Firework Safety Tips

7/2/2020 (Permalink)

Follow these safety tips when using fireworks: 

• Never allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Avoid buying fireworks that are packaged in brown paper because this is often a sign that the fireworks were made for professional displays and that they could pose a danger to consumers.
• Always have an adult supervise fireworks activities. Parents don't realize that young children suffer injuries from sparklers. Sparklers burn at temperatures of about 2,000 degrees - hot enough to melt some metals.
• Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse. Back up to a safe distance immediately after lighting fireworks.
• Never try to re-light or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
• Light fireworks one at a time, then move back quickly.
• Never carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.
• After fireworks complete their burning, douse the spent device with plenty of water from a bucket or hose before discarding it to prevent a trash fire.
• Make sure fireworks are legal in your area before buying or using them.

Source: CPSC

Winter Storm Terminology

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

Take immediate precautions if you hear these words on the news: 

Winter Storm WARNING: Life-threatening, severe winter conditions have begun or will begin within 24 hours. 

Blizzard WARNING: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles per hour or greater, plus considerable falling or blowing snow reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile, expected to prevail for three hours or longer.

More winter storm words to listen for:

• WIND CHILL Temperature: How cold people and animals feel when outside. As wind increases, heat is carried away from your body at a faster rate, driving down your body temperature and making you feel much colder. The wind chill temperature is not the actual temperature but rather how wind and cold feel on exposed skin.

• Winter Storm OUTLOOK: Winter storm conditions possible in the next two to five days. Stay tuned to local media for updates.

• Winter Storm WATCH: Winter storm conditions possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. Review your winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions.

• Winter Weather ADVISORY: Winter weather conditions expected to cause significant inconveniences and may be hazardous but not life-threatening if you are cautious.

Winter Storm Preparedness http://fw.to/WJPjQt

What Do You Need In A Survival Kit?

10/17/2019 (Permalink)

What Do You Need In A Survival Kit?

At a minimum, you should have the basic supplies listed below:

1. Water: one gallon per person, per day (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
2. Food: non-perishable, easy-to-prepare items (3-day supply for evacuation, 2-week supply for home)
3. Flashlight 
4. Battery-powered or hand-crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
5. Extra batteries (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
6. Deluxe family first aid kit
7. Medications (7-day supply) and medical items
8. Multi-purpose tool
9. Sanitation and personal hygiene items
10. Copies of personal documents (medication list and pertinent medical information, proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
11. Cell phone with chargers (Similar item available in the Red Cross Store)
12. Family and emergency contact information
13. Extra cash
14. Emergency blanket
15. Map(s) of the area

Consider the needs of all family members and add supplies to your kit:

• Medical supplies (hearing aids with extra batteries, glasses, contact lenses, syringes, etc)

• Baby supplies (bottles, formula, baby food, diapers)

• Games and activities for children

• Pet supplies (collar, leash, ID, food, carrier, bowl)

• Two-way radios

• Extra set of car keys and house keys

• Manual can opener

Additional supplies to keep at home or in your survival kit based on the types of disasters common to your area:

• Whistle

• N95 or surgical masks

• Matches

• Rain gear

• Towels

• Work gloves

• Tools/supplies for securing your home

• Extra clothing, hat and sturdy shoes

• Plastic sheeting

• Duct tape

• Scissors

• Household liquid bleach

• Entertainment items

• Blankets or sleeping bags

Survival Kit Supplies http://fw.to/ESYA2jP

4 Tips to Keep Your Garbage Can from Smelling like Garbage

10/10/2017 (Permalink)

Although it might seem like a lost cause, it is possible to keep your garbage can from smelling like garbage. Of course, if your garbage can doesn't have an odor, then the spaces around it are less likely to smell. We doubt you want your home to smell like garbage, so SERVPRO would like to offer some suggestions to stay odor-free.

Bag it

The easiest way to keep a garbage can smelling fresh is to seal up the garbage and keep it well away from sensitive noses. Since most garbage doesn't smell bad until it starts to decompose, a kitchen garbage can with a lid is a great choice for kitchen waste. A foot-operated lid can provide an added measure of hygiene and safety. You can open the lid while cooking without dirtying your hands (or the lid). When the bag fills, you seal it up and place it in your outside garbage can. It's important to remember to seal the bag and place bags in the can.

Freshen it

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, garbage cans can start to smell. From sprinkle-in powders to adhesive deodorant stick-ons, many products are available to deodorize garbage cans. Some are as simple as fragrances to mask garbage smell with a variety of more pleasant smells. Some products offer more advanced composition and actively neutralize unpleasant odors rather than mask them. If budget is a concern, or you prefer to keep things simple, then it doesn't get much simpler than sprinkling some baking soda in your garbage can to absorb odors.

Keep it clean

When you do wind up with loose garbage in the can, smells can linger. After emptying your can, does it still smell? If it does, then cleaning it might not be a bad idea. Since much of the smell comes from decomposition and the bacteria involved, use a disinfectant or diluted bleach solution when cleaning your trashcan.

Seek professional help

When odor removal simply becomes too much of a task, don't hesitate to call the professionals at SERVPRO to discuss professional deodorization. If your garbage smell has spread to some other part of the kitchen or bathroom that you just can’t seem to be able to find and eliminate, help is available.