing microscopic soot particles that can pose respiratory threats.

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447 serves the Norwich community with any size fire damage restoration. 

Norwich Homes Saved by Experienced Fire Restoration Service

5/23/2023 (Permalink)

If your home has fire or smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Norwich. We'll make it “Like it never even happened”

Fire Restoration Firm Restores Norwich Residences

Norwich’s rural setting, bursting with beautiful greenery as far as the, is refreshing for those lucky enough to visit or live here. At the same time, this same gorgeous vegetation can pose a significant hazard during our state’s spring wildfire season. This fact is especially true now, given that the lack of snow this past winter has left our area dry as a bone.

As a leading Norwich fire restoration firm, SERVPRO understands the threat posed by wildfires and household accidents. More importantly, we know how to effectively complete house fire clean-up, smoke remediation, and fire restoration work on fire-damaged homes. Most forest fires are caused by environmental conditions or human carelessness. In particular, the following times and situations most commonly foster wildfires:

• Extended hot, dry periods that spark rainless thunderstorms with several heat lightning strikes
• Years when large amounts of undergrowth and debris have accumulated in forests and there have been more days of high temperatures and brilliant sunshine than average
• Periods when hot weather combines with strong coastal winds
• Warmer seasons encourage people to do more outdoorsy activities like building campfires and having cookouts

Preparing for fire season is always a good idea. You must keep up with weather reports, watch out for the signs of forest fires, have supplies like fire extinguishers close at all times, and properly maintain the vegetation in your yards.

If you ever need assistance recovering from a fire, rest assured that SERVPRO can:

• Restore/replace all damaged or destroyed structural elements
• Remove harmful airborne smoke particles from interiors
• Clean acidic residues off of all household surfaces
• Eliminate persistent, foul odors

So, whenever you need quality fire restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County. We are ready for your call at (860) 887-0447.

Proven Results in Norwich with Skilled Fire Damage Restoration

4/6/2023 (Permalink)

When you have fire and smoke damage in your Norwich home, SERVPRO is the team to call. We use the latest technology and equipment for any size fire.

SERVPRO Responds Rapidly in Norwich for Fire Damage Cleanup and Restoration

Norwich homes and businesses deserve excellent results when calling for fire damage cleanup and restoration. Whether it is a significant blaze that started in the kitchen of your office building or a fire in the in-law apartment above your garage, you want results quickly. Rather than going the DIY route for house fire cleanup that could take longer and generate lesser results, skilled remediation is best. SERVPRO is available around the clock, every day of the year, so our area residents and business owners have a trusted partner to make it "Like it never even happened." With our industry knowledge and years of experience, we have the processes you need to bring your property back to preloss condition. 

When handling fire damage in Norwich and surrounding towns, our SERVPRO team understands our customers' range of emotions. Due to this, we remain diligent and customer-focused so that we can be there in your time of need. Not only do we have efficient processes and industrial-grade equipment at our disposal, but we also take some of the burdens from you by assisting with your fire insurance claim process. Your smoke remediation and fire cleanup project details get carefully documented, so your insurance provider has everything they need to facilitate your claim.

Detailed Cleaning and Content Assessment by Our Trained Team

Fire damaged properties can encounter everything from charring and soot to water damage and pungent smoke odors. We pay close attention to all building materials and structural elements to ensure safety and integrity. We have also perfected processes for inspecting and addressing contents and cherished keepsakes impacted by the fire. 

Our mindset is that it is better to restore versus replace whenever we can. We inspect all items to determine salvageability and then select the best cleaning methods. Some of the cleaning methods that our IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) take may include:

• Pre-cleaning using dry cleaning methods to remove soot residue and light soiling.
• Wet cleaning measures to address moderate to heavy soot residue and soiling.
• Spray and wipe techniques to clean any items unable to withstand wet cleaning or immersion.
• Foam cleaning on upholstery and fabrics that may stain, bleed or shrink using wet methods.
• Immersion cleaning is where our technicians dip items into our immersion tank that uses cleaning solutions.
• Abrasion cleaning with agitation to help loosen soiling from surfaces.

Will I Have Lingering Odors After Fire Restoration?

Our SERVPRO team knows that no two fire projects are alike, nor is a project complete without paying close attention to pungent smoke odors. We have Odor Control Technicians (OCT) on our team who know how to handle adverse smells with all restoration projects. For fire incidents, anything burned poses an issue regarding odors, including protein soot in kitchen fires, charred debris, or musty odors where water got used to douse the flames. 

We select the correct methods to eliminate rather than mask odors, and we have a wide range of equipment and products to help us do just that. Some of the cleaners, equipment, and tools that we have readily available on our Green Fleet of vehicles include:

• Odor counteractants pellets, beads, or granules
• Air scrubbers with onboard HEPA filters
• Thermal foggers
• Ultra-low volume (ULV) foggers
• Ozone generators
• Hydroxyl generators

We Use All the Suitable Measures to Protect Your Property During Restoration

There may be broken windows, damaged or missing doors, and holes in your walls or roofing with any fire. We have board-up and tarping services that help protect your interior from the elements, animals, or trespassers while restoration and fire damage cleanup occurs.

You can trust our skilled team at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County when you require fire damage restoration. Call us at (860) 887-0447 or request help online at your earliest convenience.

Gutted Homes in Norwich Require Fire Damage Restoration Expertise

12/27/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage? SERVPRO is prepared with restoration equipment and experienced technicians.

Norwich Families Rely on Fire Damage Restoration

House fires can range from very small (confined to a wastebasket) to the destruction of the entire inside of a house. When a fire guts a house in Norwich, our customers can rely on our extensive fire damage restoration skills to rebuild their property and make it suitable again for their family to inhabit. 

SERVPRO holds General Contractor License #: HIC 0620481, and our fire damage restoration experts rebuild Norwich area homes while partnering with the homeowner. We want your opinion on those aspects that affect the final result. Still, we must also rebuild with building code requirements that might not have existed during your residence's original construction.

There are many options after a fire damages a home. Some of these options seem more expensive but are less costly after analyzing the information. Here are a few areas of your home where you can choose something other than the original:

• Cabinets,
• Hardware for interior doors, and
• Floorplans.

