Summer Fire Advisory Tips
6/25/2023 (Permalink)
Observe fire safety regulations: Familiarize yourself with local fire safety regulations and follow them diligently. This includes knowing about burn bans, fireworks restrictions, and any other regulations specific to your area.
Properly dispose of cigarettes: If you smoke, ensure that you extinguish cigarette butts completely in designated ashtrays or containers. Avoid tossing them into vegetation or dry areas, as they can easily ignite and start a fire.
Be cautious with outdoor cooking: When barbecuing or grilling outdoors, keep the grill away from flammable objects such as trees, branches, and wooden structures. Never leave the grill unattended, and make sure it's fully extinguished after use.
Create defensible space: Maintain a defensible space around your property by clearing away dry vegetation, dead leaves, and other combustible materials. Keep your lawn well-watered and regularly trim vegetation to reduce fire risk.
Use caution with outdoor activities: If you're camping, always use designated fire rings or fire pits for campfires. Ensure the fire is fully extinguished before leaving the area. Avoid activities like fireworks or open burning in dry and windy conditions.
Report wildfires immediately: If you spot a wildfire, call emergency services or the designated authorities in your area right away. Provide them with accurate information about the location and size of the fire to expedite the response.
Prepare an emergency plan: Create an emergency plan for your household that includes a designated meeting point, emergency contacts, and evacuation routes. Practice the plan with your family members to ensure everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.
Keep emergency supplies ready: Prepare an emergency kit that includes essentials such as non-perishable food, water, first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and a battery-powered radio. Keep the kit easily accessible in case of an evacuation.
Stay informed: Stay updated on local weather conditions and fire advisories. Pay attention to warnings, alerts, and evacuation orders issued by authorities. Utilize local news sources, weather apps, and official websites for accurate information.
Be fire-aware during outdoor activities: When hiking, camping, or participating in other outdoor activities, be mindful of fire hazards. Avoid building fires in dry or windy conditions, never leave campfires unattended, and properly extinguish them before leaving.
Remember, fire safety is crucial to protect lives, property, and the environment. By following these tips and exercising caution, you can help prevent wildfires and ensure a safe summer season for everyone.
Firework Safety
6/25/2023 (Permalink)
It's almost time for Independance Day! Some of you may be thinking of letting off some fireworks. They can be a fun way to celebrate special occasions, but it's important to prioritize safety. Here are some firework safety tips to help you enjoy fireworks responsibly:
Follow local laws and regulations: Familiarize yourself with the fireworks laws and regulations in your area. Only purchase and use fireworks that are legal and approved for consumer use.
Read and follow instructions: Carefully read and understand the instructions provided with the fireworks before use. Follow the recommended safety guidelines and handling procedures specific to the type of fireworks you are using.
Adults should supervise: Only adults who are knowledgeable about fireworks safety should handle and ignite fireworks. Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the fireworks display area.
Maintain a safe distance: Always maintain a safe distance from ignited fireworks. Follow the recommended safety distance provided by the manufacturer to prevent injuries from flying debris or unexpected firework malfunctions.
Keep a water source nearby: Have a bucket of water, a hose, or a fire extinguisher readily available in case of a fire or accident. Use the water source to extinguish spent fireworks and to handle any unexpected fires.
Never relight or handle malfunctioning fireworks: If a firework fails to ignite or malfunction occurs, do not attempt to relight it. Wait for at least 20 minutes and then soak it in water before disposing of it properly.
Alcohol and fireworks don't mix: Avoid consuming alcohol or any intoxicating substances while handling or igniting fireworks. Impaired judgment can increase the risk of accidents and injuries.
Proper disposal: Once the fireworks have completely burned out, dispose of them safely. Soak them in water overnight to ensure they are fully extinguished, then dispose of them in a designated trash container.
Remember, safety should always be the top priority when handling fireworks. If you prefer a fireworks display, consider attending a professional show conducted by trained experts. Enjoy the celebration responsibly, and have a happy and safe fireworks experience!
Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer
2/8/2017 (Permalink)
Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless and colorless gas that - when concentrated - is extremely toxic to humans and other mammals. When suffering from the effects of CO poisoning, symptoms include headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness and confusion, but no fever. Prolonged exposure will cause sickness, coma and death. Needless to say, carbon monoxide is not something to be taken lightly.
In Maine, nearly 75 percent of all reported cases of carbon monoxide poisoning occur between November and March. Most of these poisonings are caused by home heating appliances that are either not functioning properly or have blocked vents. Anything that burns fuel - such as oil or propane boilers, wood stoves and gasoline-powered engines - produces carbon monoxide. When these appliances are not properly maintained or vented, carbon monoxide can quickly build up without warning.
Many Maine residents use portable, gas-powered generators during power outages. Unfortunately, these devices can also lead to severe carbon monoxide poisoning and deaths when not properly used; when run in a basement or garage, a generator is up to 300 times more likely to cause CO poisoning. Anyone with a portable generator should have an extension cord long enough to make sure the generator can be run outside and kept at least 15 feet from windows or doors. Additionally, a plan for keeping the generator protected from the elements should be in place prior to utilizing the generator. Forming a plan now can help help avoid the temptation to run a generator inside a basement, garage or cellar during a storm.
To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, health officials recommend the following:
• Service your heating system, water heater and any other gas, oil or coal burning appliances every year.
• Make sure appliance and heating exhaust vents are not blocked by snow after storms.
• Use your generator outdoors in the fresh air. Make a plan so that you can run your generator at least 15 feet from windows or doors and keep it protected from rain, ice, and snow.
• Make sure you have a CO detector that runs on your home’s power and has a battery back up. It is advisable to have one on every floor, especially near where people sleep.
• Do not leave vehicles or any other gas-powered motors running inside a garage, barn, or shed, even if you leave the windows and doors open.
• Do not use a charcoal grill, camp stove or other gas or charcoal-burning device inside your home, basement or garage or near a window or door.
• Don't try to heat your home with a gas oven.
If you suspect you or a loved one are experiencing CO poisoning and are feeling dizzy, light-headed or nauseous or if your CO alarm goes off, immediately leave the house, call 911 and seek medical attention.
For more information, please visit the Maine Department of Environmental Health.
IICRC Certified Firm
12/19/2016 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of Bangor Ellsworth is an IICRC certified firm.
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.
IICRC Certified Firms must
• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry
The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.
Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.
About SERVPRO of Bangor Ellsworth
SERVPRO of Bangor Ellsworth specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: from initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.
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