Recent Posts
Hazardous Holidays: Thanksgiving
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
We know that the end of the year is some peoples' favorite time of the year. The family getting together is always something to look forward to! We also know that with Thanksgiving right around the corner people are starting to get ready for fried turkey. So, we'd like to share some safety tips and alternatives for everyone in order to keep people as safe as possible.
With frying a turkey, there are many possible risks to be aware of. Those risks include possible severe burns from hot oil splashing or spilling, the potential for the fryer itself to tip over, and the possibility of carbon monoxide poisoning if done in an enclosed space.
Safety Tips:
Choose the Right Location: Always fry your turkey outdoors, on a flat surface, and away from flammable materials like wooden decks or overhanging branches.
Use a Proper Fryer: Invest in a turkey fryer designed for outdoor use, and make sure it has safety features like a sturdy stand and a secure lid.
Pre-heat the Oil: Use a thermometer to monitor the oil temperature, keeping it between 350°F and 375°F. Avoid overheating, as this increases the risk of fire.
Dry the Turkey: Oil and water do not mix! Ensure the turkey is completely thawed and dry before lowering it into the oil to prevent dangerous splattering.
Have a Fire Extinguisher Ready: Keep a Class K fire extinguisher on hand to address any oil fires quickly.
Alternative Cooking Methods:
Roasting: Traditional oven roasting is a safe and effective way to cook a turkey, allowing for even cooking and a delicious, crispy skin.
Grilling: Cooking a turkey on a grill adds a smoky flavor and can be a fun outdoor alternative, though it requires careful temperature management.
Smoking: A smoker infuses the turkey with rich flavors while keeping it moist. This method takes longer but yields a tender, flavorful result.
Hazardous Holidays: Christmas
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
While Christmas lights bring joy and festivity to the holiday season, they also pose several dangers if not used properly. Overloading electrical circuits can lead to overheating and potential house fires, especially if multiple strings of lights are connected. Additionally, faulty or damaged wires can cause electric shocks or short circuits. With that being said, we're going to list some safety tips and alternatives for holiday decorating!
Safety Tips:
Inspect Lights Before Use: Check for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or any signs of damage before hanging lights.
Use LED Lights: Opt for LED lights, which consume less energy, produce less heat, and are less likely to overheat compared to traditional incandescent bulbs.
Follow Electrical Guidelines: Don’t overload circuits; follow manufacturer guidelines for how many strands can be safely connected.
Use Outdoor-Rated Lights: Ensure any lights used outside are specifically designed for outdoor use to withstand weather conditions.
Secure Cords Properly: Keep cords tucked away and secured to prevent tripping hazards and protect them from water exposure.
- Invest in Self Timing Lights: They might be more expensive, but they are definitely worth your safety and sanity. You should never leave your lights on overnight.
Alternative Lighting Options:
- Solar-Powered Lights: These eco-friendly options charge during the day and illuminate at night without needing electrical outlets.
Battery-Operated Lights: Perfect for indoor use, these lights eliminate the need for cords and can be used in creative ways.
Projector Lights: Use projectors to create festive displays without the need for traditional string lights, reducing fire risks.
Candles or Lanterns: For a cozy atmosphere, consider using flameless candles or battery-operated lanterns for safety.
By following these tips and exploring alternative options, you can enjoy a festive and safe holiday season!
Storm/Hurricane Safety
9/20/2024 (Permalink)
Being prepared is always the safest option.
Storm and hurricane preparedness is crucial for minimizing potential house damage and ensuring the safety of occupants. Additionally, it’s wise to review insurance policies to ensure coverage for flood and wind damage to your home.
We recommend having an emergency plan in place that is clear for each member of the household. An emergency plan for storms/hurricanes should include the following:
- Communication Plan: Designate a primary contact person and establish a method for checking in with family members during and after the storm.
- Emergency Kit: Assemble a kit with essentials such as water, non-perishable food, medications, flashlights, batteries, first-aid supplies, and important documents.
