Adjutant General Joins Local Organizations for Disaster Relief Panel

Adjutant General, Bob Livingston, will join the South Carolina Emergency Management Division, American Red Cross and local public officials at the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce building for a disaster symposium on June 14th at 7:30am.

When the Boston Marathon Bombing, West Texas explosion and Oklahoma tornado destruction devastated local communities, first responders, public officials and private citizens teamed together to minimize damage and protect residents in harm's way. All of these groups worked diligently under standard protocol, reenacting drills and utilizing communications mediums in order to be effective.

          In Lexington on June 14th, a panel of emergency response experts will prepare residents for such disasters by emphasizing safety tips to utilize before, during and after small or catastrophic events. The speakers will specifically focus on hurricane safety and evacuation, but will reiterate precautions and procedures to follow during every type of local event. Q&A will follow each presentation and will also be allowed at the end of the symposium.

General topics will include:

•   Preparing safety kits for home and business

•   Evacuation routes

•   Shelter information and protocol

•   Surviving emergencies with children and pets

•   National guard and official response procedures

•   Protecting business, home and valuables

•   Staying informed before, during and after an emergency

The event will be hosted by Lexington Young Professionals, SERVPRO and the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce.

The symposium is FREE to the public. Breakfast will be provided courtesy of Chick-fil-a.

For more information, visit http://www.lexingtonanchor.com/around-town/events/item/224-disaster-panel

-Denea Duran

Winter has finally made its BIG DEBUT.

Now that it is December it looks like winter has finally made its debut. The real question is-- are you ready? Well, in case you haven't done anything to get ready, here is a checklist to get you organized. 

Out and About

Will your home welcome winter visitors safely? Get ready for snow, ice or rain on walks and driveways with:

• Snow shovel
• De-icing compound
• Waterproof floor mats

The Inside Story

Household emergency supplies should include enough food, water and supplies to last four days without power or help. Check your home emergency kit against this basic checklist:

• Food that doesn't require heating or refrigeration, such as canned meats, soups and stews, cereal, and energy bars
• Manual can opener
• Paper plates, cups and plastic utensils
• 1 gallon of water per person per day (allow enough for four days)
• Flashlights and batteries
• Battery-powered radio
• Battery-powered clock
• Cellular phone
• First-aid kit (printable first-aid kit checklist)
• Four-day supply of prescription medicines
• Blanket and cold-weather clothing for each family member
• Pet food and additional water for household pets

On The Road:

Winter transportation can mean ice, snow, and hazardous roads. Road conditions can change in an instant. Before traveling, give cars a winter preparedness exam:

• Check antifreeze
• Check and replace older batteries
• Remember to keep the gas tank near full to avoid freezing water in the fuel line
• Check tires and spare tire for proper inflation

Make sure automobiles contain the following emergency supplies:

• Bag of sand, road salt or non-clumping cat litter. The bag's extra weight means better traction, and the contents can be spread under slipping tires.
• Ice scraper
• Jumper cables
• Small shovel (to dig snow away from wheels, or scatter sand on roadway)
• Tire chains (every driver should practice putting them on)
• Flares or reflective triangle to warn other motorists if you break down
• Blanket
• Flashlight and batteries
• Gallon jug of drinking water
• First aid kit 

When traveling by car, include emergency food and clothing for each traveler. Pack supplies in a backpack in case you need to abandon your car.

An emergency backpack should include:

• Jacket, hat, gloves and sturdy, snow-proof boots for each traveler
• Nonperishable food
• Cellular phone
• Money

Content Credit: http://organizedhome.com/seasonal-spin/winter-preparedness-checklist

Image: http://lifethroughtiaslens.blogspot.com/2010/02/rylynns-first-snow-day-feb-12th-10.html


-Denea Duran 

Do's and Dont's: Water Disaster

How many of you know how to respond during a water damage disaster? Your first and most important step should be to call your emergency mitigation specialists at SERVPRO. The sooner we arrive on site, the more you and your insurance company save in restoration and construction services.

