The Dangers of Lightning

What is lightning? Lightning is the flash of light produced by a discharge of atmospheric electricity
that occurs within clouds, between clouds or between clouds and the ground. The spark can reach over 5 miles in length, raise the temperature of the air by as much as 50,000 degrees Fahrenheit, and contain a hundred million electrical volts. The rapid expansion of heated air causes the thunder. Since light travels faster than sound, the thunder is heard after the lightning. If you see successive strokes of lightning in the same place on the horizon then you are in line with the storm, and it may be moving toward you.

Facts & Statistics: More than 200,000 lightning damage claims are filed each year with insurance companies. 1 out of every 200 homes get struck by lightning each year. Lightning starts about 4,400 house fires each year. A bolt of lightning can reach temperatures up to 50,000 degrees, which is 5x hotter than the surface of the sun. The chances of becoming a lightning victim in the U.S. in any one year is 1 in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifestyle is 1 in 3,000. Lightning can cause cardiac arrest or even death. Injuries from lightning range from severe burns and permanent brain damage to memory loss and personality change. About 10% of lightning strike victims are killed, and 70% suffer serious long-term effects. About 400 people survive lightning strikes in the U.S. each year. Lightning is not confined to thunderstorms. It's been seen in large hurricanes, extremely intense forest fires, volcanic eruptions, surface nuclear detonations, and in heavy snowstorms.

Safety tips: 

• Lightning rods can help protect a building from catching fire, although, they are not 100% effective, they do not protect against power surges. 
• Do not use the telephone, electrical wires may be hit by lightning. Even using a cellular phone is hazardous because the metal parts can conduct lightning. Most people hurt by lightning while inside their homes are on the telephone. 
• A motor vehicle with a metal top can offer some protection but you should keep your body away from metal inside the vehicle.
• Victims of lightning do not retain the charge and are not "electrified". It is safe to help them.
• Stay away from windows, doors, and stay indoors.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.
• If outdoors do not stand underneath or near a tree.
• Whether inside or outside do not be in or near a water source.

Lightning can enter your home in three main ways: (1) direct strike, (2) through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure, and (3) the ground. Once the lightning has entered your home it can travel through the electrical system, phone, plumbing, and radio or television reception systems. Lightning can ruin your electrical system in your home and it can also cause a fire. The fire could very well start within the walls so you may not notice it until it's too late. You should call 911 immediately after your home is struck by lightning. The fire department handles all lightning calls and they are equipped with thermal imaging cameras to locate a possible fire burning in your home. They also will be able to survey the damages and let you and your family know when it is deemed safe to enter again.

What if lightning strikes your home? After you have gotten everyone out safely and the fire department has assessed your home you may be left with damages. A standard homeowners insurance policy should cover damages caused by lightning, including fires and fried electronics. Below are some tips you can use that will help get your home back in order. 

• Keep detailed records of all big ticket purchases such as TVs, laptops and other expensive
  
  electronics. The insurance company will want to see proof of ownership. 
• Report a lightning strike to your agent as soon as possible. 
• Check with your claim representative before you discard any items you plan to claim as damaged. 
• Keep accurate records of how much you spend repairing or replacing items.
• Review your policy for specific coverage information.

Lightning's destruction can be random. In some instances your computer could be fried yet your TV still works. You should check all electrical equipment that was plugged in during the time when the lightning struck to inspect for damage. If lightning causes a fire in your home you will need a professional to restore your home. Call PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. at 727-NO-WATER. They have the technology, the experience, and are available 24/7. PRS is equipped to handle fire and smoke damage as well as any other disaster your home may encounter. 

What You Need to Know About Asbestos

What is asbestos? It is a tiny mineral fiber that occurs in rocks and soil. It is 50 to 200 times thinner

than a human hair. Asbestos is often used because it can be made into a material having great thermal and sound deadening properties. The issues with asbestos arise when it becomes damaged or improperly removed and tiny particles are released into the air. It can stay in the air for a long period of time and if breathed in, can damage lungs. It has been known to cause lung scarring, pleural disease, and lung cancers including mesothelioma.

