Recent Posts

Happy Halloween from SERVPRO!

10/31/2022 (Permalink)

image_halloween Halloween

Happy Halloween from everyone here at SERVPRO of Springfield! We hope that your costumes are awesome and your candy stashes grow large. There’s no doubt that Halloween can be a source of fun and excitement for kids and adults alike. But even on this beloved holiday, it’s important to not only remain safe while out and about but also to try to be somewhat healthy as well. Luckily, Healthychildren.org has a list of safety tips and healthy pointers to help you get the most out of your Halloween celebrations;

  • If you’re going trick-or-treating at night, plan costumes that are bright and reflective so other people and cars will be able to see you easier
  • Give your child a good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating to dissuade them from eating too much candy
  • Make sure costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement, or contact with flame and contain adequate footwear for long periods of walking and running
  • Keep an eye on what your child has in their mouth at all times while out trick-or-treating
  • Consider approved and hypoallergenic makeup as opposed to masks to make sure you have a full range of vision
  • Try to ration treats for the days and weeks following Halloween to keep everyone from overeating on their Halloween treats
  • Avoid any sharp or long swords, canes, or sticks as a costume accessory as they can be hazardous to others if used inappropriately
  • Make sure you’re children know to never eat candy that is not properly sealed in a wrapper
  • Only go to homes with a porch light on because that is a common indicator that the people inside are participating
  • Inspect any baked or homemade goodies for contamination or allergens
  • Always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds even if they know the neighborhood well

Halloween is one of the most celebrated and enjoyed holidays on the calendar every year. But it can also be very dangerous for both adults and kids if they’re not well prepared for it. Just remember to stay safe when having fun and make sure others around you are doing it just the same.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Cleaning Up Your Virtual Inbox

10/4/2022 (Permalink)

image_emails Emails

Ever have one of those days when you open up your work email and find dozens of emails waiting for your response first thing in the morning? I know I have. Especially after a relaxing vacation. No one wants to go through all those emails every day and potentially overlook something important. That’s why it’s a good idea to have some kind of system for managing and organizing your emails so that you can cut through the clutter and get things done. The Verge has a list of helpful tips for keeping your inbox neat and tidy;

  • Don’t check all your emails as they come in
  • Know that you don’t have to answer all of them immediately
  • Create labels and folders in your inbox to keep certain topics separate
  • Make templates to speed up replies
  • Unsubscribe from unimportant websites and newsletters
  • Mute group emails that you don’t need
  • Don’t make your inbox your to-do list, have a separate list

With a few simple changes, you can streamline your emails and workload from a cluttered mess to a clear set of tasks. We all have a tendency to want to look at every new email that crosses our computers. And that can lead to distractions and tasks being started, but never finished. And at the same time, you have to check your email at least daily to make sure you’re not falling behind on your work. A healthy middle ground run by your priorities and your work is the best way to ensure that everything gets done on time and in the order it’s meant to. That way the next time you open your inbox doesn’t have to be a traumatic one.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Snacking in the Rain

10/3/2022 (Permalink)

image_rain snacks Rain Snacks

When the rain is pouring down outside, the traditional snack runs that we take with our family, like a trip to the ice cream shop or to get a snack from a food truck, are not as much fun. But if your family is simply dying to have a tasty treat while it’s raining, there are many creative at-home recipes that will please everyone in the family, and also make a fun activity in the preparation. Taste of Home.com has a list of creative snack ideas that any family will find absolutely delicious.

  • Rainbow Cake with Clouds
    • A bright Rainbow Jello Cake using a little whipped cream on the side to make fluffy clouds
  • Waffle-Iron Pizzas
    • Dough and your favorite toppings, or even breakfast fillings like ham and eggs, get cooked and pressed in the waffle iron to create delicious mini pizzas
  • S'mookies
    • Replace the gram cracker in a s'more with cookie dough and bake the whole thing
  • Frozen Banana Cereal Pops
    • Dip bananas in yogurt, roll 'em in cereal, then freeze
  • PBJ on a Stick
    • Take the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich on the go with skewers
  • Peanut Butter Chocolate Poke Cake
    • Chocolate cake combined with creamy peanut butter and topped with peanut butter-filled sandwich cookies and peanut butter cups
  • Hot Dog Roll-Ups
    • Cheese-and-bacon-filled hot dogs wrapped in a fluffy croissant 
  • Cereal & Milk Ice Cream Sandwiches
    • Sugary cereals and treats are all frozen together to make ice cream sandwiches
  • Pizza Monkey Bread
    • Tomato sauce, cheese, and any pizza toppings you want all wrapped up in a sweet monkey bread crust
  • Kiddie Crunch Mix
    • A no-bake snack mix is a delightful treat for kids, and you can easily increase the amount to fit your needs

With a little creativity and ingenuity, your family can have a good time cooking up some unique snacks that also happen to taste delicious. And most are snacks that you can create using the everyday grocery items that you probably have around your house. And you can even try inventing your own recipes. So give it a try the next time you’re stuck inside with the rain and see what delicious treats you can create.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Maintaining Fire Escapes

