10 fire Safety Tips

Install and Maintain Smoke Detectors Smoke detectors warn you of fire in time to let you escape. Install them on each level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Follow the manufacturer's directions, and test once a week. Replace batteries twice a year, or when the detector chirps to signal that the battery is dead. Don't ever take the battery out for other uses!	Plan and Practice Your escape If fire breaks out in your home, you must get out fast. With your family, plan two ways out of every room. Fire escape routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire! Choose a meeting place outside where everyone should gather. Once you are out, stay out! Have the whole family practice the escape plan at least twice a year.
Space Heaters Need space Keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet (1 meter) from paper, curtains, furniture, clothing, bedding, or anything else that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave home or go to bed, and keep children and pets well away from them.	Be Careful Cooking Keep cooking areas clear of combustibles, and don't leave cooking unattended. Keep your pot's handles turned inward so children won't knock or pull them over the edge of the stove. If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner.
A Match is a Tool for Adults In the hands of a child, matches or lighters are extremely dangerous. Store them up high where kids can't reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children from the start that matches and lighters and lighters are tools for adults, not toys for kids. If children find matches, they should tell an adult immediately.	Use Electricity Safely If an appliance smokes or begins to smell unusual, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Check all your electrical cords, and replace any that are cracked or frayed. If you use extension cords, replace any that are cracked or frayed; and don't overload them or run them under rugs. Remember that fuses and circuit breakers protect you from fire: don't tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of an improper size.
Cool a Burn If someone gets burned, immediately place the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes to ease the pain. Do not use butter on a burn, as this could prolong the heat and further damage the skin. If burn blisters or chars, see a doctor immediately.	STOP, DROP, AND ROLL Everyone should know this rule: if your clothes catch fire, don't run! Stop where you are, drop to the ground, and roll over and over to smother the flames. Cover your face with your hands to protect your face and lungs.
Crawl Low Under Smoke If you encounter smoke using your primary exit, use your alternate route instead. If you must exit through smoke, clean air will be several inches off the floor. Get down on your hands and knees, and crawl to the nearest safe exit.	Practice Candle Safety The popularity of candles as home decorations in recent years, has resulted in an increase of candle related fires. Some safe tips include: Never leave a lit candle unattended in any room of the house; Never leave candles burning when you go to bed; and never use candles near combustible materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding and cabinets. Visit our candle safety page for more information. Water damage Chicago IL, flood damage Chicago IL, basement water cleanup Chicago IL, frozen pipe water repair Chicago IL, basement water pump out Chicago IL, basement water restoration Chicago IL, water damage cleanup Chicago IL, flood damage cleanup services Chicago IL, broken pipe water cleanup Chicago IL, fire damage services Chicago IL, fire damage cleanup Chicago IL, mold damage remediation Chicago IL, mold cleanup Chicago IL, sewage damage cleanup Chicago IL, sewage cleanup Chicago IL, toilet overflow cleanup Chicago IL, bathtub overflow cleanup Chicago IL, smoke damage cleanup Chicago IL, smoke damage repair Chicago IL, microbial remediation services Chicago IL, wet carpet repair Chicago IL, wet floors Chicago IL, wet floor surfaces Chicago IL, wet wood floors Chicago IL, wet carpet and pad Chicago IL, pipe leakage problems Chicago IL, pipe leakage water damage Chicago IL, water damage services Chicago IL, fire damage services Chicago IL, mold damage services Chicago IL, sewage damage services Chicago IL, emergency water damage cleanup Chicago IL, emergency fire damage cleanup Chicago IL, emergency flood damage repair Chicago IL, emergency mold remediation services Chicago IL, emergency sewage cleanup Chicago IL, emergency sewage damage cleanup Chicago IL

Being Prepared for a Sewage Cleanup

It is a smart idea to have a safety plan for any potential household disaster that may occur, not just a fire-evacuation and preparedness plan.

A sewage spill is another potential household disaster that any household should be prepared for.

