This issue of the Restoration Newsline is dedicated to raising awareness to the angers of fire. Inside this Newsline you ill find fire prevention tips, fire escape device and more information on how to prevent costly secondary smoke damage to your possessions should a fire strike your home or business. If a fire does damage your property or the property of a client, consider he following steps to help prevent additional damage until your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional arrives:

• Limit movement in damaged areas.
• Keep hands clean to prevent the
  spread of soot and dirt particles.
• Brush vacuum loose soot particles
  from upholstery, drapes and carpet.
• Change your HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over
  your air registers.

The following are several tips that could potentially save your life or the life of a loved one should a fire break out in your home or business.Restoration Newsline .
Look for more fire escape planning tips in next month’s issue of the Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.

• Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
• Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm.
• Practice finding your way out of the house with your eyes closed, crawling or staying low and feeling your way out of the house.
• Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department.
  

In 2007, THE MOST RECENT YEAR statistics are available, 1,557,500 fires were reported in the United States. These blazes caused 3,430 deaths and 17,675 civilian injuries while costing more than $14.6 billion in damage. Though some fires are unavoidable acts of nature or unpredictable accidents, many fires in the home and workplace are avoidable. The following tips, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association, can help reduce the likelihood of a fire in your business or home.

10 Key Fire Safety Tips

1. Watch your cooking: Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Never allow young children around the stove or oven, especially if they are not closely attended.
2. Give space heaters space: Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
3. Smoke outside: If you must smoke inside, have a sturdy, deep ashtray. Never smoke in bed.
4. Keep matches and lighters out of reach: Keep matches and lighters in high cabinets, preferably under a child lock.
5. Inspect electrical cords: Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.
6. Be careful when using candles: Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
7. Have a fire escape plan: Make a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
8. Install smoke alarms: Install alarms on every level of your office or home and inside bedrooms. Interconnect nthem so they all sound at once.
9. Test smoke alarms: Test alarms once per month. Replace batteries once per year or as needed.
10. Install sprinklers: Sprinklers can help maintain and sometimes even extinguish fires, giving your local fire department a better chance of saving your property.

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls andwood work.
• Blow or brush vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open.
• Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances with light coating of Vaseline or oil.
• Wash house plants on both sides of leaves.
• Change HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheese cloth over air registers.

Don’t:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO Professional.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO Professional.
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated.)
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.Wiring may be wet or damaged.
• Send garments to ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.