We can rebuild the cabinets in the kitchen and bathroom, as well as any other rooms your residence may have had them. This includes bookcases, window seats, and anything else built into the structure of your home. We can often change the wood, finish, detailing, and design.

Many times, updated building codes focus on safety. Door handles might seem innocuous, but many new handles are easier to manipulate to open the door. New handles on interior doors make any home safer and easier to maneuver within for people with arthritis, vision impediments, or additional physical difficulties. Exterior doors can also become safer with new handles.

Changes to your floor plans can become a reality, not just because of required updates to staircase and hallway dimensions. We can alter how many bedrooms and bathrooms your home holds. Closets may have felt cramped before the fire, but we can expand these storage spaces to suit your needs better. 

Some requirements, such as stairways, will have changed with the building department. Our fire damage restoration crew stays on top of developments such as these and can explain what it means for your property.

Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0447 after a fire happens to your home.

Willimantic Fire Restoration Cleaning Needs Mechanical Action

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage restoration services by SERVPRO are top-notch. We are here to help.

Mechanical Action Helps Fire Restoration

While surface cleaning solutions are among the most favorable and least invasive after a fire, they are not always effective on their own. When combined with agitation and mechanical actions, however, the ability of these products is amplified, and impacted materials are more likely to be restored and cleaned. 

Surface Cleaning Options

Fire restoration for Willimantic residences involves several potent cleaners in our inventory. We recognize how solvents, detergents, and other vital solutions can work to trap and lift soot particles from surfaces directly. We can help with many measures like:

• Wet Cleaning
• Dissolving
• Dry Cleaning
• Abrasive Removal

What Do Mechanical Actions Do?

The motion of most of the mechanical actions either eliminates loose debris on the surface above thick residues or helps to improve the efficiency and cleaning capacity of chosen products. Not all agitation is helpful or needed per impacted material, so careful consideration must be made if these aggressive measures could be detrimental rather than practical. Some of these actions include:

• Scrubbing
• Brushing
• Pressurized Air Blasting
• Vacuuming

Why Are Mechanical Actions Helpful?

As many have witnessed with cleaning up spills from their carpet, simply pouring cleaner on the spill is rarely a good strategy to eliminate the problem. Instead, you must apply the agent and combine it with physical actions like scrubbing with a rag or brush to infuse carpet fibers with the product through friction and subsequent warmth. Mechanical actions like these similarly affect soot damage adhered to building material surfaces.

Surface cleaning alone is not always enough to overcome the soot and smoke damage common for building materials after a fire. With the pace of these effects spreading in a residence or business, our SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County team needs to respond fast to get mitigation and cleaning started. House fire restoration services happen quickly when you call (860) 887-0447.

Factors To Improve Willimantic Fire Damage Restoration Efficiency

6/9/2022 (Permalink)

When Willmantic home owners need fire damage restoration SERVPRO needs to be called for help. We will be on-site within 4 hours of the initial call.

Certain Variables Hasten Fire Damage Restoration

Our SERVPRO team always intends to provide the most efficient and effective restoration solutions after disasters like fires. As traumatic and damaging as the situation is, our professionals utilize multiple practices to speed up soot and smoke damage removal.

Pre-Cleaning Solutions

Beginning needed fire damage restoration in Willimantic homes involves evaluating the effect of smoke solids on building materials. Specific actions taken ahead of the main cleaning process can make the full procedure faster, which can include:

• Brushing
• Dusting
• Dry Vacuuming

Effective Cleaning Products 

Our SERVPRO professionals utilize a range of concentrated cleaners. Solvents, for example, are used with oily residues and wet deposits to emulsify or dissolve the residue. Chemicals are tested before being widely applied to ensure that they do not cause harm to the underlying material beneath the soot soils,

Agitation and Mechanical Action

As many who have cleaned up spills and stains realize, mechanical action like scrubbing with a hard-bristled brush can lift soils and increase the effectiveness of the cleaning product used. With soot and smoke damage, potent products alone are rarely sufficient to address surface soiling, and mechanical actions to agitate the product are necessary to amplify effects.

Temperature Manipulation

Another point to consider is the temperature of the environment and affected surface. Much like the warmth of the fire during the disaster can widen pores and cause smoke odors to become trapped in building materials, increasing the temperature of affected elements also increases molecular movement and causes chemical processes to occur at a faster rate. Ultimately, this makes reactions to clean or dissolve surface soils more efficient.

Understanding the variables that increase the production and effectiveness of fire damage cleanup is critical in rapidly restoring the structure. Our SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County professionals can help you make these disasters “Like it never even happened.” Call today at (860) 887-0447. 

Resolving Long-Term Issues During Norwich Fire Restoration

5/13/2022 (Permalink)

Our SERVPRO team follows IICRC guidelines to ensure excellent fire damage restoration for Norwich area homes

Specific Fire Damage Effects Could Have Lingering Impacts on Norwich Homes

One of the reasons that fire damage must be combatted with urgency is its threat to homes and businesses. While acute damage is often the most severe and pressing of the concerns, long-term issues could result when the restoration is not conducted properly or to the fullest extent. Multiple potential problems could result.

Combustion Deterioration

Fire restoration in Norwich homes must resolve a spreading fire's impact on the structural materials exposed. Building materials are easily destroyed by spreading fires, but this damage is not always as visible and apparent as you might think. Careful inspections for structural integrity must often be done to avoid later issues.

Smoke Malodors

Smoke damage is another lingering concern for the household as well. Burning of specific materials can produce severe and offensive malodors that are difficult to remove. SERVPRO professionals take time to ensure that the appropriate deodorization practices occur so that the smoke smells of a former fire do not become long-term, intermittent struggles for the homeowner.

Water and Mold Damages

If a fire is improperly managed, it is likely that the methods used to extinguish the blaze were not fully restored, either. Lingering moisture and damp pockets can deteriorate exposed building materials and encourage the growth of mold colonies.

How Can SERVPRO Help?

