Fire Safety Tips... Two Minutes Might Be All You Have!

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Call us if you need any support!

Did you know that if a fire starts in your home you may have as little as two minutes to escape? During a fire, early warning from a working smoke alarm plus a fire escape plan that has been practiced regularly can save lives. Learn what else to do to keep your loved ones safe!

Top Tips for Fire Safety

1. Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas.

2. Test smoke alarms every month. If they’re not working, change the batteries.

3. Talk with all family members about a fire escape plan and practice the plan twice a year.

4. If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone.

With Fire Damage, Comes Water Damage

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

If you suspect anything call us for an inspection!

Anyone who has been through a fire knows that where there’s smoke, there’s water—and lots of it after firefighters have finished battling a blaze. The key to salvaging your belongings from water damage and preventing mold is to act quickly to begin the process of removing the moisture from your carpets, furniture and walls. Professionals use mobile, state-of-the-art water extraction equipment and technology to get the job done as quickly as possible. Standing water is removed from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting. Saturated rugs and carpets are taken up when hardwood floors are at risk…these are just a few examples of the many steps involved in drying out a structure and restoring its contents. With proper precautions (and a dose of good luck), you may never experience the trauma of a fire or dealing with its messy aftermath.

Tips to Keep Your Christmas Tree From Catching Fire

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Getting ready for the holiday season, call us with prevention tips!

This time of year, we all enjoy the decorations, music and festivities of the holiday season.  One of the most important elements of decor to many is the Christmas tree.  This iconic image makes its appearance once a year in downtown areas, stores and of course living rooms all across the country.  One concern for many who choose to put a beautiful tree in their home is if it is in fact a fire hazard.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year.  Another staggering fact from the NFPA is that on average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.  Now we don’t want to dissuade anyone from enjoying a tree in their home, we simply hope that you take proper precautions to not become a statistic. 

Some of the best tips to protect your home or business from a Christmas tree fire are quite simple to do. 

This list should help to ensure a safe and happy holiday, without a devastating Christmas tree fire:

• Make sure string lights are in excellent condition and do not have loose connections, cracked lamps or frayed cords.
• Use only a single extension cord that can reach your home's outlet without being too long and being tangled.
• Use UL-approved lights and cords.
• Make sure lights are off when you go out and before you turn in for the night.
• Make sure all outdoor light connectors are away from metal rain gutters and off the ground.
• Never use candles to light or decorate a tree.
• Purchasing a freshly cut tree can lessen the chance of a fire hazard, and it smell better!
• Ensure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Water the tree every day and remove it from your home after Christmas or once it becomes dry. 
• Avoid burning Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn. 

This video from the National Fire Prevention Association shows that in less than a minute a Christmas tree fire can be extremely damaging. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem wishes all our friends and neighbors a safe and happy holiday season.  If you are unfortunate enough to experience a fire this season remember that we are always, “Here to help.” 

Insurance Claims Can Be Difficult, Having Photos Helps

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Always remember to document everything even the small things!

Having picture documentation of your home and its contents can be helpful if you ever have to endure a fire.  These photos help to show the condition the structure was in prior to the fire.  They also provide an accurate depiction of the contents you have and their condition.  These photos could be quite valuable when working with the insurance company in filing a claim.

A recent incident I heard about showed the importance of having these photos.  In this case a home had recently caught fire from a malfunctioning dryer.  The home owner had went to the store for a moment and came back to the fire department battling a large fire at his home.  The homeowner had taken pictures of the home and its contents on his phone.  The problem with this is his phone was also consumed by the fire.  

This scenario could easily happen to anyone.  Many of us may not take our phone with us all the time.  On the bright side there are quite a few ways to store and backup photos with current technologies.  From the various cloud based storage options such as:  Icloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.  If the cloud isn't you thing printed copies could be kept in a fire-proof safe or even at a safety deposit box.  The key takeaway from this is to have photos of your property and contents as well as have them stored so they wouldn't be affected by a disaster. 

Ways to Prevent a House Fire

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Protect yourself and your home!

