San Fernando Valley: A Community Shaped by Fire

11/22/2023 (Permalink)

Living in the San Fernando Valley, you get used to the ebb and flow of fire seasons. Over the years, our community has seen its fair share of challenges, and fire incidents have become part of our local history. Back in '61 when the Bel Air–Brentwood Fire crept into the Valley, it caused widespread fire damage and left a lasting impact on our neighborhoods. It was a wake-up call for many of us, realizing how vulnerable we are to the unpredictable nature of wildfires.

In recent times, we've faced the Creek Fire in 2017 and the Saddleridge Fire in 2019. Both brought moments of uncertainty, with mandatory evacuations and our skies filled with smoke. The smoke damage was evident, and the aftermath required significant fire damage restoration and also smoke damage restoration as a result. Our resilience as a community shone through during these times, emphasizing the importance of quick responses from emergency services and the need for robust fire prevention measures.

As a local, you learn to appreciate the beauty of the Valley but also respect the challenges that come with it. As we enter fire season in our local area, it's about staying prepared, looking out for each other, and supporting one another through the trials that history has etched into our hills and canyons.

Fire Safety Tips While Cooking

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

One of the leading causes of fire in the kitchen is unattended cooking, specifically while using the stove. Even though we don't usually think of cooking as a safety risk you can never be too sure what will occur in the future. Learning and understanding the kitchen fire safety risk can make all the difference.

Don't Be Too Far from the Kitchen

If you are boiling, frying, or grilling your food remain in the kitchen at all times in order to prevent any unwanted surprises. In the event that there is an emergency make sure you turn off the stove before leaving the kitchen. On the contrary, if you are baking, simmering, or roasting something you don't need to be in the kitchen watching it but it is necessary to remain inside your home to check on your food here and there. 

Know What to Do When Something Occurs in the Oven

Most well known fire damage safety precautions have to do with the stove but no one really talks about what to do if the fire starts in the oven. If you come back to a fire in the oven its best to turn off the heat and keep the oven door closed until the fire dies out.

Clear Flammable Objects Away from the Cooking Area 

When were cooking we often use things like oven mitts, towels, and sometimes wooden utensils. In the event a fire does start having these items near will higher the risk of the fire spreading, leading to more damage and a larger fire to put out. Keeping these items stored in cabinets or a good distance away when finished using would lesson the risk of a fire spreading larger then it should be.

If a fire does start to spread causing damages and leaving behind soot and odor SERVPRO of Northridge & SERVPRO of Granada Hills is here to help and get your property back like it never happened.

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Northridge (818) 993-9339

Safety Tips for Every Homeowner

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarm 

Smoke Alarms are critical for the early detection of a fire in your home and could mean the difference between a life and death situation. Fires can occur in a variety of ways and in any room of your home. But no matter where or how, having a smoke alarm is the first key step toward your family's safety. Every home should have or already have these alarms throughout the house so if your property is missing these make sure to install them in.

Fire Extinguisher

Most of the time a fire in a home starts to rise in the kitchen so one fire extinguisher near that area would be the minimum, but having multiple ones throughout the home of different kinds would be the ideal option since extinguishers from various makers all work differently. A simple YouTube video on how to use the extinguisher that you have would be beneficial in the case a fire starts and you need to distinguish it quick.

Fire Escape ladder 

A Fire Escape Ladder is essential to have if your home has two floors. Place a ladder where its easy to access, a good spot would be in each bedroom closet so in the event the hallway or exit gets cut off you'll be able to grab it and have a safer route right down your window. You'll need to gather your family and make sure everyone knows how to properly and safely use the ladder.

Sprinkler Systems

These little things are firefighters waiting to help out when you need them the most. When a fire ignites, the air directly above it heats rapidly. This hot air rises and spreads along the ceiling. When the air is hot enough and reaches a sprinkler head, it triggers a chain reaction and releasing water everywhere distinguishing any fire that it can. Along with the smoke alarms these should already be throughout your ceiling when you had purchased the house.

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Northridge (818) 993-9339

Why Should You Board Up Your Property After a Fire?

4/2/2022 (Permalink)

The after effects of a fire is a stressful time for any property or business owner. Many people don't have to experience fire damage in their lifetime, but if a fire does occur or strike your home knowing what to do and who to call is crucial in time like these.

One of the most important first steps, but often overlooked is boarding up your property. Damages to walls, doors, and windows is common whether its from the actual fire or first responders doing everything they can to get rid of the fire. If your property isn't secure it could lead your home or business to become vulnerable to animals, thieves, and even weather. Which only leaves you feeling more stressful then you already are. 

After any disaster, it could take insurance companies time to access the damage and figure out what they will and wont cover. Securing your property with boards or even just tarps protect your belongings before and through the inspection and cleanup process. 

Disasters happen all the time at any moment, SERVPRO of Northridge & SERVPRO of Granada Hills is here to help 24/7.

Have questions? Call SERVPRO of Northridge (818) 993-9339

Steps for Restoring Fire Damage

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

1. Inspection Process 

Our crew will arrive at the scene and take a look at what there dealing with. This will help them come up with a plan to restore your property as soon as possible. They will find out how much your property and furniture was affected by the smoke, fire, and soot.

A good check through will find out whether you will need any structural repairs done, help remove any mold issues if existent, and with the cost and insurance claims. The crew will also isolate the unsafe areas and cover any parts of the property that need to be protected by the weather.

2. Cleanup Process

If necessary removing the left over water is the first thing that needs to be done to start the cleanup process. Standing water can cause even more damage to occur if left alone. We will use equipment specialized to extract the water from all the affected areas.

We will also use specialized equipment to clean out all the soot leftover from the fire. The property will be cleaned and sanitized if water was present to prevent any health effects in the future. The fire stains that occur after a fire usually go deeper then just the surface. Only a deep scrub, sanding, and refinishing will get rid of those stains. 

Have questions about anything? Call SERVPRO of Northridge (818) 993-9339