October is Fire Prevention Month – What Does that Mean for Restoration Franchises?
Have you been seeing information recently about fire safety or fire prevention? Though the official National Fire Prevention Week happens from October 3-9, the entire month is dedicated to such an important topic. And there’s a reason for that.
Why do we honor fire prevention month?
While fire safety is always something to be aware of, it's an important topic specifically during this time because of the Great Chicago Fire back in 1871. The flames engulfed buildings, took the lives of an estimated 300 people, and caused hundreds of millions in damages.
This massive and unfortunate fire went through an area four miles long and one mile wide. What may be shocking is that everything began with one barn fire that became uncontrollable. The city burned from October 8-10 before some rain came to the rescue alongside relentless firefighting efforts.
Restoration teams worked rapidly to bring back this portion of the Windy City that was so heavily impacted. With reconstruction came growth – the economy and population began to grow by the thousands every year. According to History.com, the city grew from about 324,000 citizens to more than 1 million by 1890.
How does fire prevention impact franchise business?
Using history as a learning lesson, the first 24-48 hours are the best time to bring in professionals so you can salvage as many possessions as possible. Your property needs to be structurally secure and often tarped to minimize damages while experts dry, discard, clean, and restore contents.
As you can imagine, with flames comes firefighters. We’re forever grateful for their bravery and selflessness. The only downside is that there will often be water damage on the property, which can create an environment for mold growth if not handled effectively.
STOP Restoration FranDev, like other franchises, has locations spread nationwide. Our individually owned and operated locations provide safe fire and water damage restoration services to help businesses and homeowners across the country bring their property back to pre-loss condition.
Along with navigating the aftermath of a fire, our franchise locations diligently educate everyone to understand the preventative measures to take. Of course, they’re also readily available in case of emergency, knowing the impact that taking quick action has.
What can I do to prevent fires?
Some of the best ways to keep your property and family safe are to:
- Install Sprinklers
- Maintain Smoke Alarms
- Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors
- Plan & Practice Escape Routes
- Keep Multiple Extinguishers Accessible
- Only Use Extension Cords Temporarily
- Use Space Heaters Carefully
Sprinklers, smoke alarms, and carbon monoxide alarms should be on every floor, along with fire extinguishers. Cords should never have frayed edges, and extension cords can overheat when used long-term, which is why we recommend only using them for the short term. And space heaters must have several feet of space to avoid burning items in the vicinity.
When property fires occur, there’s not a second to waste, which is why it’s critical to not only have an escape plan with at least two exit paths but also to know a reputable business to rely on for restoration.
What does fire damage restoration include?
No matter how extensive the damages are, recovering from fire requires a unique plan of action to ensure no detail is left out. At STOP Restoration FranDev, our process is streamlined from years of experience. Our locations provide comprehensive services that may involve:
- A thorough, visual evaluation of the property to determine a cost comparison for replacing or restoring.
- Removal of belongings to a safe facility where we’ll restore everything that’s salvageable, keeping inventory for insurance claims and theft protection.
- Demolition and removal of structures and items that cannot be saved.
- Inspection by an engineer to ensure structural integrity and pinpoint safety concerns.
- Using scraping, sanding, and sealing treatments to restore burnt areas that are not irreversibly damaged.
- Cleaning, sanitizing, and deodorizing the structural components of the property.
- Assessing and restoring electrical, roofing, plumbing, and drywall.
- Painting surfaces and returning your belongings to their respective places.
Are you interested in learning more about the restoration process or franchising with STOP Restoration FranDev? Give us a call at (844) 980-1518.
P.S.: Did you catch last month’s article about how community connections can grow your restoration franchise? We’re here to offer a helping hand!