Many look to our experienced fire restoration professionals of our team to help in several ways after a disaster. Our hands-on expertise and continued growth in this industry niche through coursework and programs designed by standard-setting organizations like the IICRC help us to be trusted technicians for:

• Smoke remediation
• Fire damage cleanup
• Soot removal
• Deodorization
• Content cleaning

Fires can be destructive and devastating, especially when the initial effects of these emergencies are not dealt with appropriately. Give our SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County rapid response team a call now at (860) 887-0447.

Three Truths About Soot Fire Damage in Willimantic Homes

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO fire damage restoration services are top-notch. We will be on-site within 4 hours of the initial call.

What Should You Know About Soot Fire Damage in a Willimantic Home?

Smoke and soot damages produce the most formidable obstacles for residences after a fire. Soot can be a destructive presence to hosting materials where these soil deposits land. There are some important facts about soot damage that can influence restoration strategies.

Soot Does Not Go Away on Its Own

A myth about fire damage in Willimantic homes or businesses is that certain smoke and fire loss effects will dissipate naturally on their own. Every threatening or destructive result of fire damage must be managed in the restoration stages by professionals like our SERVPRO team to ensure a lasting recovery.

There Are Multiple Types of Smoke Damage

Because there are multiple types of smoke damage, there are naturally various types of restoration strategies. Each smoke and soot deposit type requires a specific approach to loosen and remove. These include:

• Wet Smoke – Smoldering fires produce damp smoke, which generates a thick and dark soot byproduct.

• Dry Smoke – Dry smoke results from high-heat fires, which produces a lighter-colored and thinner soot deposit on surfaces that is often manageable with chem sponges.
• Protein Residues – A product of grease fires, solvents are necessary to lift thick greasy residues from surfaces like cabinets before wet cleaning.

Soot Should Be Handled Professionally

Many homeowners believe that cleaning up soot damage is as simple as using conventional cleaning products and mechanical actions to clear residues and deposits from affected surfaces. In truth, many of these residential remedies can chemically react with present soot and make it much more difficult to remove.

No one should attempt to clean or restore soot damage in their home on their own. These situations can rapidly get out of control, and professional restoration is recommended to help. Our SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County team is standing by at (860) 887-0447.

What Is Included in Fire Damage Restoration at Willimantic Homes?

3/10/2022 (Permalink)

Call us today!; Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County today at (860) 887-0447, if you need help with professional fire damage restoration.

SERVPRO Inspects Willimantic Residences and Removes Residues During Fire Restoration

Faulty wiring is a possible way for a fire to start in your home. Your home's wiring is not something that you often think about but some common signs that can indicate if the wiring is faulty include lights dimming when you use more than one appliance and frequently blown fuses. When fire damage devastates your Willimantic home, the experts at SERVPRO are here to help you recover.

The consequences of a fire can be disturbing to homeowners. Fortunately, our fire damage restoration services in Willimantic quickly address all developing issues. We help sort through the mess and return your home to its pre-damaged state.

Typical Procedures in Fire Damage Restoration

• Inspection
• Removing debris
• Smoke and soot cleanup
• Odor removal

Soot Residues Removal During The Restoration Process

Caution is necessary when entering a home after a fire incident. Even if there may be no serious structural damage, harmful aerosols from smoke may still hang in the air as they take longer to dissipate. SERVPRO technicians remove debris and sort out salvageable and unsalvageable contents. We label items using stickers or a dot system and place them in a visible location where a crew member can see them. We can scan and catalog items.

Soot residue is usually highly acidic and can cause discoloration of appliances, walls, and stain items. We first use a vacuum or sponge to pre-clean and remove excess soot residues and soils to make the standard cleaning more effective. Also, applying a thin oil film on metallic and stone surfaces such as countertops prevents corrosion and staining. We use innovative techniques to turn your property into its pre-damaged state. We can clean your carpet using different cleaning products to dislodge soot particles from the fibers.

Products Used For Fire Damage Content Cleaning Fall Under Different Categories

• Volatile dry solvents
• Dry cleaning solvents
• Wood oil soaps
• Carpet/upholstery cleaners

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County provides thorough fire damage restoration, ensuring your home is free of smoke or any other damage. Call us at (860) 887-0447. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster.

Fire Restoration Must Include Careful Inspections to Ensure Safety at Your Willimantic Property

11/22/2021 (Permalink)

After a house fire in Willimantic--Call SERVPRO for cleanup and improved indoor air quality IAQ

SERVPRO Offers Willimantic Homeowners Rapid Response and Careful Safety Assessments with Fire Restoration Efforts

When faced with a house fire, homeowners may feel as though the damage is never-ending. No two fire damaged homes are ever the same, so proper fire and smoke remediation calls for a tailored approach. Part of the restoration process must include careful assessment and safety inspections for all involved in the cleanup process. Not only that, but you want to ensure your restoration project also addresses any structural damage that occurred during the fire. SERVPRO features trained IICRC-certified technicians ready to inspect your property while looking for crucial factors that will dictate the restoration outcome.

With any project involving water & fire restorations in Willimantic, our SERVPRO crew chief arrives on the scene to perform the initial assessment. This allows the team to formulate a detailed plan to approach each facet of the project, from debris cleanup and removal to odor control measures.

What About Soot?

Any soot that accumulates during a fire event will include acidity levels leading to soot staining, rust, and corrosion. You also must remain mindful of the indoor air quality (IAQ) throughout your home. As soot settles on textiles, wood, grout, appliances, and carpeting, discoloration may occur. While the level of discoloration and smoke damage varies from one material to the next, our SERVPRO team knows what methods to use to minimize damage, including:

• Air scrubbers with onboard HEPA filtration help to improve indoor air quality
• Hydroxyl generators and ozone machines are robust devices for odor elimination
• Sanding or soda blasting may get done to remove tough smoke deposits on walls, beams, and other surfaces
• Fans, heaters, and dehumidifiers get set up to dry out contents and remove the moisture left by liquids first responders used to extinguish the flames

When it comes to effective fire restoration and smoke remediation, nothing beats our team at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County. Give us a call at (860) 887-0447, and we can send our Green Fleet out for assessment.

Contact Skilled Technicians for Smoke and Odor Removal After a House Fire in Norwich

10/14/2021 (Permalink)

Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming. Contact SERVPRO and we'll be there for you during the entire process.