10/2/2022 (Permalink)

image_fire escapes Fire Escape

Fire escapes are one of the things we don’t really think about when we think about being prepared for a fire. Sure we’d use them in the event of an emergency, but what if we haven’t maintained them properly? If your fire escape isn’t well maintained, it could become just as hazardous to use as the fire. It is so important that the fire escapes in your home or business are well maintained so that they’re ready for you to use in the event of a catastrophic fire. Habitat has a list of things you should do in order to keep your fire escapes safe and usable;

  • Schedule annual maintenance inspections with an engineer
  • If something shows signs of wear, it may need a supporting angle or reinforcing plate welded to it
  • If the steel has badly deteriorated, the beams will need to be removed and replaced with new ones
  • All joints around penetrations should be caulked to keep water out
  • Loose steps, railings, platform slats, handrails, and other metal pieces should be bolted or welded
  • Before new paint is applied, all rust must be scraped off as well as any loose, blistering, peeling, or flaking paint

The last thing you want during a fire is one of your escape routes becoming unusable because it would collapse under the weight of the people fleeing the fire. It is vital to know the condition of your fire escapes and make sure they are up to code and safe to use. Because a fire won’t wait until you’ve fixed them to burn.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Power Washing Dangers

10/1/2022 (Permalink)

image_powerwash Powerwashing

During the summertime when warmer weather is all around, many people take extra time to enjoy the great outdoors. Because of this, you may notice the outside of your house for the first time in a long time. Or more specifically, the growing mold along the side of the house and the dirt-speckled concrete. This is where the power washing industry comes in. Many homeowners will hire a company or rent the equipment to power wash their houses and clean away the gunk. What many can sometimes forget is that power washing can cause real damage to your home if not done carefully. Pressure washers can spray water at a pressure of anywhere from 2800 to 4000 psi. That’s why it’s so important to know what types of damage to watch for while getting your house washed. WASHH Power Washing Experts have a list of damages that are common accidents when it comes to power washing;

  • Stripped paint
  • Shredded window screens
  • Loose and dented vinyl siding
  • Loose brickwork from cut mortar
  • Damaged seals on windows
  • Splintered or cracked wood
  • Algae, mold, and mildew growth from water build-up beneath the siding

When done correctly, power washing is a very effective way to clean the most stubborn gunk off your house and get it sparkling clean. But with that amount of pressure, it’s crucial to make sure that whoever is in control knows how to properly control the spray and clean the house. So the next time you notice mold creeping up your siding, go ahead and power wash. Just remember to do it responsibly.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Happy Labor Day from SERVPRO!

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

image_labors Labor Days

Happy Labor Day from everyone here at SERVPRO of Springfield! And a big thank you to all of the hardworking people that make our country one of the best in the world. To celebrate everyone who works hard every week, this day is meant to celebrate their contribution and give them a day off to rest and recover. Of course, even on a day off from work, it’s important that the celebration you plan is not only the best one for you, but is also safe for all involved. Safewise.com has a list of activity ideas and safety tips to help you get the most out of your Labor Day;

  • If you’re planning a road trip, have your car checked by a trusted mechanic before leaving, and make sure to pack a vehicle emergency kit, plan frequent stops, and divide driving duties with others in your group
  • If you choose to use fireworks be sure you take some precautions such as only lighting one at a time, never re-light a malfunctioning firework, and don’t use fireworks while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  • If you plan on consuming alcohol, set a limit on how much you will consume and make sure that you have a designated driver selected who will not be drinking.
  • If you decide to go boating, make sure the boat is in good condition and has all safety equipment including life preservers, and an emergency kit.
  • If you’re tackling outdoor chores instead, make sure any power tool’s cord is in good condition, be sure your extensions are designed for outdoor use, and only use a ladder when there’s someone else at home.
  • If you attend a picnic, barbeque, or a neighborhood pot-luck take steps to minimize the chance of cross-contamination and food-borne illness by washing your hands before and after you touch raw meat, refrigerating meat that’s waiting to hit the grill, and never leaving food that requires refrigeration (think potato salad, coleslaw, or chicken salad) out in the sun.
  • If you plan to spend time out in the sun swimming, biking, or doing some other outdoor activities, make sure you have plenty of water and regularly apply sunscreen.

Everyone has a different way of taking time off from their busy work lives. But any combination of them can make your Labor Day celebration one to remember and cherish. Just remember to stay safe when having fun and to thank the hardworking men and women who make this day and this country one to love.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

How the Heck do you Read a Weather Radar?

