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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Fire Damage Blog Posts

What to Do in Case of a House Fire: Essential Steps to Protect Yourself and Your Loved Ones

11/15/2023 (Permalink)

A house fire can be a terrifying and life-threatening situation. Knowing what to do in the event of a fire is crucial to ensuring your safety and the safety of your family. In this blog, we will guide you through the essential steps to take if you find yourself facing a house fire.

Step 1: Stay Calm and Alert

The first step in case of a house fire is to stay calm and composed. Alert everyone in the house by shouting "Fire!" or activating a smoke alarm if possible. Keep in mind that every second counts, so act swiftly but avoid panicked actions that could jeopardize your safety.

Step 2: Evacuate Immediately

Your utmost priority should be to evacuate the house as quickly as possible. Follow the predetermined evacuation routes and gather all family members in a safe location outside the house. Do not waste time trying to collect belongings or locate pets. Emphasize the importance of staying low to avoid smoke inhalation and cover your mouth with a cloth if available.

Step 3: Call Emergency Services 

Once you are outside and at a safe distance from the house, call emergency services immediately. Dial the emergency number for your country (e.g., 911 in the United States) and provide them with accurate information about the location of the fire. Stay on the line until the operator advises you to hang up.

Step 4: Never Reenter the House

Under no circumstances should you reenter the house once you have evacuated. Fires can spread rapidly, and the situation can become unpredictable and hazardous. Leave the job of entering the house to the firefighting professionals who have the necessary training and protective equipment to handle such situations.

Step 5: Stay Outside and Await Assistance

Remain outside the house and wait for the fire department to arrive. Account for everyone in your household to ensure that everyone has made it out safely. If someone is missing, inform the firefighters immediately and provide them with any relevant information that can assist in their rescue efforts. Follow their instructions and cooperate fully.

Being prepared and knowing what to do in case of a house fire can greatly increase your chances of survival. Stay calm, evacuate immediately, call emergency services, and never re enter the house. Following these essential steps will help protect yourself and your loved ones during this dangerous situation. Give SERVPRO of Affton/ Webster Groves a call if you are in need of fire restoration services. Our team is ready at the first sign of damage.

What is Fire Damage Restoration? Understanding the Process of Restoring Your Home After a Fire

8/17/2023 (Permalink)

fire in home Hire a fire damage restoration company for your fire damage property.

Experiencing a fire in your home can be a devastating and traumatic event. The immediate aftermath can be overwhelming, as you are left to deal with the aftermath and the damage caused by the fire. In such situations, hiring a professional fire damage restoration company is crucial to help restore your home and belongings. In this blog post, we will explore what fire damage restoration entails and how it can help you recover from a fire.

Fire damage restoration is the process of cleaning, repairing, and restoring a property that has been damaged by fire and smoke. It involves a series of steps to mitigate the effects of the fire and bring your home back to its pre-fire condition. Here are the key steps involved in fire damage restoration:

Inspection and Assessment

The first step in the restoration process is to assess the extent of the fire damage. Professionals will inspect both the visible and hidden areas of your home to identify areas that may have been affected by the fire, smoke, and soot.

  • Board-Up and Temporary Security. If your home has sustained structural damage, professionals will board up windows, doors, or other openings to secure your property and prevent further damage from weather or potential break-ins.
  • Water Extraction and Drying. If water was used to extinguish the fire, professionals will remove the water and thoroughly dry the affected areas to prevent mold growth and further damage.
  • Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot can cause significant damage and leave behind unpleasant odors. Restoration specialists will use specialized equipment and techniques to clean and deodorize your home, including air scrubbers, ozone generators, and thermal fogging.
  • Structural Repair: Fire can weaken or damage the structural components of your home. Restoration professionals will repair or replace damaged walls, floors, ceilings, and other structural elements to ensure the safety and integrity of your property.

Cleaning and Restoration of Belongings

Fire can damage or ruin personal belongings such as furniture, clothing, and electronics. Restoration experts will carefully assess and restore salvageable items using specialized techniques such as content cleaning, deodorization, and upholstery cleaning.

Reconstruction and Repairs. In cases where the fire damage is severe, reconstruction may be necessary. Restoration professionals will work with contractors to rebuild and restore your home to its pre-fire condition.

Throughout the fire damage restoration process, professionals will also work closely with your insurance company to document and evaluate the damage, manage the claims process, and ensure that you receive the appropriate compensation for your losses.

It's important to remember that fire damage restoration is not a DIY project. Restoration professionals have the expertise, training, and specialized equipment to handle fire damage effectively and safely. Attempting to clean or repair fire damage on your own can lead to further damage or health risks.

When faced with the aftermath of a fire, reaching out to a reputable fire damage restoration company is crucial. They will guide you through the entire process, from initial assessment to the final restoration, helping you recover and rebuild your home after a devastating fire.