SERVPRO’s House Fire Clean Up in Norwich Gets You the Results You Need – Call Us for Smoke and Odor Removal!

Situations involving a fire in your Norwich property could impact many areas of the home and materials all at once. While there will be issues to address with structural elements, you also need a team that can handle smoke remediation so that no lingering odors keep reminding you of the fire that took place. Once SERVPRO gets called to the scene, we go inside after it gets deemed safe to inspect for health hazards, the type of soot and smoke residue present, and anything else impacted by the blaze. 

When thinking of fire and smoke damage in the home, many people initially think of distinguishable odors. However, skilled smoke and odor removal in Norwich is the only way to ensure you remove any pungent smells and potentially corrosive residue. The facts are that smoke damage can involve more than harsh smells in the home, so knowing how to address every aspect is best – this is where our IICRC-certified fire and smoke restoration technicians (FSRT) come in!

Some Measures we take When Starting the House Fire Clean up Process Include:

• Carefully removing any burned items as a way to facilitate restoration and eliminate odor-related sources. This keeps residue from spreading into unaffected zones of your home. 
• Wiping surfaces with cloths or sponges to remove dried smoke particles – using wet or dry methods.
• Spraying EPA-registered cleaning agents on affected surfaces to help break down odorous residues, making them easier to remove.

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is available for all your smoke and odor removal needs after a house fire. Call us at (860) 887-0447, so we can send a team as soon as possible!

Willimantic Homeowners Deserve Rapid Fire Damage Restoration Assistance

9/13/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO offers HEPA air scrubbers to help restore healthy indoor air quality after a Willimantic house fire

SERVPRO Handles Fire Damage Restoration with Care and Precision in Willimantic While Using Advanced Methods and Equipment

SERVPRO features smoke removal techniques to rid your home of foul odors so that everything is left “Like it never even happened.” We do a multi-faceted approach that includes our proven fire restoration methods so that everything comes together in one efficient package.

Fire damage restoration in Willimantic must address charred debris and contents cleanup and moisture left behind by fire retardants and water used to douse the flames. Our team removes structural elements and unsalvageable contents to easily access all areas that call for fire damage repair. We also have pack-out services to move contents off-site for detailed cleaning using specialized techniques and EPA-registered cleaning agents.

After a fire, the correct methods need to match each surface area for cleaning. House fire clean up means tackling non-porous items using dry or wet cleaning methods. For soot and smoke removal, we often use:

• Dry brushing and vacuums
• Wet cleaning using sponges and solvents
• Thermal fogging to bond smoke particles with cleaning agents for easy removal
• Air scrubbers with HEPA filtration to pull odorous particulates from the air

Should there be areas of your home where materials are not repairable, we offer total replacement with controlled demolition services. General contractor license #: HIC 0620481

Never wait when you have fire damage that calls for restoration. At SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County, We’re Faster To Any Size Disaster! Call our office at (860) 887-0447, and we can send out our Green Fleet within hours to get started on your house fire clean up.

What Steps Help When Dealing with Limited Fire Restoration at a Norwich Home?

8/23/2021 (Permalink)

House fire in Norwich? No worries--just call SERVPRO--We're Faster To Any Size Disaster

SERVPRO Uses Various Methods for Convenience during House Fire Clean Up Exercises

When a fire at your Norwich home is quickly extinguished, the physical damage is likely limited to a small section of the property. However, the rest of the house may still require attention. Professional assistance can help ensure the right restoration processes are followed.

When the physical damage is minimal, fire restoration in your Norwich home mostly requires cleanup of items and surfaces. Cleaning takes various resources to help lift off soils from the materials and reach various nooks and crannies such as corners, cracks, and spaces where fine soils tend to accumulate. SERVPRO teams use various tools, including portable vacuums, special dry sponges, and air scrubbers when cleaning.

Cleaning processes may vary depending on the type of restoration being done, including

• Smoke remediation
• Fire damage restoration
• Water & fire damage restorations

In rooms located further away from the seat of the fire, accumulation of smoke residues may be the only issue you face. Cleaning such areas is easier since it may only require dusting with feather dusters, cleaning sponges, or vacuuming to remove residues. However, in other areas, moisture may also be present since water is commonly used to quell fires. Moisture sets residues making the cleaning process challenging. Our SERVPRO technicians can spray-wipe surfaces or opt for full wet-cleaning.

Other useful processes that help with the restoration include:

• Dry Ice or Soda Blasting  to remove up to 1/4" charring
• Fogging to remove odors
• Dehumidification to remove moisture from firefighting or cleaning

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County provides sufficient resources even when dealing with minor fire restoration processes. Call us at (860) 887-0447 to help resolve any issue that you face, “Like it never even happened.”

Can Fire Damage Restoration Procedures Eliminate Stains From My Norwich Home?

7/28/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is here from the stains to the soot of your fire damage.

SERVPRO Combines Physical and Chemical Procedures to Remove Stains during Fire Restoration

Stains can be a bother after a fire incident at your Norwich home. The smoke produced during combustion ends up settling as soot on various materials, including fabrics, upholstery, carpets, and even stone surfaces such as countertops. 

You have to deal with staining during fire damage restoration at your Norwich home because soot has acidic properties. The acid is formed when chlorides and sulfides in the smoke mix with moisture in the air. Soot also contains small particles of unburned materials, which give it the characteristic dark color. Soot can also be wet and smeary, thus adhering to surfaces. Our SERVPRO teams include IICRC certified Fire Restoration Technicians who fully understand the characteristics smoke residues exhibit, thus taking the right steps during the restoration process:

Common actions that help with fire restoration include: 

• Smoke remediation
• House fire clean up
• Water & fire damage restorations

Although the byproducts of combustion influence the types of stains that might develop, other external factors also play a role. The time taken to start mitigation efforts and the type of materials present at your premises have the most impact.

Various remedial actions by SERVPRO help address the issue quickly and include:

• Blotting, scraping, or vacuuming excess soils
• Checking material sensitivity to water 
• Using Solvent Spotter for materials sensitive to water
• Test the pH of affected areas 

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County resolves any challenge that develops during fire damage restoration, “Like it never even happened.” Call us at (860) 887-0447.

