The "F" Word

10/14/2019 (Permalink)

Fire, Smoke, Soot and Ash Damage Cleaning in Redding and Shasta County? Call SERVPRO Now! 530-222-0200

Are you at danger for a home fire?

An “F” word I’m sure we are all fed up of hearing is “Fire”. Every time we turn on the news or log on to social media, there it is. Fire is sadly a huge part of our life in Northern California. Much of our community experienced the Carr, Hirtz, Delta and Camp fire. We hopefully understand the steps to help prevent wildfires from spreading, but how much do we know about home fires, or how they can ignite? Can our brand-new appliances be the cause of house fires?

National Fire Protection Agency states nationwide over ½ million structure fires were reported from appliances, 13,000 injuries, nearly 3,000 deaths and more than 10 billion dollars in damages.

SERVPRO® of North Shasta, Trinity & Greater Tehama Counties wants to make sure you and your family stay safe and understand the fire hazards home appliances can have.

For instance, Dryers are at the top of the list for appliance fires. Simply cleaning the lint trap after every use can help reduce the risk of fire. We would like to suggest cleaning out dryer vent behind the appliance at least once a year.

Toasters are also high on the list of fire hazards. Crumbs can build up at the bottom of the elements and then easily overheat and start a fire, please remember to clean your toasters every month.

One might never think a refrigerator can start a fire in your home however the compressor can overheat or an electrical short can be the cause of a fire. It is suggested to have a routine maintenance check on your refrigerator once a year.

These appliances pose a high risk of fire danger to your home. Its recommended to NOT operate these appliances while you are out of your home or while you are sleeping, run them ONLY while you are present and awake in case you need to shut down the power source and or contact your local fire department.

We would like to mention it’s important to keep all documentation like receipts, photos and even the failed part from the appliance. This is excellent information given to your insurance provider. If your appliance was damaged, the manufacturer may have to be contacted regarding your home damages and replace your appliance. This information can help your insurance speed up the claim process. As always SERVPRO® is also here to help you through this process as well, getting your home and life back in order Like it never even happened®. 

530-222-0200