In the case of a sewage spill, you have two conflicting priorities. One is to immediately evacuate all children and pets from the property. The other is to immediately begin the sewage clean up process.

A sewage spill contains toxic bacteria and viruses, and while these can make anybody sick they are especially dangerous for small children and animals with weaker immune systems.

The sewage clean up process can take up to several weeks, so it is advisable that a household be prepared for a situation where both children and pets will need to stay somewhere else for the amount of time it take to effectively complete a sewage clean up and it is safe to return home.

Knowing of a place where pets and children can stay is as important as getting them there, because the viruses and bacteria can quickly spread if a sewage clean up is ‘put off’, infecting almost every room in the house.

Having an evacuation plan for any possible household disaster is a good idea, and should be discussed on a regular basis to avoid any confusion in the case of a disaster actually occurring.

Also, having the right tools needed is essential for disaster preparedness. To prepare for sewage clean up, your household should have the following in an easily accessible place.

• 2 buckets (one for a cleaning solution, and one for the rinse) When performing a sewage clean up, you will want to rinse the sponge after every time you use the cleaning solution. Completely rinse and ring out the sponge, and change the rinse water frequently!
• Cleaning solution and disinfectant. Never combine household chemicals! Bleach can produce a poisonous gas when mixed with other common household chemicals.
• Sponges or rags for cleaning.
• Rubber gloves, and waterproof boots to protect your skin from direct contact with the sewage and any bacteria

Begin sewage clean up with the assumption that everything in direct or near contact with the sewage spill is already infected. This means you will need to immediately dispose of small items like cosmetics, toys, medicine, food, etc. Tie these securely in a plastic bag and take them outside to a safe location.
You may also need to throw out larger items, such as mattresses, carpet, even furniture. As a safety precaution, paper products like books and cardboard should also be disposed of properly.

Once you have properly disposed of any items that have been or may have been infected with bacteria or viruses from the sewage spill, the next step is to clean. Use the cleaning solution in one bucket (preferably a non-sudsy cleaning solution) and a rinse solution in the other bucket as previously described, changing the rinse solution frequently.

Always wear ‘protection’ when performing the sewage clean up, avoiding any contact with the sewage and the viruses or bacteria. Take extra precaution if you have any cuts or sores. Leave no skin exposes, and continue to frequently wash your hands anyway.

Finally, you want to ‘dry out your home’. Check for any old mold or mildew concerns. It is advisable to call in a professional for this portion of a sewage clean up, especially if you don’t know what to look for or what should be done to treat any mold or mildew.

Open all windows, closet and cabinet doors, and circulate the air with a fan and/or de-humidifier. Continuously wash your hands, using water that has been boiled for one minute (allow the water to cool, of course!) and quickly wash your clothes or dispose of them.

The best thing you can do after performing the sewage clean up is to have a professional come into your home and inspect for any damage that may have been incurred from a sewage spill, including damage to utilities like electric or gas.

The best thing you can do before a sewage spill is to be prepared for the situation to occur.

Dealing with mold and mildew in your home

Diagnosis:

A water leak or high humidity can lead to mold, mildew, or other biological growth. Depending on the severity, conditions can lead to rot, structural damage, premature paint failure, and a variety of health problems. Water can seep into your house from the outside through a leak in your roof, foundation, or small gaps around windows or doors. Water can also come from inside your house from a leaking water pipe, toilet, shower or bathtub. High indoor humidity caused by normal activities of everyday living such as showering, cooking, and drying clothes, can also be a source of mold, mildew or musty odors. Indoor humidity levels between 30% and 50% are ideal. For more information consult EPA’s Brief Guide to Mold in your home.

Prescription Checklist:

Where does the problem occur? Attic? Basement? Below a bathroom? Ceiling? Where the problem occurs can lead to what is causing the problem. If the problem is localized (a spot on the ceiling, wall or corner) it is possibly caused by a water leak. If the problem is in a large area like a whole wall, room or basement then it might be caused by high humidity.