Where is asbestos found? According to the EPA, it is found in an estimated 3,600 materials. Because of it's fiber strength and heat resistance asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant. It has also been used in a wide range of manufactured goods, mostly in building materials (roofing shingles, ceiling and floor tiles, paper products, and asbestos cement products), friction products (automobile clutch, brake, and transmission parts), heat-resistant fabrics, packaging, gaskets, and coatings. Even though it has been known to cause us illness there is not a complete ban on the use of it today. The more we learn about asbestos the more we try to distance ourselves from the use of it.

The manufacture, importation, processing and distribution in commerce of these products, as well as some others are not listed, are not banned.

• Cement corrugated sheet
• Cement flat sheet
• Clothing
• Pipeline wrap
• Roofing felt
• Vinyl floor tile 
• Cement shingle 
• Millboard
• Cement pipe
• Automatic transmission components
• Clutch facings
• Friction materials 
• Disk brake pads
• Drum brake linings
• Brake blocks
• Gaskets
• Non-roofing coatings
• Roof coatings

How can you tell if asbestos is in your home? You cannot tell just by looking if asbestos is in your home. A thorough inspection commonly referred to as an asbestos survey needs to be done by a licensed asbestos consultant. They collect samples and send them to a third party lab who inspects the sample. NESHAP, the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants and each state have rules governing the testing, encapsulating or removal, and disposal of asbestos in place to minimize the chance of exposure. These professionals not only know how to and when to remove asbestos (or when to simply encapsulate it), they have the ability to properly dispose of the material as well. If a property is located in Pinellas County and either remodeling or demo is going to occur there is a law in place that must be followed. 

Pinellas County Code, Chapter 58, sec 58-149(d),

Requires a written asbestos survey be performed before demolition of a building, before any building renovations, and before maintenance is performed on insulated equipment or building systems. A copy of the survey report must be available on-site during any renovation activity and must be included with the written notification for demolition operations.

The Three Categories of Water Damage

Many people cannot tell the difference between the three categories of water damage; black water, grey water and clean water. There is a huge difference when it comes to the damage caused by the different kinds of water. It pays to have knowledge about water damage.

The Categories of Water Damage

• Category 1. The first category is clean water damage. This type of water damage is from a clean and sanitary source. After 48 hours, Category 1 can become a Category 2.

Clean water damage sources:

1. Faucets
2. Toilet tanks
3. Leaky clean water supply line to dishwasher 

• Category 2. The second is grey water. This type of water damage is hazardous due to significant levels of contamination of bacteria, mold, and/or chemicals, all which could easily damage your property and pose risks to your health. Category 2 becomes a Category 3 if left untreated for 2 days or more. 

Grey water damage sources:

1. Dirty water from washing machine
2. Broken aquarium
3. Toilet overflow containing urine (no solids)

• Category 3. This third is the worst classification and is unsanitary. Black water is very dangerous and you should always use caution when coming in contact with this type of water damage. This type of water is not only unsanitary, but corrosive as well. Black water hosts very destructive bacteria, fungi, and blood borne pathogens that could cause serious illnesses. 

Black water damage sources:

1. Broken sewage pipe
2. Flood water
3. Toilet overflow with feces

Comparing Mold and Mildew - What's the Difference?

Mold and mildew are both types of fungi and both will grow in similar conditions. They both can be dangerous to your health and can cause allergic reactions to certain people. How can you prevent mold and mildew from growing in your home?

Comparing Mold and Mildew

Definition

Mold: Mold is a fungus that contains multiple identical nuclei. It grows in the form of hyphae of filaments.

Mildew: Mildew is a specific kind of mold, usually with a flat growth habit. 

Appearance

Mold: Mold can appear cottony, velvety, granular or leathery and can come in any shade or color. It will usually have a musky or earthy odor. 

