Keep Your Holiday Lights Festive, Not Frightful

12/8/2016 (Permalink)

Santa made an early visit to SERVPRO of Windham & Windsor Counties!

The holiday season is a time for gathering with friends and family to enjoy precious moments and quality time. As the weather outside turns frightful, we rely on the warmth of our homes to host these gatherings with loved ones. Lights, candles, and decorations are part of what makes the holiday season so magical, however, if you are not careful, that magic could turn dark.

SERVPRO and the American Red Cross have teamed up to offer some tips to help you reduce your risk of a fire in your business or home this holiday season.

• Keep Christmas trees, candles, and any other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, and candles.
• Always follow the manufacturer's instructions and do not use any light strings or other holiday decorations with frayed electrical cords.
• Before going to bed or leaving your property, ensure tree and holiday lights are unplugged.
• Extinguish candles before before leaving a room or going to bed and never use lit candles to decorate your tree.
• Keep curious pets and young children away from Christmas trees and only use sturdy tree stands.
• When using your stove top, keep anything that can catch on fire away from the area such as: pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper/plastic bags, food packaging, towels or curtains.
• After guests leave, designate one person to walk around the home/property to ensure candles and other smoking materials are properly extinguished.

If disaster does strike during the holidays, SERVPRO of Windham and Windsor Counties is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to make it "Like it never even happened," We wish you a merry and bright holiday season.

Emergency Supply Kit

5/25/2016 (Permalink)

Sever weather can happen anytime, anywhere. Know your risk of severe weather, and take action to better prepare yourself. Proactive planning can save your own life and the lives of others. 

 Knowing Your Risk

The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards. 

 Taking Action

Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place. 

 Build an Emergency Supply Kit

• Water (one  gallon per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Dust masks or bandanas
• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Hygiene items
• Important documents; copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Cash
• Fire Extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container

Be an example

Once you have taken action to prepare for sever weather, share your story with your friends and family. Use social media to encourage and inspire others to do the same.