Archive for October, 2009
Smoke Restoration
Posted by: | CommentsTHE UNITED STATES HAS A FIRE problem. With an average of more than 1.6 million fires reported per year in this country alone between 1998 and 2007, the numbers tell a harrowing tale. An average of 3,695 Americans lost their lives and more than 19,000 were injured annually during that same time period as result of fires.
This issue of the Restoration Newsline is dedicated to raising awareness to the angers of fire. Inside this Newsline you ill find fire prevention tips, fire escape device and more information on how to prevent costly secondary smoke damage to your possessions should a fire strike your home or business. If a fire does damage your property or the property of a client, consider he following steps to help prevent additional damage until your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional arrives:
- Limit movement in damaged areas.
- Keep hands clean to prevent the
spread of soot and dirt particles. - Brush vacuum loose soot particles
from upholstery, drapes and carpet. - Change your HVAC filter.
- Tape double layers of cheesecloth over
your air registers.
The following are several tips that could potentially save your life or the life of a loved one should a fire break out in your home or business.Restoration Newsline .
Look for more fire escape planning tips in next month’s issue of the Install a smoke alarm on every level of your home.
- Test smoke alarm batteries every month and change them at least once a year.
- Consider installing a 10-year lithium battery-powered smoke alarm.
- Practice finding your way out of the house with your eyes closed, crawling or staying low and feeling your way out of the house.
- Remember to escape first, then notify the fire department.
In 2007, THE MOST RECENT YEAR statistics are available, 1,557,500 fires were reported in the United States. These blazes caused 3,430 deaths and 17,675 civilian injuries while costing more than $14.6 billion in damage. Though some fires are unavoidable acts of nature or unpredictable accidents, many fires in the home and workplace are avoidable. The following tips, courtesy of the National Fire Protection Association, can help reduce the likelihood of a fire in your business or home.
10 Key Fire Safety Tips
- Watch your cooking: Stay in the kitchen if you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Never allow young children around the stove or oven, especially if they are not closely attended.
- Give space heaters space: Keep space heaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
- Smoke outside: If you must smoke inside, have a sturdy, deep ashtray. Never smoke in bed.
- Keep matches and lighters out of reach: Keep matches and lighters in high cabinets, preferably under a child lock.
- Inspect electrical cords: Replace cords that are cracked, damaged, have broken plugs or have loose connections.
- Be careful when using candles: Keep candles at least one foot from anything that can burn. Blow them out before you leave the room or go to sleep.
- Have a fire escape plan: Make a fire escape plan and practice it at least twice a year.
- Install smoke alarms: Install alarms on every level of your office or home and inside bedrooms. Interconnect nthem so they all sound at once.
- Test smoke alarms: Test alarms once per month. Replace batteries once per year or as needed.
- Install sprinklers: Sprinklers can help maintain and sometimes even extinguish fires, giving your local fire department a better chance of saving your property.
Water Damage
Posted by: | CommentsWHEN A NATURAL DISASTER threatens a community, it is often too late to take the necessary steps to prepare homes, businesses and family members for the situation. Whether it’s a blizzard, flood damage, water damage from a hurricane or wildfire, disasters of all types often give little to no warning before they strike.
That’s why the Department of Homeland Security sponsors the Ready Campaign and recognizes National Preparedness Month (NPM) this time each year. As a coalition member of NPM, your local SERVPRO® Franchise Professional wants you to be prepared should a man-made or natural disaster strike your local area.
In this edition of the Newsline you will find:
- An Emergency Supply Checklist.
- A message from Rebecca Marquis,
- Acting Director of the Ready Campaign.
- Emergency Contact Cards.
- Directions on how to find more
information on preparedness.
You can enable your business to be its best by getting yourself and your customers ready for Mother Nature’s worst.
Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:
- Water, one gallon per person per day
- Food, non-perishable
- Infant formula and diapers
- Pet supplies
- Manual can opener
- Battery operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries
- Flashlight and extra batteries
- First aid kit
- Bedding
- Clothing
- Dust masks or bandanna
- Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and
duct tape - Wrench or pliers
- Local maps
- Hygiene items
- Important documents such as
copies of insurance policies,
identification and bank account
information - Cash
- Fire Extinguisher
- Matches in a waterproof container
YOU MAY THINK YOU HAVE ENOUGH supplies in your pantry to make it through an emergency, but if you have to evacuate,do you have a to-go emergency kit that is easy to grab at a moment’s notice? If an emergency occurs, you might assume you can simply call your spouse or children to see if they’re okay, but what if the phone lines are jammed with others doing the exact same thing? When it comes to you and your loved ones, is having a plan that’s “good enough” good enough?
The Ready Campaign and Citizen Corps encourage you to take a few extra minutes this month to plan for any emergency. September is National Preparedness Month (NPM) and a good reminder that we all have a responsibility to protect ourselves, our families and our communities. Emergencies will happen, but taking action now can help us minimize the impact they will have on our lives.
This year, NPM focuses on changing perceptions about emergency preparedness and helping Americans understand what it truly means to be Ready. Preparedness goes beyond fire alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks and extra food in the pantry. Being Ready includes: getting an Emergency Supply Kit; making a Family Emergency Plan; being informed about emergencies and their appropriate responses; and getting involved in community efforts such as Citizen Corps.
Throughout September, activities and events will take place across this country to highlight the importance of emergency preparedness and promote individual involvement, such as first aid trainings,town hall meetings and much more.
For more information on NPM or for help getting your family, business or community prepared, visit www.ready.gov, www.listo.gov or www.citizencorps.gov, where you’ll find free preparedness resources such as Family Emergency Plan templates,Emergency Supply Kit Checklists, and much more, or call 1-800-BE-READY. The Ready Web site also has special sections for kids (Ready Kids) and small- to medium-sized businesses (Ready Business).
