Navigating Through the Flames: Your Comprehensive Guide to Commercial Fire Safety in Brooklyn

8/2/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage in a Brooklyn warehouse.

Brooklyn, the heart of creativity and culture, with its historic districts like Williamsburg and Greenpoint, is home to an array of businesses, from quaint boutiques to avant-garde start-ups. As a business owner in this dynamic landscape, being prepared for disasters such as fires is crucial.

Recognizing Fire Risks in Brooklyn

Brooklyn's commercial spaces, each with their unique architectural charm, present distinctive fire risks. From converted factory buildings in Williamsburg to cozy cafés in Greenpoint, recognizing potential fire hazards in your specific space can play a significant role in fire prevention.

Commercial Fire Safety Tips 

1. Install and Maintain Fire Alarms and Sprinkler Systems:

Fire alarms and sprinkler systems are your first line of defense in the event of a fire. These systems can help in detecting a fire early and control it before it spreads, saving lives and minimizing property damage. Regular inspections by certified professionals ensure they are in optimal working condition, ready to act when needed.

2. Be Mindful of Kitchen and Electrical Safety: 

If your commercial space houses a kitchen, never leave cooking unattended. A substantial number of commercial fires are due to unattended cooking. Turn off all kitchen appliances after use, and clean them regularly to prevent grease buildup, which can ignite a fire.

For electrical safety, ensure all appliances, cords, and plugs are in good working order. Overloaded outlets, damaged cords, and malfunctioning appliances can create electrical fires. Consider having an electrician perform regular checkups.

3. Train Your Staff: 

Investing in fire safety training for your employees is crucial. They should understand the fire safety procedures, know how to operate fire extinguishers correctly, and identify the quickest evacuation routes. This training can make a significant difference in the rapid and safe evacuation of your team and customers during a fire.

4. Create a Fire Escape Plan: 

Every Brooklyn commercial establishment should have a well-detailed fire escape plan. It should include the safest and quickest evacuation routes, the location of fire extinguishers, and a designated outdoor meeting spot. Regular fire drills will help familiarize your team with the plan and decrease panic during a real emergency.

After the Blaze - Recovery and Restoration

In the unfortunate event of a fire, the path to recovery can feel overwhelming. Commercial fire damage extends beyond just physical damage, disrupting operations and potentially impacting your business's bottom line. That's when SERVPRO Team Holmes steps in.

Available 24/7, our professionals specialize in commercial fire damage cleanup and restoration. We provide comprehensive services that include soot and smoke removal, deodorization, water extraction, and the restoration of damaged areas. Our goal is to reduce business interruption, getting you back to your regular operations as quickly as possible.

Remember, Stay Prepared and Stay Safe!

Being prepared can significantly impact your business's response to a fire, ensuring the safety of your employees and customers. Stay fire-smart, Brooklyn! And remember, if you find yourself dealing with fire damage, SERVPRO Team Holmes is here to help you recover, restore, and resume business operations swiftly and efficiently.

Looking for assistance with fire recovery and restoration services? Need advice on how to better protect your commercial property from fire risks? Call us today at 347-647-2546. Day or night, SERVPRO Team Holmes is ready to help the Brooklyn business community bounce back stronger than ever.

Fire Damage Cleanup Done Right

8/1/2022 (Permalink)

Using special soot sponges to remove soot from the walls

Fire damage, including smoke and soot, affects not only the structure of your house, but also your belongings. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpointunderstands how your family’s furniture, clothing, keepsakes, and other belongings are what make your house a home.

Contents Restoration

SERVPRO specializes in restoring contents damaged by a variety of disasters such as water, fire, or storms. Our expertise allows us to have a “restore” versus “replace” mentality that can help save money, while also preserving your keepsakes that can’t be replaced. We test your belongings to determine what items can be restored to pre-fire condition. We'll use several methods to clean your contents, including:

• Dry Cleaning - Used for cleaning light residues or to pre-clean prior to wet cleaning.
• Spray and Wipe -Effective for items that can’t withstand wet cleaning.
• Foam Cleaning - Used for upholstery fabrics that might shrink or bleed if wet cleaned.
• Wet Cleaning - An effective cleaning method for removing moderate to heavy residues.
• Abrasive Cleaning - Involves agitation of the surface being cleaned.

