Fire Emergency Planning

3/28/2022 (Permalink)

Knowing your locations of exits and evacuation routes can be immensely helpful during a fire emergency.

Is Your Exit Plan In Place?

Every second counts during a fire. In a matter of moments, a small flame can turn into a major fire, making it critical to be prepared by having an escape plan in place. A survey conducted by the American Red Cross shows only 6 percent of families have developed and practiced a home fire escape plan. Once a plan is developed, it is critical everyone in the home understands the plan; the best way to do this is by practicing the escape plan at least twice a year. The following are a few suggestions to help you develop an emergency plan for your family.

Draw a map of each level of your home and show all doors and windows. Find two ways to get out of each room. Make sure all doors and windows that lead outside open easily.

Consider escape ladders for sleeping areas on the second and third floor. Only purchase collapsible escape ladders evaluated by a recognized testing laboratory. Store them near the window where they will be used.

Choose an outside meeting place a safe distance in front of your home where everyone can meet after they've escaped. Make sure to mark the location of the meeting place on your escape plan.

Teach children how to escape on their own in case you cannot help them.

Plan for everyone in your home with special considerations for elderly or disabled individuals.

Practice your fire escape plan at night and during the daytime.

Escape Planning for Your Business

Although an emergency escape plan is not required for all businesses. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends building an emergency action plan to protect yourself, your employers, and your business during an emergency situation. OSHA suggests the following steps when developing such a plan.

Organize an emergency preparedness procedures review with employees to review your company's emergency plans. you may wish to select an individual or team of individuals to lead and coordinate your emergency plan.

Once a plan is developed, post evacuation procedures, including routes and exits, where they are easily accessible to all employees. Ensure all exits and routes are clearly marked and well lit, wide enough to accommodate the number of evacuation personnel, and unobstructed and clear of debris at all times.

Conduct office evacuation exercises and drills. Designate a safe spot outside of the facility where employees can regroup, recover and conduct a head county. Once completed, evaluate how well the plan worked and if additional training or exercises are needed.

Storm Safety Tips

3/21/2022 (Permalink)

As we head into storm season, make sure to start taking precautions that can help keep you and your home safe!

We're on the verge of entering storm season, and storms are picking up increasingly in rate. With that in mind, here are some tips that can help you prepare yourself and your home for what's to come.

STORM SAFETY TIPS

• REMOVE ANY DEBRIS OR POTENTIAL HAZARDS. If you have trees around your house, pick up discarded branches to prevent them from becoming tools of destruction in a powerful wind. Also make sure to batten down any trash bins or anything that could be knocked over.
• BRING IN ALL PETS AND STAY INDOORS IF POSSIBLE. Thunderstorms mean lightning, and no one wants to be caught outside in the event of lightning in the area. Make sure to bring pets into the house, and also make sure to minimize your time spent outside if possible.
• FIX PROBLEM AREAS. Make sure your gutters are cleared out regularly to prevent water buildup that could damage your home. Keeping the seals on windows and doors is also key to making sure you minimize any issues a storm could bring.

In the event that damage does occur, don't hesitate to call on our SERVPRO of Mesquite team to assist you. We're always here to help, no matter the weather!

No Storm Too Big!

3/14/2022 (Permalink)

When storms happen in rapid succession, it can create storm or flood damage. SERVPRO of Mesquite is ready to help in these situations!

With all the rain we've been having lately, it creates precedence for storm or flood damage. SERVPRO of Mesquite specializes in storm and flood damage restoration. Our crews are highly trained and have the restoration experience and specialized equipment to restore your Mesquite home or business back to pre-damaged condition.

Faster Response

Since we are locally owned and operated, we are able to respond quicker with the right resources, which is extremely important. A fast response lessens the damage, limits further damage, and reduces the restoration cost.

Resources to Handle Floods and Storms

When storms hit the Mesquite area, we can scale our resources to handle a large storm or flooding disaster. We can access equipment and personnel from a network of 1,700 Franchises across the country and elite Disaster Recovery Teams http://www.SERVPROmesquite.com/disaster-recovery that are strategically located throughout the United States.

