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Emergency Kit Tips

2/28/2024 (Permalink)

Emergency Survival Kit Example of an Emergency Survival Kit

Thunderstorm Safety

Knowing the risk factors associated with thunderstorms is crucial for everyone's safety. SERVPRO understands that these storms can strike at any time of the year and at any hour. Subscribing to your community's warning system, such as the Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio, ensures you receive timely emergency alerts to prepare adequately. Early notice is paramount in allowing individuals to take necessary precautions and seek shelter before the storm's arrival, significantly reducing the risk of harm or damage.

Protect Your Home

To fortify your home against the potential damage caused by thunderstorms, take proactive measures. Given that nearly 48% of Atlanta is enveloped by tree canopy, it's imperative to assess the trees surrounding your home and business and address any issues before the next significant storm strikes. This includes assessing and trimming trees that could pose a threat of falling onto your property during strong winds. Additionally, investing in surge protectors, lightning rods, or a comprehensive lightning protection system can safeguard your home, appliances, and electronic devices from the destructive power of lightning strikes.

Emergency Plan

Developing a comprehensive emergency plan is essential for protecting yourself and your loved ones during thunderstorms. This plan should outline what actions to take, where to seek shelter, and what supplies are necessary to mitigate the storm's impact. Identify sturdy buildings nearby your residence, workplace, school, and recreational areas to ensure quick access to safe shelters when thunderstorms strike. In addition to creating a thorough emergency plan, it's crucial to educate children and the elderly about the procedures and safety measures to follow during thunderstorms. Encourage open discussions about the risks associated with severe weather and teach them how to recognize warning signs. Practice evacuation drills and ensure they understand the importance of seeking shelter in sturdy buildings during storms for their safety and well-being.

The Importance of an Emergency Kit

Building an emergency kit for your home or office is a prudent step to take, especially in scenarios where you might be stuck in the building for several days without access to electricity or water. Having such a kit readily available can provide peace of mind and essential resources during unexpected emergencies. A well-equipped emergency kit not only ensures immediate needs are met but also helps keep your family safe and secure until emergency services can arrive to provide further assistance and support.

Building Your Emergency Kit

Certainly, ensuring your emergency kits contain an adequate supply of water and non-perishable foods is essential. It's important to remember that each individual in your group will require approximately 1 gallon per person per day to meet hydration and sanitation needs. However, aside from these essentials, there are several other items that may prove invaluable in the aftermath of a storm.

Emergency Kit Supplies

  • Garbage Bags
  • Sanitizing Wipes
  • Can Opener
  • A Pair of Pliers
  • First Aid Kit
  • Cell Phone
  • Cell Phone Chargers
  • Flash Light
  • Battery Powered or Hand Crank Radio
  • Batteries-Always a must in an EK for flashlight and other electronics
  • Whistle-Jack and Rose used one…
  • Prescription meds
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Any food or care for your babies or pets
  • Some Cash
  • Sleeping Bags
  • Last but not Least-something to do: Games, puzzles, kid’s activities

We are committed to helping your family or business after emergencies happen.

Water Damage and Your Appliances | SERVPRO of Bartow County

5/3/2023 (Permalink)

leaking hot water heater Even a small leak from your water heater can cause big problems. Don't ignore the signs of water damage and call SERVPRO of Bartow County.

You may not think about it, but you rely on water for almost every household task every single day! Throwing in a load of laundry, running the dishwasher, cooking dinner and even chilling your afternoon drink with ice all require water. We are thankful to have appliances to help us with these tasks, but they also are all at risk of causing water damage in your home.

Water damage problems can happen at any point, but it can be particularly challenging when it occurs due to an appliance malfunction.

By staying attentive and learning what to look for, you can stop a small water problem before it becomes a big issue.

Helpful Maintenance Tasks

The most reliable way to prevent water damage is to look for signs of unwanted water often. Checking for moisture around appliances and looking for water spots can help catch an issue quickly.