Mildew: Mildew appears as a thin, powdery film with white, gray or black color. 

Prevention and Control

Mold: To prevent mold in your home, you need to keep all the areas dry and moisture-free. You should check the humidity levels in the house and take the necessary measures to control humidity. 

Mildew: To prevent mildew at home, keep all the areas moisture-free. There are mildew removers available at stores to eliminate mildew. To protect crops from mildew use mildew-resistant seeds, remove infested plants, avoid overhead heating.

Reference:

http://www.diffen.com

How Do Flood Zones and Evacuation Zones Differ?

Flood zones and evacuation zones are different. They measure different conditions that may not occur at the same time.

Flood zones are areas mapped by FEMA for use in the National Flood Insurance Program. Each flood zone designation, represented by a letter or letters, tells homeowners exactly what the risk is for flooding at their property over a period of years, regardless of the cause. By law, all homes in high-risk zones carrying a mortgage must be covered by flood insurance.

Evacuation zones, on the other hand, are based on hurricane storm surge zones determined by the National Hurricane Center using ground elevation and the area’s vulnerability to storm surge from a hurricane. The evacuation zones are marked from A through E, plus non-evacuation zones.

The flood zones and evacuation zones are determined by different methods and have different purposes. A home may be located in a non-evacuation zone, yet still be located in a flood zone because of a nearby stream or pond. 

Residents need to check both zones.

An important thing to remember is that flood losses are not covered by homeowners insurance policies. The National Flood Insurance Program makes federally backed flood insurance available to residents and business owners. Any flooding damage covered under the policy – whether or not a federal disaster declaration is made – will be reimbursed per the policy limits, which can include structural damage or the loss of contents.

For more information on flood zones, visit the National Flood Insurance Program at www.floodsmart.gov or call (888) CALL-FLOOD (225-5356).

For more information on evacuation zones in Pinellas County visit the website below:

http://www.pinellascounty.org/emergency/PDF/hurricane_guide/Hurricane_Guide_6-7.pdf

The Dangers of Flood Water

Flood water is deceptive. The depth and the speed of the water is not always obvious. If you cannot see the bottom of a flooded road, do not walk or drive through it. Flood water can erode and wash away road surfaces leaving deep holes and uneven surfaces which cannot be seen. About 60% of all flood deaths are people in vehicles that moving water sweeps away. Flood water poses drowning risks for everyone, regardless of their ability to swim. Swiftly moving shallow water can be deadly.

Flowing Flood Water

• Flood water moving at only 4 mph, a brisk walking pace, exerts a force of about 66 pounds per square foot of anything it encounters
• Double the water speed to 8 mph and the force zooms to about 264 pounds per square foot. That's enough force push a car or light truck in 2 feet of water, imagine what that would do to a person!
• Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most cars causing loss of control and possible stalling
• A foot of water will float many vehicles
• Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including SUV's, buses, and large trucks.

Flood waters and standing waters pose various risks, including infectious diseases, chemical hazards, down power lines, and unknown material capable of causing injuries. Flood water may have high levels of raw sewage or other hazardous substances. Early symptoms from exposure to contaminated flood water may include; upset stomach, intestinal problems, headache, and other flu-like discomfort. Anyone experiencing these and any other related symptoms should seek medical attention immediately. 

Flood Water Contact

If you come in contact with flood water you should:

• Wash your body off immediately
• Wash frequently using a disinfecting soap
• Limit any other direct contact with contaminated flood water
• Look for cuts or open wounds, report all symptoms of illness

Home septic systems - Do not use the sewage system until water in the soil absorption field is lower than the water level around the house. If you have a home-based or small business and your septic system has received chemicals, take extra precautions to prevent contact with water or inhaling fumes. Proper clean-up depends on the kinds of chemicals in the waste water.

