Happy Birthday Mike Whittles

We spent last month here on the blog and on twitter recognizing Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but we want to take time to point out one of our personal heroes who is battling cancer. Mike Whittles is a SERVPRO individual who truly knows how to make every day count.



"Am I that special? No. I am not. My fellow cancer survivors are that special. My coaches are that special. My co-workers are that special. My daughter Jess spending one night a week with our grandson, extra-special. My Servpro family is that special. Reassuring Nick that it’s okay to be at school, that’s special. My eighty something year old parents and sister are that special. My football players are that special. My wonderful illness and my wonderful cancer have brought out the best in just about everyone that I am surrounded by. I don’t like having an illness but I like what it brings out in me and I like what it brings out in others. It seems like I only see the good in people so in a way, I thank cancer (although I still want to destroy it!)

Sometimes I think, what if I had just been in a deadly car accident with no warning, no goodbyes? This healing time, when it seems I can do little more than sleep, is heartwarming and for me when I close my eyes, knowing that I am enveloped in God’s arms and holding onto the warmth and power of friendship and family, I am special. YOU are that special."  -Mike Whittles

The great thing about SERVPRO is that it provides an opportunity to have an extended family. I've known Mike all of my life (literally). Though he probably has a better memory of those very early years, I DO remember spending time playing with Jessica (Mike's daughter) and the rest of the SERVPRO kids at convention. Jessica was like a cousin and Mike an uncle.. making for exactly 4 large family get togethers a year (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Convention). During high school and college graduation, as well as my brother's wedding this year, my SERVPRO family was just as present as my blood relatives.

Point being, we are incredibly blessed being a part of this system. Every year since I can remember, I've been surrounded by hard working, sincere, loving mentors who have taught me that there is no other way to live than to make every day count. I am very encouraged to know that there are countless others in my SERVPRO family, besides Mike, that would live with the same amount of passion and purpose given the grueling circumstances. Because it's not about the cancer. It's about being thankful and counting blessings. It's about always using the life you've been given for the greater good. And it's inspiring.

Thank you, Mike. Thank you for being a great father figure and leader just as my parents have been. I hope this is one of your happiest and fulfilling birthdays yet!

With lots of love from Tia, Taylor, Marty, Angie and the rest of the SERVPRO clan

The Last Year

[vimeo http://vimeo.com/31869641]

It's been a pretty good year, I'd say.

Sandy Hayden

8 Eco-Friendly Laundry Tips

Why wait to make a New Years resolution to go green in the laundry room? You might find it's easier than you think! Check out these great tips on how it's done:

Control the Temperature

About 90% of the energy associated with doing laundry involves just heating up the water. Simple fix: Just turn that dial to cold.

Wash Full Loads

Even the most energy-efficient loads use 40 gallons of water. Reducing the number of loads you do each week will save water and money. If you find yourself doing eight or more loads of laundry each week, skipping just one will save over 10% on your laundry costs.

Upgrade to Energy Efficient Washer and Dryer

This is not permission to go out and replace your current machine that’s running just fine. (But nice try!) If you’re in the market for a new washer or dryer, buying an energy efficient model can save both water and energy (and did I mention lower your bills).

Switch to Natural Detergents and Stain Removers

Natural products tend to be free of chlorine bleach, synthetic fragrance, dyes, and optical brighteners. What's in them? They’re usually plant (not petroleum) based, contain biodegradable surfactants, and are often specifically formulated to perform well in cold water. Be sure to read the fine print when shopping.

Choose Non-Chlorine Bleach

Use in the home isn’t quite as detrimental for the environment as industrial use (like bleaching paper), but chlorine bleach can irritate skin and eyes. Most non-chlorine bleach is hydrogen peroxide. You can buy branded versions, or just stick to the 3 percent version sold in drug stores. And doing so will really add up. In fact, if every U.S. household replaced just one 64–ounce bottle of chlorine bleach with non-chlorine bleach, we could prevent 11.6 million pounds of chlorine from entering our environment.

