Winter Holiday Fire Safety Tips in Atlanta, Georgia

According to the American Red Cross, winter holiday fires claim more than 500 lives each year and cause approximately $554 million in property damage. ServiceMaster by LoveJoy gathers essential winter holiday fire safety tips to help reduce those numbers. Follow these suggestions from our fire restoration experts, and keep your family, home, pets, and belongings safe this holiday season and throughout the New Year.

Winter Fire Causes in Georgia

During the winter and all through the holidays, there are several seasonal factors that can increase the risk of fire in your home. These factors range from the increased fireplace and candle usage to Christmas tree fire hazards. As beautiful as these light touches may be, it's important to keep certain holiday fire safety tips in mind.

General holiday fire safety includes:

Never leave a room when a candle is burning. Candle fires are four times more likely to occur during the holidays.

Never burn wrapping paper, garbage, or other debris in your fireplace.

Always supervise children around fireplaces, wood-burning stoves, and any open flames, even candles.

Check your space heater before using it. If it's not operating correctly or the cord is damaged in any way, don't use it.

Test every smoke detector in the house and make sure all of them have charged batteries. A September 2015 report by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) stated that the death rate per 100 reported home fires was more than twice as high in homes that did not have any working smoke alarms compared to the rate in homes with working smoke alarms (1.18 deaths vs. 0.53 deaths per 100 fires).

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

The winter holidays can be the busiest time of the year for many households. There are family activities, community events, and parties to attend, and you may even be hosting a gathering or two in your own home. Kids are excited, the days are short and there seems to be a never-ending list of things to get done. However, now is not the time to ignore or forget about basic holiday fire safety, which includes Christmas tree fire safety.

Christmas Tree Fire Safety:

Live trees need to be fresh and stay fresh until removed from your home. Look for a tree with needles that pull back easily from the branches but don't break. Tap your tree on the ground. If it sheds a ton of needles, it's not fresh.

Keep a freshly cut tree watered so it doesn't dry out and become a fire hazard, or use a potted live tree and plant a memory from this Christmas season to grow for years to come.

Never place your Christmas tree near a fireplace, wood-burning stove or other open flames.

Never place real, burning candles on your Christmas tree as decorations.

Christmas trees should not block doorways or exit routes, in case of a fire.

Only buy fire-resistant artificial trees.

Inspect all strands of Christmas lights before placing them on your tree. Look for fraying wires and other damage.

Never use more than three sets of light strands per one extension cord.

Check all extension cords for damage or fraying; don't overload a single electrical outlet.

If you're going to be away from home, turn off the Christmas tree lights and consider unplugging all non-essential electronics and appliances.

Keep lit candle displays at least three feet away from the tree.

Only decorate a tree with non-combustible or flame-resistant decorations.

Outdoor Decoration Fire Safety

Do not ignore specific holiday fire safety precautions even if your decorations are outside your house.

Be reminded that any extension cords you use outside are labeled for outdoor use.

Check the label and packaging to determine whether your cord is made for the outdoors.

All outdoor lights need to be fastened securely to your home's porch, columns, gutters, surrounding trees or other supports that will stay secure, even in blustery conditions.

Always plug outdoor lights and electric decorations into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet or use a surge protector for safety.

Visit our blog for more seasonal tips and all-around advice from the restoration professionals at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy of Atlanta, Georgia.

ServiceMaster by LoveJoy offers fire damage restoration services, such as:

Fire and Smoke Cleanup

Soot Removal

Odor Removal

Complete Building and Contents Cleaning

Carpet, Rug, and Upholstery Cleaning

Plumbing

Electrical Works

HVAC Duct Cleaning

Antiques and Fine Art Restoration

Electronic Equipment Restoration

Data and Document Recovery

Furniture Refinishing

Biohazard Cleaning

Safety and Compliance

Pack out and Inventory service

Restoration Dry Cleaning and Laundry and Board Up

Call ServiceMaster by LoveJoy today at 770-983-6665 to learn more about our services.

Top 3 Causes of Winter Water Damage at Home

In addition to chilly temperatures and snowy scenery in Georgia, winter weather brings an increased risk of water damage to your home. Winter is notorious for being cold and wet, and large amounts of snow and ice can have severe consequences. Learn three of the top causes of winter water damage and how to reduce your risk from the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy. This winter, spend less time worrying about water damage and more time enjoying the season with your family and friends.

Causes of Winter Water Damage

1. Burst or Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes build up significant pressure, which can lead to cracks and flooding once the ice melts. Make sure your outer walls and any exposed pipes are properly insulated. Caulk cracks and holes you see in your exterior walls to prevent cold air from reaching the pipes. Shield exposed pipes from freezing temperatures by wrapping them with insulating tape or old towels. When temperatures are very low or you plan to be away from home for several days, leave the faucets lightly dripping and keep the cabinets under your sink open to allow warm air to circulate around the pipes. Doing so will keep water flowing and can help prevent your pipes from freezing.