Home/private drinking water wells - Do not turn on the pump. There is danger of electrical shock and damage to your well or pump if flood. Do not drink or wash with well water. Water from a private well that has been flooded may be contaminated. Boil water before any use. Bring water to a rolling boil for at least one minute.

PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. - "Restoring peace of mind, one emergency at a time"

If you should experience a flood, safety is your first priority. When the water has receded and your property has been deemed safe to return, call your insurance company and then call Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc at 727-NO-WATER. Time is of the essence, the longer the moisture sits the more damage to your home. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year. With the experience and technology PRS if your one stop shop, from water extraction, structural drying, and mold remediation to soft contents restoration.

Hurricane Season Preparedness

Be Informed, Make a Plan, Building an Emergency Kit

Know the Difference

Hurricane Watch - Hurricane conditions are a threat within 48 hours. Review your hurricane plans. Get ready to act if a warning is issue, and stay informed. 

Hurricane Warning - Hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours. Complete your storm preparations and leave the area if directed to do so by authorities. 

Make an evacuation plan & make sure all family members know where to meet and what to do.

An emergency supplies kit is simply a collection of basic items your household may need in the event of an emergency.

Try to assemble your kit well in advance of an emergency. You may have to evacuate at a moment's notice and take essentials with you. You will probably not have time to search for the supplies you need or shop for them.

You may need to survive on your own after an emergency. This means having your own food, water, and other supplies in sufficient quantity to last for at least 72 hours. Local officials and relief workers will be on the scene after a disaster but they cannot reach everyone immediately. You could get help in hours or it might take days.

Additionally, basic services such as electricity, gas, water, sewage treatment, and telephones may be cut off for days or even a week, or longer. Your supplies kit should contain items to help you manage during these outages. 

Emergency Supply Kit

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA weather radio with tone alert and extra batteries
  
  for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, you may want to consider adding the following items:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler's checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
  
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book
• Sleeping bag or blanket for each person.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper - When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 8 drops or 1/8 tsp of regular, unscented, liquid household bleach per gallon of water
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels, and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles, and other activities for children

First Aid Kit Supplies

• Two pairs of latex or sterile gloves if you are allergic to latex
  
• Sterile dressings
• Cleansing soap and antibiotic towelettes
• Antibiotic ointment
• Burn ointment
• Adhesive bandages in a variety of sizes
• Eye wash solution to flush the eyes or as general decontamination
• Thermometer
• Prescription medications you take every day such as insulin, heart medicine, and asthma inhalers. You should periodically rotate medicines to account for expiration dates. 
• Prescribed medical supplies such as glucose and blood pressure monitoring equipment supplies

Non-Prescription drugs:

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid
• Laxative 

Other first aid supplies:

• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Petroleum jelly

What is Mold Remediation?

Mold remediation is the process of removal and/or cleanup of mold from an indoor environment. There are several steps to this process.

How do I know if mold is a problem in my home? Mold is a type of fungus that is present in our natural environment. Mold spores, which are tiny microscopic 'seeds', can be found virtually everywhere including inside homes. It takes 24-48 hours for mold to start to grow. Mold only needs something to attach itself to, food and moisture to grow. High humidity levels inside of a home can cause mold. You can check the humidity level inside your home by purchasing an indoor humidity monitor. You can keep humidity levels down by purchasing a humidistat. This will work in place of your thermostat.


The temperature inside of your home has nothing to do with mold growth. Humidity is the culprit. If you cannot see the mold or smell it but you are experiencing worsening allergy-like symptoms you might have mold. Controlling excess moisture is the key to preventing and stopping indoor mold growth. Mold can be on clothing, on or behind furniture, on walls, on the underside of wallpaper and can even get into the building's support structure. The longer the mold has been present and growing the greater the extent of the damage.

