Can you locate the water shut off at work?

8/8/2024 (Permalink)

Many workplaces always call's on the boss or the maintenance man when something goes wrong. What if they were home sick, or in a meeting and you need to locate the water shut off, where do you start? 

SERVPRO of Springfield can help commercial property in planning for a water, fire, storm damage. How, with a free Emergency Response Profile created by the SERVPRO Marketing Department. 

By having a plan of action and including it into your regular training at your office you can minimize the cost if an unplanned event happens like a frozen pipe, fire, or anything. 

Some property manager use this as a tool to keep everything organized in one central location. 

Is your business ready for a disaster. Even a simple pipe burst can cause a lot of damage and headache. With a SERVPRO® Emergency READY Profile it can have the critical information to minimize damages, provide the resources for the employee's of the company, and provide property details and information. This is a FREE services that we provide to commercial properties. 

Make an appointment today to get started!

If the unthinkable happens, call your local SERVPRO of Springfield Professionals at (717) 261-0310 seven days a week 24/7 to help you avoid the cost and hassle of secondary damages.  We will help make it "Like it never even happened."

When Storms Hit, We Are READY!!

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

Storm and flood damage require specialized restoration techniques and equipment. Lucky for you, the staff here at SERVPRO of Springfield and Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, Macoupin, Montgomery Counties have both! Since we are locally owned and operated and open 24/7, we can respond quickly which is key. A faster response can limit damage and save you in the long run. Let us make it "Like it never even happened." Contact us for any of your storm damage needs at 217-528-7775.

Water Damage?? What To Do Until SERVPRO Arrives

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

If you have a water damage from a clean source such as water supply lines, sink overflows, tub overflows, or appliance malfunctions, here are some things to do before SERVPRO professionals arrive:

• Shut off the source of the water.
• Turn off circuit breakers for wet areas of the building if the access 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 carpeting
• Remove to a safe, dry place any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors

SERVPRO of Springfield and Sangamon, Morgan, Cass, Macoupin, Montgomery Counties is available 24/7 and can be reached at 217-528-7775. 

Extinguishing Electrical Fires

8/1/2024 (Permalink)

During these cold months, we tend to use a lot more electricity while heating our homes. We use a lot more electricity lighting our homes. We spend more time inside our homes being entertained by our electronics. We do not think twice about flipping a switch or plugging something into an outlet. Electricity is a normal part of our day to day lives, therefore, we sometimes forget that it can be quite dangerous. The dangers of our daily electricity can harm us in the way of shocking or even electrocuting us, it can also cause a fire. Electrical fires need to be handled with extreme care and caution. Our number one concern is for your safety. Please do not try to extinguish a large fire that is out of control. Please be sure to have a fire escape plan for you and your family and immediately call 911. Things are replaceable, YOU ARE NOT. Stay safe and allow SERVPRO of Springfield to take care of you and your belongings.

IF AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTS

1. If the device that is causing the electrical fire is found, and you can reach the cord and outlet safely, unplug it. 
2. If the fire is small, you may put it out by smothering it with baking soda.
3. It may also be put out by removing the oxygen source with clothing or a heavy blanket if the fire is small and it is safe to do so.
4. Don’t use water to put it out. Water is a natural conductor of electricity and if you throw water on an electrical fire, you can get shocked or electrocuted. Also, water may enable fire to spread by conducting electricity throughout the room and potentially igniting flammable materials.
5. Check your fire extinguisher. Electrical fires are a class C fire, which means you will need an extinguisher that is appropriate for this type of fire. Most residential fire extinguishers are multi-purpose and labeled ABC, but it is crucial to verify this before using it on an electrical fire. 

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE ELECTRICAL FIRE

1. GET OUT. You and any family members need to leave as soon as you can to prevent injury or loss of life. Do not try to be a hero.
2. Close the door as you leave to contain the fire.
3. Call 911 as soon as you are at a safe distance from the fire. 
4. Do not re-enter your home until the fire has been contained by firefighters. 

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

SERVPRO is Here for YOU!

6/6/2023 (Permalink)

After a fire or water loss, you have so much to think about and deal with and we want to put your mind at ease. Our team is filled with experts who are trained to handle any loss, big or small. We work as a team to help you. 

Communication is key! We will gather information and truly listen to your needs and wants during this process. We want you to know you are as important to us as the next customer and we will treat you and your belongings with care. We will stay in constant communication with you as the job progresses and up until it is complete. We know that as long as we are all on the same page with expectations, we will all end up on the same team. 

Our goal is to make our customer comfortable and completely satisfied with the work we do for you. Our crews take great care in cleaning and restoring your belongings as though you were family. They will show you respect and they will also treat your home and belongings with respect. 

We understand when you have a loss, you are in need of help and guidance. SERVPRO of Springfield is the restoration company for you. We are experts in our field and understand the value of our customers. We know that once you have used our company, you will recommend us to your friends and family. We appreciate your business!

