Winter Weather Increases Chances of Fire and Flooding – Follow These Tips to Keep Your Home Safe

WOODBURY, N.J. - Feb. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- The destruction caused by fires and floods can leave homes and other properties in ruin and families in chaos. Adams Technical Maintenance Service Co. (ATM) provides expert tips to prevent and minimize damage following these disastrous accidents.

Protect your home from fire and the damage it can cause

  During the winter months homeowners often unknowingly put their homes at risk for fires by leaving cooking food unattended, lighting candles near flammable surfaces, keeping dried-out Christmas trees, using damaged decorative lights, or using poorly maintained fireplaces and chimneys. Taking the necessary precautions and preparations before a fire can be the difference between a catastrophe and a minor mishap. Tips to safeguard your home against fire include:

•  Do not store items near a heater or open flame.

•  Have fireplace chimneys cleaned and inspected regularly.

•  Do not overload extension cords or outlets.

•  Check smoke detector batteries twice a year.

•  Check fire extinguisher yearly.

  In the unfortunate chance of a home fire, the professionals at ATM recommend several steps to protect the home from permanent and costly smoke and fire damage:

•  Immediately contact an emergency specialist such as ATM.

•  Keep movement in the home to a minimum, and keep hands clean or wear latex gloves to prevent soot from embedding into fabrics, walls, and flat surfaces.

•  Vacuum any large soot particles from upholstery, carpet, drapes, and flat surfaces.

•  Place sheets and towels over carpets and upholstery.

•  Clean and cover chrome surfaces with Vaseline.

•  If electric is off, empty refrigerator and freezer, leaving doors ajar.

•  Put filter cloth over registers and vents and change the heater’s air filter.

  Do not attempt to clean walls or carpets. If not done properly, soot can permanently stain these surfaces. Do not wait to call for professional help. Immediate cleanup by an emergency service provider following a fire can dramatically reduce permanent damage and costs.

Protect your home from flood

  Flooding can cause significant damage to homes and properties, especially in the winter months. Common causes of flooding include faulty appliances such as dishwashers or water heaters, clogged drains and plumbing issues.

  Weather is a year-round cause of flooding through heavy rainfall, but in the winter months, sudden snow melt and freezing pipes that thaw are added concerns. Be sure to turn off all outdoor hoses before the weather starts to turn. If flooding does occur, follow these procedures to help minimize water damage:

•  Remove as much water as possible with towels, mopping, or wet/dry vacuums.

•  Elevate furniture legs above water-logged carpets with aluminum foil or blocks.

•  Remove wet area rugs and other loose items from floors.

•  Stand cushions on end to evenly dry and use a wet/dry vacuum to extract excess water from upholstery.

•  Open cabinets and drawers and run the heat, air conditioner, or open windows to dry.

•  Remove and hand-dry books, photos, and artwork and move to a safe, dry area.

  Never use a household vacuum to remove water, and avoid using electrical appliances such as blow dryers while standing on wet surfaces.

  As with any similar emergency, immediately contacting a professional water removal service such as ATM can dramatically reduce permanent and costly water damage. In many cases, you should also contact your insurance agency to find out what damage is or is not covered under your homeowner’s policy. Any professional emergency services agency should be able to help with this as well.

Adams Technical Maintenance has served Southern New Jersey, Northern Delaware, and Eastern Pennsylvania for more than 40 years, restoring more than 15,000 homes since 1971. Through outstanding customer service and quality workmanship, ATM earned its reputation as a local leader for fire, water, and mold damage remediation and cleaning by homeowners and insurance companies alike. For more information on emergency services protection visit www.atm-glr.com or call 856-845-7020.