Preventing an electrical fire and the fire damage that comes along with it is possible. There will always be accidents, but there are a number of measures you can take to help save your family and home. Most electrical safety and fire prevention methods are common sense, but it is important to actually practice them. Everyone knows you shouldn’t plug too many things into one outlet, but do we anyway? Appliances tend to straddle the line between safe and unsafe, and that is often ignored. And simply knowing the capacity of your home’s electrical system could help prevent fire damage. If you would like three reminders on how you can prevent an electrical fire, read on.
Whether in the kitchen, TV room, or bedroom, certain outlets always seem to be the favorite. There’s the outlet that’s in the perfect spot for all the TV appliances or the bedside outlet that needs to provide you with light, phone and computer charging, and whatever other odd things you can think of. The reality is that certain outlets get overused, while others see no use at all. You risk overextending an outlet when you add just one more plug to an already crowded outlet. An outlet that is continually overused will go the way of most overworked things, it will burn out.
Appliance safety is an important part of preventing electrical fires. You should unplug small appliances like toasters and crock pots when they’re not in use. For bigger appliances, make sure the hook-up you have is generating the correct amount of electricity. And of course, make sure that all electric appliances stay far away from water. Practicing these few safety measures can save you, your family, and your home.
A common problem with older homes is old wiring. If you have an older home or are looking to buy one, it is advised that you hire a professional to inspect the electrics. Old wiring is not always detrimental, but it is better to know what you are working with as a precaution. Knowing you have old wiring can help you strategically plan your outlet use. Also, if you know you have old wiring, you can choose to have it replaced. Knowing what is in your house is always the best course of action.
For the most part, preventing an electrical fire is common sense. If you take care of your electrical system and appliances, you are less likely to experience an electrical fire. However, not all fires and fire damage can be prevented. In some circumstances, preventative measures just don’t stop the problem. If you are in this situation and have experienced the damaging effects of an electrical fire, you are not alone. American Fire & Water Restoration is here to help you restore your home. Give us a call at (847) 514-9305.
There can be a lot of misconceptions about the seriousness of water damage. If you have recently experienced some type of water damage in your home, you need to understand it can have serious consequences. Some of the most common water damage side effects include mold infestations, unknown flooding, and structural damage. It’s important to know to look out for these events and to know how to prevent them.
Mold arrives with most water damage events. It can grow in most warm and moist conditions, and where there has been a lot of water is a great place for it to start and grow. It not only grows on the surface of whatever host it has found but it also spreads down and across any surface. Mold can cause damage to the surface and structure of what it is growing on. Mold also has health risks. Common symptoms for people exposed to mold are sneezing, skin irritations, irritation of the eyes and throat, nasal congestion, coughing, pneumonia, asthma attacks, and migraines.
Flooding can be a sneaky or all-at-once type of water damage. A small leak or drip can cause serious damage, just as a sudden rainstorm can instantly flood a place. A major danger of flooding is that you might not know what is in the water. Flood water has the potential of carrying biohazardous materials in it, so it is important to have a professional inspect the situation. Also if the water is not cleaned up correctly or dried well, you run the risk of a mold infestation growing.
Structural damage is probably the most serious risk of water damage. It can occur in many different ways. Flooding can affect the structure of your home. It can move structure points in the foundation and/or cracks in your foundation. And there is also the risk of mold inflicting damage on the structure if flooding hasn’t. A space that hasn’t been dried out properly is the perfect place for mold to grow. And if it grows and penetrates structural points, it will weaken the structure from the inside. Both of these can go unseen but be highly dangerous to the safety of your home and everyone inside of it.
Water damage is a serious matter. It can affect your home in myriad ways and leave its mark. If you have found water damage in your home, you need to address the matter seriously. The best approach is to call for professional advice. Restoration professionals will have more experience and know how to handle your unique water damage situation. American Fire & Water Restoration can be there to help make your home safe and water damage free. Give us a call, (847) 514-9305.