It can be obvious if the water or puddle is right in front of your eyes, but it can be hard to catch if it is happening under your appliances. Investigate any suspicious water drops or a soft spot in your floor right away, and pull your appliances away from the wall often to check behind them. Mold and water spots are an indication of a water leak somewhere.

Your entire HVAC unit also needs some regular attention. Check around the vents for moisture and keep an eye out for puddles around the main unit. These are both indications of an emerging problem that could lead to water damage and mold growth throughout your home.

Don’t leave out your water heater! This large appliance has a vital role in your home, so keeping up with routine maintenance on it ensures your showers stay hot and your home stays dry.

Long-Term Plans

Being proactive against any emerging water troubles can help prevent extensive damages. In addition, you should also have your appliances maintained and serviced regularly according to the manufacturer guidelines. Sometimes a professional is needed, but you can handle simple repairs on your own.

Things like replacing parts on your fridge, washing machine and dishwasher can reduce your risk of a malfunction. Swapping out seals, tubes and pipelines helps avoid wear and tear and potential water damage.

When you head to the hardware store, choose reliable parts from brands you trust, and consider completely replacing your appliances every 10 to 15 years. This ensures you always have the safest and most efficient products in your house.

Even though an appliance leak may seem like a small problem, it can eventually become a big one if it isn’t corrected quickly. Keep your home safe and dry by staying on top of your maintenance routine!

Have water damage in your home from an appliance or another source? Our team is here to help, so call us day or night.

Teaching Fire Safety to Your Staff | SERVPRO of Bartow County

4/10/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”extinguisher” alt = "two fire extinguisher hanging on a tan interior wall” > Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? SERVPRO of Bartow County is your local restoration expert.

As business owners or commercial property owners, having plans in place for emergencies are vital. If you don’t, it can create a chaotic situation quickly and put your employees at risk. This is especially true for fires in the workplace!

Teaching the fundamentals of fire safety can help your team better understand how to react in an emergency situation. It can also keep them safe if a potential disaster can be stopped before it spreads.

Check out our latest blog below about how to teach fire safety and fire extinguisher use to your staff.

Teaching the Basics

According to OSHA, all businesses that have a fire extinguisher on the premises needs to train their employees on its use. Not only that, but they need to have the knowledge of when to use one and what different fire extinguishers are used for.

Teaching your employees how to hold a fire extinguisher is the first step! Explain how to aim and how to pull the pin. Once they get the hang of that, have them practice sweeping over the flames and standing at a safe distance of at least six feet away.

Another helpful way to teach fire extinguisher safety is to introduce the acronym PASS. In an emergency situation, it can help your employees focus on the steps and stay in control. This training should be done at least once a year, and even more often as you hire employees.

After your team understands the basics, you should also assign critical roles to trusted members of your staff. Having a designated person to call 911 and others to grab the extinguishers and fight the fire can help keep a situation from escalating and can keep everyone safe.

Explain When to Seek Safety

All fire situations are unique, and each business carries its own risk. No matter if your business is in downtown Cartersville along Cherokee Ave. or on the outskirts of town near Rydal, you need to have a plan in place for tackling different scenarios. Simple fires in the break room require a different response than a full warehouse fire or chemical spill.

If the fire grows or becomes an unsafe situation, ensure your staff know that their safety is the most important thing. Backing away and seeking a safe exit should always be an option for your team.

When it comes to emergency preparation, even a little training can go a long way. Teach these skills to your employees and you can rest assured that your business is in good hands, even when you are not there yourself.

Dealing with the aftermath of a commercial fire? Our SERVPRO specialists can restore your losses and return your workplace to its pre-fire condition.

Weather-Related Water Damage Could Ruin Your Acworth Home | SERVPRO of Bartow County

4/7/2023 (Permalink)

Water raining into home gutter system If your Acworth home suffers water damage call SERVPRO of Bartow County...we can help restore your property to preloss condition. Here to help 24/7!