We take Care of the Pack-Outs

If your home requires extensive restoration or cleaning due to fire damage, we can conduct an organized and efficient move of the affected area into storage. A move-out has several benefits, including:

• A speedy remodeling process
• Safekeeping of items from potential damage

When restoration is complete, we'll work with you to coordinate the move-in according to your needs. The services offered upon move-in may depend on your insurance coverage.

Electronic Cleanup

Fire-damaged electronics can present a serious hazard. Do not attempt to turn on or operate any electrical device that you suspect has been damaged by fire. Smoke residues can contain acids that corrode metal surfaces. If the residues are not removed, corrosion causes electronic failure in the device. SERVPRO can coordinate the restoration of your electronics, including:

• Television sets
• DVD players
• Computers
• And more

The key to restoring electronics is taking prompt action to prevent further damage. Electronics will be cleaned and inspected by a qualified electronics technician.

Document / Photograph Drying

When your valuable documents, including photographs, are damaged by water or fire, extreme caution should be taken to help ensure the fire damage does not destroy the document. Although some documents may not be restored to pre-fire damage condition, SERVPRO can save a great deal and help minimize additional damage.

Depending on the type of documents, and the level of fire, smoke, or soot damage, there are a variety options for the restoration of documents. 

Some Fire Safety Tips to Protect Your Home

4/10/2022 (Permalink)

A fire in your Brooklyn home can get out of control quickly and result in damage you don't want to experience. It only takes an estimated five minutes for a home to become engulfed in flames. Fires spread extremely fast, with a major fire able to develop within just 30 seconds. In order to prevent fires from starting, please take some time to review the following information to keep you and your family out of harm's way!

Test Your Smoke Alarms Monthly-

A working smoke alarm can be the difference between life and death in the case of a fire. At SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we recommend you install a dual-sensor smoke alarm: these contain sensors that pick up on both ionization and photoelectric smoke. Test your batteries monthly and replace batteries annually. Depending on your manufacturer, you can expect to change your smoke alarm once every 8-10 years.

Stay in the Kitchen If You Are Cooking-

If you are actively using heat to cook in the kitchen, be sure to supervise at all times. If you have to leave at any point, be sure to turn off the stove. Cooking is the leading cause of house fires in America and can be easily prevented through diligence. 

Replaces Bad Wires-

Any appliances that have worn or damaged cords should be replaced ASAP. Wires that are frayed can cause fires, especially if close to rugs or furniture that can spread the fire further.

Move Flammable Items From Heat Sources-

When cooking, be sure to keep flammables (such as alcohol or hand sanitizer) far away from the heat source.

Supervise Children Around Heat or Fire-

Never leave a child unsupervised near a stove or candles! Not even for a short period of time should children be left unattended with a source of fire.

SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint is There 

Most house or apartment fires are easily avoidable. With some foresight, you may never have to know the damage that can accompany a fire in the home. However, here at SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we are here to help if you require help for fire restoration. Just give us a call at (917) 809-6562 and we will make it look "Like it never even happened."

Fire damage in your Brooklyn Home

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Extensive Fire Damage? We've Got you!

Easing The Stress Of Fire Damage

When you have experienced something as devastating as a fire, you may be worried about what will happen next. This generally involves an extensive cleanup and restoration that can bring your home back to its original state. With the methods we use, removal of smoke odors is something we excel with at SERVPRO. Every step breaks down residue, and we also have measures that help locate any areas where odorous particles may be hiding.

• Pack-out services for cleaning contents off-site can help prevent smoke odor transferring into your home's unaffected areas.
• We carefully clean all soot-covered surfaces, leaving no area without proper treatment. 
• Technicians have access to a range of EPA-approved antimicrobials and cleaning agents to facilitate cleanup efficiently.
• We can use thermal fogging machinery for pungent odors to recreate the situation that brought on the odor penetration.
• We also seal off areas to keep odors from popping up, including walls and the ductwork for your HVAC system.

