While Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday, filled with food, family and football, there is another attribute that may surprise you.   According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association),Thanksgiving is the peak day of the year in which home fires occur.  In 2016, U.S. Fire Departments reported a total of 1,500 home fires on Thanksgiving Day, with Christmas Day coming in as a close second.

In order to avoid any potential fire damage or injury, browse these simple guidelines to ensure you have a safe holiday season.

• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking, even a quick step away can lead to an accident.
• Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently. 
• Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away. 
• Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns. 
• Wear protective gear when using indoor fryers.
• Ensure floor and kitchen area is clear of clutter and kiddos, so you don't accidentally trip.
• Keep a lid and fire extinguisher nearby to smother cooking fires.
• Avoid the use of outdoor, gas-fueled turkey fryers, especially indoors or in the garage area.
• Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.​

Unwanted water intrusion can be devastating to a home or business. Whether the source of the water is from a storm or a broken pipe, the damage that can result will increase the longer the materials are left in an environment with elevated moisture. Furniture can be especially vulnerable to the effects of water and elevated moisture.

If your home or business does suffer from unwanted moisture, it is critical that you take pictures of the damage. Keep in mind that the damage may not only be to the pieces that are touching the water. As you’re well aware, water creates moisture in the air which can do damage to pieces of furniture or fixtures that are well above the water level.

The condition of the furniture should be assessed by an insurance adjuster or a restoration professional. Cleaning and drying of wood is a possibility. With ongoing exposure to moisture, the threat of mold and fungus is always there. Wood warping is common when dealing with water problems. Have a restoration professional have a look at the affected furniture as soon as possible in order to increase the chance that it can be dried and restored to it’s original integrity and appearance.
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Dealing with water damage is a tough situation. Before deciding to replace your damaged furniture, consult with an expert to see if it can be repaired/restored. If you’ve had water damage be sure to contact a restoration professional and water damage specialist like us. We can make sure that your home is back to normal in no time.

Summer is in full swing and so is vacation season. Going on a vacation can be one of the best ways to recharge your battery – a great reward for the hard work that you do all year long. Returning to a flooded house is devastating. The worst water damage occurs when people are on vacation, because water is allowed to run, uninterrupted, for far longer than it would if you were home and aware of the leak. So this summer, after you have made all your travel plans, packed your bags and are ready to head out, there is one more thing you should do to ensure a wonderful end to your vacation: Turn off the main water supply to your home!

Closing the valve on the main water supply line cuts off water to the house but still allows outside sprinklers to work. If you end up having a leak within the home while the water supply line is shut off, the line will be under some initial pressure and some water will enter your home, but it will not continue to spray water and cause damage like it would if it was not turned off. So let’s say your washing machine water supply line (the most common source of home water intrusion) springs a leak while you are away. If you did not shut off the main water supply line before you left the house, literally thousands and thousands of gallons of water will leak into your home until someone physically turns off the water. If you shut off the main water supply line before you leave and your washing machine supply line springs a leak, it may only lead to 50 gallons entering your home from initial pressure, but then the water will stop. The difference in the total amount of water directly impacts the amount of damage you will have, as well as the amount of money it will cost to repair the damage and replace what you have lost.
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Don’t know where the main water supply line is? It is really important that you know where it is – so find out – NOW! In Florida, newer homes often have them in the garage; older homes often have them outside. You may find that you need a large wrench to turn it off, and you may find that the valve looks like it is in need of repair – all reasons to locate the valve and check it out BEFORE you are ready to leave and enjoy the vacation that you have worked so hard to earn!