Solution:

For maximum protection against hidden or sudden leaks, install a detection system that can monitor water pressure and automatically signal a water shut-off in the event of a leak or blocked pipe. This technology can reduce the amount of water damage caused by burst or frozen pipes in winter.

2. Ice Dams and Roof Leaks

Icicles may be a staple of winter, but they can wreak havoc on your home. If your gutters are clogged, snow that melts off your roof won't pass through the drainage system properly. As the water trapped in your gutters refreezes, a wall of icicles will build up, eventually causing ice dams. The melt from these ice dams can damage your roof and seep into your attic, causing structural damage or mold.

Any ice melt that drips over the sides of your gutters has the potential to pool next to your home's foundation and cause additional water damage as well. Finally, sharp icicles may break off as they melt, posing a serious safety hazard.

Solution:

Clean your gutters before the cold weather hits to keep the dangers of ice dams and roof leaks at bay.

3. Water Sources

Neglecting your outdoor water sources could cause problems when spring rolls around.

Solution:

When the temperatures drop, you should shut off the water to your outdoor hoses and spigots. Drain any water from your hoses, and then store them so they don't freeze, crack or break in the cold.

Enjoy the beauty of the winter season without worrying about the weather damaging your home. Taking a few extra precautions can save you lots of hassle in the long run. If you do experience water damage this winter, call the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy. We provide 24-hour emergency service and are dedicated to being faster to any size disaster. Our highly trained technicians can respond immediately to your residential or commercial water damage emergency.

Contact Georgia Water Damage Restoration Company

ServiceMaster by LoveJoy is dedicated to providing you with the highest level of service by responding quickly, listening to your needs, and taking action to mitigate the damage to your home or commercial property. ServiceMaster by LoveJoy is an insurance-preferred vendor for water damage restoration for most major property insurance carriers. We will work closely with you and/or your insurance carrier. We are a full-service water damage restoration company; we repair drywall, cabinets, flooring, bathroom, kitchen, tiles installation, and plumbing. ServiceMaster by Lovejoy has the training, certifications, and insurance knowledge to assist you with cleaning up and repairing your home or business after a disaster.

Areas We Service:

Atlanta

Decatur

Sandy Springs

Stockbridge

Conyers

McDonough

Marietta

Stone Mountain

Roswell

Covington

Social Circle

DeKalb County

Fulton County

Contact ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at (678) 293-0297 or 770-983-6665 to learn more about how ServiceMaster by Lovejoy of Roswell, GA can help you!

Tree Mold May Be The Cause Of Your Christmas Tree Allergy

A Christmas tree can bring more with it into your home than pure holiday joy. Any time you bring a live Christmas tree inside, there's the chance that it's carrying tree mold that can trigger symptoms in those who suffer from allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. How do you know whether you have a Christmas tree allergy or mold is to blame? We've got all the information you need to diagnose and prevent what's otherwise known as "Christmas tree syndrome".

Christmas Tree Allergy

Real Christmas trees have the potential to trigger allergies, but it may not be the tree itself that's doing it. Symptoms of Christmas tree syndrome include, but aren't limited to:

Sneezing

Runny nose and/or nasal congestion

Eye, nose and throat irritation

Wheezing/difficulty breathing

Headaches

Nosebleeds

Before you chuck your live tree for an artificial model because you think you have a Christmas tree allergy, consider the fact that the same symptoms occur when you're exposed to mold.

Christmas Tree Mold

Both artificial and real trees can cause allergies due to pollen and other contaminants that cling to them. If artificial trees are not stored properly, dust can become a real problem. Real trees, on the other hand, are especially at risk for bringing allergens into the home. From the tree farm to the sales lot, real Christmas trees spend the majority of their lives outdoors. When brought home for the holidays, they can bring pollen, dust and other contaminants with them. They also can bring tree mold.

Since trees are often harvested weeks before the Christmas season, real trees often stand in moist holding areas – hydration helps keep the tree looking fresh. This continued exposure to moisture can cause tree mold to develop. Mold spores can spread easily as you carry the tree into your house and move branches around during decorating. This exposure puts you and your family at risk for the health issues typically associated with mold. Researchers from St. Vincent's Medical Center in Connecticut have discovered that a fresh Christmas tree can raise the mold level in a room by as much as five times their normal levels. These increased levels can cause allergy symptoms and trigger asthma. The longer you have a fresh tree in your home, the higher your risk for developing Christmas tree allergy symptoms.