Why does my home need mold remediation? Besides wanting to remove the musty odor caused by mold there are health effects from exposure to mold that can vary greatly depending on the person and the amount of the mold in their home. Improper cleanup can cause the problem to go away temporarily and cause more damage. The type of health symptoms that may occur include coughing, wheezing, nasal and throat conditions. People with asthma or allergies who are sensitive to mold may notice their asthma or allergy symptoms worsen. Individuals who have weak or compromised immune system, like the elderly, small children and those who are already ill are at risk of developing serious fungal respiratory infections if they are exposed to a moldy environment. Mold should be removed by a certified mold remediator that has the proper equipment and skill to get the job done right.

Who is qualified to do mold remediation? If you are in need of a mold professional you should do your research and verify they are a state certified mold remediator. A certified mold professional has met all state requirements and has completed the proper training to hold a mold remediator license. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is licensed to assess and to perform mold remediations in the state of Florida. PRS is also a licensed building contractor and they are able to perform the job from start to finish.

If you have a mold problem give PRS a call today! 727-NO-WATER

Do I Need to Hire a Professional to Handle Smoke and Soot Damage?

We have all heard about the dangers of smoke from a fire. Smoke inhalation kills more people than the actual fire. But what about soot? We know it leaves a residue behind that is difficult to remove but is it hazardous?

What is soot? It is a fine black powder or flaky substance comprised of impure carbons resulting from the incomplete combustion of fuels like wood, oil, gas, diesel, grease, etc. It's exact ingredients varies and is dependent on the composition of the articles within the fire. For example, smoke from burning wood has more than 100 chemicals in common with cigarette smoke. The acidic nature of soot discolors and/or corrodes a large variety of materials and should make us wary of it's potential for adverse health effects. After a fire, the acid from the soot has traveled throughout your home and is causing damage from the moment it touches any surface, clothing, wall, appliances and flooring. The longer it is allowed to remain in place the harder it is to remove.

• Soot classified as PM 2.5 - particulate matter 2.5 mm in diameter - has been linked to significantly increased risk of death from lung cancer and other severe respiratory ailments. Fine particles of this size and smaller evade the body's natural defense mechanisms and migrate deep into the lungs. 
• Airborne particulate is invisible.
• Soot outdoors is regulated by the EPA. It is a particulate matter classified as a "criteria pollutant" and is an air pollutant for which the agency has established a National Ambient Air Quality Standard.

What should you do? Talk to your insurance company. Once you have reported the claim, you may decide it is more cost effect to try and restore personal belongings. You may be anxious to clean your home after a fire, but unless you take the time to get professional advice, you may be wasting your efforts or creating further damage. It may not be enough for you to wash your personal possessions the traditional way. It does not always effectively remove stains and odors left behind from a fire if soot has set into the fabrics. At an average cost savings of 80% compared to replacement, textile restoration can be very cost effective and enable you to use more of your coverage in other areas. Restoration companies can provide hints to prevent further damage, help determine which items can or cannot be refurbished, and provide estimates and service for thoroughly cleaning, deodorizing and rebuilding your home.

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. can help get your life back to normal. PRS will work with your insurance company. With the use of modern technology, trained staff and experience PRS can get the job done right the first time. PRS handles damages as a result of water, wind, fire and mold. Being a licensed home inspector, licensed building contractor, licensed mold assessor and a licensed mold remediator, PRS of Tampa Bay knows what needs to be done and how to properly do it.

What PRS has to offer:

• The Esporta Wash System The Esporta Wash System is capable of decontaminating soft contents from all categories of flooding - including sewage and can restore the damage caused by smoke and soot from a fire. The decontamination efficacy (this means how well it remove the contaminants) has been validated by numerous third party laboratory tests performed by leading hygienists, universities, and industry consultants. The combination of patented technology, recipes, and environmentally friendly chemistry allows operators to restore items to 'food grade clean'. For more information about the Esporta visit: Restore - Don't Replace

• Hydroxyl generator can purify and deodorize the air. It is an ultra violet disinfection process that has been used in hospitals and in the food industry for years. This chemical-free disinfection/decontamination system leaves no byproducts behind and rids indoor air and porous surfaces (such as fabric, wood and cement) of volatile contaminants. 
• Dry ice blasting is a non abrasive cleaning process used to remove soot and mold damage. 