Evacuation Routes: Identify safe routes and nearby shelters, ensuring everyone knows where to go in case of evacuation.
Meeting Place: Establish a designated meeting location both near your home and further away in case of separation.
Pet Plan: Include arrangements for pets, such as food, carriers, and identification tags.
By covering these areas, families can enhance their readiness and safety during severe weather events.
Spring Cleaning Tips
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
Here's some tips you may not have heard!
OUTSIDE
1. Windows
Windows are one of the simplest yet crucial areas to clean. Beyond making sure you have squeaky clean windows, check to make sure they have tight seals. Small gaps in window seals can cause cool air to seep out (and warm air in the winter months), as well as allowing water to trickle in. Checking caulking and weather stripping remains intact and up to par can save you money in the long term.
2. Landscaping
This is very important for the presentation of your business. Now the grass, flowers, weeds and other plants are starting to grow, it’s important to start grooming your landscape. Don’t wait till your plants get out of control, hire someone now or take some time yourself to pull the weeds, mow the grass, and trim any trees or bushes. Additionally, this is a great time to plant some flowers if you want to spruce up your place of business.
3. AC/HVAC
When converting your buildings air flow system from heating to air conditioning now is the best time to quality check your system. Test your system by running it for a while to make sure it’s working properly, check any old or out of date parts that might need replacing. Clean out the ventilation system by removing dust particles and any other debris lying inside. Ventilation systems are rarely cleaned, which is why lots of building owners tend to find pest infestation or mold problems when cleaning their vents/ducts. It’s best to take these precautions while the temperature is in a transitioning period.
4. Pest Maintenance
Along with the rebirthed trees and plants, spring also brings back hordes of pests. Ants, spiders, termites, mosquitoes, and even bed bugs can become a problem. It’s best to take preventative measures to ward off pests instead of being forced to shut the business down for a couple weeks in order to fumigate for pests. Keep in mind your locale because different areas attract different pests, this will help inform you what to spray for. If you’re located near a ditch you’ll have more mosquitoes, among other pests, than a more urbanized area. Lastly, if you are continually having the same pest problems year after year, try to identify exterior factors that might be attracting those pests and any defects in your building that might be letting them in.
INSIDE
1. Dusting
Simple and effective. Even if you already dust on a regular basis now’s a good time to dust those harder to reach, and often ignored, areas.
2. Flooring/Carpets
As people come in from the rainy times and wipe their feet on your carpets, dirt begins to build up. Don’t let this grime buildup in your building; buy some strong cleaning products for your floors and a top quality vacuum for carpets. In addition to constantly maintaining floors and carpets, now is a great time to hire a professional carpet and floor cleaner to give your floors a deep clean.
3. Reorganization
Reorganizing comes in two parts. The first is the organizing of all the previous years files into a consolidated area for ease of access. Best practice is to do this at the beginning of every year so that your files are neatly organized and easy to find when needed. The second is the reorganization of the office itself. This is more to keep a clean and presentable workplace. Ideally this is a continuing process year round. If the office has gotten out of hand this can be a good time of year to tidy up the office and breathe some fresh air into the workplace.
Different businesses have different cleaning needs. For example, if you are in a retail business many of these basic cleanings, such as windows and organization, might already be factored into your weekly/monthly workflow. Although it never hurts to go over all areas to make sure everything is getting done properly and efficiently. So some other more industry specific actions that require priority over window cleaning. And if there is any deeper cleaning needs, like rug & carpet, please call today!
(205) 926-6010
DIY Can Get Out of Hand
3/7/2024 (Permalink)
Don’t Do It Yourself
We understand you want to save money, but taking the job upon yourself can cause more damage than it is worth. Don't be a “do-it-yourselfer”.
What Happens?