Spring is just about here, and we welcome a change in the weather. Before the sun comes out, though, we may have to contend with the earlier spring phases, which bring with
them unpredictable weather hazards.

Spring in Acworth can bring a mix of clear skies and dangerous weather threats. You never know what to expect when spring arrives, so it’s vital to prepare your home for bad weather ahead of time to prevent expensive water damage and protect yourself from the unexpected.

You know what they say—April showers bring May flowers, so by being patient and taking precautions, you can avoid damage and weather the spring threats until the weather gets better.

Intense Rains

Heavy rain is a common cause of water damage in the spring, but even a light drizzle can cause damage if your home is not properly prepared. Water can leak in from your roof, windows and doors for a variety of reasons.

It is critical to ensure that these areas, as well as any other areas with gaps, are properly caulked so that no water leaks in when the rain begins to fall. You should also check your gutters and downspouts to ensure there is no debris trapped inside to keep water from flowing away from your property.

Dangerous Floodwaters

Floods may not be as prevalent in Acworth as rain, but when they occur, they can leave behind widespread destruction. Overflowing river banks or a buildup of heavy rain can send floodwater flowing throughout the Acworth area.

It can be difficult to predict when floods will occur and even more difficult to prevent the damage they cause, but you can prepare as much as possible by researching your local flood risk and protecting your home accordingly.

Heavy Winds Blowing In

Dangerous winds may not directly cause water damage, but they can cause significant damage to your roof. A weakened and compromised roof can exacerbate leaks and allow rainwater to enter your home.

Inspect your roof following any severe storms and, ideally, before the spring season arrives. Be sure to check for any misplaced shingles and have them repaired and search for any active leaks so they won’t worsen when the spring showers roll in.

A few other precautions you can take to ensure your roof is ready to take on the spring season include trimming any nearby branches, opening your attic vents to allow moisture to exit and caulking up any cracks as soon as you notice them.

These spring safeguards are a simple way to avoid expensive chaos when the wet weather starts to pick up in Acworth. Prepare your home ahead of time and enjoy the spring flowers once they begin to bloom!

SERVPRO can repair water damage brought on by severe weather as soon as you call! Our local team can be on the scene to handle the destruction before it escalates.

It’s Time to Reevaluate Your Bartow County Weather Strategy | SERVPRO of Bartow County

4/7/2023 (Permalink)

office meeting on weather strategy You business can plan for success and be prepared for the worst with SERVPRO on your side.

When severe weather strikes, it has a tendency to affect entire communities, with businesses bearing the brunt of the damage. Weather damage of any kind can be difficult to recover from, but business owners and their teams suffer the most when time and money are spent repairing what has been lost.

It may appear pointless to plan for these unavoidable disasters, but preparing your commercial building and your hardworking team inside may just be what keeps your Acworth business afloat after a severe weather event.

Acworth weather can be a lot less intimidating to face head-on when you know what’s coming and have an effective response plan in place. Use these tips to secure your commercial building and prepare your team for the unexpected:

Understand Your Risk

You shouldn’t begin drafting your weather plan until you are aware of all the serious threats Acworth encounters year-round. This year, flooding, persistent rain and strong winds have already been a burden for our area.

These aren’t the only dangers your business is up against—the extended effects of coastal hurricanes, hailstorms and tornadoes are all conditions you must consider as you prepare for the worst.

While having a plan in place can be valuable for events like this, it is also critical to stay up to date on any impending weather emergencies. Knowing what’s coming will allow you to inform your clients and team, as well as give you time to protect your business and put your stellar plan into action when the time comes.

Protect Your Workplace

There are numerous essential elements of your workplace that you will rush to protect before a severe storm, including your employees, your building, your customers, equipment and inventory.

The most important factor to include in your business plan is a communication strategy.
Have a means of connecting with your team so that everyone knows what to do before, during and after a storm so that you can protect every facet of your Acworth business.