Prevent Home Fires

Home fires are preventable! The following are simple steps that each of us can take to prevent a tragedy.

Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
• Wear short, close-fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking.
• Keep children away from cooking areas by enforcing a "kid-free zone" of 3 feet around the stove.
• Position barbecue grills at least 10 feet away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Smoking

• Smoke outside and completely stub out butts in an ashtray or a can filled with sand.
• Soak cigarette butts and ashes in water before throwing them away. Never toss hot cigarette butts or ashes in the trash can.
• Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used, even if it is turned off. Oxygen can be explosive and makes fire burn hotter and faster.
• Be alert - don’t smoke in bed! If you are sleepy, have been drinking, or have taken medicine that makes you drowsy, put your cigarette out first.

Electrical and Appliance Safety

• Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately and do not run cords under rugs or furniture.
• If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.
• Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Portable Space Heaters

• Keep combustible objects at least three feet away from portable heating devices.
• Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
• Check to make the portable heater has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over.
• Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene in kerosene heaters. Never overfill it. Use the heater in a well-ventilated room.

Fireplaces and Woodstoves

• Inspect and clean woodstove pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.
• Use a fireplace screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks.
• Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed.

Children

• Take the mystery out of fire play by teaching children that fire is a tool, not a toy.
• Store matches and lighters out of children's reach and sight, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Never leave children unattended near operating stoves or burning candles, even for a short time.

More Prevention Tips

• Never use stove range or oven to heat your home.
• Keep combustible and flammable liquids away from heat sources.
• Portable generators should NEVER be used indoors and should only be refueled outdoors or in well ventilated areas.

What to do After a Fire

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Remember to call the fire department, then call us to make it "Like it never even happened."

After a Fire

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.

• Contact your local disaster relief service. if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
• If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies.  If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
• Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.
• The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site.  DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
• Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items.  Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
• Try to locate valuable documents and records.  Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
• Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss.  The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.
• Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

Give SERVPRO of Southeast Salem a call to assist with any fire damage restoration needs.

Why Immediate Fire Damage Restoration is so Important

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Call us with any questions!

When a fire occurs in a home, the aftermath can seem overwhelming, and if fire restoration is postponed, the destruction from smoke damage can become even worse. The longer you wait to address the damage, the more repairs you'll have to fix - which means you'll most likely have a larger bill for damages when all is said and done. You can avoid costly repairs and long-term issues if you make fire damage restoration a priority and follow the steps you'll need to get your home back to normal as soon as possible.

Contact a Fire Damage Restoration Service

First, and foremost - and this is the most important step - find a fire restoration contractor who can assess the damage, give you an estimate on costs and start the cleanup process. Contact your home insurance company to make them aware of the fire and ask them for referrals for reliable businesses in your area. It's essential that you enlist the help of a licensed and insured fire damage restoration company to reduce the risk of further damage to your home. They are trained to handle this type of damage and many will perform some of the following steps to help get you through the initial fire cleanup:

• Smoke and fire damage restoration services will try to save as many of your home and personal belongings (such as appliances, furniture and clothing) as they can.
• Document everything they remove from your home by taking pictures and/or keeping written records.
• Return any salvageable furniture and appliances back to your home, after the fire restoration is complete.
• Work quickly and carefully to get you back in your home as soon as possible, and stay in contact with you to make sure the repairs were done correctly and your home isn't experiencing any other problems.

Be sure to go through your home insurance company when hiring a fire damage restoration service, or do a thorough background check if you choose one on your own to make sure they are licensed and insured. Be wary of “fire chasing” contractors who target victims of house fires and pressure them into signing expensive repair contracts, perform extremely low-quality repair work and might not be licensed or insured.

Start Fire Cleanup Right Away

While it's best to have a qualified fire restoration company like SERVPRO of Southeast Salem handle the smoke damage restoration, there are some small tasks you can do to help minimize the initial damage before the professionals come in to do the major cleanup. Remember that safety comes first, so if there’s no way to safely gain access into your home, then stay out until the professionals arrive. If it is possible to enter your house, make sure you’re wearing work gloves, long sleeves/pants, and proper respiratory protection, such as a mask because exposure to soot can cause respiratory problems and other medical issues.