When Fire Strikes What Cleaning Products Can Help Norwich Homeowners?

7/8/2021 (Permalink)

When you have fire and smoke damage restoration problems, SERVPRO is the team to call. We use the latest technology and equipment for any size fire.

SERVPRO Knows the Right Cleaners to Use in Norwich Homes with Fire Damage

Restoring the content of your home after a fire is the goal of SERVPRO. Our technicians are trained and experienced to know which cleaning agents are best for specific materials.

Cleaning Products for Content Cleaning

If you have fire damage in your Norwich home, you may be wondering what we can salvage. We understand your concerns and do our best to restore the content of your home. Restoring your home is more cost-effective than replacing items. Here are some of the cleaning products we use to ensure that happens:

• Dry Cleaning Solvents – This is petroleum-based and works with our Ultimate Dry Cleaning Machine. It gets used to clean dry clean fabrics and drapes used for light soiling.
• Volatile Dry Cleaning – This cleaning agent evaporates rapidly and does not leave a residue behind. They are excellent for spot cleaning. They are used to remove smoke residue.
• Wood Oil Soaps – These mild detergents contain no harsh alkalis. They are great for removing light soot residue and are perfect for cleaning wood surfaces.
• Furnisher Polishes – All-purpose wax polishes clean, polish, and protect wood surfaces.
• Carpet & Upholstery Cleaners – SERVPRO uses several products in this category. 

If you need help with fire and smoke damage, contact SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at (860) 887-0047. We provide professional fire damage restoration and house fire clean-up.

Maintaining Your Chimney

12/19/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Anthony Intravera via Upsplash

Nothing is better than sitting by your fireplace on a snowy day, keeping toasty warm.  Below are some tips on keeping your chimney and fireplace in tip top shape to run safely during the winter months

• Get Your Chimney Inspected
  • Ideally an inspection should be done during the spring and summer.  A chimney professional will check your chimney inside and out looking for deterioration or damage
• Chimney Cleaning
  • The Nation Fire Protection Association suggests that an annual cleaning of your chimney is best.  The cleaning will remove creosote build up which can lead to dangerous conditions for your home. 
• Have a Chimney Cap Installed
  • Chimney caps keep rain, snow, sleet and debris from falling directly into your chimney.  If critters are a concern add a mesh covering.  
• Waterproofing
  • Water is your chimney's number one enemy.  Waterproofing adds extra protection.  If the masonry of your chimney is compromised the chimney could begin leaning or could collapse altogether.  

Fire Damage?  Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County at 860-887-0447.  Our skilled technicians are available 24/7 to make it "Like it never even happened"

Giving Thanks in 2020

11/29/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Jed Owens via Upsplash

Thanksgiving is probably looking very different for all our friends and family this year.  Celebrations are scaled back due to Covid-19, but at the same time we are more thankful than ever after what 2020 has dealt us.  Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment. 

Please remember to

• Keep knives out of the reach of children
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working
• Be sure electric cords from electric knives, coffee makers, plate warmers or mixers are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of children
• Never leave lit candles unattended
• Keep anything that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, towels, curtains, food packaging or wooden utensils away from the stove top

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County wishes all our friends, family and customers a happy and safe holiday!

 Need more recipe inspiration?  Check out our recipe from last year for dry rubbed deep fried turkey here:https://www.SERVPROnorwichwindhamcounty.com/blog/post/180883/fire-smoke-damage-restoration/avoid-a-recipe-for-disaster

 To go along with your deep fried turkey, give up the jelly in the can and try some fresh cranberry sauce instead! 

¾  cup White Sugar

½ cup Orange Juice

½ cup Water

12 oz Fresh Cranberries (rinsed and picked through)

Pinch of Salt

1 Cinnamon Stick

Zest of One Orange

 Combine sugar, orange juice, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add cranberries, salt, cinnamon and zest.  Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently.  Continue cooking for about 10 minutes, or until most of the cranberries have popped.  Let cool for at least 30 minutes.  Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.  Can be made up to three days in advance. 

What Can Be Saved After A Fire?

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel via Upsplash

Our blogs feature many tips to avoid fires in your home and business.  So what happens if there is a fire?  Check in with us for the next few weeks for our four-part series of what happens after the fire.

Fires can be devastating to a family, potentially damaging everything in it’s path.  If your home is victim to a fire, you should definitely throw away anything that has been melted, burned or visibly damaged by the fire.  Please note to never throw anything away after a fire without speaking to your insurance company.  A list of items should be made and photographs taken.  This will help with your insurance claim. 

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell what can be salvaged and what can’t.  Here is a quick guide:

 Things to get rid of:

1) Food exposed to fire and heat

It is best to stay on the safe side and discard all food

2)  Fabrics

Any clothing, bedding, carpeting or other fabric that has sustained major burning or charring

3)  Mattresses

Mattresses that have been stained or burned should be disposed of, as they may no longer be structurally sound or contain contaminants.

4)  Medicines and Cosmetics

Contact your doctor immediately if prescriptions have been affected.  It’s best to replace all medication and cosmetics due to the risk of contamination

Things that can often be saved:

1)  Harwood Floors

Unless extremely burned or charred, hardwood floors can often be salvaged and restored

2)  Glass

 If it hasn’t melted it can be salvaged and cleaned

3)  Metal

Most metals can withstand the heat and flames. Items may need to be cleaned

 Our trained technicians can help salvage, restore or disposed of belongings after a fire.  We many be able to save everything, but we can help restore your piece of mind. 

If you need help after a fire, SERVPRO of Norwich-Windham County can help.  Call us 24/7 at 860-887-0447.  

"Smart" Devices to Help Prevent Fires

10/29/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Clint Patterson via Upsplash

Our blogs feature many tips to avoid fires in your home and business.  So what happens if there is a fire?  Check in with us for the next few weeks for our four-part series of what happens after the fire.

 Our world is now filled with technology.  From home assistants to faucets and refrigerators that we can talk to, our homes are wired to run at incredible efficiency.  Are there smart devices that can help with fire prevention?  Yes!