Smoke Damage in Your Building: What You Need to Know

5/1/2023 (Permalink)

smoke damage property If your building experiences smoke damage, give SERVPRO a call today.

Smoke damage is a common issue in buildings, especially in those that have experienced a fire. Smoke can cause a wide range of problems, from discoloration and staining unpleasant odors. If you are a property owner or a tenant, it is important to understand what smoke damage is, how it can affect your building, and what you can do to prevent and remediate it.

What is Smoke Damage?

Smoke damage is the result of smoke particles that settle on surfaces in your building. These particles are microscopic and can penetrate deep into materials such as walls, carpets, and furniture. Smoke damage can cause discoloration, staining, and corrosion, and can also produce unpleasant odors that are difficult to remove.

How Does Smoke Damage Affect Your Building?

Smoke damage can have a number of negative effects on your building. First, it can compromise the structural integrity of your property. Smoke particles can penetrate deep into materials, weakening them over time. This can lead to cracks, warping, and other issues that can be costly to repair.

Finally, smoke damage can reduce the value of your property. Smoke stains and discoloration can be unsightly and difficult to remove, making your building less attractive to potential tenants or buyers.

Preventing Smoke Damage

The best way to prevent smoke damage is to take steps to prevent fires from occurring in the first place. This includes ensuring that your building is up to code with respect to fire safety, including installing smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems.

In addition, it is important to educate occupants of your building on fire safety and prevention. This includes providing training on how to use fire safety equipment, as well as emphasizing the importance of not smoking indoors or leaving cooking appliances unattended.

Remediating Smoke Damage

If your building has experienced smoke damage, it is important to take steps to remediate it as soon as possible. This may involve hiring a professional cleaning service that specializes in smoke damage remediation. These professionals will use specialized equipment and cleaning products to remove smoke particles and odors from your building.

In addition, it may be necessary to replace or repair damaged materials such as carpets, furniture, and walls. This can be costly, but it is important to address smoke damage promptly in order to prevent further damage.

In conclusion, smoke damage can be a serious issue for building owners and tenants. By taking steps to prevent fires and educating occupants on fire safety, you can reduce the risk of smoke damage in your building. If your building has experienced smoke damage, it is important to take prompt action to remediate it in order to prevent further damage.

Fire Damage Event in Your Home

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

Burned debris in a kitchen area, Fire damage in a home in Shrewsbury, MO.

As restoration specialists with extensive experience in handling house fire damage, the professionals of SERVPRO are aware of the difficulty for you to cope with the trauma of a conflagration. It's important to be prepared when a fire strikes your home in Shrewsbury, MO. The following list can help you decrease stress, increase personal safety and limit damages.

During a Fire When At Home

1. Check Your Doors Before You Open Them.

Before you open your doors, look under them to determine if any smoke is being emitted. In the event that there is smoke, move to another door for exit. If you don't see any smoke, make sure that you place the back of your hand against the door before opening it. A very warm door indicates that the fire may still be in full effect. If there are no doors through which you can safely exit the home, try a window.

2. Exit The House
As soon as you realize fire is taking place, you need to get out of the house. Although you may want to grab personal belongings that are of sentimental or monetary value, consider safety first. 

3. Do A Head Count
After you and your loved ones have exited the home, make sure all the family members are safely out.

After a Fire

4. Call The Red Cross, if necessary
The Red Cross will direct you to a safe place where you can find food and shelter for the night. This is an option that hopefully, you will not need.

5. Call Your Insurance Agent.
Your insurance agent will send out an adjuster to evaluate the fire damage. Also, inquire if your insurance company has a working relationship with SERVPRO. Hundreds of insurance agencies and property management companies do have SERVPRO on their speed dial, and a quick phone call can dispatch a fire damage restoration expert to your home within the hour. A careful assessment, inventory documentation, and action plan can already be initiated.

6. Don't Reenter Your Home.
Be sure not to go back into your living space until you've been cleared by the local fire department.

7. Compile Important Documents.
Get all of the important records and documents you can find together. Take computers and laptops for digital records.

8. Keep Receipts Of "Disaster Expenses."
Make sure that you're keeping records of any expenses you incur due to the disaster.

Getting You Back Home

The team from SERVPRO will offer outstanding customer service.  You will always be in the loop as to the progress of the fire damage restoration progress in your Shrewsbury, MO home.

What To Do When Your Fire Alarm Is Beeping

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Smoke surrounding a smoke alarm Your smoke alarm is an important part of your home.

What To Do If Your Fire Alarm Goes Off

When you hear your fire alarm beeping, your first instinct should be to check for smoke or flames in your Affton, MO  home. If you do find a fire, get out of the house and call 911. Once the blaze has cleared, you should also contact your local fire damage cleanup specialists.