9/4/2022 (Permalink)

image_weather radar Weather Radar

The weather radar we see on the local weather forecasts can be confusing. You have to know the key colors, make sure you’re looking at the future forecast, and take it with a grain of salt because it could be wrong entirely. And if you’re watching it on your local news it can be even harder with the weatherman’s explanations playing at the same time. All this when all you really want to know is whether or not you need to bring an umbrella to work today or not. It’s much easier to know what’s coming if you can read the radar for yourself. The people at Outside magazine have some tips on how to read weather radar like a pro;

  • Look at more than just precipitation
  • Know what's going on inside a storm
  • Recognize the limits of radar
  • Get the best radar app for your area
  • Most color scales are simple rainbows, warmer colors indicate heavier precipitation
  • By using the Doppler effect to measure how fast and in which direction rain, hail, and snow are moving, it can accurately tell us the wind speed and direction of a storm
  • Velocity imagery is almost always displayed with red and green colors
  • You can spot rotation and a possible tornado in a thunderstorm by looking for strong winds blowing in different directions right next to each other
  • Bright colors all moving in one direction are a sign of damaging straight-line winds
  • Mountains are a significant barrier to radar use in the western United States

It’s no secret that weather is a very fluid event each and every day. One day you can be enjoying a warm and sunny day, and then the very next it can be windy with clouds and freezing cold temperatures. Sometimes both extremes can show up in a single day. And while weathermen do the best they can to predict, sometimes weather will do whatever it wants. So take some time to familiarize yourself with the symbols and colors on the weather radar so you can know whether or not to bring that umbrella today.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Keeping Toilet Water in the Bowl

9/3/2022 (Permalink)

image_unclog toilet Unclog the Toilet

The only thing worse than water damage is dirty water damage. And nothing exemplifies that more than when your toilet suddenly begins to overflow. And if you find yourself unprepared without a plunger, the problem can quickly become even worse and all over your bathroom floor. And in an emergency, you can’t afford the time to go out and buy a plunger. So you have to find some alternative to stopping the flow quickly. The Family Handyman magazine has provided a list of “plunger alternatives” that could be a real help to you if you find yourself in a sudden bathroom emergency;

  • Start with dish soap to help lubricate the clogged pipe and allow the lodged debris to slide down more easily
  • Adding hot water might move things along and dislodge the clog
  •  Unravel a wire coat hanger until it’s straight then push one end of the wire into the clogged area and provide the debris until it becomes free
  • Pour one cup baking soda and two cups vinegar into the toilet, then allow it to fizz for a half hour and try to flush again
  • Empty as much water from the bowl as you can, fill a large plastic bottle with warm water, place your thumb over the top of the bottle and fit the top end of the bottle into the outlet at the bottom of the toilet, remove your thumb and squeeze the bottle so the water inside shoots down the pipe to clear the clog

If this clog isn’t able to be cleared by any home remedies, even a plunger, call a plumber immediately to help. But a clog that bad is extremely rare. Additional actions you can take to try and prevent clogs come from regular cleaning, selective toilet paper use, and other small actions to avoid such a disaster. So if you ever find yourself without a plunger and in great need of one, try one of these simple remedies to help. And keep that certain water off your floor.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

How to Turn Off Your Fire Alarm

9/2/2022 (Permalink)

image_fire alarm Fire Alarm

There’s nothing quite like the feeling when your fire alarm goes off in the middle of the night when there’s no fire. And it’s even more of a pain when you can’t quite figure out why it is going off or how to fix it and turn it off. And when it’s the middle of the night, the last thing you want to do is stay up even longer trying to figure out how to fix it. To avoid this, Netatmo has a list of tricks you can try to get back your peace and quiet;

  • Check the batteries to see if they’re low
  • Read the manual that came with the smoke detector or fire alarm to see if there are any obvious installation or function issues
  • Reset the fire alarm by turning it off and on again
  • Clean the smoke detector or fire alarm, as a build-up of dirt, might be affecting its normal function
  • If your smoke detector/fire alarm turns out to be faulty, buy a new one as soon as possible

Whenever your fire alarm goes off, always make sure to check around the house for a source of fire or heat before tending to it. You’d never want to focus so much on the noise that you don’t take care of a real threat. But if you find that it’s just a false alarm, try one of these tricks to make it quiet again.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.

Make Your Presentation Pop

9/1/2022 (Permalink)

image_presentation Presentations

Giving a presentation to your peers is never easy. Even if you don’t suffer from stage fright in any way, you’re still tasked with creating a presentation that not only informs but also holds the attention of your audience over the full duration. It’s a lot to balance and because of the sheer volume of presentations out there, it can be hard to know what truly makes your presentation stand out from the crowd. Pareto Law has a list of tips that can make your presentation as eye-catching and interesting as you can.

  • Show passion
  • Start Strong
  • Smile and make eye contact
  • Be entertaining
  • Tell stories
  • Use your voice effectively
  • Body language
  • Arrive early
  • Get practice
  • Be professional and polite at all times

A presentation will probably never be the most ideal thing you have to prepare for in your life. And probably not the most fun either. But it doesn’t have to be a source of major anxiety every time you do one. So the next time you put one together, take a deep breath before you begin. With a little practice and creativity, your next presentation can be the best you’ve ever given.

As always, if disaster strikes, SERVPRO of Springfield and SERVPRO of Morgan, Cass, Macoupin & Montgomery Counties are always here for you. We can be reached 24/7 at 217-528-7775.