How to Prepare for Wildfires

12/1/2022 (Permalink)

With the right planning, preparation, and resources, wildfires can be survivable.

How to Be Prepared for Wildfires

Wildfires can be terrifying, but they're also natural parts of the ecosystem. And while they might not seem likely to happen, knowing how to be prepared for wildfires is important no matter where you live. If this is your first time dealing with wildland fires, take some time now to plan for the worst-case scenario if it does happen.

Know the signs and symptoms of wildfires.

If you smell smoke in the air, it could mean that a wildfire is nearby. You may also see ash falling from the sky or observe dry air and low humidity, as well as clear skies with strong winds and gusts. The smell of smoke should be your first sign that something is on fire nearby; if you don't smell anything but do notice other signs like those above, then it's likely that there is a wildfire nearby.

Have a plan for where to go if a wildfire approaches.

Planning ahead is key to reduce risk of injury or death. If you are at home, follow these tips:

• Have a plan for where to go if a wildfire approaches.
• Be ready to act quickly and leave if told to do so by local authorities.
• Be aware that there may be several ways out of your neighborhood, but not all roads are safe for travel during evacuations.

Providing enough water reduces risk of dehydration.

This is a crucial step. You can't live without water and having enough of it for each person in your household makes it less likely that anyone will suffer from dehydration. FEMA recommends one gallon of water per person per day, but the general rule is to always have at least one gallon per person per day on hand.

If you have tap water, boil it for at least 1 minute before drinking or use bottled water (but make sure to check expiration dates). Another option is to buy purifiers or filters that remove contaminants like bacteria and viruses from contaminated sources such as lakes or rivers.

You should gather the necessary supplies ahead of time, especially in dry weather. It is important to have enough food, water and medication for your family.

Plan for the worst and be prepared for it.

It is important to know what to do in the event of a wildfire as well as know your community's emergency plan and know how to respond in case of an emergency. Identify possible evacuation routes ahead of time so that if there is an evacuation order issued by local authorities. 

Have a supply kit ready to go with enough food, water and other supplies for at least 72 hours. Pack items that are lightweight and portable such as cans of tuna or spam, dry cereal, peanut butter and crackers. Be sure the kit has any medications you use regularly. Include things like flashlights with extra batteries and wind-up radios so that you can get information on where it's safe to go if wildfires threaten your area. Also include important documents like proof of identity cards or birth certificates in case there is an evacuation order issued by local authorities.

With the right planning, preparation, and resources, wildfires can be survivable. But it’s important not to get complacent when it comes to wildfires.  The key is being proactive about keeping your family safe from these natural disasters. By knowing what to do in case of a wildfire, as well as how they start and spread, you’ll be prepared if one ever strikes close by.

Essential Elements of a Fire Escape Plan

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Practice makes perfect

Develop And Communicate A Solid Plan

While having smoke alarms in your Sun City, NV, home may be the first line of defense, having a fire escape plan is just as important. A fire damage and restoration company can repair and restore the damage from a home fire, but the safety of everyone in the household relies on developing and communicating a solid plan.

Key Elements
While every home is different, as are the people who reside in it, a basic fire escape plan should include the following vital elements.

Make a Map – The map should include every hallway, room, door, window and level of the house. This not only provides a visual of the home but also allows for the next step of the plan.
Designate Escape Routes – Every room needs at least two escape routes in case the effects of the fire blocks one of them. This is especially important for homes with more than one level. The ability to exit the door and go down the stairs may not be a viable option. It is a good idea to consider keeping fire ladders in each upper-level room to ensure a safe exit from a second-story window.
Communicate a Meeting Place – After everyone knows how to get out the safest way possible, they also need to know where to go for a headcount. A designated meeting place across the street or on the corner of your neighbor’s sidewalk allows for a safe distance from the flames.

Practice Makes Perfect
As important as fire preparation is, it only works if it is regularly revisited. Physically going through the plan on a regular basis, as they do in school, helps solidifies the process and may highlight areas that may need to be addressed. It’s also important that everyone in the household, including guests, have a copy of the plan.
A fire is often an unexpected event, so ensure you have made and practiced a fire escape plan to increase the chances of everyone safely getting out of the home.

What To Consider When Buying Smoke Detectors

5/26/2022 (Permalink)

Dual-sensor alarms contain components of both sensors, making them ideal for home use.

What to Keep in Mind When Purchasing Smoke Detectors

As a homeowner, you know the importance of fire safety. Limiting blazes can keep your loved ones safe and prevent flames or smoke from destroying your cherished assets.
Buying smoke detectors is an easy way to protect your Summerlin, NV, house and family. However, there are many different options on the market. It can thus be hard to decide which smoke alarm to get. Here are some factors to consider before you make your purchase.

Type of Alarm
There are three main kinds of smoke alarms. They are identified by the censors they use:

• Photoelectric
  
• Ionization
  
• Dual-sensor
  
  

Photoelectric alarms are designed to detect smoldering fires, including those that occur in beddings or electrical wires. Ionization alarms, meanwhile, detect quickly burning flames from grease or paper. Dual-sensor alarms contain components of both sensors, making them ideal for home use.
Place one alarm on each floor, one in each bedroom and one in every hallway that leads to a bedroom. You can even purchase a system that electronically connects the detectors. This way, they will all beep when one of them is triggered.

