North Dallas Damage Restoration Company Urges People to Consider Fireworks Safety This 4th of July

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

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Summary: SERVPRO of North Garland provides five fireworks safety tips to keep holiday celebrations safe and fun. 

Celebrating the 4th of July with fireworks is a great American tradition. Residents of North Garland are no exception. SERVPRO of North Garland, a residential and commercial damage restoration company, urges residents of the North Dallas area to celebrate their independence safely this July 4th.

Fireworks Can Be Dangerous

The National Fire Protection Association provides the following fireworks fire and injury statistics to drive home the point of the potential danger that can arise from improperly handling fireworks.

“Fireworks started an estimated 19,500 fires in 2018, including 1,900 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 17,100 outside and other fires. These fires caused five deaths, 46 civilian injuries, and $105 million in direct property damage. In 2018, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 9,100 people for fireworks-related injuries; half of those injuries were to the extremities and 34% were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for more than one-third (36%) of the estimated 2018 injuries. These injury estimates were obtained or derived from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s 2018 Fireworks Annual Report by Yongling Tu and Jason Ng.”

How to Stay Safe When Using Fireworks

The Texas Department of Insurance offers these fireworks safety tips to have fun with fireworks and stay safe.

1. Abide by local laws.

Most areas do not allow fireworks within city limits or during burn bans, and some areas allow only certain types of fireworks. Follow the local law and contact the local fire officials if there are any questions.

2. Find out if a permit is required.

Organizers will need a permit from the local fire department if they are putting on a fireworks show for a group of fifty people or more.

3. Hire licensed professionals.

An individual putting on a fireworks display for a group must have a Texas pyrotechnic operator’s license. To see if a person or organization has a Texas license, contact the State Fire Marshal’s Office at 1-800-578-4677 or Fire.Marshal@tdi.texas.gov.

4. Make sure fireworks are legal in the area.

Fireworks can be sold only during certain times of the year, usually within the week or so leading up to an important holiday. Besides the 4th of July and New Year’s celebrations, Texas counties may include Texas Independence Day (March 2nd), San Jacinto Day (April 21st), Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), and Memorial Day. Anyone can use fireworks any day of the year as long as they are not banned in the area where they are being used.

5. Be safe!

• Ensure that an adult is always watching when children are near fireworks.
• Children should never shoot off fireworks.
• Do not drink alcohol while using fireworks.
• Carefully follow the instructions on the firework.
• Do not shoot fireworks towards or near dry grass, brush, or any other flammable material.
• Never aim fireworks in the direction of a person or animal.
• Do not aim fireworks at a house or other structure.
• Keep a bucket of water, garden hose, or other water sources on hand for potential emergencies.

SERVPRO of North Garland provides these fireworks safety tips as a public service to the residents of North Garland in the hopes that everyone will have an enjoyable, safe, and patriotic 4th of July.

Fire and Water Damage Restoration Process

When a home or business is dealing with the aftermath of a fire, the damage that it can cause to the property structure and valuable possessions can be extremely devastating. At SERVPRO, the team understands the stress, confusion, and all the emotions that are present when dealing with this kind of ordeal. The SERVPRO technicians are highly skilled and certified, as well as equipped with fire damage restoration equipment to take special care of the client’s property and possessions. The SERVPRO team will be there with the customer every step along the way to explain the process to help get them through this stressful time.

After the fire trucks leave, the home or business likely suffers from fire and smoke damage and extensive water damage from firefighting efforts. SERVPRO has the specialized fire restoration training needed to restore a home to its pre-fire condition.

Every fire damage event requires an individualized solution, but the general process stays the same. The steps listed below illustrate the process for the typical fire damage emergency.

Step 1: Emergency Contact

The restoration process begins when a customer calls SERVPRO. A representative will ask questions regarding the fire damage event that will help SERVPRO respond immediately with the appropriate equipment and resources.

Step 2: Inspection and Fire Damage Assessment

SERVPRO technicians carefully inspect and test adjoining rooms of the property to determine the extent of the fire, smoke, and soot damage. This step is crucial to developing a plan of action.

Step 3: Immediate Board-Up and Roof-Tarp Service

Fire damage can often compromise windows, walls, and roofs. To maintain security and to protect against further damage, the team can board up missing windows and walls and place tarps on damaged roofs.

Step 4: Water Removal and Drying (If Water Damage Is Present)

The water removal process begins almost immediately and removes the majority of the water. SERVPRO technicians then use dehumidifiers and air movers to remove the remaining water and complete the drying process.

Step 5: Removal of Smoke and Soot From All Surfaces

Specialized equipment and techniques are used to remove smoke and soot from ceilings, walls, and other surfaces.

Step 6: Cleaning and Sanitizing

Skilled technicians clean, sanitize, and disinfect all of the restorable items and structures that were damaged by the fire. SERVPRO employs a variety of cleaning techniques to restore belongings to their pre-fire condition. The SERVPRO specialists are also trained to remove odors using industrial air scrubbers and fogging equipment.

Step 7: Restoration

Restoration is the final step—getting a home or business to its pre-fire condition. Restoration may involve minor repairs, such as replacing drywall, painting, and installing new carpet, or it may entail major repairs such as the reconstruction of various areas or rooms in a home or business.

Conclusion

SERVPRO of North Garland hopes that everyone’s July 4th celebration will be safe, enjoyable, and fire-free. For more information about fire and water damage restoration, visit the SERVPRO of North Garland website at  https://www.SERVPROnorthgarland.com. Contact the office by phone at (972) 496-2441.