When severe storms are in the forecast, you will unsurprisingly be concerned for the structural safety of your commercial building, and luckily, there are numerous ways to prevent damage! Protect the inside by beginning on the outside by redesigning your landscaping to be flood-proof, maintaining your commercial roof in good condition and storing any outside equipment in a safe place when severe weather is predicted.

Be Ready for the Aftermath

The final step in developing an effective storm strategy is knowing where to turn if your Acworth workplace sustains damage as a result of a severe weather event. Working with our SERVPRO specialists will ensure that your team is back to work as soon as possible.

Including our Acworth crew in your plan will ensure you get the greatest help possible following severe storm damage. Not to mention the time and money you’ll save by having a team ready to respond to your disaster the moment you call!

Prepare your team and the business you’ve built to the best of your ability before a major storm because you never know when the unexpected might strike.

If the spring season leaves you with major commercial damage this year, SERVPRO is the crew to trust! We can repair your building and recover your losses so you can get back to business.

Spring Storm Season Is Fast-Approaching | SERVPRO of Bartow County

3/30/2023 (Permalink)

Storm clouds If you've experienced flood or storm damage call SERVPRO 24/7 for immediate help.

We are finally starting to see the first signs of spring now, and we are especially grateful! This tumultuous winter weather has definitely kept us on our toes, and we are looking forward to the return of spring and summer. However, that means spring weather will be ramping up soon as well.

The return of severe weather season and tornado season is on the way, so it is important to prepare your home for the upcoming weather. We lay out some important places around your home to get ready below, so read on to learn more.

Get Ready for the Weather

The winter season brought us through heavy rain, severe storms and even some damaging tornadoes in northern Georgia. Because of this, it is important to check on your gutters to make sure they are working properly. Address any damage that debris caused, and make sure that they are not clogged or blocked by leaf buildup.

It is also a good time to check on your vents around your home. A blocked or damaged furnace or dryer vent can be dangerous to your family and can cause malfunctions or fires.

We are also entering into the season of temperature swings, so if we ever dip below freezing, it is important to check your outdoor faucets and water lines for cracks or leaks and address those issues right away.

Preparing Your Roof

Our roofs do a lot of heavy lifting for us, but they are often overlooked when it comes to home maintenance projects. Any sort of damage to your roof or shingles can introduce water into your attic and the rest of your home almost immediately.

On the next warmer day, spend some time inspecting your roof and fix any damage that you find as quickly as you can. The first spring storm may be right around the corner.

Your Emergency Plans

Once the outside of your home is ready to go, it’s time to focus on the inside! If you have a sump pump, give it a thorough inspection and make sure it is ready to work for you. A broken sump pump can lead to a flooded basement in a really short amount of time.

Now is also the time to make sure your emergency plans are ready to implement! Your emergency kit should be restocked at this time and you should clear out any boxes or storage items out of your safe shelter location. Finally, update your family’s contact information and ensure that your weather alert systems are in place and ready to work.

Spring weather can take on many forms, and if you suffer home damage during a storm or major weather event, our SERVPRO of Bartow County team is here for you! Call us at any time of the day, and we will be there to help you fully recover as quickly and as efficiently as we can.

Got water damage? We are here to help 247 and can restore your home quickly.

Keep Your Business on Track by Avoiding Water Damage | SERVPRO of Bartow County

3/17/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”mold” alt = "corner of interior wall showing signs of black mold from water damage” > Experienced water damage in your commercial building? SERVPRO of Bartow County can help you get dried out quickly.

Water damage is a threat to every property owner in the area. In addition to the water damage caused by natural disasters or severe storms, it can even occur from a slow drip of a faucet or a leaky pipe.

If you are a business owner or run a commercial property, putting a stop to any water issues will save you critical time and money! The more you can do to stop water damage from occurring in the first place, the easier your recovery process will be.

