Alberta Wildfires - What you should know

6/23/2019 (Permalink)

Alberta wildfire rages on

At SERVPRO of Calgary South we have had our fair share of experience with Alberta wildfires. Wildfires are nothing new to Alberta, on average over 1000 wildfires happen each and every year. Wildfires are a natural event and an important step in the life-cycle of our ecosystem. But human intervention has increased the frequency and severity of Alberta wildfires. Most often the flames occur in unpopulated areas and they rarely affect humans in the way Fort McMurray was affected in 2016. In 2018 alone there was almost 1300 wildfires, which is below our 5-year average of around 1400 (this number is skewed slightly by the large influence of 2016). On average humans are responsible for 65% of wildfires, while the remainder is attributed to lightning. Human causes can range from recreational fires, house fires, and the power line industry. Also in 2018, 59,809 Hectares of land was burned. I know the average person (myself included) is unfamiliar with a hectare but that equates to almost 120,000 Canadian Football Fields of land burned. Below are a few resources to help familiarize yourself with wildfire safety.

https://wildfire.alberta.ca
Alberta Wildfire has all the information you need about the current status and location of wildfires and can inform you of local fire bans or burning restrictions.

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/air-quality-health-index/use.html
The Government of Canada website uses the Air Quality Health Index to judge the quality of the air we breathe. Even though Canada’s air is constantly ranked one of the cleanest in the world (due to municipal, provincial, and federal governments teaming up to limit emissions) there are still days we the smoke from wildfires can be too much. For example in May 2019, Calgary faced days of 10+ when the average is around a 2.

A few Alberta 2018 Wildfire Facts:

• 97% of all reported wildfires were contained within 24 hours.
• On June 22^nd, 2018 113 wildfires were reported in 24 hours.
• Alberta had almost 700 firefighters from other provinces and the US come to our aid.

SERVPRO's Backyard Fire Safety

6/17/2019 (Permalink)

Please follow these backyard firepit safety tips to ensure your evening is safe and fun.

Nothing beats sitting around the backyard firepit with your family and friends swapping stories and roasting marshmallows. SERVPRO of Calgary South and the City of Calgary have a few tips and tricks to make your fire safe and fun for you and your community.

Calgary By-law firepit hours: 10 am – Midnight (until 1 am on Friday and Saturday)

• Always check to see if there is a fire ban in effect. Lately we have seen Alberta face many wildfires and fire bans are for everyone’s safety.
• Know who to call.
  1. 3-1-1 = to report a complaint about a backyard fire (noise, size, etc.)
  2. 9-1-1 = to report an out of control fire.
• Backyard firepits should be built on a flame-resistant surface such as the ground, brick, or stone. Portable firepits should never be placed directly on a wooden deck.
• Firepits should be at least 2 meters (about 6 feet) away from your property line and any structures (garage, house, tree, etc.)
• Keep fires to a reasonable and manageable size and use a mesh screen to reduce flying embers and the spreading of sparks.
• Only burn clean/dry wood. Do not burn painted or treated wood, wet/green wood, backyard waste, grass clippings, garbage. Only burn wood from Alberta, never transport wood across borders to reduce the spread of disease and parasites.
• Do not leave a fire unattended and always have an extinguish strategy close by (a bucket of water or a garden hose will work).
• Be courteous to your neighbours. Watch where your smoke is going and be wary of your noise levels, quiet hour in Calgary is 10 pm.

For more please visit the City of Calgary’s website @ https://www.calgary.ca/CSPS/Fire/Pages/Safety-tips/Safety-tips-home/Fire-pits.aspx

SERVPRO's Tips For Your Calgary Summer BBQ

6/15/2019 (Permalink)

Summertime in Calgary, BBQ tips

Calgary, it is finally time to get back outside and turn on that barbecue. Here are a few safety tips to keep you and your grill in tiptop shape.

• Keep you barbecue at least 3 meters (10 feet) away from any structures, this includes your house, garage, carport, patio, or any sheds.
• Clean you grill frequently, grease and fat inside your barbecue can flare up and create bursts of flames. If there is a build up of fat from past grills, this can ignite and provide more fuel for the flame. A clean grill is a happy grill.
• Check all connections and hoses for leaks. Make sure there are no gas leaks from source to flame. You can check the hose and all connections by mixing dish soap with water and wiping it on the hose/connections. Open your BBQ lid and turn on the gas, if any bubbles form that is a tell-tale sign of a leak. Fix/replace any leaks before use.
• Remove clutter from the immediate area. Decorations or Knick-Knacks can ignite from flare ups and add more fuel to the fire. This tip also includes the grill itself, do not overload the BBQ with food, as more drippings increase the chance of larger flare ups.
• Keep a fire extinguisher close by in case a fire gets out of control. If you are unsure how to use a fire extinguisher an emergency is not the time to learn, Call 911 first.
• Never turn on the gas while the lid is closed. This can create a buildup of flammable gas that when lit can cause a large flame that you may not be expecting (your eyebrows will thank you for this one).
• Do not leave you BBQ unattended. Fire grows at a surprising rate, always keep a watchful eye on your grill to limit any surprises.
• Be safe and enjoy!

