From all of us at SERVPRO: Have a Safe and Wonderful Holiday Season!

The year is winding down. That means food, shopping, food, parties, food and lots of cheer! Our office has been very busy with parades, networking events and the always expected pre-holiday cleaning.

[caption id="attachment_1098" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Our very own Trey Whitmire at the West Columbia Parade of Lights"][/caption]

(Because there is nothing a busy party planner wants more than a house that smells good and sparkles prior to a house full of friends and family!)

[caption id="attachment_1100" align="alignleft" width="179" caption="Jeannie (SERVPRO of The  Dutch Fork) and our very own Luna!"][/caption]

In addition to all the parties and work duties, SERVPRO has partnered with Lexington Interfaith Community Services and our local insurance agents to provide warm clothing and canned goods for those who could use our help this winter season. We are very excited to report that our generous West Columbia and Lexington residents have donated 87.5 lbs of food and 4 totes full of coats!

[caption id="attachment_1097" align="alignright" width="584" caption="Food and Clothing Donated to Lexington Interfaith Community Service"][/caption]

 

 

 

We are very blessed to have great employees, customers and steady work to get us through another year in a hard economy. We're very much looking forward to next year and plan to be even more involved in community activities and contributions. Stay tuned!

Please remember to be safe this holiday season! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our SERVPRO family to yours!!

-Tia Williams

Farewell

Since farewells are not fun and Friday is "Fun Friday," I have chosen to write my farewell today instead of tomorrow. Let us never desecrate Fun Friday with sadness.

It seem strange to write a farewell without a proper introduction, so let me officially introduce myself (other than a bold name at the bottom of each article): I am Sandy Hayden. I graduated from Clemson University with a degree in Writing and Publication Studies. I grew up with an incredible, large family of which I am the youngest. As a child I was sure that my life would take one of two routes: a fashion designer or an archeologist. So, naturally, I chose to became a writer (hehe). I rarely let a day go by without reading my Bible/praying and running. My greatest strengths are my determination and creativity; my greatest weakness: my unceasing need for social interaction (a difficult need for a writer, as writing is more often a task done in solitude). Now you know me, so let the farewell commence.

I began working here in June as the Social Media Representative. Professionally I have learned more than I can say. I was a writer thrust into a marketing world, and I've spent the last 6 months there gaining as much experience as possible. I've had the opportunity to learn how to market SERVPRO online, meet clients, travel to the Outer Banks to photograph hurricane damage, and even tackle a few fun video projects. But even more impressionable than the professional experience has been the relational one. From the crew to the people in the office to even the clients, there is a place in my heart for them all.

So what now, you ask? Oh nothing much, just marrying my best friend and moving to California. :) But seriously.

So I ask you to welcome the new Social Media Representative with open arms in January. Be good and comment often! So long and farewell, friends.

Sandy Hayden

Avoid Holiday Fire Disasters Through Safe Candle Use

Candles lend a special light to the holiday season: Halloween jack-o-lanterns, Thanksgiving dinner tables, Advent wreaths, Menorahs, luminarias, and Kwaanza Kinaras. If not for a seasonal purpose, then perhaps the romantic lighting or the smell of sugar cookies has convinced you that candles are an undeniable asset to ambiance. Whatever the reason, candle safety is important, particularly during the holiday season when their use is particularly common. Here are some basic guidelines to help keep you safe. Commit these to memory and avoid the embarrassment of last year's flaming cheese fondu (the result of a single candle... and might I add, not my fault).

Who

Children should be taught to stay away from lit candles. Try to keep them out of reach of young children and pets. Candle lighting is not an appropriate activity for small children, so keep matches and lighters out of the sight and reach of children.

Where

Burn candles away from drafts, other heat sources, and all flammable objects or materials. In other words, never use candles near windows or exits. Don't place them on Christmas trees, real or artificial (I know, it's tradition, but setting the house on fire isn't). Keep burning candles away from curtains, wrapping paper, paper, combustible decorations and displays (including Aunt Juanita's hair), flammable liquids, and aerosol sprays (please see Aunt Juanita's hair), such as hair spray, which can explode. Never allow a candle flame to touch any glass surface.

When

Don't burn candles for more than four hours at a time. Unattended candles are an invitation to disaster, so don't forget to snuff out candles before leaving the room or going to bed (that's right, falling asleep to candle light: bad idea). Blowing out candles doesn't do the trick: extinguish them by wetting the wick.