Contact Us ASAP-

After the flames get extinguished, you must wait for approval from first responders on the scene to enter safely. Once you contact SERVPRO to clean up your fire damage in Brooklyn, our team arrives, and the crew chief begins the assessment. During the initial inspection and walkthrough, we note the damage to formulate the correct plan of action that utilizes the best equipment and restoration techniques for the job. We must work to restore and salvage whatever possible to save your cherished belongings while also saving you time and money.

Tis' the Season for Fires- Be Safe!

12/24/2021 (Permalink)

Play it safe this Christmas season

It was found that between 2015 and 2019, United States fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started from Christmas trees per year. And from that these fires caused an average of two deaths, 12 injuries and $10 million in direct property damage annually. You definitely do not want to add to those numbers this year. At SERVPRO we do fire cleanups and restorations frequently, seeing the toll it can have is the reason we want to share some advice to stay safe this winter.

Here are some tips we have below:

• Get a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched. 
• Cut 2" from the base of the trunk before placing it down. 
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators or lights. 
• Add water to the tree stand daily so it does not dry out. 
• Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Don't use anything that gets warm.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Preventing Electrical Fires

11/12/2021 (Permalink)

A house fire is an experience no one wants to be a part of, we definitely don’t want you to be! Electrical fires are a very common source of home fires around the US, they happen for various reasons and below are some tips to keep yourself safe.

Tips

• Unplug heat generating electronics that are not in use

• Hair dryers, curling irons, toaster ovens, etc
• Make sure your homes electrical system is up to date
• Modern electrical systems are much safer then old style ones that create heat
• Do not tamper with electrical plugs
• The third prong needs to be there to prevent electrical surges
• Only use extension cords for short periods of time
• Always follow instructions regarding appliances
• Warnings about a product could prevent a fire
• Be aware
• Check for signs of heat by light switches, burning smells, sparks, etc
• Do not overburden an outlet
• Keep the amount of appliances/devices plugged into a minimum
• Throw away faulty electronics do not keep using them

If you notice signs of a fire don’t hesitate to call 911, time is always of the essence. 

Preventing Fires In Your Brooklyn Apartment

11/7/2021 (Permalink)

Fire-

Fires are frightening for everyone, but living in an apartment the fear is greater and the risks are more present. Living in close proximity to others it is impossible to control what they are doing, but there are several steps you can take to ensure you are more prepared. 

How to prevent a fire-

Test fire alarms and change fire alarm batteries frequently- press the test button on your fire alarms monthly to ensure they are working properly. If you cannot replace them yourself contact your landlord or super as soon as possible.

Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen- most fires begin in the kitchen, make sure to keep an up to date fire extinguisher rated for grease and kitchen fires. 

Blow out candles- never leave a lit candle unattended, always blow them out before leaving even for a few minutes. 

Keep everything clean- make sure you avoid clutter in the way of exits as well as near any heat sources as this can feed a potential fire.

Do not overload outlets- make sure you do not have too many things plugged into your outlets. Electrical fires can happen while you are not home and cause serious fires.

Make an escape plan- make an escape plan for you and anyone else living in your apartment, plan ahead to get you and your family out. 

Stay aware- finally, if you smell smoke coming from another unit call your landlord or super immediately, and if necessary dial 911

Kitchen Fires

7/16/2021 (Permalink)

Kitchen fires can be very unpredictable; they can be a small mishap or a huge disaster in a matter of seconds. It is important to keep fire extinguishers nearby and have a plan in place. Never leave food unattended while cooking and always make sure appliances are off once you've finished using them. 

The Oven is a hotspot for disasters, oven fires can start when the baking is well overdone, or when a flammable material drips down to the heating element. Oven fires also happen when an oven becomes dirty from food particles building up. 