Rethink Dryer Sheets

The chemicals (including synthetic fragrances) found in conventional dryer sheets and fabric softeners are similar to what is found in conventional detergents. They’re largely questionable for human health and the environment. Plus, don’t even think about recycling those dryer sheets. Either skip them entirely or choose eco-friendly ones like Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day lavender dryer sheets.

Hang Clothes to Dry

Keeping your clothes out of a dryer extends their life (my little fashionistas), reduces energy use, and cuts costs. Whether indoors or outside, line drying can be done year round. Just don’t put dark colors in bright sunlight or they’ll fade. Bonus: Indoor rack drying during the winter doubles as a humidifier.

Make Your Own Laundry Products

The only real way to know what’s going into your laundry is to whip up your own solutions. Use safe-for-the-environment ingredients that are already in your pantry like vinegar, lemon juice, hydrogen peroxide, and baking soda. Many of these DIY formulas have been used for generations and get the job done. (For those of you who didn't see, we posted the money-saving recipe here.)

Content Credit: Real Simple

Fight the Flu

Don't be fooled, influenza (or, the flu, as we commonly call it) is fairly likely to impact your holidays, as one in five Americans suffer from it every single year. According to Pride Staff, the flu, combined with pneumonia, is the nation's 8th leading cause of death. So what can you do take preventive actions to stop the spread of germs and shield yourself (and others) against the flu?

• One of the first and most important preventive actions you should take is getting a yearly flu vaccine. Don't know where to get one? Flu.gov has a flu vaccine finder that is very helpful!


• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. No tissue? Aim your cough/sneeze into the bend of your arm.


• Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.


• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. This, my friends, is how germs are spread.

Those are the basics, but what about everyone else? How can you help others do the same? Try these actions:

• Encourage great hygiene among your family members and coworkers.


• Put up posters addressing prevention: how to stop germs from spreading, how to recognize cold/flu symptoms, etc.


• Identify local resources for flu shots and make this information available to coworkers.


• Stock up on hand sanitizer/anti-bacterial wipes and make these available to others.


• Wipe down all flat surfaces: keyboards, mouse, phone and common areas daily.


• Use hand sanitizer after shaking hands with others.


• Contact your office janitorial service to see if they offer any special treatment or processes to prevent the spread of cold/flu germs.

Don't wait.

Sandy Hayden

Image Credit: My Home Remedies
Content Credit: Pride Staff

Marvelous Monday!

My deepest apologies for postponing Fun Friday (or "Marvelous Monday"). We will resume our regular schedule this Friday, which means that this week you get TWO extra special posts! Since the holidays are coming up (ready or not), it's about that time that a lot of you are taking your family photos for a holiday card. Tired of doing the same old thing? Check out these shots to get some unique ideas!

For the offbeat family, take it Jackson Pollock style and get a little dirty like this family did on their paint shoot.

There must be something in the water.

It's all about the angles. Or the diamonds in this case.

Try a different perspective!

Be sure to capture your good side.

Or try your hand at photoshop to let your personalities shine.

Aerial shots are a playful way to send holiday greetings!

Say it with chalk!

Or a sign.

A picture's worth a thousand words.

How about an action shot?

Go clean with all white (or neutrals).

Try a progression.

Jump around!

And remember, you can't have too much of a good thing.

Sandy Hayden

Photo Credit: Covered in Paint, Family in the Water, Diamonds, Boy Up Front, Silhouettes, The Lowe Family News, Family on the Ground, Chalk Tree, Balloons, Chalk Snow, Happily Ever After, A Family of Feet, Hanging Upside Down, Laying, Kissing with Babies, Clean Shot, Family Couch, Jump Around, Joy Series.

Ants.

Fun Friday has now been moved to Fun Monday (just for this week) because we have a situation on our hands. ANTS.

We have ants at my house. Ugh. On our dark countertops you don't know they're there until your hand lands on top of a line of them--or better yet, when you open the dishwasher to find a swarm of feasting little creatures. Gross.