We had someone call about an extensive water leak in the roof. After they called around different businesses, they then decided to become a “do-it-yourselfer”. After a few hours on "Google" and "YouTube” they thought the job seemed simple enough. They then went to the expense to rent a carpet cleaner and buy a small dehumidifier. Thinking they fixed the problem themselves, they began to smell a musty odor. So they call SERVPRO of Brookhaven, McComb & Columbia to come deodorize the home, however our technicians wanted to find the location of the smell.
After pulling the baseboards and the corners of the carpet up, we noticed immediately the water and the mold starting. After the initial inspection was done we provided them with a full estimate to fix the damages. They were shocked at how much lower our estimate was from all the others they had received. Within hours we began our work, returning this family’s home to "like new" condition in only two weeks.
We care for helping our community, and our priority is doing the job right the first time. Check in on our social media to stay updated on water and mold tips.
Save yourself in the beginning— You call, we help. (205) 926-6010
Business Owners: Are You Aware?
2/21/2024 (Permalink)
Stay SERVPRO® Safe!
Damage? To My Business? I Think We'll Be Ok
Ok is not always guaranteed, unfortunately. We don’t want your business to have any type of damage, but the reality of it is that any damage that can affect a residential property can also affect your commercial building. It is a topic no one likes to think about, but is necessary to be knowledgeable about.
So What Can Happen?
Storm: Damage caused by strong winds and heavy rain which can remove roof tiles, break windows and more. Storm damages can be very devastating and can cause your business to be put on hold until it’s restored.
Water: This damage can be caused by burst pipes, floods, rain or a number of other things. In any case, this can then result in contaminated water affecting surfaces and furniture, in mold growing and in items being eroded. Electricity and water damage are particularly volatile when combined.
Fire: This type damage can come from a gas stove, faulty outlet or a cigarette that isn’t properly put out. In any case, this can then cause severe destruction to your property which requires cleaning and restoration services.
Mold: This is highly unhygienic as well as being unappealing to look at. Mold spreads quickly around properties as air-borne spores and remediation is very important to prevent it from getting out of hand. Mold grows in any kind of moist environment. Even that small leak under your office’s bathroom sink can eventually cause mold growth.
Don’t remain unaware of what can happen to your commercial building. If you have any uncertainties of a problem you may be having, don’t hesitate to call SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion & Selma at (205) 926-6010.
Keeping the Fam Holiday Safe
12/15/2023 (Permalink)
Avoid Fire Damage
House fires are downright traumatic. Our hearts go out to each family we've encountered through such unfortunate events. Our goal is to help you and your family get back to normalcy as quick as possible. But if we can prevent disasters from happening, then we will share what we know.
Fire Prevention Tips:
1. Smoke alarms: Test smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries annually. The faster someone's alerted, the quicker help is called.
2. Prepare children: Teach fire preparation to children, including the dangers of fire. Make sure they know the proper use of 911 for emergencies. Keep matches and lighters out of their reach.
3. Plan where to go: Create an escape plan and make sure everyone in the household is aware of it. Choose an outside meeting spot for all family members to gather upon escaping. Conduct practice drills twice a year.
4. Share contact information: Make sure all household members know who to contact in the event that they cannot find each other during a home fire.
5. Educate on proper techniques: Teach everyone in the household to stop, drop and roll in the event their clothes catch on fire.
6. Take action if you smoke: Smokers should take extra precautions, as many residential fire deaths are caused by smoking materials. Avoid smoking in bed, especially while sleepy or medicated. It is better to smoke outside.
7. Handle heaters: Portable heaters should be turned off when not in use. If your heater begins to smell bad, please turn off, investigate and possibley consider a new one. A component could be broken or debris is stuck inside.
8. Take care of candles: Candles should be extinguished when not in use, and never left unattended. Keep away from hanging decor and especially Christmas trees.
9. Store other sources of light: Speaking of candles, consider using flashlights during a power outage instead of candles.
10. Examine the home for other fire hazards: Check the electrical wiring and home heating sources to make sure they are safe
Mold FAQ's
12/5/2023 (Permalink)
What is mold?