When this occurs your first reflex may be to open the oven door, but do not open the door! Instead, put out the oven fire by allowing it to suffocate. Leaving the door closed, you’ll turn off the oven to oven to stop the cooking (unplug when possible). Eventually, the flames will consume all of the oxygen, and oxygen is what the fire needs to sustain itself, killing the flames inside. When the flames eventually snuff out, clean up and open a window if possible, but if they persist, call the fire department immediately.

The stove is another likely place to cause fires, mainly with grease. Here are some good tips to deal with a grease fire on your stove-

• Don’t use water to put out grease fires. Water won’t put out the fire, it will just divert the grease and thus spread the fire. 
• For a small fire, use the big lid trick as mentioned earlier. Turn off the burner and cover the burning pan or the burner itself with the lid tightly so it’s deprived of oxygen.
• Pour baking soda or salt on the flames until it’s snuffed out (again, do not use flour).
• Use a water-soaked towel to smother the flames. This is different from pouring water on the flame.
• Use a fire extinguisher, pointing it at the base of the flames.

What to Do After An Apartment Fire in Your Brooklyn Apartment

4/14/2021 (Permalink)

Call our office if you're dealing with an apartment fire in your Brooklyn home!

Damaging fires, unfortunately, happen every 24 seconds in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Apartments are no exception to this reality. In fact, an average of 382,397 fires that occur annually in the United States happen within residential properties, with many injuries as well.

Dealing with an emergency like this is extremely stressful and often unplanned for. Fortunately, SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint is equipped to handle the aftermath of incidents like this in any size residential space, including apartments.

What do I do if there’s a fire in my apartment?

It's important to act immediately, but stay calm. You need to alert everyone in the apartment and make sure to leave the property immediately.

Use your pre-planned escape route if you have one, and consider developing one now if you don’t. 

When everyone is evacuating the building, make sure everyone stays low and crawls since smoke rises.

Safety Tips: Do's and Don'ts

• DON'T stop to retrieve any valuables or collectibles. 
• DO close the door to the room the fire started in and close doors as you continue to exit the building, if you can do so safely.
• DO check handles/door knobs for heat before grasping. For example, touch it with the back of your hand. If the door is warm, then there is likely fire behind it and you must find an alternative route to exit the building. 
• DON'T attempt to extinguish a fire unless you are trained to do so. 
• DON'T go back into the building. 
• DO call the fire department as soon as you safely have the opportunity to do so. If there is anyone remaining in the building, make sure to inform them of this. 

What should I do after the fire department leaves?

Once the fire is extinguished and the dust settles, call a restoration company immediately to address the damage. Only those who are equipped to handle the water, smoke and fire damage your apartment has suffered should be entering the building and handling the situation. You will also want to get in touch with your insurance company. Did you know? SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint works with all insurance companies.

Why should I choose SERVPRO for my Fire Restoration Needs?

• We offer a wide-variety of services: Content Cleaning, Technology Restoration, Document Restoration, Dry-Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Smoke/Soot Removal, Move-In/Out, and other services to help with getting your space back to normal after a fire.

What's more? We work closely with your family and the various adjusters to make sure that the job is done right.  We understand that your apartment needs to be cared for and respected during this difficult time. We pride ourselves on limiting our interruption into your lives. When possible, we will work around your schedule so that the day-to-day routine of your family is not disrupted further. 

What steps do we take to handle fire damage restoration? 

SERVPRO provides Structural Cleaning and Content Cleaning for Williamsburg and Greenpoint homes that have been affected by Smoke or Fire Damage.

Fire Safety Tips

4/12/2021 (Permalink)

Do you have a Fire Safety Plan? Protect your Brooklyn home by making a plan to protect your loved ones.

It’s no secret how devastating a house fire can be, so it only makes sense to do everything possible to keep your home safe and know what to do if you do encounter a blaze. Here are a few key fire safety tips to keep in mind.

Frequently inspect your home’s smoke detectors.