Have Storm or Flood Damage? Call SERVPRO of Mesquite today for a free inspection and estimate.  (972) 329-4747

Spring Cleaning Season

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Spring cleaning is always a good way to rid your home or business of dust, pollen, and other contaminants!

It's that time of year again. Mother Nature has sprung back to life, along with all the blessings and curses that come with the season.

The pollen count has spiked and allergies are in full swing. Sometimes your only escape from the runny nose and congested head is to head for the great indoors.

Of course, in many homes across the country, the air-conditioned refuge just doesn't provide the refuge you seek from the sniffles. What in the world id going on? It could be your home is in need of a thorough spring cleaning. Modern homes are often so well built that they are nearly air-tight. This helps keep warmth and air conditioning inside during the proper seasons, but it can also allow contaminants- such as dust and old mold particles- to build up to potentially irritating, or even unhealthy, levels.

Check out the following tips on spring cleaning, and consider giving your home a good scrub-down in the coming weeks.

Spring Cleaning Tips

• Always start from the top.- AS you clean higher-up items, like ceiling fan blades and top shelves on bookcases, you'll knock dust down to a lower level. You don't want to re-soil an area you already cleaned.
• Stay focused on task at hand.- When cleaning out a closet or drawer, it's easy to get drawn in by old photo albums and keepsakes. Set aside time for the fond memories later- You're on a mission!
• Don't be a pack rat.- You don't want to throw away precious keepsakes, but try to limit the junk laying around the house. If you haven't used it in a year or two, throw it out- or better yet- sell it in a garage sale!

Of course, if spring cleaning isn't your cup of tea, just give SERVPRO of Mesquite a call. With professional work and a knack for nooks and crannies, we'll have your home sparkling in no time!

Water Damage Restoration: Our Steps

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

After an inspection of the damage, we employ the use of many different tools to make the cleanup go smoothly.

The first 24 hours following a water loss are the most important in preventing secondary or permanent damage. Within four hours of loss notification, A SERVPRO of Mesquite technician will be on-site to help ensure a water damage is handled by completing the following steps.

INSPECTION

SERVPRO of Mesquite technicians will inspect affected areas to determine the extent of water damage and will review the inspection with you to answer any questions before beginning any work.

EMERGENCY SERVICES

SERVPRO of Mesquite professionals will take steps to help protect your home or business, as well as personal belongings and other contents, from further damage by extracting the excess water and preparing the area for drying. They will explain the needed emergency services to you step-by-step.

MONITORING

To help ensure your home your home or business and belongings are dried to appropriate industry standards , a SERVPRO technician will monitor the drying process. The updates will be consistently communicated to you.

RESTORATION SERVICES 

SERVPRO of Mesquite professional technicians will repair structural materials, reinstall carpets, and clean affected areas of your property and belongings. A final walk-through of the job-site will be conducted with you to help ensure the property was returned to preloss condition. 

The Do's and Don'ts of Water Damage

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Knowing what/what not to do when you have water damage can be a big difference in keeping you and your home or business safe.

When you are dealing with water damage, immediate action is crucial. A delay of just a few hours can greatly increase the severity of the water damage. Below are a list of things you should and shouldn't do until help arrives!  

DO

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock.
• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removing lamps and tabletop items. 
• Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying.
• place Aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet.
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wooden clothespin to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs an leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.

DON'T

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines, or other colored items on wet carpets or floors to cause straining.
• Leave Oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet or enter rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

 http://www.SERVPROmesquite.com/water-damage-restoration

Keeping Your Property Safe in a Storm

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Weather can be unpredictable, so having a plan in place can make a huge difference.

Severe weather can happen at any time, anywhere. Being prepared to act quickly is very important when it comes to staying safe during a weather event. Below are tips to help you be prepared for a storm.

Know Your Risk

• The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business an your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

Take Action

• Take the next step in sever weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place.

Be an Example

• Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook or Twitter. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same.

http://www.SERVPROmesquite.com/storm-flooding-restoration

Smoke Alarm Upkeep

3/4/2022 (Permalink)

Having a working smoke alarm can be a huge boost to fire safety in the home or business!

Smoke alarms play a vital role in saving lives, and when properly installed, can reduce the risk of fire injury in half. 