• VENTILATION - Open all the windows and air out the house as much (and as often) as possible. Use box fans to force out dust and contaminated air. Fire damage restoration professionals will use industrial-strength fans and other air-moving equipment to help reduce the smoke damage your home has been subjected to, but in the meantime, proper ventilation is key to helping remove a lot of the polluted (and unsafe) air.
• CLEANING - Scrub all surfaces (and inside cabinets and drawers) with soap and water. You can also use an alkaline cleaner, which neutralizes the acid that’s found in soot to help cut down on the smoky smell. Counteractants—chemicals used to break up smoke molecules to eliminate odors—may be used, but it’s best left to the professionals to handle such products.
• LAUNDRY - Wash all bedding, clothing, curtains and items that can be machine washed with an alkaline cleaner (you may have to wash items more than once). Delicate fabrics will need to be professionally dry cleaned by someone who is familiar with articles that have smoke damage. Only use washers and dryers that haven’t been exposed to smoke or experienced significant fire damage.

Professional smoke removal and restoration companies will perform a thorough cleanup using industrial-grade products and equipment, such as dry cleaning soot sponges to remove loose soot and specialized vacuum filters to clean carpet and upholstery.

Prolonged Smoke Damage

Fire damage is tricky because some signs are apparent—such as discoloration on walls and ceilings and dark stains from smoke on surfaces—but others are not, such as odors trapped in hidden places. Air conditioner vents, the space behind walls and the outside walls of your home are all areas where ash and soot can be deposited and continue to cause damage if they aren't taken care of in a timely manner.

Make sure to have the HVAC system, attic/roof, and exterior walls inspected and properly cleaned, too, because your home will continue to suffer from smoke damage until the soot is completely removed by a fire damage restoration service, like SERVPRO of Southeast Salem. Don't hesitate to call us to handle your fire or smoke damage!

The Reason Fire Damage Jobs Are Best Left to Professionals

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

We are here for our community anytime, any day!

A simple day turned into a horrible tragedy for a local family here in Southeast Portland when they experienced a grease fire that tore through half of their home. It caused extensive damage. In their time of need SERVPRO of Southeast Salem was there and ready to help. The family called us in and requested services immediately. Our team made the process as easy and simple for the family reassuring them along the way letting them know exactly what was needed and that SERVPRO of Southeast Salem would be there to help every step of the way. The before picture shows just a glimpse of the damage caused. When all the work was done the family couldn't have been more happier with SERVPRO of Southeast Salem and how their home was not only restored but improved making it "Like it never even happened." 

Second Opinion

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Even if you are on the other side of town, we are always here to help and serve.

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem got an interesting  call one day. A client in SE PDX called in about a home going on the market. Turns out upon checking into the homes history the client discovered the home had experienced a fire 10 years prior that was unknown to them. Doing a little more investigation the client found out that the home had fire/smoke remediation done for the fire that occurred. For reasons unknown to the client as well as ourselves the attic of said home had no remediation work done to it. For this specific case we went in did our initial inspection and discussed with the client potential work the can and should be done. With SERVPRO of Southeast Salem as a client you can always be reassured that there will be no stone left unturned when you call us do your job. Customer and client satisfaction is our number one priority. 

SERVPRO Can Make Smoke Damage "Like it never even happened."

8/2/2021 (Permalink)

Don't hesitate to call us with anything you may need! We are ready to help whenever you are ready.

After the brave firefighters have performed their job the aftermath left behind can be daunting.  That’s where SERVPRO of Southeast Salem takes pride in our ability to help those who have just endured a fire.  When the reality sets in of all the damage that the fire has caused it may be hard to conceive that the building will never return to normal. Our trained technicians work hard to do just that, make your home or commercial building return to normal. 