Places to Watch Out For

While water damage can occur anywhere, there are areas around your building that are more vulnerable to this type of damage. By checking up on these locations, you can save yourself from a costly repair bill and lost revenue:

  1. The Roof: Your roof is a vital part of your building’s structure! It is important to routinely get up on your roof to check for damage or potential issues, but especially after a strong wind event or severe storm. Even something as simple as a missing shingle can invite water in your attic, which can leak down your walls.
  2. Bathrooms: Bathrooms are also a common space where water damage occurs! Pipe fittings, faucets and even the tanks on the backs of your toilets could all malfunction and cause water damage. Have someone on your maintenance team check these areas often and take care of any issues quickly.
  3. Water Heaters/HVAC/Boilers: We heavily rely on the appliances in our utility rooms every day. This means that their risk of a malfunction is increased, so don’t ignore any warning signs like a clogged drain or a mysterious puddle. A small water leak could lead to a full system failure and a huge issue.

Create Your Response Plans

Now that you know where water issues commonly start, you can create your plans to both prevent issues from occurring, and your response to them for when they do.

Having a routine maintenance plan is a great way to stay on top of inspections and routine cleaning. This plan can allow you to address any issues quickly and efficiently.

It is also important to set up an Emergency Ready Plan with us! Our SERVPRO of Bartow County team can help you create a plan of action that will guide you through an emergency situation.

In addition, it is important to show your management team how to shut off all water valves and power to your business just in case and to have our number on hand at all times! Our team will be there right away to help you recover from disaster so you can open your doors and get back to business.

Experienced water damage in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.

Time Is of the Essence When It Comes to Residential Flames | SERVPRO of Bartow County

3/14/2023 (Permalink)

When a crisis occurs in your home, quick action is critical, and the faster you act, the safer you can be. Residential fires are an emergency that especially requires a rapid reaction considering
it only takes about two minutes for flames to spread!

The clock is ticking when there are flames in the picture, from making a quick evacuation to being on time with your fire prevention methods. Being alert and responding quickly is exactly what you need to stay two steps ahead of a fire in your Acworth home.

We’ve put together some helpful information to help you and your loved ones add timeliness to your fire safety strategy:

A Timely Response

When a fire breaks out in your home, you only have a few minutes to put it out before it spreads. Thankfully, there are many tools and methods you can utilize to ensure every single spark of a fire emergency is handled with swiftness.

Working smoke alarms are the most helpful tool you’ll need to keep your fire prevention efforts on track. As long as you maintain your alarms, you will be instantly alerted of any threat as soon as it arises, giving you ample time to react.

Knowing where your home’s fire extinguishers are located is another way to put out flames before they cause too much damage. Keep your extinguishers in an easily accessible location, preferably in the areas of your home where your family spends the most time.

A Swift Evacuation

Fire has many characteristics, and speed is among its most destructive ones. While you may not have time to prevent damage in the midst of a residential fire, you will have time to evacuate if you have a plan in place.

Your evacuation plan must include a few key components to ensure that your entire family can safely exit your home.

Start by highlighting two exit points that every member in your family can get to when flames break out. That means having two ways to exit any room in the house.

Make an effort to ensure your home’s exit route is clear of clothes, trash and any other items that could slow you down during an emergency. The last thing you want is a pile of clothes
blocking your route to safety!

Finally, find a meetup spot outside of your Acworth home that everyone can report to once you’ve made your fast exit. This is the finish line of your evacuation strategy and a safe location
to call for assistance to ensure the flames are extinguished as soon as possible.

Are you facing the aftermath of a fire emergency? SERVPRO of Bartow County can be at the scene rapidly to restore your losses and bring you back home.

SERVPRO Can Restore Your Fire-Damaged Home | SERVPRO of Bartow County

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

img src =”fire” alt = "a small house completely engulfed in flames” > For quick repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County.

No one ever wants to suffer home damage, especially due to a house fire. House fires in particular can be disastrous and cause widespread damage to your home and property. Because fire can spread quickly, it can get out of control before you even know you have an issue.

Standing in the aftermath of a house fire can cause a lot of emotions for your entire family. Thankfully, our SERVPRO of Bartow County team is here to help you fully recover. Our team of professionals fully understands fire damage restoration and we will be there for you in your time of need.

