Hurricane Irene: How You Can Help

Imagine 1200 homes like this all in one cove. This photo was taken by a member of our crew that is currently cleaning up the hurricane damage in the Outer Banks, NC. This is a reality for many home owners today. If you were one of the fortunate ones who is not currently focused on picking up the pieces of a damaged home, then perhaps it’s time to see what you can do to help.

Step 1: Call your local Red Cross chapter and ask to volunteer. Labor day is coming up, and what better way to use it? Bring the whole family along, as there’s something for everyone to do, including helping with care packages and blood donation drives.

Step 2: Donate blood. The blood supply was already low, but the recent disaster has further increased the need. This is one thing you can do that will directly save lives. How can you say no to that opportunity?

Step 3: Donate money. This is one of the fastest ways you can help hurricane victims. Here are some places to consider donating:

• American Red Cross —  Beginning a large scale relief operation to help people who were in the path of Hurricane Irene. Select “Disaster Relief” in the designated field.
• Americares — Has stocked crucial supplies should the need arise for an immediate emergency response. To designate your gift to US Disaster Relief, write “Hurricane Relief Fund” in the designation field.
• Direct Relief International — Hurricane Prep Packs pre-positioned at 39 total locations before hurricane season started in June, with 17 locations across four states in Irene’s path equipped to help people affected by the storm. To designate your gift, write “Emergency Preparedness & Response” in the designation field.
• Humane Society — The HSUS Animal Rescue Team is on the ground in North Carolina, Vermont and other hard hit areas responding where they are needed the most.
• K.I.D.S. — Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. (K.I.D.S.) is distributing clothes, shoes and home goods to needy children and families on the East Coast, in NJ & VT.
• Operation Blessing — Positioned to respond with emergency food, water and other relief supplies for impacted families. To designate your gift, write “Hurricane Relief” in the designation field.
• Salvation Army — Prepared in the case that Hurricane Irene makes landfall. The Florida Division is equipped with mobile kitchens, shower trailers, field kitchens, and equipment  To designate your gift, write “Disaster Services” in the designation field.

Tips on giving: Do give to an established charity, do designate your gift, don’t go through telemarketers, do research and follow up, and do give online.

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Content credit: KNCI, Network for Good, and Charity Navigator

Sandy Hayden

Happy Trails

As things are finally cooling off a bit, it’s time to take in the great outdoors we’ve been taking refuge from all summer. Whether that’s hiking and camping or just an afternoon picnic, remember these simple ways to ensure happy trails.

• Check the weather forecast before heading out for a hike. It’s not safe to hike when thunderstorms or heavy snowfall is expected.
• Carry drinking water. Streams, lakes, and springs are not the same as drinking fountains, so don’t drink from them without first properly treating the water.
• Observe wildlife… from a safe distance. It’s called wildlife for a reason, so don’t get too close to wild animals.
• Stay on the trail — leaving it could result in getting lost. I know you guys who are reading this thinking “getting lost is the adventure,” but staying lost, my friends, is a hazard.
• Help prevent food poisoning by keeping cold foods cold and hot foods hot. Perishable items do not belong in a hot car.
• Clean all surfaces and utensils that come in contact with raw meat or meat juices before using them again.
• Wash your hands frequently when preparing food and before serving and eating.
• Keep children away from grills and lighter fluid. Keep grills away from anything that can burn them.
• Be aware of tiny deer ticks. They could carry Lyme disease, so know what symptoms to watch out for! When in potentially infested area, apply insect repellant, wear light-colored, long sleeved shirts, pants, and socks.
• Do not build a fire near tree trunks, fallen trees, or over hanging branches. Always keep the flames at a size you can control.
• When it’s time extinguish a campfire, let the flames die down, then break up the coals or logs, spread the pieces, soak them with water, and cover the area with dirt or sand.

Photo credit: http://therepublicofless.files.wordpress.com/2010/08/camping-glow-night2.jpg

Content credit: http://www.ci.dupont.wa.us/files/library/9ed9c444fe7e45c0_o.pdf

Sandy Hayden

Back to School Safety

It’s that time again, and the kids aren’t the only ones with homework. Parents, it’s your turn. Don’t let autumn safety “fall” to the side. Instead, talk to your children about how they can be healthy and safe this school year.

1. Walk and ride to school safely by remaining aware. Obey traffic signals and lights, walk only on crosswalks, and listen to traffic guards (that means no headphones).
2. If your children bike to school, make sure they wear a helmet. My recommendation: reward safety with an awesome helmet.
3. If possible, walk with your child to and from the bus stop.
4. Keep backpacks light! Your kid’s backpack should only be 5-10% of his or her body weight, according to the American Chiropractic Association. A backpack with wheels is easy to use and most importantly reduces back stress. If your child chooses to use a backpack, utilize both straps. Wearing your pack on one shoulder can cause spinal curvature.

*Photo credit: http://www.prlog.org/10415746-attachment.jpg

*Content credit: http://www.ci.dupont.wa.us/files/library/9ed9c444fe7e45c0_o.pdf

Sandy Hayden

Fun Friday!

It’s our fourth Fun Friday today and it’s time for a little inspiration! Check out some ideas that will make an impact on your house and not your wallet. “Reduce, reuse,” my friends.

Wait before you throw those light bulbs out. For a romantic green house feel, try using them for hanging plants or vases.

On your next Saturday morning thrift trip, snatch yourself an old window for a great conversation piece as well as a handsome way to display photos or artwork. You can hang it on the wall or go a step further and make it a table surface. Get creative!