 Smart Smoke Detectors

Smart smoke detectors connect to your phone to be able to alert you when the batteries are low.  They also test your house for both smoke and carbon monoxide averaging over 400 times a day, but it’s smart enough to know steam from the shower isn’t a problem

Smart Outlets

Forget to turn off the coffee pot?  If it is plugged into a smart outlet, you can use an app on your phone to turn off the outlet.  They can also be programmed to turn on the lights as your pulling in the driveway. 

Electronics With Auto Shut Off

Electronics can now often be found with automatic, timed shut-off features from straightening irons to space heaters to clothing irons

 If you need help after a fire, SERVPRO of Norwich-Windham County can help.  Call us 24/7 at 860-887-0447.  

Smoke Odor Removal Tips

10/27/2020 (Permalink)

Our blogs feature many tips to avoid fires in your home and business.  So what happens if there is a fire?  Check in with us for the next few weeks for our four part series of what happens after the fire.

 Stubborn smoke odor is one of the most detrimental consequences of a fire.  The smell can linger, compromising the air quality of your home, as well as pose a health risk to the occupants. 

 When smoke infiltrates the home, smoke particles stick to all household surfaces and get embedded into all porous materials, including carpeting, furniture and fabrics.  Removing them requires a lot of effort and specialized equipment.  How do you get rid of smoke odor?

1).  Call SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County 

Our technicians are trained in fire and smoke remediation.  We have specialized equipment such as air scrubbers, ozone generators and hydroxyl technology to quickly and completely remove smoke odor from your home.  We are available 24/7.  Call us at 860-887-0447. 

2).  Air out the premises 

Open all doors and windows, also removing the screens.  Place fans strategically throughout the home for added effect

3).  Wash/Dry Clean all soft surfaces

All curtains, area rugs, furniture covers, cushions, duvets, blankets and clothing that have been exposed need to be washed or dry cleaned. 

4).  Clean the HVAC System

Smoke can permeate ductwork and linger in the ventilation system.  Change the air conditioning and furnace filters as soon after the fire as possible and have the HVAC system inspected to ensure that hasn’t been damaged in the fire. 

Our next blog in the series will cover what items you should keep, and what items you should discard after a fire or smoke damage. 

What Happens After a Fire (Part One)

10/2/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Ishan@seefromthesky via Upsplash

Our blogs feature many tips to avoid fires in your home and business.  So what happens if there is a fire?  Check in with us for the next few weeks for our four part series of what happens after the fire.

Smoke Damage

After the flames have been put out, you are then left with smoke damage. Smoke damage left unaddressed can devastate your home and its contents, and the actual fire does not necessarily have to occur in the same room. For example, in the case of wildfires, homes and businesses have been completely ruined just from smoke while the buildings remained untouched by flames.

Our technicians at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County have extensive training in fire and smoke restoration.  Our certified experts understand the complex behaviors and types of smoke.

Behaviors of Smoke

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas
• Smoke migrates to upper levels of a structure
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor

Types of Smoke

• Wet smoke (plastics and synthetics)
  • Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky
• Dry Smoke (paper and wood)
  • Fast burning, high temperature, dry
• Protein Fire Residue
  • Produced by evaporation of material rather from burning 
• Fuel Oil Soot (furnace puff backs)

Not matter what the cause, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County can be on sight 24/7 to help restore not only your home but your piece of mind after a fire.

Pumpkin Spice Safety!

9/30/2020 (Permalink)

Photo by Taisila Shestopal via Upsplash

Fall is the best time to have candles filling our homes with yummy scents of apples, pumpkin spice and sandalwood.  October through December are also the months that have the highest incidents of fires due to candles according to the National Fire Protection Association.  Three of every five (37%) candle fires started when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations, was too close to the candle.  The bedroom is the most common point of origin for candle fires.  Keep in mind the following safety tips for safe candle usage

• Candles should be placed in a sturdy candle holder
• Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn
• Candles should be out of the reach of children and pets
• Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed
• Never use candles if oxygen is used in the home
• Light candles carefully.  Keep your hair and any loose clothing away from the flame

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County are experts at fire restoration.  When the unthinkable happens in your home, we are here to help get your home back in order.  Call us today at 860-887-0447

Dryer Fires

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Be sure to use your dryer safely!

Laundry is no one's favorite chore, but don't let it destroy your home!  

According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2010-2014 U.S fire departments responded to an estimated 15,970 home fires involving washing machines or dryers, with 92% due to dryers.  These fires resulted in 13 deaths, 440 injuries and $238 million in property damage.

The leading factor to dryer fires are failing to clean the dryer, causing articles inside or lint to catch fire.  Please keep the following in mind to keep your home safe:

• Have your dryer installed and serviced by a professional
• Do not use the dryer without a lint filter
• Make sure to clean the lint filter before or after each load of laundry.  Remove lint that has collected around the drum
• Make sure the exhaust vent pipe is not restricted and the outdoor vent flap will open when the dryer is operating.  The vent pipe should be cleaned once a year
• Turn the dryer off if you leave the house or when you go to bed.  Do not use the dryer if you can't monitor it carefully

If the unthinkable does happen, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is here to help!  We are available 24/7!  Call us at 860-887-0447

Deck The Halls Safely!

12/11/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Arun Kuchibhotla via Unsplash

Deck the halls smartly and safely this holiday season when it comes to your families Christmas Tree.  A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly!

Picking The Tree

• Choose a tree with fresh green needles that do do fall off when touched

Placing The Tree

• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fire places, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit
• Water the tree daily to prevent drying out

Lighting The Tree

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing lab.  Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.  Read the manufacturer's instructions for the number of lights strands that can be connected  
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed

After Christmas

• Discard the tree after Christmas or when it is dry.  Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home, garage or placed outside against the home
• Check with your local community to find a recycling program
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer

All of us at SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.  

Happy Thanksgiving From Our Family to Yours!

11/27/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Elements5digital via Upsplash

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment?  