Prevent Christmas Tree Syndrome

To reduce the presence of Christmas tree mold and other allergens in your home, thoroughly shake your tree before bringing it inside if your local tree farm doesn’t provide this service. Handle your tree as little as possible and consider waiting to purchase one until later in the season. Keep a real tree up and decorated for no more than a week to limit allergen exposure. The other option is to choose a well-maintained artificial tree, or buy a live, potted tree that you can plant after the season is over to relive your Christmas memories for years to come.

Other Mold Issues

If allergy symptoms don't clear up after a Christmas tree has been removed from your home, there may be other mold issues lurking. Contact the mold remediation professionals at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy if you notice signs of mold or continue to experience symptoms that may be related to mold exposure.

Atlanta, GA's Mold Remediation Experts

ServiceMaster by LoveJoy has the expertise and equipment to inspect your home thoroughly and customize a plan that will safely treat and eliminate a mold problem of any size at any time of year. Our IICRC-Certified teams offer complete mold remediation services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to stop mold where it starts and keep it from interrupting your holiday – or any day.

Our Mold Remediation Services Include:

Black mold removal and cleanup

Mold Inspection

Mold Removal

Disposal and repair of affected areas

Structural Drying

Water Extraction

Mold prevention

Leak repairs

Areas We Serve:

Atlanta

Decatur

Sandy Springs

Stockbridge

Conyers

McDonough

Marietta

Stone Mountain

Roswell

Covington

Social Circle

DeKalb County

Fulton County

Call ServiceMaster by Lovejoy at 770-983-6665 for your free inspection.

Fireplace Safety: How To Heat Your Home Safely

Fireplaces can create a cozy, comfortable atmosphere in your home. If not maintained properly, however, they can be dangerous. In fact, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 31 percent of home fires between 2011 and 2015 were caused by fireplaces and chimneys, resulting in an estimated 262 million dollars in direct property damage each year.

At such a high cost, it’s crucial that homeowners with fireplaces know how to use them safely. Use these fireplace maintenance and safety tips from the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy to learn how you can safely heat your home all season.

Fireplace Safety Tips

Use these safety tips to help prevent a fire from getting out of control:

Only burn hardwood and approved manufactured logs

Burning items that are unsafe can cause soot and creosote to build up in your chimney, which can combust and ignite a chimney fire. At the same time, using unapproved materials like wet wood, trash, paper, lighter fuel or other dangerous items, a fire that once began in your fireplace could spread through your entire home. To stay safe, only use dry or seasoned wood and approved fire logs and starter logs in your fireplace.

Always use a fire screen

Fire screens can help keep embers in the fireplace, preventing them from flying out into your room. For extra safety, keep flammable items away from the immediate vicinity. This includes holiday decorations, wrapping paper, furniture, carpet, people and pets.

Maintain your fireplace

Have your fireplace and chimney inspected before you use it for the first time this year. That way, professionals can clean out any creosote build-up, detect any chimney leaks and ensure that the structure is safe for use all season long.

Practice basic fire safety

Use these essential fire safety tips to help prevent a fire in your home:

Keep a fire extinguisher close by to douse small flames.

Test your smoke detectors monthly to ensure they will alert the household if a fire breaks out.

Then, use these fireplace-specific safety tips to help prevent a fire from spreading:

Always open the damper before lighting a fire to avoid trapping poisonous gases in your home.

Never leave your fireplace unattended.

Never overload the fireplace.

With these tips in mind, you can help keep your home cozy and safe this season. For more fireplace safety precautions, read the recommendations provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Contact the Fire Damage Restoration Professionals at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy

Despite our best efforts to protect our homes, fires still happen. When they occur, they can cause serious damage to your home. Even if you get the fire out quickly, soot damage can still lurk throughout your home and cause significant destruction.

In the unfortunate event that you’ve experienced fire damage this season, know that you don’t have to go through the clean-up process alone. Contact the experts at ServiceMaster by LoveJoy to get your house back to normal as quickly as possible. Our fire and smoke damage removal services act fast to guide you through crisis to resolution, all while keeping you informed of the process. With the equipment, experience and expertise required to get the job done right, our professionals are available 24/7 every day of the year to help restore your home after a disaster.

Fire Damage Restoration Services

Fire and Smoke Cleanup

Soot Removal

Odor Removal

Complete Building and Contents Cleaning

Carpet, Rug, and Upholstery Cleaning

Plumbing

Electrical Works

HVAC Duct Cleaning

Antiques and Fine Art Restoration

Electronic Equipment Restoration

Data and Document Recovery

Furniture Refinishingv

Biohazard Cleaning

Safety and Compliance

Pack out and Inventory service

Restoration Dry Cleaning and Laundry and Board Up

Call ServiceMaster by LoveJoy today at (678) 293-0297 or contact us online to learn why we are Conyers, GA’s leading Property Damage Restoration Company.