The storms that ripped through Nebraska on Mother's Day have left more than $20 million in damage according to the National Weather Service.

In what they expect to be their final report, National Weather Service officials say seven tornadoes have been confirmed. The tornadoes touched down in Seward, Fillmore, York and Clay counties on May 11.

Many of us know that the town Beaver Crossing, NE was hit by one of the seven tornadoes that touched down. 

SERVPRO of Lincoln has been one of many companies that have been in Beaver Crossing helping to clean up.

SERVPRO  helped put back together this 140 year old barn after wind damaged the roof and some rafters.

The barn is in Gage County.

 

Tips for Preventing Grass Fires

 

Many of us have heard of or seen grass fires here in Nebraska. With each day that passes with out rain we are at a higher risk of fires.  Just over a week ago there was a large grass fire just northwest of Lincoln at Branched Oak State Recreation Area.  Because of the wind that day the fire spread quickly it was said that 19 different agencies responded to that fire.  The very fast moving grass fire burned  around 1,000 acres 325 of which were part of the Branched Oak Wildlife Management Area.  They said the cause of this fire was a discarded smoking material.  The same day there was a fire northwest of Ashland.  A total of 17 agencies were called to help contain that fire.  This fire is believed to have started when embers escaped a burn barrel.  These are just two of the many grass fire that were reported that same day.   Some of the same fire departments responded to both of these fire.  Please take the time to find out what you can do to help prevent grass fires in your area.

 

 

Tips for Preventing Grass Fires

jeremy.haydenSeptember 26, 2013fire-safety

It doesn’t take much for a small grass fire to turn into an out-of-control wildfire. There is undoubtedly more grass fires to come about, no matter how much knowledge and awareness are propagated to the general mass. Most grass fires are caused by obvious, careless human factors (burning garbage, improperly extinguishing a camp fire), but others are caused by things that seem unlikely , such as a lawnmower blade hitting a rock or an electric fence zapping a metal post. We all know the slightest breeze will fuel a small grass fueled flame, into an immense inferno in no time and time is crucial in preventing the spread and expansion to control the situation.

The most beneficial and responsible action to take to reduce the chances of a grass fire is to keep your lawn and nearby brush is to keep the tall, dry grass trimmed and cut. This is most crucial in areas where vehicles may be present along driveways and roadsides. In all cases if something were to happen and a grass fire start, the best course of action to be prepared, is to know your escape routes and keep them maintained.

Here is a basic list of things to watch for and be wary of to assist in preventing grass fires:

• Do not throw cigarettes or cigar butts onto the ground or out of a vehicle
• Do not burn trash, leaves, of brush without proper supervision and permits
• Create a “safety zone” around your home to clear away loose grass, leaves, ect… (general 30 feet)
• Properly maintain dead plants, trees, and grass, especially over buildings.
• Maintain a 10 foot “safety zone” around grills and propane tanks.
• Do not leave grills unattended, and when finished using them, place ashes in a bucket and soak with water until completely cooled.
• Stress to children the importance of playing with fire, especially in areas where the fire can quickly spread.

The 14 deadliest things in your home

Home is where we feel safe from the dangers that lie waiting in the larger world. But the most ordinary things can turn deadly if they're misused or neglected.

How safe is your home?

More than 30,000 people die of accidental injuries each year at home in the United States, and the numbers have been rising since 2000, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Cigarettes

• Fires that start from cigarettes, cigars and pipes kill more Americans every year than any other type of home fire, the National Fire Protection Association says. Although cigarettes and other smoking materials caused only 5% of home fires from 2007 to 2011, those fires accounted for 22% of home fire deaths. Don't smoke in bed, and don't leave cigarettes unattended.

Space heaters

• Home heating equipment in general, including fireplaces, chimneys, central heating units and space heaters, was the second leading cause of home fire deaths from 2007 to 2011, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Space heaters are responsible for four out of every five deaths caused by home heating equipment fires.
• Plug space heaters directly into outlets, the U.S. Fire Administration advises, never into extension cords or power strips. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heaters, and only use equipment that's been labeled by a recognized testing laboratory.

Stoves

• Fires that start from cooking are the leading cause of home fire injuries and the third leading cause of home fire deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fires involving ranges or cooktops killed an average of 340 people a year from 2007 to 2011.
• Stoves are involved in most cooking fires, and unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Don't leave the kitchen if you're frying, broiling or grilling, and don't leave the house if you're simmering, boiling or baking. Set a timer as a reminder.

Clothes dryer

• About 2,900 dryer fires at home are reported, and such fires kill an average of five people every year, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Failure to clean is the leading cause of dryer fires. Clean the lint filter before and after each load, clean lint out of the vent pipe every three months, and clean in back of the dryer where lint can accumulate.

Furnace

• Any fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace or fireplace, can produce carbon monoxide, an odorless, colorless and poisonous gas. Other than portable generators, heating systems are associated with most carbon-monoxide poisoning deaths, says the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Install carbon-monoxide alarms as well as smoke alarms, and replace the batteries every six months. Schedule an annual inspection of any fuel-burning heating system, including furnaces, boilers, fireplaces, wood stoves and water heaters.

Portable generators

• Carbon-monoxide poisoning from portable generators has been rising in the past 15 years since the equipment became available to consumers. The use of portable generators led to at least 755 deaths from 1999 to 2011, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says. Most of those tragedies occurred because the generators were used inside a living space or in the basement or garage. Use a generator only outside and far away from windows, doors or vents. Never use one inside, even if the windows and doors are open.

