Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Fire can occur at any time, in any place and is a deadly health hazard if not correctly cleaned. Juvenaire specialises in Fire and Smoke Damage Restoration and have released some simple to follow tips if in an unfortunate instance this disaster occurs within your home or business.  

 Fire and Smoke Damage

Do’s

• Remove occupants from building if suffering from respiratory or breathing issues
• Clean and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliances with a light coat of CRC or WD40
• Blow off or brush/vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, drapery and carpet
• Open windows for ventilation
• Empty freezer and refrigerator completely if electricity is off and prop doors open
• Clean and protect smoked bathroom taps, tubs and fittings and towel bars with light coat of oil
• Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves
• Remove pets (especially birds) to clean environment

Don’ts

• Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces
• Use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided
• Use exposed food items, or canned goods which have been subjected to excessive heat
• Use TV’s, stereo’s or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked
• Clean garments as cleaning may set smoke odour

Love is a moment

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.

The Tropical Queensland Summer, easily recognisable by the unpredictable hot humid days and consistent excessive rainfall; rainfall that unfortunately results to flooding throughout the state, damaging properties and disrupting lives. Flooding in Queensland is becoming ever more frequent and a natural disaster that everyone should be aware of and prepared for.

If in the unfortunate circumstance that a disaster should occur in your home or business, apply these easy to follow tips and contact your insurance company immediately to appoint a certified restoration company or contact Juvenaire for immediate assistance.

Do…

• Remove as much excess water as possible by sponging, mopping and blotting
• Wipe furniture from excess water
• Remove soft contents, magazines, books, etc that could cause dye or ink stains on carpets and furnishings
• Remove wet rugs and carpets when hard floor surfaces are risk of damage
• Place aluminium foil or china saucers between furniture legs and wet carpets
• Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in summer and heating for speed drying in winter
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for completed drying
• Remove valuable oil paintings and art objects to a dry environment
• Remove electrical items and musical instruments to a dry environment
• Open suitcases and luggage to a dry environment or outside
• Call a professional water damage restoration specialist for emergency drying

Do not…

• Operate televisions, vacuums, computers or other electrical appliances while standing on wet carpet, floors or concrete floors as serious injury may result.
• Use general purpose outlets that have been exposed to water or excessive moisture
• Use heat to dry closed building interiors, as mildew and excess moisture may result in secondary damage and cause mould growth 
• Leave wet fabrics in place, dry as soon as possible.
• Leave books, magazines or other coloured items on wet carpet or floors

With flooding comes sewage. Not the most pleasant topic however, follow the steps below to keep you and your family safe.

Do…

• Remove children and pets from contaminated areas
• Treat all areas affected by flood or sewage as extremely toxic and until properly decontaminated should have no contact

Do not…

• Attempt to move contaminated items to uncontaminated areas
• Decontaminate surfaces with over the counter sprays; this may not fully disinfect contaminated areas and remain  unsanitary and unsafe for habitants

Merry Christmas

Juvenaire would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.

For the environment to be safe, it must be decontaminated not just redecorated. Fire and smoke causes more damage that we can see with the naked eye. Studies have proven that many of the natural, synthetic, and organic chemicals present in most of today’s carpets, furnishings, wall coverings and other home and office structural elements, when burned release an array of chemicals harmful to the human body. Soot present at a damaged site poses a potentially lethal threat – particularly to sensitive individuals – so must be dealt with responsibly and effectively.

Without the effective removal of the soot and smoke residue (a component of combustion residue) even when the residues are too fine to be visible, their presence may be still be indicated by an odour. It is imperative that the soot residue is thoroughly removed before the finishing’s, such as sealers, paints and wall coverings are applied, as the smoke odours can become entrapped and are difficult to locate and treat.

Juvenaire gives fire and smoke damaged environments, both building and contents the full treatment they require. Juvenaire’s dedicated team of fire and smoke damage restorative cleaning specialists ensured that the threat to health and safety posed by fire and smoke residues are safely and permanently eliminated, so that the environment is left ultimately safe as well as exceptionally well cleaned and decontaminated.

A flooded road may seem harmless however if you cannot see the road, the depth of the water is always unknown. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH FLOODWATER, this cannot be stressed enough. Driving in floodwaters