Check out our restoration process below to learn how we can help you recover faster and more thoroughly than our competition.

Let Us Take Over

Your first priority should always be your family’s safety during, and immediately after, a house fire. Make contact with those you love, and make sure everyone is accounted for and safe. After you have done that, it’s time to get us on the phone.

Our first conversation will include a lot of questions! We want to make sure we fully understand your unique fire situation so we can pack up our trucks with the right tools and equipment.

Now that we are all packed up and have a team assembled, we are ready to roll! We get right to work doing a walkthrough of your home to assess the damage and adjust our plan if needed.

Getting Your Home Clean

Our first step is to secure your home to make sure the damage doesn’t spread or get worse due to the elements. This includes addressing any broken windows, boarding up walls or laying down tarps to protect your home.

Now we can focus on cleaning! We bring in our industry-leading cleaning equipment to help remove the soot and smoke, and we pull out fire-damaged debris at this time as well. We follow that up with a thorough sanitization and odor removal.

Reconstructing Your Home

Seeing your home damaged can be overwhelming, so we particularly enjoy this step in our process! We can fully rebuild any part of your home that was damaged by the fire. This includes laying new carpet, building walls, hanging new drywall or even rolling on fresh paint.

We are even skilled enough to rebuild entire sections or rooms of your home. Our goal is to always ensure a full recovery for our customers.

For rapid repairs following a fire, get in touch with our team at SERVPRO of Bartow County! We will work as quickly as possible to return you to a safe and fully restored property.

Is Your Workplace Ready to Weather the Storm? | SERVPRO of Bartow County

3/9/2023 (Permalink)

Commercial building with collapsed metal roof after storm SERVPRO of Bartow County is here to help Cartersville and Acworth based business recover after storm damage 24/7!

Workplace disasters can take various shapes, and while you can train for incidents like fires, extreme weather is a different beast. Acworth weather such as rain, tornadoes and hail can catch you off-guard, and even if you assume your team will know what to do when the first warning is issued, you may be startled to learn the opposite.

Building a stellar plan the whole workplace can follow will take the chaos out of a sudden commercial weather emergency. Here are a few things to know as you create a strategy for your Acworth business:

How Can Severe Weather Put a Pause on Business?

Every year, disaster leaves its mark on the country, and businesses are particularly vulnerable to this threat. Some businesses are left with expensive damage that must be repaired, while others are forced to shut down for good.

Here in Acworth, tornadoes tend to be one of the most disastrous weather risks businesses are up against. Severe winds can wreak havoc on your commercial property and put your whole team in danger.

Hazards like this can occur at any time, and if one occurs during working hours, your crew will need to know how to stay safe. Numerous weather emergencies are possible but all you need is one well-planned strategy to keep you and your commercial team secure.

How Can I Prepare My Team?

The perfect commercial disaster plan includes two components: awareness and preparedness. Make sure your crew is aware of all available exits and temporary shelters within the building. Create a written strategy for your team that lists all potential crisis scenarios and how to appropriately handle them.

Assign a few trusted team members to emergency response positions, such as someone who can shut down machinery or gather other members for a safe and organized evacuation. Establishing roles will help save time when calamity strikes, so your team can get to safety quickly after essential tasks are completed.

Another way to ensure your workplace has the tools needed to endure calamity is by stocking up on emergency equipment. Have multiple emergency kits available throughout your commercial building. If your team is confined by a disaster for an extended period of time, items such as first-aid kits, flashlights, radios, and food and water will be critical.

Once you’ve developed a strategy relevant to the needs of your team and the weather hazards in Acworth, discuss it with them and make sure they understand exactly how to respond when disaster is on the way. Make sure to rehearse necessary exit drills throughout the year to ensure new members know where to go and to give your current team a refresher.

SERVPRO is the business partner you’ll want on your side when severe weather strikes. We can restore your property ASAP, so you can get back to work!