Smoke detectors are extremely important to fire safety and should be installed in every bedroom and on every floor of your home. While many suggest annually changing the batteries in detectors, homeowners should also do a routine monthly check to ensure they are operational, and replace them every 10 years or as directed by the manufacturer. Regardless of whether they’re battery-operated or hard-wired, these more frequent checkups can help keep your home safe.

Have a family fire escape plan. 

Understandably, people can become overwhelmed when a home fire breaks out. Creating an evacuation plan for the event of a house fire starting is a great way to ensure everyone in your household will know exactly what to do and can act efficiently if a fire starts. Plan out exit routes, meeting places and any special provisions your family members may need. Assign one person specific tasks such as gathering pets or contacting family members not in the home to ensure everyone is protected and communication stays consistent.

Know how to operate a fire extinguisher. 

Did you know there are actually several kinds of fire extinguishers available? Because of that, important to get the type you think will be most suited to your needs. Make sure you fully understand how to use it and share the information with your family members, as well. Here’s a summary of the different types of extinguishers. To correctly use a fire extinguister, remember the word PASS:

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

Never leave flames unattended. 

Because open flames are so common in the household, many people forget the extreme dangers they can pose. Whether it is from a cooktop or candle, a flame can spread to other surfaces in an instant, which is why it is vital to never leave one unattended for any length of time. Pets and children can easily cause a fire if left unattended. Always extinguish all flames when you’re not in the room.

Have a plan should a fire break out

Do you have a fire safety plan for your home in Brooklyn? Whether you own your Williamsburg home or rent an apartment, it's important to consider a fire escape plan.

We understand that no one wants to consider the unthinkable, but you need to have a plan on what to do if a fire breaks out. In addition to the fire escape plan mentioned above, consider what next steps are needed after the fire is extinguished.

It’s important to contact a fire remediation company like SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint to assist with the damage left behind from smoke and flames. SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint has a staff of trained professionals to assist you in this time of need. We’re available 24/7 to help you recover from a house fire. Call us if you experience a fire or any other type of disaster at (917) 809-6562. We’re here to help!

Why Hire A Professional For Fire Damage Cleanup

3/17/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint for Professional Fire Damage Cleanup.

A fire can strike many time, consequences can be devastating and deadly. After the fire, people will first want to clean up their home. Before you decide to clean up the property, it’s a good idea to reach out to a fire damage cleanup company like SERVPRO.

Here are our top reasons for hiring a professional for Fire Damage Cleanup.

1. Fire Damage Cleanup Can Be Dangerous

The reason why you should hire a professional for fire damage cleanup is that the process can be very dangerous to clean up after a fire. The area that is damaged could also have broken glass, sharp objects, and a variety of hazards. These hazards can be hard to identify. When you choose to work with a professional, they will be able to use the tools necessary to safely clear the area of all debris.

When you call a team of professional fire restoration experts, no stone will go unturned. Industry experts understand how damaging smoke and soot can be, and they know exactly which tools and services to offer in order to eliminate it. A professional fire restoration company knows what to look for and how to eliminate the risks.

2. Follow Regulations

One reason why you should hire a professional for fire damage cleanup is that they will be able to follow regulations. After fire damage your local community may have specific ways of how the cleanup needs to be handled. This will prevent you from using trash and dumpster service. A fire damage cleanup company will be able to follow the proper steps to ensure your home is in compliance with any laws.

3. Restoring Your Items

Another advantage for hiring a professional for fire damage cleanup is that they can restore many items that you thought can be destroyed. They will be able to carefully review all of your personal belongings that were damaged. An item that appears to be completely damaged could actually be full restored. This can include flooring, furniture, appliances, and many other items that could be expensive to replace.

When you discover that your property is subjected to the destruction and deterioration that fires generate, it’s time to take action. The best thing to do is to call the professionals. Our team has extensive experience in the fire damage cleanup.

Here at SERVPRO of Williamsburg, Greenpoint we are proud to serve. When serious disaster hits, we stand ready to mobilize our team to help out during any kind of crisis. Call us at (917) 809-6562