We Made It Feel Like Home Again...

This past weekend Buffalo Restoration had the pleasure of hosting a 'Welcome Home' party for some recent customers. They faced tragedy when their family home burned last year. Their contents were charred, their walls covered in ash, and the home where they raised their children, memories included, changed forever.

Buffalo Restoration helped this family restore peace to their lives. We restored and cleaned their valuable contents. We demolished the damaged walls and ceilings. We removed the overwhelming smell of smoke throughout the house. We walked them through a chaotic process of putting their lives back together.

And now, finally, we're happy to hear that it feels like home again. It was a joy to see them back in their home with their belongings, children, and grandchildren. We celebrated the completion of this long and exhausting process with their neighbors and friends. It was a chance to see the silver lining: a beautifully restored home and the safety and support of family and friends.  We are honored to have been able to help this family during their time of need.

Ten Tips for a Safe and Healthy Home Environment

At Buffalo Restoration, we believe your home is the most important place in your world.  It is your largest investment. It holds your family memories. It keeps your children safe. So we encourage you to keep your home environment safe and healthy for you and your family with the following tips.  Being proactive will give you peace of mind and reduce your risk of health effects and damage to your home. 

1. Get a humidifier- it can prevent dry skin and help you to breathe easier; adding too much moisture in the air can lead to fungal growth so be careful.

2. Invest in slip prevention- reduce the amount of clutter on the floors, wear proper footwear, modify areas that are prone to falls such as wet bathroom floors or loose rugs.

3. Reduce Allergens- clean your house at least once per week, invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter which traps dust and mold spores so they don’t circulate back into the air.

4. Clean your air ducts- An average home collects up to 40 pounds of dust per year. The duct system is the lungs of the house; if they are dirty chances are so is the air.  Cleaning the ducts can reduce indoor air pollutants and irritants. It is recommended to clean every 3-5 years.

5. Consider an air filter- reduce the source of indoor pollutants first, then purchasing an air filter may help clean the air.

6. Check smoke detectors- change batteries annually and make sure detector is in good working order.

7. Purchase a carbon monoxide detector- install one in your home and check batteries and make sure it is in good working order.

8. Purchase a first aid kit- have one handy in the house and one in the car is also a great idea.  Make sure each member in the home knows where it is in case of an emergency.

9. Food preservation- check expiration dates on all food items, and also check dry food in the pantry for possible flour moths.

10. Radon Testing- radon is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from the earth and can rise into the home.  Call a local professional for a radon test to see if action is needed.

Tips to prepare your family and home for fires

The recent wildfires around the state have everyone on edge, particularly those whose homes and businesses are directly threatened. There is quite a bit of information on the status of the fires and the threats to residential and commercial structures. In times like these many may feel powerless against the cruelty of nature.  Although we may not be able to control the fire, there are proactive things that home owners can do to prepare for an evacuation and/ or potential damage to their home.  Ben Yanker at locally owned Buffalo Restoration has years of experience in restoring homes after fire damage, from the mildest cases to full reconstruction projects. “We take pride in educating our clients so we can help minimize damage in our community the best we can. Most people never think they will have to deal with a fire so taking steps to prepare usually gets overlooked.  When dealing with a catastrophe like this, it’s important to set realistic expectations that not everyone can be served at the same time. Taking control of the situation by being responsible for yourself and family will help relieve stress. It’s important to make sure you have enough personal items such as clothing, medications, supplies, food and water because you don’t know when you’ll be able to return home.” The following list includes tips to help the public prepare for short and long term evacuation, reduce fire damage risk in the home, and ensure accurate insurance coverage.

·         Remove any valuable paperwork including medical records, medications, legal documents, birth certificates, and social security cards.

·         Don’t forget about your pets.  Pack ample food and any medications they need along with their favorite toys.

·         Back up your computers and store off-site while keeping hard copies of all your important contacts.

·         Remove family photos, scrapbooks, guns, ammunition, safety deposit box key, and other irreplaceable items.

·         Create a barrier around you home by removing any trees and loose debris.

·         Move all combustible materials away from the home which would include propane tanks, ammunition, and gas cans.

·         Close windows, doors, and crawl spaces.

·         Turn off your gas supply.

·         Take photos of each room in your house. This will help document the contents if replacement or repair is needed.

·         Remove insurance information including your agent and policy numbers.

·         Contact your insurance agent to confirm your home is insured to its current value (a 30 day waiting period might apply).

Buffalo Restoration encourages their clients to be prepared for the worst and hope for the best.  Buffalo has been the expert and leader in fire and water damage in the Gallatin Valley for the past 21 years. For more information about Buffalo Restoration, visit www.buffalorestoration.com.

 For the full article visit KBZK's website below.

http://www.kbzk.com/news/tips-to-prepare-your-family-and-home-for-fires/