The kitchen is the heart of the home, especially during the holidays.  There is often extra people, including children during this special time.  Please remember to:

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top to keep an eye on things.  
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently
• Keep children away from the stove.  The kitchen is not a place for them to be playing
• Make sure children stay away from hot food and liquids.  The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns
• Keep the floors clear so you don't trip over kids, toys, pocketbooks or bags
• Keep knives out of reach of children
• Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child
• Keep matches and utility lighters out of reach of children
• Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working

and most importantly...Relax and enjoy the day with friends and family!  

SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is available 24/7- even on the holidays!  Call us at 860-887-0447

Avoid a Recipe for Disaster

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Suzy Brooks via Upsplash

Thinking of deep frying your turkey this year?  Not only does it use less cooking time and frees up your oven for other side dishes, it's delicious and juicy.  However...according to the National Fire Protection Association, deep fryer fires cause an average of 5 deaths, 60 injuries and more than 15 million in property damage each year.  Here are some safety tips of your taking the plunge into deep frying your turkey

• Make sure to use the fryer outdoors and from a safe distance from flammable materials and other buildings
• Never set up the fryer in the garage
• Keep children clear
• Never leave the fryer unattended
• Use safety googles to protect your eyes and always use pot holders or oven mitts when handling the fryer
• Make sure the turkey is completely thawed
• Keep a fire extinguisher near the fryer.  DO NOT use water to put out a grease fire

We recommend this recipe for a delicious Thanksgiving instead:

Simple Dry Rub Recipe

1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika

2 Tbsp Salt

1 1/2 tsp Garlic Powder

1 1/2 tsp Black Pepper

1 1/2 tsp Onion Powder

1 tsp Cayenne Pepper

1 tsp Dried Thyme

1 tsp Poultry Seasoning

Mix all ingredients and set aside.  Thaw turkey and remove giblets.  Make a 3-inch cut on each side where the leg meets the breast to ensure oil drains out and the meat cooks evenly.  Massage the dry rub mixture on and under the skin, and sprinkle some inside the cavity.  Place the bird on a try, cover it with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator overnight.  When your ready to cook follow all manufactures instructions on your fryer.  

We are thankful for all our customers and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving from SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County.  

Is Something Burning?

10/11/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Matthew McBrayer via Upsplash

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12^th.    We will be featuring a blog post each day this week to remind our customers of ways to prevent fires in their homes. 

Kitchen Fires

While we all can’t be gourmet chefs in the kitchen, even a fire star rated chef can have mishaps in the kitchen.  Did you know that cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and home injuries?  We have some tips to safely cook in your kitchen

• The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.  Never leave something that is boiling, frying, grilling or broiling unattended. 
• When baking or roasting food, check on it regularly and use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking
• Keep anything that can catch fire- oven mitts, towels, curtains, food packaging or wooden utensils away from the stove top.

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire

• Smother the flame by sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed
• Don’t hesitate to call 9-1-1.  Kitchen fires can get out of control quickly. 

In case of fire in your home, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is always ready 24/7.  Let us help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened."

Home Heating Safety

10/10/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Hayden Scott via Upsplash

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12^th.    We will be featuring a blog post each day this week to remind our customers of ways to prevent fires in their homes. 

Home Heating Safety

It’s already starting to get chilly in Connecticut; soon we will all have our heat on to get us through the winter.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that half of the home heating fires happen in December, January and February.  Here are some tips for safely heating your home

• Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, which includes the furnace, wood stove, and portable space heaters
• Never use your oven to heat your home
• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by qualified professionals
• Remember to turn off portable heaters when leaving the room or going to bed
• Keep a three foot “kid free zone” around open fires and space heaters.  Never leave children unsupervised in these areas.
• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.
• When removing ashes from a fire place, wait until they are cool before putting them in a metal container a safe distance away from the home.   

In case of fire in your home, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is always ready 24/7.  Let us help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened."

Smoke Detectors

10/9/2019 (Permalink)

Try to place detectors ten feet from the stove to prevent false alarms from the heat.

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12^th.    We will be featuring a blog post each day this week to remind our customers of ways to prevent fires in their homes. 

Smoke Detectors

You have your escape plan ready to go.  Are your smoke detectors working properly?  Follow this list of tips to make sure everyone in your home is alerted to a fire emergency. 

• Install smoke detectors in every bedroom.  They should also be outside each sleeping area and on every level including the basement
• It is best to use interconnected alarms, that way when one goes off, they all go off
• Test all smoke detectors at least once a month
• Smoke detectors should be on the ceiling or high on a wall
• People who are hard-of-hearing or deaf can use special alarms.  These detectors  have strobe lights and bed shakers
• Replace all smoke detectors when they are 10 years old
• Take advantage of smoke detectors that are multi-sensing and can alert for carbon monoxide levels as well.  

 In case of fire in your home, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is always ready 24/7.  Let us help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened."

What are the leading causes of home fires?

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Daniel Tausis via Upsplash

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12^th.    We will be featuring a blog post each day this week to remind our customers of ways to prevent fires in their homes. 

 According to the National Fire Protection Agency  the are five leading causes of fire in the home. Can you guess what they are?

Cooking

Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires.  The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is leaving cooking unattended. 

Heating

Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in Homes.  According to the National Fire Protection Agency, from 2012-2016 there was an estimated average of 52,050 fires involving heating equipment each year

Smoking

Smoking materials, including cigarettes, pipes and cigars started 17,200 of the reported fires in homes in 2014 according to the National Fire Protection Agency. 

Electrical

Aging electrical systems in older homes can be a source of arc faults, either through normal wear and tear or because the systems cannot accommodate the greater demands of modern appliances. Circuits can also be overloaded by providing electricity to too many appliances, often through power cords.

 Candles

Candles enhance our homes, but remember they are an open flame that can easily ignite anything that can burn

In case of fire in your home, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is always ready 24/7.  Let us help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened."

Plan Your Escape!

