Forest Fire Safety

7/24/2023 (Permalink)

Summer is finally here! You can expect to see sunshine and hot temperatures around this time of the year, but as you may have noticed, most of North America is experiencing an abnormal dry spell. While the weather has been lovely, with sunny skies and thermostats reaching well into the high 80s, wildfires can quickly become a cause for concern. Dry weather like this can create perfect conditions for forest fires, especially in heavily wooded areas like Western Pennsylvania. Here are some essential tips to protect your home from forest fires :


1. Create a Defensible Space:
-Clear vegetation and flammable materials, such as dry leaves and fallen branches, within at least 30 feet of your house.
-Trim tree branches that overhang the roof and maintain a safe distance between trees and shrubs to prevent the rapid spread of flames.

2. Maintain a Clean and Debris-Free Environment:
-Regularly clean your property by removing dry leaves, pine needles, and other debris that can accumulate in gutters, roofs, and decks. 
-Keep a safe distance between firewood stacks and your home.

3. Maintain an Emergency Water Supply:
-Ensure you have an emergency water supply readily available on your property.
-Create a firebreak by installing fire hoses around your home, and regularly inspect and test their functionality. 
-Consider having a water storage tank or a swimming pool that can serve as an additional water source for firefighters or for protecting your property in case of a fire.

4. Develop an Evacuation Plan:
-Identify multiple escape routes and establish a meeting point away from the danger zone.
-Pack essential documents, medications, and supplies in an easily accessible emergency kit.

5. Stay Informed:
-Stay informed about the current fire conditions and follow the guidelines provided by local authorities. 
-Sign up for emergency alerts and notifications through your local fire department or relevant agencies. 
-Familiarize yourself with evacuation orders and be prepared to act swiftly if necessary.


Forest fires are dangerous, and it is imperative to remain prepared. If your Westmoreland County home is affected by fire or smoke damage, call SERVPRO of Greensburg. We’ll help make your disaster feel “Like it never even happened.”®

The Dos and Don'ts of Fire Damage

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

A firefighter fighting the flames in a home.

Flames roaring, smoke billowing from windows, lights and sirens blaring…

In other words: a property owner's nightmare. Dealing with a fire can be incredibly demanding and frustrating. Not only do you have to worry about structural damage but also the clean-up and restoration of your property. Skip the stress and call SERVPRO of Greensburg, the locally owned, operated, and trusted leader in fire damage restoration. We are open 24/7 and our highly trained technicians are always prepared to make your fire and smoke damage look "Like it never even happened." Although we are faster to any size disaster, we suggest you follow these “Dos” and “Don’ts” before we arrive at your home or business:

The Dos:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into the carpet.
• Keep hands clean to limit soot spread.
• Wipe soot from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim, and appliances. After wiping down, these surfaces can be protected with a light coating of lubricant.
• Change the HVAC filter, but leave the system off until a trained professional has inspected it.
• Watch for any slip, trip, or fall hazards created by the fire.

The Don'ts:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces.
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture.
• Consume food or beverages that may have been stored close to the fire, heat, or water.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet or sagging.

We are proud to have had the opportunity to serve Greensburg and its surrounding areas since 2004. If you require assistance, please call us at (724) 837-8830!

4th of July Fire Safety

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

With Independence Day on its way, many communities look forward to celebrating the USA's freedom with a bang! Literally. While fireworks are a fun way to show some national pride, they can be extremely dangerous to homes and businesses, especially in wooded areas.  

Whether you are in your backyard or at a local show, here are some tips from the US Forest Service on what to do if a fire flares up near you:

• Remain calm. 
• Move flammable materials such as wood to a safe place away from the house. 
• Close the garage door, but leave it unlocked (an electric door may need to be disconnected from the power source to move manually).
• Open the entrance of your yard to facilitate the access of the firefighters and vehicles. 
• Shut off any fuel tanks and gas cylinders. 
• Close all exterior vents, exterior doors (do not lock them), and windows. 
• Make sure all garden hoses connect to a faucet with a nozzle set on SPRAY.
• Do a headcount to make sure that all family members are safe and accounted for 

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend and call SERVPRO of Greensburg at (724) 837-8830 for any smoke, water, or fire damage cleanup!

The professionals at SERVPRO of Greensburg have seen the devastation that a grill fire can cause, and we want to help you avoid severe damage.

6/8/2022 (Permalink)

If you are part of that 8,900, we can help! Call SERVPRO of Greensburg at (724) 837-8830

With the summer months comes delicious BBQ! But before you get too excited about all of those backyard cookouts, let us give you a few tips and tricks to make sure you entertain safely. 

The professionals at SERVPRO of Greensburg understand that BBQs are a great way to bring together friends and family. Still, they can also be a significant source of fire damage if not used safely. 

Here are 5 BBQ grill fire prevention tips to help keep your summer BBQs safe:

1. Keep a close eye on the grill at all times.
2. Make sure the grill is in a well-ventilated area.
3. Clean the grill regularly to prevent grease build-up
4. Keep flammable materials away from the grill.
5. Use the right fuel.

Keep on reading to learn more about each of these tips in detail!

What causes a grill fire?

Grill fires can happen for various reasons, but the most common cause is an overheated grill. When the fat or grease from your food drips down onto the heat source, it can burst into flame. As well as that, sparks from the grill coming in contact with the heat source are another cause for devastating grill fires.