Big TVs

• Every three weeks a child dies from a television tipping over, and almost 13,000 other children are injured every year in the United States, according to a report by Safe Kids Worldwide and Sanus, a maker of audio and video furnishings. The accidents usually occur when kids knock a TV over while playing or try to climb up to reach items placed on or near a TV. Use only stands appropriate for the size and weight of the TV, and install a stabilizing device to prevent tip-overs. Other furniture and appliances can also tip over and cause injuries, but TVs cause the most tip-over deaths.

Candles

• Home fires started from candles kill an average of 120 people a year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. About 10,600 fires caused by candles are reported annually. Blow out candles before you go to bed or leave a room, and keep them at least a foot away from anything that can burn. Use flashlights instead of candles when the power goes out.

Wiring, light bulbs and extension cords

• Electrical fires at home kill 280 Americans a year and cause $1 billion in property damage, the U.S. Fire Administration says. Many start because of poorly installed wiring, overloaded circuits or the misuse of extension cords. Replace all worn or damaged appliance cords -- don't try to repair them -- and use extension cords only temporarily. Use light bulbs with the recommended wattage for the lamp or fixture, and hire a qualified electrician to do any electrical work.

Pools and spas

• About 300 children under 5 drown every year in pools and hot tubs, and most of those deaths happen at home, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. For every child who dies from drowning, an additional five are treated in the emergency room for submersion-related injuries, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control says. Let your insurance agent know if you have a pool or hot tub, and check whether you need additional liability insurance. Install a fence around the pool with self-latching gates out of reach of children.

Guns

• Accidental shootings killed 851 people in 2011, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and many of those occurred at home and involved children. If you own a firearm, keep it locked up, unloaded and away from kids. Store and lock up the ammunition away from the gun. Never leave a gun unattended while cleaning it.

Household cleaners

• Cleaning products are among the most common poisons, sending more than 300 children to U.S. emergency rooms every day. Two children die every day because of poisoning, according the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Young, curious children will taste anything they can reach. Lock up products that children shouldn't consume.

Slippery steps

• Falls are the second leading cause of home injury deaths, behind poisoning. Common locations for falls are stairs, doorways, ramps, cluttered hallways, uneven surfaces, ladders, and areas prone to wetness or spills. Your home insurance liability coverage provides protection if a visitor slips and falls at your home and requires medical attention. The National Safety Council says to repair damaged walks and steps; remove tripping hazards, such as cords and clutter, from stairs and walkways; and use nonskid mats to keep throw rugs from slipping. Keep your walks clear of snow and ice during the winter.

Medicine

• Poisoning is the leading cause of accidental deaths at home, and unintentional drug overdoses account for a big share of them. Children are poisoned when they take pills, vitamins or liquid drugs left unattended. Drugs account for 40% of incidents involving children under 6 that are reported to poison centers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Middle-aged people, though, are more likely to die of drug overdoses than children or other adults. Accidental drug overdoses kill more people ages 35 to 54 than car crashes.

Help Provent Frozen Pipes.

Being prepared and informed may help you to avoid the messy and often expensive issue of frozen pipes. With all of the cold weather we have been having SERVPRO and The American Red Cross would like to provide information and suggestions around how to prevent water pipes in the home from freezing, and how to thaw them if they do freeze.

Why Pipe Freezing is a Problem

Water has a unique property in that it expands as it freezes. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. No matter the "strength" of a container, expanding water can cause pipes to break. Pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing.

• Drain water from swimming pool and water sprinkler supply lines following manufacturer's or installer's directions. Do not put antifreeze in these lines unless directed. Antifreeze is environmentally harmful, and is dangerous to humans, pets, wildlife, and landscaping.
• Remove, drain, and store hoses used outdoors. Close inside valves supplying outdoor hose bibs. Open the outside hose bibs to allow water to drain. Keep the outside valve open so that any water remaining in the pipe can expand without causing the pipe to break.
• Check around the home for other areas where water supply lines are located in unheated areas. Look in the basement, crawl space, attic, garage, and under kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Both hot and cold water pipes in these areas should be insulated.
• Consider installing specific products made to insulate water pipes like a "pipe sleeve" or installing UL-listed "heat tape," "heat cable," or similar materials on exposed water pipes. Newspaper can provide some degree of insulation and protection to exposed pipes - even ¼" of newspaper can provide significant protection in areas that usually do not have frequent or prolonged temperatures below freezing.

• Keep garage doors closed if there are water supply lines in the garage.
• Open kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors to allow warmer air to circulate around the plumbing. Be sure to move any harmful cleaners and household chemicals up out of the reach of children.
• When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
• Keep the thermostat set to the same temperature both during the day and at night. By temporarily suspending the use of lower nighttime temperatures, you may incur a higher heating bill, but you can prevent a much more costly repair job if pipes freeze and burst.
• If you will be going away during cold weather, leave the heat on in your home, set to a temperature no lower than 55° F.

• If you turn on a faucet and only a trickle comes out, suspect a frozen pipe. Likely places for frozen pipes include against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation.
• Keep the faucet open. As you treat the frozen pipe and the frozen area begins to melt, water will begin to flow through the frozen area. Running water through the pipe will help melt ice in the pipe.
• Apply heat to the section of pipe using an electric heating pad wrapped around the pipe, an electric hair dryer, a portable space heater (kept away from flammable materials), or by wrapping pipes with towels soaked in hot water. Do not use a blowtorch, kerosene or propane heater, charcoal stove, or other open flame device.
• Apply heat until full water pressure is restored. If you are unable to locate the frozen area, if the frozen area is not accessible, or if you can not thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.
• Check all other faucets in your home to find out if you have additional frozen pipes. If one pipe freezes, others may freeze, too.