10/4/2019 (Permalink)

Photo by Kev Soto via Upsplash

Fire Prevention Week is October 6-12^th.    We will be featuring a blog post each day this week to remind our customers of ways to prevent fires in their homes and safety tips

Escape Plans

•  If a fire breaks out, does your family know how to get out the quickest way?  Make an escape plan so everyone knows what to do and where to do in case of a fire.  Follow these tips for Escape Planning
• Make a plan!  Draw a map of your home showing the locations of doors and windows. 
• Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible.  Make sure all doors and windows leading outside can be opened easily.  You need every second during an emergency.
• Have an outside meeting place (like the mailbox, a tree or light pole) that is a safe distance from the home where everyone can meet. 
• Practice your home fire drill at night and during the day at least twice a year. Make sure you practice both ways out. 
• Teach children how to escape on their own in case you can’t get to them.
• Close doors behind you as you leave.  This can help the fire from spreading. 

 If the alarm goes off

• Get out and stay out.  Never go back in for people or pets
• If you have to escape through smoke, Get Low and Go under the smoke to your way out
• Call the fire department from outside your home. 

In case of fire in your home, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County is always ready 24/7.  Let us help you get your home back to “Like it never even happened."

Safety First on the Fourth!

7/2/2019 (Permalink)

While celebrating the 4th Of July SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County wants to remind you that safety comes 1st on the 4th!  Fireworks account for thousands of injuries every year.  Please keep the following safety tips in mind.

• Never allow young children to handle fireworks
• Older children should use them only under close adult supervision
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should wear protective eyewear
• Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands
• Never light them indoors
• Only use them away from people, houses and flammable material
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting
• Never ignite devices in a container
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of fire
• Never use illegal fireworks

Happy 4^th of July from SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County! 

Willimantic Waste Paper Co. Smoke, Soot & Smell

1/31/2018 (Permalink)

Fire officials work a fire Sunday at a Willimantic Waste Paper Co. Inc. building adjacent to General Cable. (Mark Mirko / Hartford Courant)

The massive fire at Willimantic Waste Paper Co. this weekend resulted in a total loss, but fortunately no one was injured. Fourteen fire companies banned together to help get the massive fire under control. U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal praised the quick response and said it serves as a model to the country.

The fire left a 100,000 square foot shell remaining behind. There is still much cleanup and the surrounding areas are seeing damage from the fire as well and will take quite some time.

The cause of the fire has been ruled undetermined due to the extensive heat and fire. For now there is no indication of foul play.

If your home or business is near The Willimantic Waste plant and you have smoke, soot or odor from the fire, SERVPRO of Norwich and Windham County can help clean up the mess and remove the odor and the damages may be covered under your homeowners insurance policy.

Click here to learn more about the fire.

SUMMER FIRE PREVENTION: PART 2 - AT HOME

6/16/2017 (Permalink)

Be prepared for fire hazards in and around your home. Here are some things to keep in mind from SERVPRO Norwich / Windham County that can start a fire and impact you, your family and your property.

Clothes Dryers

Clothes dryers are a leading cause of issues in the home and most often result from lack of cleaning.

• Don’t use a dryer that doesn’t have a lint protector.
• Clean out lint and don’t let it build up.
• Have your dryer serviced and installed by a professional.

Gas Grills

• Remove anything hanging above the grill
• Keep grill a safe distance from trees, buildings, and anything that may burn.
• Clean grill frequently to stop grease buildup which can cause a fire.
• Keep grills away from homes and decks.
• Make sure the hose connection is tight and check the hoses for leaks.
• If the grill does not light immediately, wait at least 15 minutes for the propane to dissipate.
• When your finished turn off the grill and fuel cylinder.
• Keep clothing away from the surface while grilling.

Charcoal Grills

• In charcoal grills don’t add fluid after the coals are lit, and once the coals are cooled they should be placed in metal container with tight lid.

Fire Pit

• Keep fire manageable.
• Make sure fire is 10 feet away from any structure or combustible surface (plants, overhanging trees, buildings, furniture, et cetera).
• Be aware of the weather forecast.
• Always have a way to put out a fire (water, bucket of sand, fire blanket).
• Clean the area surrounding the fire pit.
• Keep a close eye on children if they are near the fire pit.

Around Your Home

• Remove billowy curtains or look for different insulating options.
• Store flammable products in a safe place, like an outdoor shed.
• Stack firewood away from the house in an uphill direction.

Have a Plan

• Have two escape routes out of your home.
• Have an evacuation plan with a meeting location if your family gets separated.
• Have personal identification, insurance documents and medication in known location that can be moved in the event of an emergency.
• Place valuables in a fire and waterproof box in a place for easy and quick access.

Stop, Drop and Roll

We all remember sitting through a childhood safety class and hearing the popular adage, “stop,drop, and roll” in the event of a fire situation. Keep this memorable phrase in mind if you or your loved ones are ever in harm’s way.

In the event the unexpected should happen, be sure to call SERVPRO Norwich / Windham County at (860) 887-0447. We offer 24/7 emergency service and will help you with all your fire and water damage restoration... "Like it never even happened."

SUMMER FIRE PREVENTION: PART 1 - THE OUTDOORS

6/14/2017 (Permalink)

With the official start of summer only days away we at SERVPRO of Norwich / Windham County would like to review some important outdoor safety tips.

Wildfires

Watch the weather for conditions that are optimal for wildfires:

• Low temperatures
• High winds
• Extremely dry spells

Fireworks

Carelessness and misuse of fireworks can lead to serious injury, so following these helpful tips to stay safe when handling fireworks.

• Check for any fireworks are bans in your area.
• Never point fireworks at people or, in the direction of structures and things that may easily catch fire.
• Abide by all local rules and regulations.
• Properly dispose of fireworks and flammable materials.

Fire pits and Campfires

A fire pit or campfire embers can travel one mile from the source of the main fire to land on roofs, decks, dry grass/leaves or in homes through any opening.

• Abide by rules in the area by paying attention to fire bans, limits, times and other regulations.
• Don’t build fires near dry leaves or overhanging tree branches
• Surround your fire with rocks.
• Keep lighter fluid and other flammable materials away.
• Be careful with how much lighter fluid you use.
• Keep fire away from tents and property and make sure it’s downwind.
• Never leave a fire unattended,
• Always put out a fire completely before you leave.

If a fire does impact you and your family call SERVPRO Norwich / Windham County at (860) 887 - 0447 for all of your fire restoration needs.