The National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke alarms be installed in every bedroom, outside all sleeping quarters and on every level of the house. Business owners should consult the local Fire Marshall to ensure specific building fire codes and smoke detector requirements are met.

Smoke alarms work best when paired with a fire escape plan. A plan allows your family, employees or clients to escape quickly and safely in an emergency situation.

Review the following tips regarding smoke detectors installation and maintenance. For more on emergency preparedness contact SERVPRO of Mesquite.

• Install smoke alarms on every level of the home, including the basement.
• Smoke alarms should be installed away from the kitchen to prevent false alarms. Generally, they should be at least 10 feet from a cooking appliance.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Replace batteries in all smoke alarms at least once a year. If an alarm "chirps," the battery is low and should be replaced right away.
• Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old.

Storm Preparedness

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Storms can be unpredictable, so having a plan in place can always help!

When a storm is headed your way, what can you do to help protect yourself, your business and your home from severe weather? Knowing the difference between a storm watch and a storm warning will help you know when to seek shelter. By taking a few simple precautions as storm season approaches, you can help minimize the potential for storm-related property damage; however if your home or business does sustain damage, it is important to know where to turn for prompt, professional help.

Although violent storms can strike at anytime, the spring and summer months typically mark an increase in the threat of sudden, severe storms that sometimes include wind, rain, lightning and even hail.

Authorities issue a storm 'watch' when the potential for severe weather exists. A storm 'warning' will be issued when danger from a severe storm in imminent. The following tips will help prepare you to better protect yourself and your property when a storm is on the horizon.

• Put a communication plan in place and prepare an emergency supply kit, including a battery-powered NOAA Weather radio.
• Postpone outdoor activities; secure outdoor objects that could become airborne.
• Don't use corded phones or any appliances that are "plugged in". Use cell or cordless phone instead.
• Seek shelter in a home, building or hard top automobile. The steel frame of a vehicle- not the rubber tires - can help protect you from a lightning strike if you avoid touching metal or other conductive surfaces.
• Avoid windows and doors, don't lie on concrete floors or lean  on concrete walls, and stay off of porches.
• If you are outside when a storm hits, seek shelter in a sturdy building. Avoid small, isolated structures in open areas steer clear of hilltops, open fields, the beach or a boat on the water.

After The Storm

• Avoid storm-damaged areas. Stay away from downed power lines and never try to drive through a flooded roadway.
• Replenish your emergency supplies and repair property damage promptly, before the next storm strikes. 

SERVPRO Of Mesquite can help you establish an Emergency Ready Profile to expedite help and recovery in an emergency situation. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, SERVPRO Of Mesquite quick response time helps limit secondary damage. If your property sustains damage from wind, water or fire, call SERVPRO of Mesquite to help make it "Like it never even happened." (972) 329-4747

SERVPRO's Fire Restoration Plan

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Fire damage like this is easily solved through SERVPRO's fire restoration services.

Mitigation requires quick action. The faster a SERVPRO of Mesquite professional arrives on-site to perform fire. smoke, and soot cleanup and restoration, the better the results- including lower claim costs. Within four hours of a loss notification, A SERVPRO of Mesquite professional will be on-site to help ensure a fire damage is handled properly by utilizing the following services:

Structural Cleaning 

After a smoke or fire damage, ceilings, walls, woodwork, carpeting, and floors will often need a thorough cleaning. A SERVPRO of Mesquite professional will pretest to determine the extent of damage, then use the specific equipment and cleaning products required to clean and protect the different types of surfaces found within the structure. 

Contents Cleaning

All of the restorable contents in the affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized. This includes area rugs, furniture, draperies, and upholstery. SERVPRO of Mesquite professionals can provide wet or dry cleaning services. Additionally, all of the other restorable contents will be cleaned and deodorized to pre loss condition. This includes electronics, art, wood furniture, kitchen items, clothing, bedding, and much more. Our SERVPRO employees can provide an inventory list of all "to be claimed" items for agents and their policy holders. 

Deodorization 

SERVPRO of Mesquite professionals provide specialized services that rid your home or place of business of offensive odors left behind by fire or smoke damage. SERVPRO does not merely cover up lingering odors with a fragrance; they seek out the sources of the odor and remove them.