So what now? Well, management is easiest when you can identify what species of ant is present in your home, since you can then determine the nesting site, food preference, and the best method to rid them from your home. For help doing this, check out this lovely article. The most effective treatment includes killing the queen ant.

Before we jump into abrasive methods, let's touch on some nonchemical solutions. Proper food storage and waste management will reduce the food that initially attracts ants into your home (uh oh, I think I know where my first problem is). Cleaning kitchen surfaces, vacuuming regularly, and rinsing recyclable containers before storing them will make a huge difference in your home. To temporarily disrupt ant activity, try a mild solution of vinegar and water on ant trails that you find. To prevent ants from reaching plants or other items, try commercially available materials for sticky barriers such as Tanglefoot or Stickem (or make a water moat with soapy water). Also be sure to caulk cracks that ants are entering the home from.

Many ants base their nests outside, so if you can find a way to follow them to their nests, you are golden. Sounds complicated? Try setting out a food to attract them and then follow them. Can’t find the nest? Apply an insecticide barrier around the exterior of your home. If you can tell which area of the house through which they are entering, then spot treating will suffice.

If the nest is inside but concealed, one solution may be to try baits (hmm, sounds like my next step). The advantage of using baits is that they reach inaccessible areas of the house. The downside: they can take several weeks to eradicate the nest. Again, knowing what kind of ant you have makes a world of difference with choosing your bait.

Here are some common household ants and the best way to manage them:

Carpenter ants: The best treatment is to apply an insecticide directly into the nest. It is also important to replace damaged or decayed wood, and if possible to eliminate any moisture problems. Baits may also be effective if applied where ant activity is seen.

Cornfield ants: Check for and treat nests in the lawn and other nearby areas. If nests are not obvious, treat the building perimeter with a residual spray. Commercial baits available to the public may be effective.

Larger yellow ants: Eliminate winged yellow ants by physical means, e.g. with a vacuum, or by hand. Large numbers can be treated with an application of an insecticide that is labeled for flying insects, such as pyrethrins; these products are found in aerosol ready to use containers. Detection of yellow ants nesting under concrete slabs is difficult and control is rarely practical or justified.

Pharaoh ants: Elimination of Pharaoh ants is difficult and the service of an experienced pest management service is recommended. Insecticides can cause Pharaoh ants to bud, creating new colonies. The use of baits is strongly recommended. Baits available to the public usually are not effective against Pharaoh ants. Professional pest management services have the experience and access to effective baits needed to successfully eliminate Pharaoh ants.

Thief ants: Thief ants are especially common during mid to late summer when they enter homes from outside nests. Locating and treating nests is not practical. Treat the building perimeter when thief ants are foraging into buildings from outside nests. When nests are located indoors, baiting is the most effective management method. Use commercially available baits effective against grease-feeding ants.

Pavement ants: Look for and treat outdoor nests. When the nest is not found, treat the building perimeter with a residual spray. When pavement ants are nesting under heated concrete slabs, baiting is the most effective control tactic. Use commercially available baits effective against grease-feeding ants.

Sandy Hayden

Content Credit: http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/m1166.html

Photo Credit: http://www.likecool.com/Home/Kitchen/Ants%20On%20My%20Spoon/Ants-On-My-Spoon.jpg

Limiting Fire Damage

Although kitchen fires generally begin on the stove, the damage can affect the entire kitchen, from the walls to the ceilings and the air ducts to the appliances. Once the fire is out, you may be overwhelmed or devastated by the smoke and soot damage.

First, contact your local SERVPRO (Heyo! 803-755-9774) Franchise Professional. Then, follow these steps to help prevent further damage:

• Limit movement to prevent further damage.


• Place clean towels or old linens on carpeted traffic areas to prevent additional soiling.


• It electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.


• Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets and appliances with a light coating of petroleum jelly.

Here at SERVPRO, we are trained in the cleanup and care of your customers' homes and personal belongings following a fire incident. Before you attempt to clean up the fire damage yourself, give us a call.

Sandy Hayden

Photo Credit: http://blog.tvfr.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Kearney-Kitchen-Fire-300x225.jpg