Other Features
Some smoke detectors have additional features for added convenience. Look for a smoke alarm that is simple to test. Ideally, the detector should have a button that you can press to ensure the device is working. If you do not want to climb a ladder to reach the alarm, pick a detector that can be tested via remote control.
You should also get an alarm with a "hush" feature. This lets you silence the detector during a false alarm without actually disabling the device.
Cleaning a smoke detector regularly can limit these false alarms. You may want to consider alarms with removable or hinged covers that make it easier to vacuum the device.
The right smoke alarm can limit your need for fire damage cleanup services. Pick detectors with modern features and those that can detect several types of blazes.

4 Critical Components of Commercial Fire Preparation

5/22/2022 (Permalink)

A drill should educate workers on where to go in an emergency and identify fire exit doors.

Commercial Fire Preparation

When it comes to scary disasters, a business fire ranks quite high in the minds of managers and owners, and for good reason. Not only does it have the potential for serious damage, but it is also fairly common, with over 100,000 commercial fires reported every year. Getting your business in Las Vegas, NV, prepared for a fire comes down to a few essential actions.

1. Create a Fire Safety Checklist
It can be easy to overlook some of the essential elements of fire safety. Writing down these elements and adding to them when necessary increases the chances of solid fire preparation. A complete checklist makes sure fire extinguishers are up to date, exit doors are marked, combustibles are stored safely and fire alarms are in working condition.

2. Train Employees With Fire Drills
A business fire is one of the most chaotic situations that can happen to employees. While drills cannot completely duplicate the event, they still provide many benefits. A drill should educate workers on where to go in an emergency and identify fire exit doors. At least some employees should be trained on the proper use of fire extinguishers. In some cases, the use of an extinguisher can reduce the level of damage.

3. Send Out Emergency Contact Numbers
Key personnel should have multiple points of access to the contact information of emergency personnel. This includes the local fire department, emergency first responders and experienced fire mitigation and recovery team. 

4. Review Fire Damage Insurance Coverage
If a fire does break out in your facility, you will soon learn the value of your commercial insurance policy. To make sure you have adequate coverage, it is smart to review your policy on an annual basis and make necessary upgrades as your business grows.
A business fire is something that requires a high level of preparation. The right actions ahead of time can reduce your company's exposure to this catastrophic event.  

Smoke, but No Fire- You Could Still Be Covered by Insurance

3/8/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke damage in a Summerlin, NV property.

Smoke Damage - Where Can This Happen?

There are plenty of instances in which you could experience smoke damage without having had a fire occur on your property in Summerlin, NV. If you have fire insurance, this may still be included in your coverage. What are some real-world scenarios where you could see this happen?

Wildfires

Depending on where your property sits, wildfires could be a recurring issue, especially during the summer fire season. A large wildfire can spread smoke for miles and cause soot damage to nearby structures. You may need to consider cleaning the soot out more than once throughout the season, so it does not build up or sit, causing more destruction. There are a handful of ways you can help reduce your building's exposure to wildfire smoke:

• air filters
  
• room air cleaners
  
• humidifiers
  
• tightly sealed windows and doors
  
  

Trouble With the Neighbors

Most people wish the best for their neighbors, but sometimes the worst happens. If you happen to be located nearby when a fire strikes, your commercial property may also be affected- smoke damage is likely. If you are close enough, you may also experience damage from fire suppression materials like water, foam and pressurized hoses. You could attempt to coordinate with your neighbors and use the same fire remediation service after calling your insurance.

Kitchen Mishaps

Not everyone can be a chef, no matter how hard you try. Another common occurrence of smoke damage, especially in the kitchen, is from small kitchen fires or burnt food. While one individual incident may not cause a lot of visible smoke, over time and with accumulating occurrences, soot can build up enough to require a more thorough smoke cleaning.
Even if you've managed to escape having any fires, you may still experience the damaging effects they cause. However, if you are protected from fire in your insurance policy, smoke damage can easily be taken care of. It's a good idea to give your insurance company a call to clarify if you are unsure.

What to Do When Your Household Fire Alarm is Making Noises

2/10/2022 (Permalink)

This is your reminder to change the batteries in your residential fire detectors.

The shrill sound of your home fire alarm going off in Sun City Summerlin, NV, can evoke feelings of fear and panic. That is why they are so effective. But it can be irritating when no fire is present and the unit is still making noise. Taking out the batteries to quiet it would leave you unprotected against fire damage.

When an alarm chirps repeatedly, it is usually because it requires some kind of attention. The batteries may be low, the unit may require cleaning, or it may have outlived its usefulness. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the unit.

What To Do if Your Fire Alarm Is Chirping

1. Reset: Perform a reset by disconnecting the power source, removing the batteries and holding the test button for 15 to 20 seconds. Replace the batteries and reconnect the power supply.

2. Change Batteries: If it is still chirping, it could be low battery power. Put in fresh batteries and see if that helps. This should be done every six months or so anyway for optimum performance.

3. Clean it: Smoke damage from a previous fire or cooking smoke can leave the sensor dirty and ineffective. Gently clear away any dust, cobwebs, sawdust or other debris from all openings.

4. Test: Remove the batteries and push the test button with no batteries in place. This can help if the silent button was pushed by someone who was irritated with the noise, or by accident.

5. Replace: The average lifespan of a smoke detector is eight years. If it has been longer, or if the above steps failed to stop the chirping, it has likely failed and needs to be replaced.

If your alarm fails to warn you, you could have a disaster on your hands, requiring the help of emergency restoration experts in Sun City Summerlin, NV, and a long and drawn out process. A properly working fire alarm can help you have peace of mind and avoid extensive fire and smoke damage.