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

Sun, Fun, and Coworkers

6/4/2023 (Permalink)

Spring has finally arrived! The weather has finally turned nice and everyone is itching to get outside and enjoy it. Letting your employees outside for some team-building activities once and a while could be just what they need to shake off the COVID and winter energy that built up while stuck inside. But how do you get past the fact that the mere mention of team-building activities brings a groan from most? Luckily, Wrike.com has a great list of games and activities that will both take advantage of Spring weather and be enjoyed amongst your team;

• Water Cooler Trivia
• Scavenger Hunt
• Work Outdoors Day
• 3 Truths and a Lie
• The Human Knot Game
• Office Picnic Day
• The Egg Drop Challenge
• Blind Drawing Contests

Even those who prefer the indoors sometimes want a change of pace. The same is true for anyone else. Some time to have fun and enjoy the beautiful weather will boost everyone’s spirits and give the team time to become closer. Doing these or other small activities every now and then will help your team in so many ways. And in turn, your productivity might even go up. So consider going out with your team to enjoy the sun. It doesn’t always shine, but when it does it’s beautiful.

Source: https://www.wrike.com

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.

Ice Maker Tips to Help Prevent Water Leaks

6/3/2023 (Permalink)

Tornado Safety Tips

6/2/2023 (Permalink)

If you live in the midwest, you have most likely experienced a tornado in your general area. If you have not, consider yourself lucky. Here in central Illinois, we have had some major damage done to some of our cities that take months or years to recover. The last tornado in our area that caused extensive damage was in Taylorville in 2018. We are incredibly thankful we did not have any major injuries or deaths but we did experience some major structural damage to many homes, personal property, and businesses. SERVPRO was proud to be a leader in restoration during that time of need. Tornadoes are difficult to prepare for because many times we don’t have a lot of notice. What we can do is be prepared as possible ahead of time. We have put together some potentially life saving tips for you and your family to read over and take action.

• Have a Plan. If you have a basement, please use it. If you do not have a basement or lower level, go to an interior room with no windows or outside doors. Using a mattress to cover your head and body from debris is recommended, if you do not have a mattress, use a blanket, if that is not available, use your arms to protect your head from possible flying debris. It’s also recommended to have an emergency kit with enough supplies to provide for your family for 72 hours.
• Practice your Plan. Having a plan at home is great but if no one in your family is aware, it’s useless. Be sure to practice your plan using different times of day and while your family is in different areas of the home. Be sure they are aware of the safest areas of your home and the least safest. Explain to small children why it’s so important to be away from windows and doors and the importance of being face down and covering their heads because of flying debris.
• Talk with your children about their plan at school as well. Again, reiterate the importance of positioning. Communication and practice will help your child to feel more secure and confident in a time of crisis. 
• Do not bother with your windows. It’s been said to raise windows in order to equalize pressure in your home during a tornado. This is a myth. The fact is if there is a tornado over your home, it’s likely the windows will be blown out anyway so let’s make sure you are nowhere near them. Please do not bother with the windows at all and go straight to your safe room and take cover.
• Know the sounds and alerts. Make yourself and your family aware of what the tornado siren sounds like in your community. Watch your local news or listen to your local radio. They will likely be keeping you updated on locations and recommending actions to keep you and your family safe.

I have copied the definitions for both tornado warning and tornado watch directly from the National Weather Service website; weather.gov

• Tornado Watch: Be Prepared! Tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area. Review and discuss your emergency plans and check supplies and your safe room. Be ready to act quickly if a warning is issued or you suspect a tornado is approaching. Acting early helps to save lives! Watches are issued by the storm prediction center for counties where tornadoes may occur. The watch area is typically large, covering numerous counties or even states.
• Tornado Warning: Take Action! A tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. There is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If in a mobile home, a vehicle, or outdoors, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Warnings are issued by your local forecast office. Warnings typically encompass a much smaller area (around the size of a city or small county) that may be impacted by a tornado identified by a forecaster on radar or by a trained spotter/law enforcement who is watching the storm.
• If you are driving and can find a shelter inside a building, that is best. If there are absolutely no buildings in your area to seek shelter, you should look for the lowest possible land and lie on your stomach covering your head with your arms. If there is no low lying land, your last option would be to remain in your car with your seat belt on crouching as low as your can under the windows covering your head. Using a blanket or any material to cover your face and head to protect yourself from flying debris. Do not shelter under a bridge or overpass.

SERVPRO of Springfield, we are your restoration experts. We are Here to Help you and your family through any disaster.

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

Hoarding and Fire Safety with SERVPRO® of Springfield

6/1/2023 (Permalink)

Photo Credit: Newscom Hoarding is a major fire concern!

SERVPRO® of Springfield would like to remind the community that hoarding can cause a serious safety and fire risk. Hoarding is defined as collecting or keeping large amounts of various items in the home due to strong urges to save them or distress experienced when discarding them. Many rooms in the home are so filled with possessions that residents can no longer use the rooms as designed. The home is so overloaded with things that everyday living is compromised.

When a home is overwhelmed by hoarding, the home becomes unsafe. The large piles of personal belongings make it difficult to navigate around the home and can lead to injury. The piles can also block windows and doors making it difficult to get in and out of a home. Blocked doors and windows can prevent help from being able to enter the home. Fires can also start by having personal items too close to cooking or heating equipment. It takes only a small spark to ignite flammable items. Remember to always keep a clear 3 foot space around cooking and heating equipment.

Keep yourself and those you love safe and be aware of an escape plan for your home and ensure that all fire alarms are in proper working order.

If a fire damage does occur, call SERVPRO® of Springfield at 217-528-7775.

Source: www.nfpa.org

Happy Halloween from SERVPRO!

10/31/2022 (Permalink)

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.