What Should You Do Before the Storm?

Hurricane season starts this Sunday, June 1. Doing some home repair and improvements ahead of time could save you a lot of money and work later.

• Clear gutters of debris every month to keep water from overflowing and damaging the outside of your home
• Check for compromised areas on your roof and have them repaired as soon as possible, to prevent future leaks and damage from high winds
• Install hurricane straps, gables, and end brackets or braces to the roof of the home
• Paint the outside of the home. Getting rid of peeling and blistering paint can help prevent wood rot
• Trim trees and shrubs that are close to your home so they will be less likely to cause damage during a storm
• Remove anything from the yard that can become flying debris and bring it indoors or into the garage. Items such as barbecue grills and bicycles. 

If you are remodeling your home this summer you should take these tips into consideration:

• If you are replacing windows make sure they are an impact-resistant system window or that you install impact-resistant shutters
• When replacing doors make sure entry doors have at least 3 hinges, have a dead bolt security lock that is at least one inch long and the door frame is securely anchored to wall framing
• Patio doors are susceptible to wind damage so they should be made out of a combination of glass and plastic, laminated glass, or have a laminated glazing on the glass and be covered by shutters or plywood if there is a hurricane threat
• If your garage door is 8 ft or more wide you should install metal or wood stiffeners to give it support during high winds

Do not forget to have a storm kit ready ahead of time that includes copies of important documents and paperwork, keeping them in a sealed, water proof container/bag. Your storm kit should also include water, non perishable food (enough for at least 3 days), personal hygiene items, medications, first aid kit, clothing, shoes, bedding, flashlights, radio, batteries, manual can opener and eating utensils. 

If a storm does cause damage to your home remember Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is available 24/7. With five state licenses PRS can remodel your home and restore belongings damaged by water, fire, soot, wind and mold. All you have to do is call PRS at 727-NO-WATER, and leave the rest to them. 

Getting Rid of Odors in Your Home

With the temperature and humidity rising have you noticed new and unpleasant odors in your home? We have all experienced this problem at one time or another. However the cause of the problem is just as important as it being taken care of properly.

The first step is to determine the original location of the odor. Sometimes it's as easy as a leaky trash bag, bad food in the cupboard, or damp towels in the bathroom. Once the odor causing culprit is found removing it from your home then cleaning and disinfecting the area should help resolve the offensive smells. When cleaning you should not leave any areas wet or damp. You should always make sure all surfaces are dry as soon as possible.

Sometimes it's not always that easy and just masking a persistent odor is not good for you or your home because the real underlying problem could be causing damage in more areas than you know. Odors caused by damp clothing or possessions that are placed in poorly ventilated areas are prime targets for mold contamination. Mold can start to grow within 24-72 hours. It can get into your clothing, shoes, wallpaper, walls, carpet, furniture and building supports. It is important to take care of mold promptly and properly to prevent it from spreading. Mold spores can travel through the air and go throughout your home. The spores can also cause people to have allergic reactions.

If you have mold in your home you should contact a professional to get the problem assessed and eliminated. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. can help you. You can call 727-NO-WATER or visit us on the web at www.prs24hr.com. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. is licensed and insured to fully eliminate and restore your home from mold damage. PRS can pack-out your clothing, clean, disinfect and restore them as well as remove the mold from your home and surroundings.

The Esporta Wash System cleans and disinfects soft contents that were impacted with water damage by using hydraulic pressure and eco-friendly, biodegradable detergents. Dry ice blasting is a non-abrasive method that can remove mold from hard structural surfaces without damaging their texture. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. is not only licensed in all aspects of mold but they area also a licensed building contractor and home inspector. PRS can remove damaged walls and remodel your home from the ground up. PRS is equipped with state of the art technology to properly dry out your home and they can provide proof that all moisture has been removed from interior walls and areas that are not visible to the eye using thermal imaging software.