The danger of the fire may be gone, but damage can continue to affect the structure and belongings. Ash and smoke, if left alone will likely cause extensive corrosion, etching, discoloration as well as lingering powerful odors. Our trained professionals that clean fire and smoke damage can stop this before it becomes a major problem.

The sooner you reach out to us, the sooner we can begin the fire restoration process.  Our caring staff will work diligently to restore the damage to your building and belongings that were affected by the unfortunate fire.  Our company goal is to make this traumatic event "Like it never even happened."

Smoke Detectors Save Lives!

8/1/2021 (Permalink)

Always keep in mind to regularly check the smoke detectors in your home.

Smoke detectors save lives and provide you and your family time to leave the home and get to safety or alert you to potential fires in the home like a cooking fire or an unattended candle. In the event of a home fire, soot and smoke damage can cause damage throughout your home and require repairs and restoration. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem has the technicians, expertise, and experience to clean and restore your home. After a fire, our crew's inventory and pack out the contents in your home. Contents are then brought back to our secure, climate-controlled warehouse where items are recleaned and packed into new clean boxes. While contents are being cleaned, crews work to clean and restore your home. Once your home has been restored, all contents are packed back and your home is ready to be put back together as it was before the fire. 

Small Fires Can Create Major Damage

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

Dry brush and weeds can catch fire!

This week we received a referral from one of our insurance agents. One of his clients experienced a fire on the back side of their home. The son was burning weeds with his propane device, the weeds smothered and caught the siding underneath the house, igniting a small fire on the siding and thus seeping deep into the main the pillar of the home. The fire fighters had to use the ax while putting it out, alluding a cut into the interior wall. The sweet owner of the home was overtaken with smoke. She did not think the damage was that bad. However, by the time the fire was out her home was filled with smoke and soot and she had no idea what to do. We showed up, and immediately started remediation services. Also advising of the extent of damage, allowing her to know that we were there to help and get her back to where she was previously. Call SERVPRO for Fire Damage 503-883-8960

Someone’s Mom, Someone’s Grandma, our Client

7/31/2020 (Permalink)

2 -Alarm House Fire

Last weekend, a 2-alarm residential fire came through the wire. I set out to assist and be with the owners of their home, not knowing who or what I would endure.  The little lady who owned the home was not there when the fire started. She was around the corner at the 501 playing poker. As she arrived to see the street lined fire trucks, she began to cry. I approached her and said I was there to help. Even if the help at that moment was to sit and listen. Offer a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. Every memory she had was in that house., so I sat there with her and went through the waves of emotions, just listening, just being there. We watched for 4 hours the fight to get the fire under control, then them saw off the second floor to open it up and then watch them throw all her belongings out onto the grass. Heart breaking on many levels. Here at SERVPRO we go through the traumatic events of a fire with our clients.

Getting to the Bottom of Soot Damage

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Soot Must Be Removed By a Professional

The other day we received a call from a property manager, alerting us that one of his tenants had a small indoor fire. The tenant had waited two days and tried cleaning himself. The unit’s fire occurred in the kitchen and carried soot through out the home. Every piece of furniture and wall had soot damage from the smoldering fire. He decided to scrub the walls himself. Not knowing that using cleaning materials on soot and rubbing with a cloth rubbed the soot further into the paint. Causing further damage, including needing to repaint.

When a fire occurs, chemicals disperse and land like dust on everything. Sometimes soot can be dry and or wet. It all depends on the type of material that has burned. Clean up of soot must be done with a HEPA Vacuum. The soot is removed by sucking or sponging it off the walls. No matter the size of a fire damage, call SERVPRO professionals to have your soot damage remediation service performed.

We Are First Responders

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO to Protect You Property After a Fire!