These emergency tips will assist you in taking the proper actions and precautions until WE arrive!

Do:

• Shut off the source of water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the water source.
• When access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock, turn off circuit breakers in wet areas of the building.
• 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.
• Any paintings, art objects, computers, documents and other materials that are valuable or sensitive to moisture should be relocated to a safe, dry place.
• Use wooden clothespins to keep furniture skirting off damp floors.
• Hang draperies with coated hangers to avoid contact with wet carpeting or floors.
• Hang furs and leather good to dry separately at room temperature.

Dont:

• Enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist.
• Enter affected areas if electrical outlets, switches, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water. Always avoid electrical shock hazards.
• Leave books, newspapers, magazines or other colored items on wet carpet or floors to cause staining.
• Leave oriental rugs or other colored rugs on wet wall-to-wall carpets to cause staining.
• Use your household vacuum cleaner to remove water, possibly causing electrical shock or damage to the vacuum cleaner.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
• Enter rooms where ceiling are sagging from retained water.

Contact us for 24 Hour Restoration Service:
SERVPRO of Cayce/West Columbia/ Lexington
803-755-9774



-Denea Duran

Photo Credit:  Google Image

Home Emergency Tips: Part 4

What to do until help arrives. 

It's time for our last Home Emergency Tips entry. The way you respond after a home emergency can make a huge impact on the scale of the damage. Follow these tips to minimize water damage as much as possible in your home.

Water Damage

Do:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.


• Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table top items.


• Remove and prop wet upholstery and pillow cushions for even drying.


• Place aluminum foil or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting.


• Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.


• Remove Oriental rugs or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.


• Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe, dry place.


• Open and place luggage in sunlight to dry, if possible.


• Gather loose items, toys, etc. from floors.

Don’t:

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.


• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.


• Use your household vacuum to remove water.


• Use TVs or other household appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.


• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 3

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives.

Today we post Part 3 of Home Emergency Tips. Here at SERVPRO we clean and restore fire and water damage, but our desire is that you never need to call us. June is Home Safety Month, so stay tuned to tips to keep your home the safest home it can be.

Harmful Waste (Sewage, Bloodborne Pathogens, Etc.) 

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas.


• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life threatening.


• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.


• Turn off the HVAC system if there is sewage damage.

Don't:

• Attempt cleanup of any kind.


• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.


• Eat, drink, smoke, apply cosmetics or handle contact lenses in affected areas.

*If exposed to harmful waste, OSHA recommends a post-exposure medical evaluation. Consult your local health department or physician.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 2

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives. 

It's time for Part 2 of our 4-part Home Emergency Tips. June is Home Safety Month and we want to equip you to minimize home injuries with brief tips that go a long way. Stay tuned for more tips!

Vandalism Damage

Do:

• Hose or wash egg damage from building exterior as soon as possible.


• Blot freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don't overwet). Scrape and blot; don't rub since it can damage fibers.


• Vacuum glass particles from carpets and upholstery.


• Save containers that reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.

Don't:

• Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.


• Operate damaged lamps or appliances.


• Discard wood chips, broken pieces from furniture, porcelain or other art objects.

Home Emergency Tips: Part 1

Helpful tips on what to do until help arrives

June is kicking off the SERVPRO West Columbia blog with Home Safety Month. According to the Citizen Corp website, "Some 20 million medical visits were required for treatment of home injuries last year." Simple steps can go a long way to minimize risk, so tune in for our 4-part Home Emergency Tips.

Fire and Smoke Damage

Do:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being imbedded into upholstery and carpets.


• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.


• Blow or brush vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpets.


• Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.


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


• Clean and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances with light coating of Vaseline or oil.


• Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.


• Change HVAC filter.


• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

Don't:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting your SERVPRO Professional.


• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to fire, heat or water without first consulting an authorized repair service.


• Use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water (they may have been contaminated).


• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.


• Send garments to ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.