What to do if a fire starts in your Missoula home

10/14/2024 (Permalink)

If a fire starts in your home, the most important thing to remember is “Get out, Stay out!”

Sometimes fires happen. Despite common preventative measures, despite early warning systems, approximately 370,000 residential fires occur in the U.S. each year. In the event of such an emergency in your home, it is important to think and act quickly, and talking with your family now about what to do during a fire can help ensure their safety if the unexpected does occur.

The number one thing to remember if a fire starts in your home (and becomes too large for a fire extinguisher) is to get out. The American Red Cross also advises to shout “Fire!” several times as you are evacuating, to alert any others in the residence. Check closed doors on your escape route to make sure they’re not warm. If a door in your path is warm to the touch, do not open it; use your secondary route, or place a wet towel under the door and call 9-1-1 if you cannot evacuate safely. If your evacuation route is filled with smoke, stay low and close doors behind you until you reach an exit. As soon as you are outside, call 9-1-1 and go to your family’s emergency meeting place.

Once your family is safely evacuated and the Missoula Fire Department has responded to the fire in your home, call SERVPRO of Missoula as soon as possible to begin the process of making the fire “Like it never even happened.”

For more fire safety tips, head to https://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/types-of-emergencies/fire/if-a-fire-starts.html

Wildfire Preparedness in Missoula

7/10/2024 (Permalink)

Wildfires are unpredictable, but that doesn’t mean you have to be unprepared!

Montana, particularly areas like Missoula County and the Bitterroot Valley, faces significant wildfire risk, with a high percentage of properties vulnerable to damage. To safeguard your Missoula home against wildfire threats, proactive steps are crucial, especially as wildfire season typically peaks in late summer and early fall.

Start by preparing well in advance. Register for your community’s emergency alert system to receive timely notifications about approaching wildfires and evacuation advisories. Develop and rehearse at least two evacuation routes from your residence, ensuring plans include arrangements for pets and livestock. Assemble an emergency go-bag that accommodates the needs of all household members, including pets.

During the preparation phase, prioritize home safety measures. opt for fire-resistant materials when building or renovating your home to enhance its resilience against wildfires. Maintain a readily accessible hose connected to a water source that can cover all areas of your property. Additionally, clear combustible materials, such as leaves and debris, from within at least a 30-foot radius around your home to create a defensible space.

In the unfortunate event that your home sustains fire or smoke damage despite precautions, SERVPRO of Missoula stands ready to assist with comprehensive services including board-up, debris removal, emergency power installation, temporary lighting, and structural repairs. Contact us promptly at 406-327-9500 for swift and effective restoration, making your home "Like it never even happened." Prepare now to safeguard your home and loved ones against the unpredictable nature of wildfires in the Missoula area.

Trimming the Christmas tree with SERVPRO of Missoula

12/14/2023 (Permalink)

Prevention is the key to a merry, bright, and fire-free holiday season.

Here at SERVPRO of Missoula, we’re committed to fire preparedness, which is why we’ve previously covered topics such as the importance of checking your smoke detectors routinely and having + knowing how to use a home fire extinguisher.

That said, prevention is the most effective tool against home fires, especially during the holiday season. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), approximately 160 Christmas tree fires and 780 decoration fires are reported each year, with candle fires in particular reaching their peak on Christmas and Christmas Eve. With these facts in mind, there are several preventative steps you can take to decrease the risk of a holiday fire in your Missoula home:

• Never leave a stovetop unattended when cooking
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything flammable
• For string lights, read the manufacturer’s instructions to find the maximum number of strands to connect
• Replace string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
• Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source or vents and that it does not block exits
• Water your Christmas tree daily
• Remove your Christmas tree as soon as it dries out
• Turn off string lights and blow out candles before leaving your home or going to bed

By working these preventative measures into your holiday routine, you can ensure your home stays merry, bright, and fire-free this winter.

The SERVPRO of Missoula team wishes you and yours a safe and joyous holiday season!