And some other quick tips:

• Candles other than jar candles must be used in an appropriate non-tipping, non-flammable holder made of tempered glass or made with a proper glaze.


• Place candles on a safe, heat-resistant dry surface. If possible, place glass chimneys or shades over them.


• For Christmas luminarias, use 15-hour votive candles in holders placed in paper bags filled with at least 2 inches of sand. The candle must be of a size that will allow adequate space between the candle and bag so as not to ignite the bag.


• Remove labels and tags from candles before burning.


• Keep wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch at all times. This inhibits smoking and carbon build-up at the tip of the wicks and provides a cleaner burn.


• Sometimes a layer of liquid wax forms that causes the wick to fall to the side. To maintain an even burn, keep the wick centered. This will also protect the candle holder, since a flame that's too close for too long may crack the holder.


• Keep the wax pool free of foreign objects such as wick trimmings and matches. They will interfere with proper burning and are flammable.


• Extinguish taper or pillar candles when they get within 2 inches of their holders. Discontinue use of candle containers when 1/2" of wax remains.

Sandy Hayden

Content Credit: http://www.tdi.texas.gov/pubs/sfmo/fmcandlesafe.pdf
Photo Credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO73qrp0k1YIKpeJTAH1DqZNZrhRR4YFK98wxr4WFrvDADpxNQBjSTdqJHt31Z38EZ7gzn6pbMeRmTwHS604zM-wzIbi1XTQjS6GLiMaBDjoj2FxtBMD_a8F4jAdXtNvGveMLUT47M_XWS/s1600/candle_flame.jpg

Fun Friday: Cheddar-Saving Travel Tips

Yep, with the holidays in full swing we're all wondering how to save some money, particularly in the costly area of travel. Found an incredible article courtesy of Real Simple that I had to share! Without further ado:

1. Book Early and Save

Figure out ahead of time where you're going to spend the holidays and book as soon as you decide! Early planning results in the best deals!

2. Buy Your Tickets Now

News flash: Travel fares only go up as the holidays draw near, so book now. Check out the Bing price predictor to see if fares are expected to go up or down within the next week, so you can figure out the ideal day to buy. Once your'e ready, check the best online discount travel sights and, sigh, breath easy when you've booked.

3. Don't Drive Yourself to the Airport

I had to learn this one the hard way. Airport parking prices take a steep hike around the holidays (high demand, folks). See if a friend can drive you to the airport. No dice? Call a cab or van or check out public transportation.

4. Get There Early

Sounds obvious? During the holidays it is extremely important to leave extra time for seasonal travel madness. Your planning will be wasted if you miss your flight. Assume the worst: expect terrible traffic and long lines at check-in and security. Leave extra early! Don't add stress to the holidays with a sprint to the departure gate.

5. Don't Wrap Your Gifts Ahead of Time

I know, I know. Not what you expected, but with added security around the holidays, TSA personnel may unwrap presents for inspection. Pack some wrapping paper or gift bags in your luggage and wrap upon landing.

6. Be Smart About Your Suitcase

Don't fall prey to overweight baggage fees. Pack lightly, weight your suitcase before leaving so as to avoid unpleasant surprises, and register checked bags online before heading to the airport--they often give you a break in the fees if you sign up online. If you're not lugging a lot of gifts, go minimalist and fly with just a carry-on.

7. Get Free Upgrades

No harm in trying! If you're bumped on an oversold flight, try to negotiate for an upgrade on your next flight. If you're a frequent flier or club member with the airline you're flying with, you can also try to score an upgrade. Arrive early if you plan to try this: a lot harder to negotiate in a rush.

8. Fly the Day of the Holiday

This little trick can score you a great deal. Most people want to get to their destinations on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, making those flights particularly expensive. The same goes for Christmas. Check out flights the morning of the holiday itself to see if better deals are available--tell any skeptical relative it's better for your budget.

9. Plane, Train, or Automobile

Don't brush off other modes of transportation. Given how expensive airline tickets are, it may actually be cheaper to travel by another means. Crunch the numbers, and compare not only the cost, but the amount of time and ease of each method as well. You may find that driving by car, bus, or train may actually be your best option--especially since, without air traffic delays, you'll be more or less guaranteed to arrive when you intended.

Sandy Hayden

Photo Credit: Jaunted, Arizona Foot Hills, and Mom Aboard.
Content Credit: Real Simple