As a restoration company, we are first responders following significant fire damage to a property. 2 Alarm fires are considered fires in which the firemen have had to puncture a hole in the roof to help the home breathe, as it has filled with soot and is still on fire or smoldering. They call this venting the structure. Electricity, gas and water must be cut to the property to limit further catastrophe. As first responders we determine the need to protect the property. If it is a major fire, we board up and protect the structure until the fire investigator has completed his report. Determining the extent of the damage is the next step. Here at SERVPRO we have a 3D camera that allows us to capture and document the extent of damage that has occurred. This allows for the owner and insurance company to see firsthand the depth of the damage. Proper documentation is key to restoration. Call your local first responders at SERVPRO 503-883-8960

Fire Damage Assessment

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Professionals are Needed to Assess Fire Damage

No one wants to suffer damage due to a fire. It is very major life traumatic event. The most important part after a fire is remediation assessment services, completed by a professional. There must be a full inspection completed, to determine how much of your home has smoke or fire damage. How deep did the fire penetrate the structure? How much smoke and soot has covered your personal belongings and is on the surfaces. Have your walls, furniture and fixtures endured or show signs of heat damage? The need to remove undamaged personal property to prevent further smoke damage due to the lingering smoke. Hiring a professional fire damage restoration company allows for a full comprehensive investigation and prevents further damage. If you have experienced fire damage, call us right away! Here at SERVPRO we are always "Here to Help"!

A Fire is Always an Unexpected Experience!

7/29/2020 (Permalink)

Have SERVPRO Professionals by your side when disaster strikes!

Here at SERVPRO we aim to make sure the journey of recovering from a fire starts with our clients understanding the process. Like many, a house fire is never planned or expected. It can happen at anytime and for no reason at all, leaving the homeowner in a state of disarray for a duration of time. Our professionals clearly walk our clients through all steps, including being initial first responders at the time of the fire. We go through the fire with them, see that they and their property are secured for the evening and take all necessary steps to assist in that undeniably horrific life experience. Then we advise, have you contacted your insurance company?  Once we have authorization, we begin the remediation services. From that point on we document and have complete open communication with the client and their insurance professionals, allowing for the reconstruction and ability to get clients back in their homes. Have us here at SERVPRO, by your side in a fire!

Fire! Grease Fires!

7/22/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Fire Extinguisher

Oh boy, I am sure you have all been watching the news. Fires around the town are almost double what they were this time last year. Residential and businesses are seeing an uptick in fire damage. We are finding this is because many are at home and trying new cooking ideas. The past few months we have been called out to help clean up on deep fired Oreos, deep fried churros and a slew of other grease fire issues. Many reach to water in a grease fire and that is a big ‘NO, NO’.  

Here is what to do.

-Cover the flames with a metal object

-Turn off the heat source

- If small, pour baking or salt on it.

-Spray with fire extinguisher

Call us here at 503-883-8960 SERVPRO to come assess the damage and provide clean- up services!

The Top 5 Causes of Fire in Salem Oregon

8/1/2019 (Permalink)

Cooking

It seems everyone in Salem loves to cook and eat, but it is important to practice your culinary skills in a safe manner.  Fires caused by cooking are the number one cause of fires in Salem. Who doesn’t like deep fat fried foods? If you do indulge be cautious since frying with oil is one of the main reasons cooking-related fires start. Others include flammables near the stovetop or other hot surfaces, leaving the area while cooking, faulty appliances and cooking while impaired.  So, enjoy cooking, just remember to be safe. 

Cigarettes

Not only do cigarettes send smoke into your lungs, but they can also bring your home or business up in smoke as one of the main leading causes of fires in Salem.

Electrical Safety

Do you have old outdated appliances or outlets? Well, here's your excuse to buy some new ones, faulty wiring and old appliances big and small can cause electrical fires.  Need a reason to update your lighting? Well, light fixtures, lamps and light bulbs can also be dangerous causing accidental fires. As if that's not enough using extension cords and space heaters and more can ignite their surroundings. 

Home Heating Equipment

Just like space heaters old or new, there are other home heating methods that may cause a fire. For instance, a wood stove, fireplace, gas or electric heat should be inspected to ensure they are functioning properly to prevent a possible fire. 

