The requirement to keep warm during the winter period is something we can all sympathise with. The winter period is a particuarly risky time for fires as more of us look to keep warm by using electrical items as well as fires. Every year around 65 fires a year are caused by faulty electric blankets, 2 fires a day are caused by heaters and on average, 7,700 chimney fires are ignited.

Open fires

  • Be careful when using open fires to keep warm. Make sure you always use a fire guard to protect against flying sparks from hot embers
  • Make sure embers are under control and properly put out before you go to bed
  • Keep chimneys and flues clean and well maintained

Using portable heaters

  • Keep heaters away from curtains and furniture and never use them for drying clothes
  • Always unplug electric heaters when you go out or go to bed
  • Try to secure heaters against a wall to stop them falling over
  • Only use gas or paraffin heaters in well-ventilated areas. Heaters consume oxygen so you could suffocate if a room is not properly aired

Using electric blankets

  • Never use hot water bottles in the same bed as an electric blanket, even if the blanket is switched off
  • Unplug blankets before you get into bed, unless they have a thermostat control for safe all-night use
  • Store electric blankets at, rolled up or loosely folded to prevent damaging the internal wiring
  • Test electric blankets every 3 years. Age UK or your local fire and rescue service may be able to do this for you
  • Try not to buy second-hand blankets and check regularly for wear and tear. Replace your blanket when it is more than 10 years old
  • Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • Check for the kitemark & LPCB marks to show the blanket is safe to use

Alternative lighting

  • Keep a battery operated light or torch handy in the event of a power cut or failure
  • If you have to use candles or matches always take special care. Put them out completely before leaving the room or going to bed
  • Make sure candles are secured in a proper holder and away from materials that may catch fire – like curtains
  • Keep a mobile phone handy so you can still make an emergency call if there is a power cut

Fire safety for thatched buildings

  • Fit a smoke alarm in the loft and make sure it is connected with other alarms in the house
  • Use lightning conductors that have been tested and check they carry one of the kitemark or LPCB signs – they show they are approved and are safe
  • Don’t burn rubbish or garden waste near a thatched property
  • Use a bulkhead light fitting in your loft space, instead of an exposed light bulb, as these are more of a fire hazard
  • Never light fireworks near the property
  • Fit TV aerials to free- standing poles to avoid thatched roofs being struck by lightning
Tempest Restoration 24/7 service

FAQs

A. We aim to be on the scene as soon as we can. With technicians located acrosss the UK, you are never too far away from the expert help of Tempest Restoration. The longer you delay after your property has been affected by fire, the worse the damage will be. From the moment of arrival on site, we will begin the decontamination process. We work around the clock to ensure that fire damage and your losses are kept to a minimum. We aim to safely return your business to normal, as quickly as possible.

A. Damage caused by fire may look superficial but its the effects on materials that are not visible that can have lasting consequences to health and to the structure of a building. Potential hazards include asbestos and lead among others. Your home is full of porous materials and smoke can penetrate these materials beyond what is viewable by the naked eye. Our bespoke equipment and understanding of the uniqueness of each fire gives us the ability to detect fire damage and deal with it safely and effectively. Hired machines in the hands of inexperienced operators will cost unnecessary time and money in the long term. We understand the urgency of returning your home to its pre incident state and we operate quickly and efficiently to do so for you.

A. From your point of view, the quicker the process starts, the quicker you can be back in your home. Restoration work following a fire can be lengthy, it would be wrong to assume its a quick fix. Secondary damage caused by fire begins within minutes but can be minimised if dealt with promptly by a professional. During a fire, chemical reactions produce chemicals that are toxic and potentially fatal. During the time that the fire services are extinguishing the flames, the use of water (although required for putting out the fire) can unfortunately cause further structural damage and additional hazards. The contaminated area needs to be neutralised and rendered safe to prevent further damage and degradation. Potentially, every minute is costing you money.

A. During the combustion of a fire, chemical changes occur and environmental pollutants are created, many of which are harmful to human health. This seems fairly straight forward but natural and synthetic materials in your home produce a vast array of chemicals, depending on their makeup. Here at Tempest, we thoroughly assess the entire area using state-of-the-art testing equipment to detect any traces of hazardous substances.

A. Of paramount importance and priority is safety. Fire can, however big or small, cause structural damage to your home. Even past the point of the emergency services approving the site safe for entry, you should still proceed with caution. Every fire is different and unique. The location of a fire in your home can cause a chain reaction to other rooms, and sometimes it can be contained, either way the process of restoration is variable depending on many different factors. We assess each site to ascertain the extent of the damage and the precise actions required. We undertake a comprehensive risk assessment and survey of the property along with safety checks of power supplies to isolate any further damage. Ventilation of the home then removes trace of odour. Contents are assessed for renovation/removal and damaged surfaces are decontaminated and cleaned, neutralising odours.

A. During a fire the heat produced can reach thousands of degrees. The corrosive smoke produced is forced into every space and becomes trapped in porous materials, most surfaces will almost certainly suffer corrosion. Combustion will create chemical products that will be toxic long after fire is extinguished. During the fire, fumes and chemicals produced such as carbon monoxide are potentially fatal. It is essential that your home is decontaminated by a professional following a fire, you could be ricking your health if you don't.

A. Yes. A fire produces chemical residues during combustion. The combustion process releases harmful chemicals into the environment. In older buildings materials such as asbestos and mercury have fatal side effects when subjected to fire. These chemicals penetrate porous materials and surfaces within the building itself. Smoke particles can penetrate some places you probably didn't think of, such as your heating system. If left, they can remain for months in the atmosphere which can result in lung irritation and respiratory problems, a major reason for having a professional undertake the restoration work.

A. Given that each fire is individual and unique based on many different factors including location, time and combustibles, the damage caused and cost to restore is also variable. In order to limit these costs, it is essential that fire damage remediation commences as quickly as possible. The secondary damage caused to properties begins following the fire being extinguished and will cause costs to escalate if not stopped. Our swift response teams located across the UK can be on site speedily and act quickly and efficiently to ensure your losses are kept to a minimum and your home can be back to normal in a short space of time.

A. Our technicians are trained to the highest standards and are equipped to decontaminate fire and soot-damaged properties. We have been restoring, renovating and repairing domestic and commercial premises for over many years and have served hundreds of customers in across the UK, helping them get back to normal. We are trusted providers to many insurance companies who come highly recommend.

A. We operate across the UK with technicians available in major towns and cities. Our head office is based in Swaffham, Norfolk where we undertake all our training.

Tempest Restoration

Head Office
Unit 3 Jack Boddy Way Swaffham, Norfolk PE37 7HJ

Contact Tempest Restoration

Phone: 0845 052 4522
General enquiries: info@tempestrestoration.co.uk

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Tempest Restoration is registered in England and Wales, Number 03559516
Registered office: 19 King Street, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1HB

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