Summer and Fire Safety

Summer  is fast approaching.  We all look forward to cookouts, picnics, 4th of July celebrations, and vacation with family.  Unfortunately, fire hazards are of a great concern during this time of year.

Approximately 3,400 Americans die and over 17,500 are injured each year due to fires. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. Unattended cooking was by far the leading contributing factor in home cooking fires. Two-thirds (67%) of home cooking fires started with the ignition of food or other cooking materials. According to the U. S. Fire Administration/FEMA, 57% of all grill fires occur in the months of May-August and 65% of all injuries reported in 2011 occurred in a 30 day period surrounding 4th of July.

Barbeque safety tips:

• Before using a grill, check the connection between the propane tank and the fuel line. Make sure the venturi tubes - where the air and gas mix - are not blocked.
• Do not overfill the propane tank.
• Do not wear loose clothing while cooking at a barbecue.  Clothing is the item first ignited in less than 1% of  fires, but account for 16% of the cooking fire deaths.
• Be careful when using lighter fluid. Do not add fluid to an already lit fire because the flame can flashback up into the container and explode.
• Keep all matches and lighters away from children. Teach your children to report any loose matches or lighters to an adult immediately. Supervise children around outdoor grills.
• Dispose of hot coals properly - douse them with plenty of water, and stir them to ensure that the fire is out. Never place them in plastic, paper or wooden containers.
• Never grill/barbecue in enclosed areas - carbon monoxide could be produced.

A special study done by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in 2011 showed  fireworks were involved in an estimated 9,600 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments. In that year,  fireworks caused an estimated 17,800 reported fires, including 1,200 total structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and 16,300 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries and $32 million in direct property damage. Did you know sparklers burn at 2000 F and out of all the injuries caused by fireworks 45% of them are children under the age of 15 yrs.The best defense against fire is prevention, but in the event of a fire knowing the right steps could stop injury and severe property damage from occurring.

• Have all purpose fire extinguishers available for use. Teach everyone in your home how to use one.
• Install dual action detectors in your home that can sense fumes as well as smoke, changing the batteries at least twice a year.
• Have an escape plan that includes a safe meeting place
• Have fire drills.
• Make sure everyone knows to Stop, Drop and Roll in case a piece of clothing does catch fire.
• Everyone in your home should know how to call 911 or your local emergency number

Unfortunately fires do happen. If a fire should cause damage to your home and you are ready to repair contact PRS at  727-NO-WATER, or www.PRS24hr.com. Being a licensed contractor we are the "one stop shop" for home repairs and remodeling. PRS specializes in water removal, soot and fire damage, and mold mitigation and remediation.

http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/holiday-seasonal/summer.shtm

Do You Have Bed Bugs?

Did you know the bed bug can produce up to three generations within it's one year life span? Bed bugs feed by sucking blood from animals and humans. They are most active at night, biting exposed skin such as your shoulders, hands, arms, legs and back. They leave flat, red, itchy marks usually in a row on the skin. They are a flat insect about the size of an apple seed, which is about 5mm-7mm long. The adults are a dark tan or brown/red colors (after feeding) and the nymphs, which are the immature bedbugs, are a pale color or bright red, (after feeding). They are often mistaken for other types of non flying insects like ticks or small cockroaches. Their size makes it extremely difficult to get rid of them. They are able to hide in the cracks of wicker furniture and walls, on textiles including upholstered furniture, and edges of carpet, but are most commonly found on mattresses, box springs and bed frames. Other places bed bugs can be found is in the corners or bureau drawers, on curtains, and in cracks in wall paper. Surprisingly bed bugs can also be found in vacant homes because they can go for months without feeding.