Candle Safety

Candles are great. They come in a variety of pleasant scents, they create a peaceful atmosphere and they're a good last minute gift for that co-worker you may not know so well. But as wonderful as they are they can pose a firey threat to your home is left unattended. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem Helps You Rebuild After a Fire

7/31/2019 (Permalink)

When the fire department has finished bravely doing their job the damage left can be severe.  That is why SERVPRO of Southeast Salem is here.  We are proud help anyone who has been unfortunate enough to experience a fire.  It may be hard to imagine that the burnt remains can ever be back to its former condition. Our highly skill technicians have the training bring back your home or commercial building to preloss condition.   

Once the fire has been extinguished the damage may continue negatively affecting the structure and contents. The smoke and can cause extensive corrosion, etching, discoloration in addition to a strong unpleasant odor. Our team has the training to clean the fire and smoke before it causes any more damage.

The faster you call us, the faster we will be there to start the restoration process.  Our team will work tirelessly to restore your property and possessions.  It is always our company goal to make any traumatic event “Like it never even happened.”

Leave it to the professionals

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

An average day can turn into a terrible memory in an instant. Unfortunately, that is what happened for one family here in Southeast Salem when a grease fire took over half of their home. It caused extensive damage. Luckily, in their time of need, the family called SERVPRO of Southeast Salem. Almost immediately we were there and ready to help. Our team made the process as easy and simple for the family reassuring them along the way and informing them of exactly what was needed. SERVPRO of Southeast Salem was there to help every step of the way. The before picture shows just a glimpse of the damage caused. When all the work was done the family couldn't have been happier with SERVPRO of Southeast Salem and their home was not only restored but even better, making it "Like it never even happened." 

No harm in double checking

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Salem received an interesting call one day called about a home going on the market. Our client was buying a home and upon checking into the history they discovered a fire had occurred 10 years prior. Upon further investigation, they found smoke and fire remediation had taken place everywhere except for the attic. SERVPRO of Southeast Salem went to do an inspection and we were able to discuss with our client potential work that could be done.  The work would be to assure that any hidden issues there may be would be addressed and could be fixed. We make sure every job is done righ so you can always be reassured that we will leave no stone unturned. Our client's satisfaction is always our number one priority. 

It's no miracle,we're just doing our job

7/30/2019 (Permalink)

Wall heaters at a SE Salem Catholic church began to emit a thick black smoke on a chilly day. It was a weekday so usually, the church office would be vacant. Luckily on this day the pastor was present and turned the heater off before a fire ignited then promptly contacted his local fire department. The firefighters arrived and cleared the church and made sure it was safe to return inside. After they had confirmed it was safe they called their insurance agency. The agent recommended they give us a call at SERVPRO of Southeast Salem for smoke remediation. Our team was on-site within the hour doing the inspection to quickly start the remediation process. We placed our equipment throughout the structure starting the process and our techs got to work. The everything went by smoothly and the good people of the church community couldn't stop praising the amazing work SERVPRO of Southeast Salem had done. 

Insurance Claims Can Be Difficult, Having Photos Helps

7/29/2019 (Permalink)

Having picture documentation of your home and its contents can be helpful if you ever have to endure a fire.  These photos help to show the condition the structure was in prior to the fire.  They also provide an accurate depiction of the contents you have and their condition.  These photos could be quite valuable when working with the insurance company in filing a claim.

A recent incident I heard about showed the importance of having these photos.  In this case a home had recently cuaght fire from a malfunctioning dryer.  The home owner had wnet to the store for a moment and came back to the fire department battling a large fire at his home.  The homeowner had taken pictures of the home and its contents on his phone.  The problem with this is his phone was also consumed by the fire.  

This scenario could easily happen to anyone.  Many of us may not take our phone with us all the time.  On the bright side there are quite a few ways to store and backup photos with current technoligies.  From the various cloud based storage options such as:  Icloud, Google Drive and Dropbox.  If the cloud isn't you thing printed copies could be kept in a fire-proof safe or even at a safety deposit box.  The key takeaway from this is to have photos of your property and contents as well as have them stored so they wouldn't be affected by a disaster.