Wood needs a little help? Before shelling out for an expensive product, try shelling a walnut instead.

Wooden cable spool + wheels = brilliance.

Scrap wood? More like chic headboard. A touch of ingenuity (and paint) goes a long way.

Any other cheap n’ chic ideas? Submit them in the reply box below! Happy, happy Friday!

Credits: A Well Traveled Woman, Everyday Ebullience, Carrie Leber: the blog, Poppytalk, DIY Ideas, and Apartment Therapy.

Sandy Hayden

Talking Business: Damage Lingers Even When Smoke Clears

Let’s talk business. In the corporate world, office downtime can mean bad news for a company. Especially following a devastating fire, the days and weeks that a company’s doors are shut mean money lost that may not be recouped. In addition to the loss in productivity, it is not hard to imagine what could become of millions of dollars of computers and other office equipment, having been enveloped in smoke and doused in water.

Expensive electronic equipment is not the only thing damaged when exposed to water and smoke. Conference rooms, tables, chairs, carpeted floors, art, lamps and other employee possessions are among the many office components at risk for fire and water damage. In fact, a fire can and sometimes does mean an untimely end to a once successful business. These critical moments require immediate attention from specialists trained in fire and water restoration. Fast response time can be step one in the eventual recovery of a business.

When we get a call from a business owner who has experienced a fire, we know they are experiencing a whirlwind of fear, frustration and anxiety, which is why we get on site as fast as we can to assess the damage and get to work. SERVPRO is a nationally franchised professional fire and water cleanup and restoration company in Greater Columbia. We also provide professional pack-outs, relocating any damaged documents or equipment to a cleaner environment so they can be restored to preloss condition.

Restoration companies trained in this type of cleanup must also be familiar with the inner workings of the insurance industry. SERVPRO works with agents and adjusters to quickly settle claims and achieve high customer satisfaction. The work that we do to restore equipment and materials, as opposed to replacing them, saves the insurance industry a lot of money each year.

Few companies are able to efficiently get in there and clean electronics after a fire. We happen to be one of them. There are a series of steps we take to ensure that electronics and important documents are properly cleaned and restored. Of course, we can also professional clean the carpets and other saturated items. Chairs may not be expensive compared to computers, but if you have 100 chairs that are soaking wet, the cost of replacement can be quite high. When customers see our green trucks on site, they can rest assured that “green means clean.”

*Photo credit: http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/staticfiles/NGS/Shared/StaticFiles/Photography/Images/POD/p/pines-fire-blair-444449-xl.jpg

Sandy Hayden

Hurricane Jargon: Know the Terms

Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 38 MPH (33 knots) or less. Sustained winds are defined as one-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10 meters) above the surface.

Tropical Storm
An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 39–73 MPH (34–63 knots).

Hurricane
An intense tropical weather system of strong thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of 74 MPH (64 knots) or higher.

Storm Surge
A dome of water pushed onshore by hurricane and tropical storm winds. Storm surges can reach 25 feet high and be 50–1000 miles wide.

Storm Tide
A combination of storm surge and the normal tide (i.e., a 15-foot storm surge combined with a 2-foot normal high tide over the mean sea level created a 17-foot storm tide).

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Watch
Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are possible in the specified area, usually within 36 hours. Tune in to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or television for information.

Hurricane/Tropical Storm Warning
Hurricane/tropical storm conditions are expected in the specified area, usually within 24 hours.

Short Term Watches and Warnings
These warnings provide detailed information about specific hurricane threats, such as flash floods and tornadoes.

*Terms courtesy of http://www.fema.gov/

*Photo credits:

Caution: Contaminated Water

Any water damage in your facility is bad, especially when the water contains potentially harmful bacteria that can affect the health of occupants and the value of your prperty. Toilet overflows, sewage backups and other black water intrusions are more than nasty, smelly messes; these biohazardous damages also introduce harmful microorganisms into your building, as well as the moisture necessary to ensure their continued growth.

Sewage damage poses serious health risks to anyone exposed to the contaminated water. The danger arises from various harmful substances, including parasites, that can cause intestinal disease. Some common risks are hepatitis A, E-coli and Salmonella. This grossly unsanitary water is often referred to as “black water.” Building occupants should practice precautionary and safety measures at all times when dealing with the threat of black water.

A mop and common cleaning products may not be enough for black water intrusions. Your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional is trained to safely clean and restore your buliding utilizing the following procedures:

• Identify the source/type of water
• Measure temperature and humidity for drying analysis
• Survey the extent of damage and inspect the premises
• Perform emergency water extraction
• Move and block furniture
• Provide floor service
• Inspect carpet and padding
• Apply necessary treatments including disinfectants and deodorizers
• Utilize and monitor drying equipment
• Dispose of refuse

We understand how disruptive and dangerous contaminated water can be and offer 24-horu emergency response. Under normal circumstances, a trained, uniformed restoration technician arrives onsite within four hours of loss notification to begin emergency mitigation services.

By responding quickly with a full line of water cleanup and restoration services, your local SERVPRO Franchise Professional can help you regain control quickly through proper drying, deodorization and protection of your facility and contents. Abiding by OSHA guidelines and all applicable health regulations, we remove moisture, sewage and contaminants by disinfecting and deodorizing as we safely clean and dry your building and restore contents. Please remember to practice extreme caution when dealing with contaminated water.

*Photo credit to: http://peakwater.org/?p=5860

Sandy Hayden