Fire Damage Restoration: Restoring Your Property and Peace of Mind

4/11/2024 (Permalink)

Experiencing a fire in your home or business can be devastating, leaving behind not only physical damage but also emotional trauma. At SERVPRO of Southern Cuyahoga County, we understand the urgency of fire damage restoration and the importance of restoring not just your property but also your peace of mind.

Here's why timely and professional fire damage restoration is essential:

1. Structural Stability: Fires can weaken the structural integrity of your property, making it unsafe to inhabit. Our team assesses the extent of the damage and takes immediate steps to stabilize the structure, preventing further collapse or deterioration.

2. Smoke and Soot Removal: Smoke and soot residue can penetrate deep into building materials and furnishings, causing lingering odors and health hazards. Our experts utilize specialized equipment and techniques to thoroughly clean and deodorize affected areas, restoring a safe and healthy environment.

3. Salvaging Personal Belongings: We understand the sentimental value attached to personal belongings, which is why we make every effort to salvage and restore items damaged by fire. Our content cleaning and restoration services can help preserve cherished possessions, providing comfort during the recovery process.

4. Comprehensive Restoration Services: From water damage cleanup resulting from firefighting efforts to structural repairs and reconstruction, SERVPRO of Southern Cuyahoga County offers comprehensive fire damage restoration services to address all aspects of the restoration process.

5. Compassionate Support: Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming, but you don't have to face it alone. Our compassionate team is here to guide you through every step of the restoration process, offering support and reassurance along the way.

Don't let fire damage dictate the future of your property. Trust SERVPRO of Southern Cuyahoga County to restore your home or business to its pre-fire condition quickly and efficiently. Contact us today for expert fire damage restoration services.

Facts & Stats: National & Ohio Fires

4/11/2023 (Permalink)

We are "here to help" handle your home or business's fire damage restoration needs!

The unpredictable nature of fires can lead to so much devastation and loss for your home or business.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are around 346,800 house fires per year causing on average 2,620 fatalities.

Understanding the facts when it comes to fires can help you to better prepare your family and employees in case of disaster.

General Fire Facts & Stats

- Cooking is the leading cause of house fires, followed by:

• Heating
• Electrical Systems & Equipment
• Candles
• Smoking

- In 2020, fire and lightning insurance claims had the highest average payout of $77,340.

- On average, across the US, a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds in 2021.

- In 2021, there were 1,353,500 fires reported, including residential and non-residential structures.

- In 2020, per 1,000 fires, the national average was 2 deaths and 8 injuries.

Ohio Fire Facts & Stats

- Ohio has the 7th most fatal home fires per capita in relation to the other 50 states, with Texas being the first.

- Smoking is the top cause of fire deaths in the state of Ohio, making up 20% of fatalities.

It's difficult and scary to imagine your home or business experiencing a fire. It can be hard to determine where to start when a disaster like this occurs.

If your home or business falls victim to a fire, SERVPRO of Cuyahoga South is "here to help." Our experienced technicians handle the care and restoration of your property and its contents. We handle the cleanup and the reconstruction, so you don't have to worry about juggling multiple companies.

If you find yourself in need of fire damage restoration, give us a call today!

Protecting Your Pets from Fires

11/26/2022 (Permalink)

We value our pets like family members, so we make sure that they are prepared for emergencies, too!

Your pets are an important part of your family, and you surely would do whatever you can to keep them from harm’s way. To help keep your pet and the rest of your family safe from the dangers of a home fire, here are several important steps you should take to prevent and prepare your pet for the possibility of a fire emergency in your home in Independence, Solon or Strongsville.

Pet Fire Prevention

Like young children, your pets are not always aware of their surroundings, and that their actions can result in a fire. Here are a few pet safety tips for preventing a fire:

• Don’t leave pets unattended near space heaters or an open flame
• Secure electrical cords that your dog might chew on
• Remove stove knobs or use safety covers
• Consider flameless candles or other candle alternatives

Pet Fire Preparedness

Once you have set up your home to help your pets from starting a fire emergency, you then need to start on your pet preparation and fire escape plan. When developing an evacuation plan with your family, identify which member of the family will be responsible for helping your pets get to safety, and make sure your dog comes when called.

Create a pet fire safety kit with medical supplies you might need to help your pet, some treats, and a leash or carrier. Also, add a pet alert window cling to a front window with information on all of your pets so firefighters can quickly find them.

While the tips in this guide can help you prevent a fire emergency and provide you with a plan for helping your pet, make sure to you don’t delay your escape if saving your pet isn’t possible. Once out of the house, never reenter until after firefighters extinguish the fire and the fire damage assessment team says your home is safe to enter.