For more tips and suggestions you can visit the Government of Canada’s website @ https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/home-garden-safety/barbecue-safety.html

SERVPRO of Calgary South, Smoke and Soot Info

6/10/2019 (Permalink)

Smoke damage can make restoring a property extremely difficult, but we can do it!

Smoke and soot are very invasive and can penetrate various cavities within your home, causing hidden damage and odour. 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 Calgary South 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 odour, 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 odour. 

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! 403-255-0202

SERVPRO of Calgary South Smoke and Soot Cleanup

5/21/2018 (Permalink)

Smoke and Soot Damage Can Cause a Pervasive Odor in Your Home.

Smoke and soot are 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 Calgary South 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! 403-255-0202

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

12/18/2016 (Permalink)

To ensure a Merry Christmas and fire safe Holiday Season for everyone, the Saint John Fire Department suggests the following fire safety guidelines be observed:

The Kitchen

Grease and fat fires are a leading cause of home fires in Canada, so be extra careful when doing this kind of cooking.  Here's what to do if grease in a pot or pan catches fire:

• Smother the flames by covering the pan with a lid;
• Turn off the heat immediately;
• Use baking soda (flour can be explosive) on shallow grease fires;
• Never turn on the overhead fan, as this could spread the fire;
• Never throw water on a grease fire.

The Christmas Tree

Get a freshly cut tree.  It will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard.  Try to pick a tree with a strong green colour and noticeable fragrance.
Always test for freshness before buying. A tree with high moisture content is safer. Very few needles should fall when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground; needles should bend, not break; and the stump should be sticky with resin.
Place the tree in a stand that will hold 2 to 3 litres of water and top it up daily. Make sure it is always immersed in water: If water drops below the trunk, the stem may reseal itself, requiring a fresh cut. Use a tree stand that has widespread legs for better balance.
Do not set your tree up near a heat source such as a radiator, television, fireplace, heating duct or sunny window. It should not block doors.
Never use lighted candles on the tree.

Remove the tree within 10 to 14 days. After that amount of time in a heated building, even the freshest tree can start to dry out.

Decorations

• Choose decorations that are flame-retardant, non-combustible and non-conductive.If there are young children or pets in your home, avoid very small decorations.
• Avoid using angel hair (glass wool) together with spray-on snowflakes. This combination is highly combustible.
• Do not use metallic ornaments on the tree. If they make contact with defective wiring they could become a shock hazard.

Lights

• Use Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certified light strings/sets.
• Use the proper lights for the environment. Indoor light strings/sets should not be used outdoors because they lack weatherproof connections. Some outdoor light strings/sets burn too hot indoors.
• Inspect light strings/set before use. Check for cracked bulbs and for frayed, broken or exposed wires, and discard if faulty.
• Do not use electric light strings/sets on metallic trees. A faulty system could energize the tree and shock or electrocute anyone coming into contact. Illuminate metallic trees with colored floodlights placed at a safe distance from the tree and out of reach.
• Turn off all tree and display lights before retiring for the night or before leaving the house.

Candles

• Place candles away from absolutely anything that could catch fire.
• Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Burn them only when a responsible adult is overseeing the flame.
• Put candles in sturdy holders on a stable surface, well away from drafts, curtains, children and pets.
• Snuff them out before leaving the room or going to sleep.

The Fireplace

• Never burn gift wrappings, boxes, cartons, or other types of packing in the fireplace. They burn too rapidly and generate far too much heat.
• Don't hang Christmas stockings from the mantel when the fireplace is in use.
• Always use a screen in front of the fireplace to protect against flying sparks.
• Never use gasoline or any other flammable liquids to start a fire.
• Use only seasoned and dried wood.
• Never leave the fire unattended or let it smolder.
• Clean the ashes regularly. Place the ashes in a metal container and store outside away from flammable materials.
• Don't use Christmas trees for firewood.

Electrical Outlets

• There is often a tendency to overload wall outlets during the holiday season. This is an unsafe practice and should be avoided even for short durations.
• Inspect all cords before using. Make sure they are CSA certified. Look for loose connections or frayed or exposed wire. Discard any defective cords. Read the labels and manufacturer's instructions to ensure proper use.
• Insert plugs fully into outlets. Poor contact may cause overheating or shock.
• To avoid possible overheating, do not coil or bunch an extension cord which is in use and do not run it under carpets or rugs.

Tips provided by the Alberta Fire Safety Association