Don't Let the Flames Rise: Handling Grease Fires

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

A grease fire on the stove causes damage to walls and ceiling.

Grease fires are a serious kitchen hazard that can escalate quickly, turning a simple cooking task into a dangerous situation. The combustible nature of cooking oils makes it crucial for every home chef to understand the causes and prevention of grease fires. To minimize the risk, avoid leaving cooking unattended, use a thermometer to monitor oil temperature, and keep flammable items away from the stove. In the event of a grease fire, never use water – it can intensify the flames. Instead, cover the flames with a metal lid or use a fire extinguisher designed for kitchen fires. Stay vigilant, stay prepared, and ensure a safer cooking environment for you and your loved ones. Should you experience a grease fire, call your local SERVPRO®to assist in restoring your home. 

The Unsung Heroes: The Importance of Commercial Cleaning

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Two employees hard at work cleaning a commercial space.

In the bustling world of business, the significance of a clean and sanitary environment often goes unnoticed. Commercial cleaning services play a pivotal role in maintaining not only the aesthetic appeal but also the health and productivity of a workspace. Beyond the gleaming surfaces, these unsung heroes combat germs, allergens, and pollutants, creating a safer and more inviting atmosphere for employees and clients alike. Professional cleaning extends the lifespan of assets, fosters employee morale, and enhances the overall brand image. Investing in commercial cleaning services is not just about appearances; it's a strategic move towards creating a healthier, more efficient, and reputable workspace that reflects the commitment to excellence. Contact your local SERVPRO® for any commercial sized cleaning needs. We offer deep cleaning of large spaces as well as duct cleanings for commercial buildings. 

Beneath the Surface: Crawlspaces Need Attention Too

1/5/2024 (Permalink)

Floodlights in a large crawlspace that is undergoing maintenance.

Crawlspaces, often hidden beneath our homes, play a crucial role in the overall health and stability of the living space above. These neglected areas require attention and regular maintenance. Proper ventilation in crawlspaces prevents moisture buildup, mitigating the risk of mold growth and structural damage. Insulating these spaces contributes to energy efficiency, regulating indoor temperatures and reducing utility costs. Regular inspections for pests, water leaks, mold growth, and damaged insulation are essential to avoid potential issues. Investing time and resources in crawlspace care safeguards your home's structural integrity and the overall safety of your home. Don't overlook what lies beneath – crawlspaces deserve your attention and care. If you are worried about water damage or mold growth in your crawlspace, contact your local SERVPRO® for an inspection.

You Survived the Holidays in One Piece. Need some Restoration?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

This is a woman who slam-dunked the holidays and is cruising for her next goal; are you?

We did it! We survived the big Holiday season! Now what? Time to lick our wounds and move forward. You might be in need of some cleaning and restoration--after all, that was a bit of a rough Holiday season for most folks. Maybe during the sales before Christmas, sales after Christmas, or sales after New Year’s your business encountered some damage. That’s fine–these things happen! Just call SERVPRO of Kernersville and we’ll be there in less than four hours to clean and restore whatever damage you’ve encountered. We can handle fire damage, storm damage, water damage, and other issues like air duct cleaning, mold remediation, and cleaning after a COVID exposure, and we can handle them all with a professional shine. To learn more, call us at (336) 748-0250.

If the Holidays were Rough on your Business, you might need SERVPRO!

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

These blokes barely made it through the holidays in one piece, but they still made it!

The Holiday season is a trial by fire for a business, and if you make it through that Nov-Dec gauntlet, you can make it through anything! But we all get knocked around at times, so you might have suffered some damage that needs some cleanup and restoration. The good news is January is often the slowest time of the year for most businesses, so you now have the chance to hire SERVPRO of Kernersville to come handle any damage cleanup and restoration you may have. Do your air ducts need cleaning? We can do that. Do you need mold remediation? We can do that too! Have some water damage you’ve been procrastinating dealing with? Procrastinate no longer, because SERVPRO is here to help! Call us and we will be at your business in less than four hours, ready to get to work.

Wholesale Cleaning and Restoration?

1/11/2022 (Permalink)

Forklift Operators are the Backbone of this Great Nation

Owners of wholesale stores are a different breed from retail owners. They’re the folks who help keep our stores stocked, our restaurants full of food, and our bulk purchases financially feasible. Just as wholesale stores fill a different niche than retail stores, they have different needs and requirements from a cleaning and restoration company. If you own a wholesale store, SERVPRO of Kernersville is the cleaning and restoration company you’re looking for! We’ve handled cleanup and restoration jobs for both retail shops and wholesale establishments, so we know that a flood or a fire or mold growth can affect your business differently, usually due to having a larger space that needs cleaning, and we have years of experience handling those tasks. If you are in need of any sort of cleaning, restoration, or reconstruction, call us today!

Some Tasks can be Procrastinated--Water Damage Restoration isn’t One!

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

The guy that owns this house decided to wait until The Big Game was over to call for help. Now look at his wall! Horrendous!