For information about pet adoption click. 

Know the Facts When it Comes to Fires

11/14/2022 (Permalink)

Our mitigation & reconstruction crews will handle your fire damage restoration every step of the way!

Know the Facts: Fires

Flames can cause the most visible damage to your property during a fire, but smoke and soot are silent and sometimes invisible hazards that could cost lives.  Water is also a reason for damage after a fire. Even firefighters themselves may cause some damage before they can completely put out a fire. Here are 10 important things to know about fires.

1. In a fire, more people die from inhaling smoke than from the flames. Never think that if you avoid the flames you are safe. Always keep away from smoke

2. Soot is a coating of fine, black dust created when wood, coal, or oil-based substances are burned. These carbon particles float into the air and settle anywhere. Inhaling soot can caused severe lung deficiencies or even death. 

3. If soot contaminates items in your home or business, a fire restoration service provider, like SERVPRO of Cuyahoga South, must assess the damage to see if restoration is possible.

4. The worst possible effect of soot is its tendency to cause cancer and cause serious defects in newborns. Soot produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These hydrocarbons are responsible for gene mutation for particular groups of genes. They can cause birth defects and increase the chances of getting cancer.

Water’s Good And Bad
5. Water’s great at putting out most fires, but the water itself can cause great damage. You must make sure, after the fire is out, that your home or business is completely dried. If you don’t, mold, mildew, and other consequences will lead to further damage and loss. This is why SERVPRO of Cuyahoga South provides industrial dehumidifiers and air movers to dry saturated carpets, padding, furniture, and any other wet items.

6. Mold colonies can begin to grow just 48 hours after water damage occurs.  The combination of fire, water, and mold damage to your commercial property or home could result in a complete loss if not handled properly.

7. Use caution if you decide to do some of the cleanup after a fire. Never start your cleaning process until you’re properly attired. Wear heavy-duty gloves, safety goggles, and a face mask. Carefully cover your nose and make sure your safety glasses have no place for dust or soot to get into your eyes.

Why Firefighters Break Windows And Cut Holes In Roofs
8. Firefighters are true heroes. However, they often must break windows and cut holes in the roof of buildings on fire. As a fire burns, the fire moves up and down and across, growing very fast. Firefighters break windows and cut holes in roofs to provide ventilation that slows the fire’s growth. Ventilation also helps get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see where they’re going. The holes and broken windows help firefighters fight the fire more quickly. The bottom line is that breaking windows and cutting holes in roofs help save lives and property.

9. Firefighters will also cut holes in walls at times. That’s not about ventilation. It’s done so the fire department is sure that the fire is completely out. Fire departments don’t want to risk leaving a fire that’s not visible, but is still active inside the walls or in other hidden places.

10. If you have a fire, get a copy of the fire report. In most areas, a fire report is a public document. Ask for it at the fire department or fire marshal’s office. The fire report will help you with information that your insurance company and other official offices may request.


Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Cuyahoga South has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services and natural disaster cleanup.

We serve the communities of Solon, Strongsville, Bedford, Independence, North Royalton, Middleburg Heights, Chagrin Falls, Parma Heights, Warrensville, Garfield, Olmsted Falls and communities beyond.

Know the Facts: Smoke & Soot

Smoke and soot is very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odor. Our smoke damage expertise and experience allows us to inspect and accurately assess the extent of the damage to develop a comprehensive plan of action.  

Smoke and soot facts:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.
• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, seeping through the holes used by pipes to go from floor to floor.
• The type of smoke may greatly affect the restoration process.

Different Types of Smoke

There are two different types of smoke–wet and dry. As a result, there are different types of soot residue after a fire. Before restoration begins, SERVPRO of Southern Cuyahoga County, will test the soot to determine which type of smoke damage occurred. The cleaning procedures will then be based on the information identified during pretesting. Here is some additional information:

Wet Smoke – Plastic and Rubber

• Low heat, smoldering, pungent odor, sticky, smeary. Smoke webs are more difficult to clean.

Dry Smoke – Paper and Wood

• Fast burning, high temperatures, heat rises therefore smoke rises.

Protein Fire Residue – Produced by evaporation of material rather than from a fire

• Virtually invisible, discolors paints and varnishes, extreme pungent odor. 

Our Fire Damage Restoration Services

Since each smoke and fire damage situation is a little different, each one requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions.  We have the equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your fire and smoke damage.  We will also treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Have Questions about Fire, Smoke, or Soot Damage?
Call Us Today – 440-237-0077