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  Avoid a Residential House Fire This Christmas
  December 13, 2016 branchservices	Leave a comment
  During the holiday season residential house fires are at their peak in both frequency and deadliness. We tend to do a lot of cooking and literally drag in a bunch of kindling and have it strewn festively around our homes alongside hot strings of lights and open flames. With all the mirth and merriment happening we can lose focus on safety, a foresight that could lead to disaster.
  The kitchen is where most house fires start. With all of the hullabaloo of the holidays it is easy to get distracted. Make sure you keep your cooking area free of debris like printed recipes and dishcloths. Don't leave unattended pots and pans on a burning stove and keep a fire extinguisher handy in case of emergency.
  If you're the Clark Griswold type when it comes to exterior illumination you should take care to check a few things before flipping the on switch. Make sure you only use lighted strands that are meant for outdoor use. Double check old strands to make sure there are no frayed or exposed wires and busted bulbs. Don't plug too many strands together and don't stuff to many strands into one outlet.
  Candles are beautiful during the darkest time of the year but make sure to maintain about a foot of space between the candle and anything that can burn. Set candles on sturdy bases or cover with hurricane globes. Never leave flames unattended. Before bed, walk through each room to make sure candles are blown out. For a safer way to get the romantic effect of candles use LED candle lights.
  During these cold months there is nothing better than curling up in front of a roaring fire. Don't light your fire place without having it cleaned first. Screen the fireplace to prevent embers from igniting your carpet or drapes. Only use seasoned wood.
  A Christmas tree fire can destroy a room in less than a minute. If you are going to use a real tree make sure it is fresh. Do not buy it too early or you risk drying it out. Make sure to keep your tree away from heat sources like fireplaces and space heaters. Turn off the lights on your tree during the day and before you go to bed to make sure they don't heat up too much. LED lights are less likely to heat up.
  Even if you take all of these precautions it is still possible for a fire to rip through your home. If the worst happens call Branch Services to bring your house back to its original glory.
  December 29, 2014 branchservices	Leave a comment
  What you need to know about fire damage remediation:
  There's plenty of information available on how to prevent fires in the home but what happens… in the event that you (unfortunately) have a fire? Now what? Here's some advice on what to do….
  Contact your insurance company IMMEDIATELY after the fire is out. They can provide advice on how to handle the aftermath of your fire and possibly be able to recommend a professionalfire restorer, such as us… Branch Services. Fire restorers can provide services to prevent furtherdamage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished and which structural items do and do not need to be repaired or replaced. They provide estimates to insurance companies for the cost of damages and will help walk you through the process of thoroughly deodorizing, cleaning and repairing your home. You can find the names of certified fire restorers through the IICRC websitehttp://www.iicrc.org/consumers/. Here you can search for restorers who have been educated and certified by the IICRC.
  Here are some additional tips to follow after the event of a fire.
  Safety Tips During Restoration
  Do not use electrical appliances that have been near a fire.
  Do not hesitate to seek professional help in restoration effort.
  Hiring a professional to do the clean up after a fire is always recommended for additional information on why you should choose to use a certified professional, click on the following link….
  long island fire remediationsafety tips
  fire damage, fire remediation long island, fire restoration, Uncategorized
  November 25, 2014 branchservices	Leave a comment
  What is a puff back you ask? It's not something that is soft and cuddly, that is for sure… it's actually quite the opposite. It's dirty, dingy and a real pain to clean up. Incomplete combustion of oil fired furnaces that begin operating at the beginning of the winter season can cause an effect that is commonly known in the industry as a "puff back".
  What is the cause of incomplete combustion in oil fired furnaces? Usually a faulty ignition switch.
  When the ignition fails to light properly, oil fumes accumulate in the chamber of the furnace. If stalled long enough, these fumes will cause a small explosion when the pilot light finally ignites. This mini explosion will blow every little piece of dust and soot in your baseboard heating system or duct system all over EVERYTHING in your home. Drapes, blinds, furniture, bedding, clothing, floors, carpets, dishes, appliances, etc.
  Soot is a powder like substance and is black and sticky. You cannot clean soot with a regular sponge, towel, paper towel, etc. The cleaning of soot requires special sponges and cleaning products that are used by professionals. In addition to this stick sooty mess, an odor will also be present which is similar to that of an oil smell. This odor is difficult to remove and requires the services of a professional to remove as well. A professional certified home restoration company such as Branch Services is experienced with handling puff back situations for over 25 years. A puff back can occur in large proportion such as the situation just mentioned or in small proportion, over a period of time. If you notice black soot accumulating on carpet around heating vents or baseboard, or on surfaces inside your home, chances are you are experiencing a small scale puff back.