Five tips to prevent grill fires

Now that we know what can cause a grill fire let’s go over some tips on avoiding them:

1) Keep a close eye on the grill at all times

Keeping a close eye on your grill may seem like a no-brainer, but it is essential to be aware and watcful whenever it is in use. If you leave the grill unattended, you risk a fire starting.

2) Make sure the grill is in a well-ventilated area

It is crucial to make sure the grill is in a well-ventilated area. If the area lacks ventilation, the smoke will have nowhere to go. When smoke becomes trapped, it can cause a fire.

3) Clean the grill regularly to prevent grease build-up

Cleaning your grill is one of the best and most foolproof ways to avoid fires. When you remove any old food and grease build-up, it greatly reduces the chances of a fire. Make sure to clean your grill before and after each use.

4) Keep flammable materials away from the grill.

It’s important to keep anything flammable away from the grill. Everyday flammable items include things like paper plates, napkins, and towels. If these materials come in contact with the heat source, they can catch fire quickly.

5) Use the right fuel

Another way to prevent grill fires is to use the correct fuel type. Only use charcoal or propanel, and make sure to follow the instructions on how to light the grill. Never add accelerants to your grill, as this can cause a fire.

What to do if a grill fire starts

If a grill fire does start, the first thing you should do is turn off the heat source. If the fire is small, you can try to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, baking soda, sand, or salt can be used, but NEVER put water on a grill fire. If the fire is large, or if you cannot put it out, call 911 immediately.

Once the fire has been extinguished, you will need to assess the damage. If there is any damage to your grill, it’s imperative to have it repaired or replaced before using it again.

If your home sustains any fire damage from the grill fire, SERVPRO of Greensburg is here to help. We are a 24-hour emergency service company, and we are faster to any size disaster.

Wrapping up

Preventing grill fires this summertime will help you avoid costly repairs and damages. Use these five tips to help you enjoy a safe and fun summer grilling season!

When you contact us, we will start the fire damage restoration process right away. Our fire restoration process includes:

• Assessment of the damage
• Pack out of undamaged belongings
• Contents cleaning
• Demolition
• Cleaning
• Deodorization

Here at SERVPRO of Greensburg, we know the overwhelming emotions that come with a fire in your home. That is why our goal is to make the restoration process as easy and stress-free as possible. To ensure this happens, we will work hand in hand with your insurance company and keep you updated throughout the entire process.

If you have any questions about fire damage restoration or if you need emergency services, feel free to contact us today. SERVPRO of Greensburg is here to make it "Like it never even happened."

Grease Fires - How They Can Affect Your Westmoreland County Home

4/1/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Greenburg can help with all your fire restoration needs.   

Cooking at home can be a fire hazard due to grease fires.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that firefighters respond to roughly 172,100 fires started from cooking each year, or an average of 471 cooking fires each day.  

Though there are more occurrences around the winter holidays. We should be prepared year-round for grease fires. Here are a few ways to prevent these grease fires: 

• Never leave a pot or pan unattended 
• Be gentle when adding food or oil to the pot or pan 
• Use a thermometer to monitor temperature 
• Always keep a lid, baking soda, and salt nearby 
• Keep anything flammable (wooden spoon, oven mitts, etc.) away from pot or pan 

These measures can all significantly help prevent a grease fire. Sometimes, these fires do break out, and here’s what you can do to fight it: 

• If your fire leaves the stovetop, call 911 immediately 
• Cover your pot or pan with a metal pan or cooking sheet 
• NEVER use water to put out a grease fire 
• Turn your burner off 
• Use a Class-K fire extinguisher to fight the fire 

Remember, if your fire leaves your stovetop, you should call 911 immediately. If those prevention tips do not work, and you do experience a fire, please follow those tips. If your Westmoreland County home has some damage, SERVPRO of Greensburg can help with all your fire restoration needs.

SERVPRO of Greensburg can provide you with: 

• Board-up and tarp-up services 
• Smoke and soot removal 
• Odor removal 
• Carpet and upholstery cleaning 
• Caring for your belongings 

SERVPRO of Greensburg understands how important it is to have your home and lives back  to normal. If fire restoration services are needed, please call us at                    (724-837-8830). 

SERVPRO of Greensburg partners with the American Red Cross

7/12/2016 (Permalink)

The first 48 hours after fire damage can make the difference between restoring versus replacing your property and personal belongings.   SERVPRO of Greensburg professionals can help prevent fire damage from creating long-term problems, providing timely response to fire, smoke and soot removal, to content claims inventory, and document restoration. These services help insure your property, belongings and memories are restored to pre-loss condition when possible.

So after the first wave of heroes have rescued the property, let your SERVPRO of Greensburg professionals help you restore it.  With industry approved training, rapid response times, cutting edge technology, professionalism and open communication, we strive to restore not only your home, but your peace of mind as well.

To demonstrate SERVPRO's dedication to helping prevent fire disasters, we have partnered with the American Red Cross Smoke Alarm Initiative.  SERVPRO of Greensburg, along with other local partners such as Westmoreland Community Action, will conduct free, in-home fire safety checks and install smoke alarms at no charge for families who qualify.

Statistics show that working smoke alarms save lives and reduce injuries and property damage due to home fires.  The American Red Cross launched this nationwide campaign to reduce the number of deaths, injuries and damage to homes by 25% in the next five years.  SERVPRO of Greensburg is proud to be a part of this Home Fire Preparedness Campaign.