If there is no fire, your next course of action should be figuring out why your alarm was beeping.
Typically, a beeping smoke detector in the absence of fire signals that something is wrong with the detector itself. You need to make sure the device is working properly so it will alert you in the event of a real fire.


After all, a working smoke detector could give you a chance to extinguish the blaze before it causes severe fire damage. If your fire alarm is beeping when there are no flames, follow the below steps.

Reset the Device

Just like other electronics, a smoke alarm can be reset. Try turning off its power source, removing it from its bracket, and pressing down the test button for 15 to 20 seconds.

Change the Batteries

If you want to avoid the need for major fire cleanup in your home, you should change your smoke detector batteries every six months. Before taking the old batteries out of the device, be sure to note how they are placed in the alarm.

Clean the Alarm

Dust inside a fire alarm can also cause it to beep uncontrollably. The dust could also cause the detector to malfunction when there is actual smoke damage in your home. You can solve this issue by using an air blower to remove any debris.

Buy a New Device

If all else fails, consider buying a new smoke detector. Any alarms more than 10 years old should be replaced.


If you hear your smoke alarm beeping when it shouldn’t, you need to address the source of the malfunction as soon as possible.

Key Tips for Creating a Pet Fire Safety Plan

6/26/2022 (Permalink)

Puppy with an emergency kit Your pets need their own emergency kit.

Creating a Pet Fire Safety Plan: Key Points

When there's a fire emergency, it can be stressful to get everyone to safety, including your pets. Therefore, it's essential to have a plan in place for not just your family's well-being but any four-legged friends as well. Here are some important tips for pet safety if a fire breaks out at your Webster Groves, MO, home.

Have Necessary Supplies Ready
Just as you would have emergency supplies like water, blankets and first-aid kits for humans, your pets need their own supplies as well. This includes:

  • A stash of pet food
  • Additional water
  • Extra leashes, collars or other basic pet equipment

Keep these emergency items together in a safe space such as a car trunk in the event of a home fire.

Always Include Pets in Your Fire Emergency Escape Plan
Your pets are part of your family, so they should always be included in any emergency evacuation plans. Create an escape plan and practice evacuating with your family. During these practice drills, assign someone to take pets out of the home with them. Train pets to come when called to make evacuation easier.

Store Pet Documents Safely
When homes require extensive fire damage restoration services, oftentimes important documents are destroyed. Keep a fireproof box in your home with all your family's personal information documents, as well as pet documentation. Protect your pet's vaccination records and ownership papers as you would a passport or other personal documentation.

Prepare Alternative Shelter
If a fire displaces a family, their pets may not always be able to stay with them. An overlooked component of pet preparation is having an alternative shelter established in the event of a fire emergency. Ask a relative, friend or neighbor if a pet may stay with them under emergency circumstances.
Prepare to keep your pets safe in a home fire by having emergency supplies, practicing evacuation, storing veterinary documents safely and having an emergency shelter set up.

How Do Fire Sprinklers Work During a Fire?

1/16/2022 (Permalink)

Fire sprinkler system How do fire sprinklers work?

During a Fire, How Do Fire Sprinklers Work?

For many Webster Groves, MO, business owners, knowing that a fire sprinkler is installed at their commercial property provides great peace of mind. But how does a sprinkler actually work when a fire is taking place? Here are the steps involved in its operation and some other facts you may not know.

Sprinkler System Benefits

There are a great number of benefits to installing fire sprinklers in your building, including the following:

  • They reduce the heat, smoke and flames present during a fire.
  • They can minimize the risk of property damage.
  • They often put out a fire before firefighters even have a chance to arrive at the scene.

Since a fire sprinkler system can save lives and reduce the risk of damage, it really does pay to have one installed at your place of business.

How Sprinklers Operate

A sprinkler system consists of a pipe network filled with pressured water. This network is installed behind your building’s walls and ceilings, with the exterior sprinklers placed along your piping system. If a fire should occur, the sprinklers close to the flames become activated by a high temperature - never by smoke. The pressure system allows the sprinklers to shoot out water in a forceful manner, leading to fire suppression and possibly extinguishing the flames completely.

Fire Sprinkler Cleanup

By now, it is likely that you are convinced of the many safety and financial benefits of installing a sprinkler system. But what about the destruction caused by all that water? Fortunately, a commercial fire restoration company can help. In addition to assisting you with loss from the smoke and flames, fire damage technicians can help you clean up any water damage that occurs as a result of the sprinklers. In some cases, even important documents can be dried or otherwise salvaged.

A fire sprinkler system will help you protect more than your property. It will assist you in ensuring the safety of you and your workers in the event of a commercial fire.