If your home or business is one of the thousands of homes or businesses that will fall prey to Water Damage, you need to know that it’s not something you can procrastinate on. If your basement or bathroom floods due to plumbing, your attic has pools of standing water due to roof leaks, or even if a general mishap causes water to spray throughout your home, you must handle it immediately.

Maybe sending that letter in the mail can wait.

Maybe finally organizing your desk or car trunk can wait.

Heck, maybe you can even wait to mow the lawn!

But you cannot delay fixing your water damage. Call SERVPRO of Kernersville if you’re suffering from water damage and are in need of some cleanup and restoration. We can be there in a matter of hours!

Chestnuts may be Roasting on an Open Fire, but your Home shouldn’t Be!

12/14/2021 (Permalink)

POV: You're about to have a lovely Christmas Morn.

Open fires can be dangerous, but they’re also arguably the best place to roast your chestnuts! Why would you be roasting chestnuts? Who knows? We do plenty of weird things this time of year--ever heard of egg nog?

What matters isn’t what nuts you roast and how you roast them--that’s your business--but what steps you take to practice proper fire safety.

For instance: is this fire actually “open?” It’s safer to make fires outside if they’re entirely open and uncovered, unless of course you’re using a fireplace, in which case it’s technically covered. The reason why we don’t like to have fires entirely open is that it increases the risk of the flames spreading.

Also, if you do have a fire indoors, put it somewhere where it is out of the way and no one will accidentally cause a disaster by bumping into it and knocking it over, sending flames shooting all over your guests and home.

Make sure someone is always watching a fire, preferably someone in that sweet spot between “Fire Noob” and “Fire Pro,” since the “Fire Pro” is almost certainly a pyromaniac and we they have a bad habit of somehow always being near a fire gone awry.

So long as you make good decisions this season, you should be safe from fire damage. Even if something does go wrong, you’ve always got SERVPRO of Kernersville ready to help, 24/7, 365!

Remember to stay Warm Safely this Winter!

12/7/2021 (Permalink)

Agh, glass covering! That's a good idea. I should've thought about that! But 5 tips is a nice, even number.

Brrrrr! It’s getting a bit chilly outside lately! It might be about time to take advantage of our Homo Erectus ancestors’ greatest invention: Fire.

But not so fast!! Did you know that fire is dangerous? You might not have known, but it is unfortunately so true: fire can be dangerous. So what’s a guy or gal to do? Just freeze?

Not so fast! Let’s get some sparks on those logs, but let’s do it safely.

So what can you do to practice fire safety?

1. Know where all the fire extinguishers are in the house. This one is pretty self-explanatory. (1a. Get a fire extinguisher if you don’t own one!)
2. Don’t let children near open flames. They’re mischievous little buggers, and they love touching things they shouldn’t. (Source: Me, 20 years ago.)
3. Keep flammable liquids away from fire. I know it’s great for the feng-shui to keep that artisanal gas can and the fair trade 190 proof grain alcohol right next to the fireplace, but it’s probably also not a good idea. The compliments you will receive as a decorator will not be worth the risk. Also, keep your wholesale 40lb bag of gunpowder in another room. (They’re selling everything in bulk these days!)
4. Don’t leave a fire unattended. If adult eyes are always on the flame, you’ll be able to strangle any conflagrations in the cradle. When I say adult, I mean human adult. Your dog is not a responsible party, unless he’s Air Bud, and Air Bud is busy making a curling-themed addition to the Air Bud Cinematic Universe called Air Bud 7: Give it a Curl, so your dog isn’t Air Bud.
5. Don’t put flames near upholstery, curtains, or your Christmas tree. Whether it’s a candle, a fireplace, or a blowtorch, putting it next to something that’s known to either billow in the wind or drop flammable needles constantly is not a good move. That is unless you’re using a fake tree and/or fake electric candles, in which case anything goes. The future is now!

If you follow these five easy steps, you won’t have to worry about your source of warmth being a source of your fiery demise. Have a good Christmas, and stay cozy!

Christmastime is the Time for Cheer, not Housefires!

11/30/2021 (Permalink)

A sacrifice to the fire gods. Hopefully, this will slake their thirst for flaming destruction.

Thanksgiving is over, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, and it’s now the official “Christmas Season.” That’s the good news.

The bad news is the risk that comes with the season: Fires.

Christmas trees smell great, look beautiful, and are a staple in most homes in America (some people use fake trees, but we’re going to pretend those people don’t exist because they probably shouldn’t!), but they’re also incredibly flammable, especially as they age. This is great news when you’re having a January bonfire, but not when you’re away from the house with all the lights on when the electricity goes on the fritz!

If you wish to avoid such a fate, follow these three steps:

1. Use LED lights. They’re more energy-efficient, which means they give off less heat, lowering risk for fire on your tree.
2. Turn off the lights when you’re not using them. If a tree falls on the forest floor and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound? Who knows? But why bother keeping a tree lit up when no one is around to see it? Turn that off when you leave the home and pop them back on when you get back.
3. Know where the fire extinguisher is. Your chances of fire are fairly low, but these trees burn fast, so you’ll need to get that fire out stat.

Follow these steps and you should be fine. Merry Christmas!