Stop water leaks immediately to minimize the potential mold growth.

• If a leak is the source of your problem, have it fixed first.
• If the leak is in your roof hire a roofing contractor to repair the leak.
• If the leak is from a water pipe, toilet, bathtub or shower, hire a plumber to repair the leak.
• If the leak has caused substantial water damage or mold you will want to hire a contractor who specializes in mold remediation and water damage repairs.
• After repairing the water leak, dry out the area completely.

Reducing indoor humidity

• Do you have a crawlspace under your house? A dirt floor in a crawlspace should be covered with plastic (vapor barrier) to prevent moisture from the soil increasing humidity levels in your home. If there is standing water or the soil is wet, dry it out with fans before covering the floor.
• Use ventilation fans in kitchens and baths to control moisture. Check to make sure ventilation fans venting directly outside. In some cases the vent fan may have been installed to vent into the attic or become disconnected or blocked.
• Your clothes dryer should be vented directly to the outside. Inspect the vent duct. Make sure it is attached securely to the dryer. Check that it is clear of obstructions (e.g. lint). Check for holes that leak air. If vent duct is dam
• Ask a heating and cooling contractor to check your heating and cooling system to make sure it is sized and operating properly to remove humidity. If you system is too big or the airflow incorrect your air conditioner will not remove humidity like it should. Also, ask the contractor to check your duct system for air leaks, and proper size and air flow to each room.
• Sealing air leaks can help to prevent high humidity levels in your home.

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What to do for your carpet after a flood..

Rainwater floods can drench your carpet, contaminating it with mud and bacteria. If you allow your carpet to sit wet for too long, it can create mold and mildew, causing permanent damage. In cases of severe flooding, you may not be able to save your carpet and padding. If you tend to your carpet right away following a minor flood, you may be able to salvage it.

Cleaning Your Carpet

1. Rainwater and mud often contain infectious bacteria. Always wear rubber gloves and a disposable mask to prevent breathing in mold and mildew spores. Remove the carpet from your home as soon as possible following a flood. Roll up the carpet up and take it outside. Unroll it and lay it out on a hard, dry surface, such as a patio or garage floor. Try to place the carpet in an area where it will receive sunlight so it dries faster. If you cannot remove your carpet, use an industrial-strength wet/dry vacuum to suck as much water out of the carpet as you can. Use a dehumidifier and large fans to circulate air and promote faster drying.
   
   Use a garden hose with a spray nozzle turned to the strongest setting to rinse your carpet. Move in a sweeping motion to push dirt and mud out of the carpet fibers. Turn the carpet over and spray down the back side. Pour liquid ammonia over the front side of the carpet. Let it soak in for about five minutes. Ammonia may cause your carpet to fade, so test a small spot first. Rinse the carpet with the garden hose until no ammonia remains. Mix 1/2 cup of chlorine bleach per gallon of water to saturate the carpet and prevent stains. Bleach, too, may change the color of your carpet. Make sure the ammonia is thoroughly rinsed before adding the bleach solution to prevent toxic fumes. Scrub the bleach solution into the carpet with a plastic brush or hard-bristled broom. Let the carpet sit for about five minutes and rinse it thoroughly again.
   
   Use a wet/dry vacuum to pull out excess moisture from the carpet. Let it dry in the sun, turning it over every few hours. Consult a professional carpet cleaning service if you are unsure whether your carpet is clean and disinfected enough to salvage it. A professional service can also steam clean your carpet with sanitizing chemicals if you are unable to adequately clean the carpet yourself.
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Preventing Mold and Mildew

3. Remove the padding from your home and discard it before bringing your carpet back inside. Rainwater usually saturates the padding and ruins it, but padding is much cheaper to replace than carpet. Scrub the floors with a warm water and bleach solution to prevent mold and mildew from forming before adding new padding or returning your carpet to the house. Make sure your carpet is completely dry before placing it back in your home and run a dehumidifier for several days to remove any excess moisture.

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