Bed bugs have been found all over the world. In the 1940's the use of the pesticide DDT in the United States greatly reduced the outbreak, though they were and still are found in areas where there is poor sanitation. Lately there has been an increase in the spread of bed bugs due to immigration, travelers going abroad, and where there are crowded living conditions. Because they can hide in clothing and get into suitcases there has been an outbreak over the years and most recently noticed in hotels, movie theatres, public transportation, shelters and other places where people congregate.

Did you know that because they are a living organism they can adapt and become immune to pesticides? But they cannot become immune to extreme heat. They prefer temperatures between 70 degrees - 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit and above will kill adults, nymphs, and bed bug eggs. Most of the conventional steam cleaners that say they can get rid of bed bugs reach temperatures up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit. When trying to get rid of bed bugs you need to make sure you get all of the areas where they can hide. Seal cracks around outlets and in wall, check behind pictures and do not forget to treat the curtains.

You should always consult a professional before you try to handle the situation alone!

Give Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. a call if you have bed bugs. PRS of Tampa Bay uses a commercial steamer on carpets and walls to kill bed bugs. PRS of Tampa Bay, Inc. teams up with Natural Born Killers, LLC to get the job done right. Natural Born Killers, LLC uses a process called fumigation to properly get rid of bed bugs from infested contents. Fumigation is a method of pest control that completely fills an area with gaseous pesticides or fumigants to suffocate or poison the pests within. You will see this method being used when a home is tented for termites. Contents like mattresses and couches will be put into a sealed container where toxic fumes will be released and the bed bugs will be terminated.

Unknown Water Usage Is Costly

American residents use about 100 gallons of water per day. Watch your water bill for unusual usage then check your meter by turning water off for at least 2 hours and check to see if there is an increase. Fix leaks and drips by changing hoses and gasket at the first sign of wear.  A leaky faucet that drips at the rate of one drip per second can waste more than 3,000 gallons per year. That’s the amount of water needed to take more than 180 showers!   Ten percent of homes have leaks.  According to the EPA fixing easily corrected household water leaks can save homeowners about 10 percent on their water bills. Check your toilet by adding drop of food coloring to tank if it stays for 15 minutes or less there could be a leak. A running toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day.

An excess of water in an area can create added humidity causing the possibility of mold and other damage to your home. Mold can start to grow within 24 hours as long as there is a food supply,  (anything organic) and ample moisture. There is more fresh water in the atmosphere than there is in all the rivers on the planet combined. An area with a humidity over 60% can grow mold. Dehumidifiers reduce humidity in enclosed structural environments by removing water vapor from the air. Dehumidifiers can help dry wet materials like carpet, carpet pads, floors, walls, building contents and more. Using dehumidifiers may also prevent secondary damage caused by high humidity It can get into wallpaper, books and even into carpets.

According to the Institute of Inspection and Cleaning Restoration Certification (IICRC), most carpet manufactured today are made of plastic face yarns, not organic materials. Because of this, mold typically cannot grow on the carpet itself.  The padding underneath the rug also needs to be checked for mold especially if there are signs mold is present. If you can not see any mold but there is  a “mildewy” odor present.

However, if organic materials remain in the carpet after cleaning and the cleaned carpet take longer than 24 hours to dry, the possibility of mold growth increases significantly. This is why IICRC recommends that carpet should be dry in six to eight hours or less.Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by the home owner who has had  water leaking for an extended period of time.  Most homeowners insurance do not cover water, mold or mildew damage if it is considered to be caused by neglect by home owner who has was water leaking for an extended period of time. It is estimated that mold damage costs insurers more than $2.5 billion annually.

If you experience water damage or a leak, time is of the essence.Professional Restoration Services, Inc. is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year to efficiently and properly restore your home to it's pre-loss condition. With five state licenses, we are the one call does it all company. We have the necessary equipment to ensure your home will be properly dried to prevent mold. In the event you already have mold we are certified to assess and remove the mold as well. We are a certified and reputable company that understands the importance of an immediate response to your loss.