Jarvis responds to retail store fire in Southfield Michigan

Friday, November 27th will be the busiest shopping day of the year for retailers as they celebrate a tradition known as “Black Friday“, officially kicking off the start of the holiday shopping season. Retail stores rely heavily on sales generated during the holiday season to stay in business and there would be no worse time to have to close your doors to the public due to an unexpected emergency. Unfortunately, this scenario almost became a reality for a Michigan based retail store this week.

Jarvis property restoration was called into action on Tuesday afternoon as a local department store experienced an unexpected fire. The store manager was very concerned about the potential interruption to business, just prior to the busiest shopping day of the year and solutions to help minimize the impact on their customers. Our emergency response team was on the scene within one hour and immediately went into action developing and implementing a strategy to help repair the fire damage and residual water damage caused by the unexpected event.

Our first objective, in responding to an emergency call, is to inspect the properties structure and identify and potential danger areas. The retail store fire created mostly cosmetic damage and significant water damage to the immediate surrounding area from the overhead sprinkler systems. We immediately began to extract the excess water and address areas damaged by the fire, cleaning up smoke and soot on walls and ceilings. We helped the store remove damaged inventory and furniture, while creating a priority list of areas that would need to be repaired. Our team then put in place a plan to dry out the damaged areas utilizing specialty fans and desiccant humidifiers, in time for the store to be open without interruption for this weeks shopping marathon. Emergencies are never planned, but with proper reaction we can work together to help minimize damage and business interruption.

Photos of our team in action

Time is running out to prepare your home for winter

The holiday season is fast approaching and with it brings a climatic change that affects property owners across the country. If you have procrastinated in preparing your home for winter, you need to take action now to avoid potential problems in the future. We outline some common areas in your property for visual inspection, as well as routine maintenance every homeowner should consider.

The first step in working to winterize your home is to have your properties furnace inspected if you have any concerns whether it is working properly. Smoke “puff backs’ from oil furnaces are one of the largest contributors to property fires. These tend to occur in furnaces that are not properly maintained and have excess or dirty oil that can create a hidden danger in your property. Another area to address are properties with wood burning stove or fireplace, it is a good idea to have this inspected and cleaned a minimum of every two years. If your home is heated with a boiler or hot water heating system, you may consider having this cleaned out with an air compressor to help restore efficient circulation and efficiency.

The heating system is only one of the items that should be reviewed prior to winter. If you have fallen leaves on your property it is a good idea to have your roof, gutters and downspouts thoroughly cleaned as well. Removing unwanted debris from gutters can help you avoid ice damns that occur, which have the potential to lead to significant roof damage. Your roof is a key line of defense in protecting your homes interior during the winter months. If you have missing shingles or soft spots, these could become problematic areas that lead to larger issues if not addressed prior to future snowfall.

There are other areas within your home that should be inspected as well. One of the most overlooked areas in your home is your plumbing. In many homes, the plumbing system is out of site; therefore it tends to become an issue only when it reaches an emergency (broken) state. Inspecting your plumbing for small water leaks, rusting, discoloration is very important prior to winter. If you plan to leave your home vacant during the winter to spend the colder months in a warmer climate, consider having your home winterized by a professional to avoid broken pipes or emergencies that could lead to extensive property damage if left unattended.

The last item to review should be your homes insulation. Annually checking your insulation to ensure it is properly fastened and does not contain moisture is very important. Your homes insulation and energy efficiency is not solely tied into your roof insulation; you should examine all of your windows and doors to verify they are properly sealed from the inside and out. The best way to have a safe and energy efficient winter is to plan ahead with some preventative maintenance and visual inspection.

Fire prevention is critical prior to heating season beginning

Fire prevention is a critical item to review prior to the start of winter and home heating season. The months of November through April produce the largest amounts of home fires. There are some items every property owner should address at a minimum of twice per year to help prevent a disaster.

Fire safety and prevention is something every home owner, business owner and landlord should regularly review.  The first objective for home and property is to create a comprehensive safety plan to help ensure you have all of your bases covered in the event of an emergency. There are a number of areas in your home that can provide a potential danger to you and your loved ones, and often some simple planning and routine maintenance can be the difference between disaster and prevention.

• The most critical is to verify you have the proper number of working smoke detectors on each floor of your property.
• Furnaces and boilers should be inspected by a professional at least once per year
• Hire a professional to inspect your chimney a minimum of every two years
• Space heaters should be placed in the middle of rooms away from curtains and papers
• Don’t leave candles burning in rooms that are unattended or when you leave your home
• Never smoke in bed
• Keep flammable liquids such as propane and gasoline in a garage or shed, off of the ground
• Have a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and on every level of your home
• Set an emergency fire evacuation plan in place with your business and review this regularly with your staff, including posting a map in every room guiding people to the nearest exits.
• If you are grilling, make certain your grill is outdoors and not in a garage
• Never use a hot oil grill on a wooden deck
• Do not place flammable materials around a fireplace, including kindling, blankets, matches, etc
• Keep flammable liquids such as propane and gasoline in a garage or shed, off of the ground
• Remember to practice fire safety and review the stop, drop and roll technique with children. Reinforce the top safety items if your or your loved ones are caught in a fire, including learning to crawl to the nearest exit to avoid inhaling smoke.

A comprehensive fire safety plan can help to turn bad situations into manageable emergencies. Planning and practice will go a long way towards helping to prevent fires and ensure your family and employees are  prepared if there is an emergency.