Molds are fungi that can be found indoors and outdoors. There are thousands of different molds. Molds grow best in humid and warm conditions.
What molds are most common indoors?
- Cladosporium
- Penicillium
- Alternaria
- Aspergillus
Where can mold be found?
Molds can be found on any environment all year round. Indoors mold can be found where humidity levels are high such as basements or shower. Outdoors they can be found in shady damp areas where vegetation is decomposing.
What are recommendations?
- Keep low humidity levels. Moisture levels change throughout the day, so use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep the levels low, especially during warmer months.
- Have high ventilation throughout your home.
- Apply mold inhibitors to your paints before application.
- Clean your bathrooms with mold killing products.
- If possible, avoid having carpet in bathrooms or basements.
- Always remove or replace previously soaked carpets and clothe materials.
Our team is professionally trained, certified and has years of experience. If you're suspicious or have found evidence of mold, please give us a call so we can remediate safely.
Like it never even happen.
Backyard Fire Pit Safety
11/22/2023 (Permalink)
Cooler Weather is Here
Here in Centreville, AL its a tradition to enjoy the cooler nights outside around a homemade fire pit! Many of us are looking forward to spending time gathering around them to enjoy time with family and friends. Before you start dreaming of moonlit nights and toasted marshmallows, take a moment to check out some of these tips from Allstate to remember.
Tips & Tricks:
- Whether you prefer a built-in or portable fire pit, choose one that is not too large for the area. The pit should be a minimum of 10 feet away from any structures or combustible materials as well as away from trees, fences, sheds, power lines, and telephone wires.
- Make sure that the seating area is large enough and properly placed for comfort and ventilation.
- Check wind direction before lighting a fire.
- Don’t use flammable fluids (gasoline, lighter fluid, etc.) to light or relight fires.
- To start the fire, use a lighter to ignite crumpled pieces of paper covered with small sticks. Then, add larger sticks and a log or two to keep it burning.
- Burn only dry material. Damp material will create excess smoke.
- Don’t wear flammable clothing (like nylon) or any loose-fitting clothing.
- Never leave the fire unattended, and keep pets and children far away from the fire as they will be attracted to it.
- Keep a fire extinguisher, garden hose, or bucket of water nearby.
- As the fire dies down, use a shovel and spread out the ashes to allow them to cool down. Then slowly pour water over those ashes and watch them closely to be sure that no burning embers remain or reignite. Put the cooled ashes in a specially designated ash storage metal can.
How to Save More During an Emergency
11/6/2023 (Permalink)
Seconds Count
Emergency Ready Program is an immediate plan of action for when your business experiences any damage. As many as 50% of businesses close down following a disaster, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.
Pre-planning can serve as an insurance policy aimed at peace of mind. And knowing you are "Ready for whatever happens" speaks trust to your clients and employees that in the event your business is affected by a disaster, they don't necessarily have to be.
By developing a SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile for your business, you minimize business interruption by having an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key to timely mitigation and can help minimize how water and fire damage can affect your business.
Get Started!
STEP 1: Visit SERVPRO.com/ready. Register for an account using your email address as your username and choose a password.
STEP 2: Choose your preferred SERVPRO Franchise Representative to contact in the event your home or business experiences water, fire, mold or other type of damage.
STEP 3: Begin creating ERPs for all of your properties.
STEP 4: Download the SERVPRO Ready Plan Application on your iPhone, tablet, Android or Blackberry device from the respective App Store.
STEP 5: Launch the Ready Plan App and sign in using the same username and password from STEP 1.
At this point, it may take a few minutes for the data to sync. All of your ERP information will appear on your tablet or mobile device. You can now access and manage ERP information from your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Our SERVPRO of Centreville, Marion and Selma family is ready to help you in the most efficient way possible. Call today as our representative will help answer any ERP questions you may have.
(205) 926-6010
24/7 Emergency Service