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Preparing Your Business for a Disaster | SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia
10/7/2024 (Permalink)
When a disaster hits your building, SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia is here to restore it swiftly. Contact us today!
How prepared do you feel for a disaster? Maybe you have spent time talking with your family about fire safety and you have an emergency kit ready to use if a storm comes through, but what about at work?
If you own a business, it is crucial to prepare for anything that can come your way in order to survive potential interruptions. That should include preparing for potential disasters, both natural and manmade.
With a plan and help from our SERVPRO® team, you can keep your employees safe, your building protected and your business running.
Plan for Everything
Running a business can feel a lot like walking on a tightrope. With so much on your plate, just keeping things running daily can be an enormous challenge. You need to be prepared for anything to happen—which means you need a plan for everything.
When it comes to creating a plan for a potential disaster, the best first step is to consider your risks. A risk assessment is a great way to dig into the potential ways your business may be interrupted.
Risk assessments will look into disasters that Mother Nature could bring, as well as industrial risks and liability risks. Your disaster plan will need to be broad in order to function well for a variety of risks, but should also cover some specific areas according to those disasters that are most probable.
Include in your plan specific tasks for your employees in order to protect your building as much as possible. When a storm is headed your way with high winds, make sure someone brings in any loose items and secures anything that could become projectile.
In case a plumbing failure strikes, assign someone to shut water off at the main valve. Teach your employees how to use fire extinguishers and initiate other fire safety equipment should a fire start in your building.
Prepare to Respond
Creating a plan ahead of disasters allows you some reassurance that you have done everything possible to prevent a potential disruption to your business. A plan won’t stop a disaster, though, which means you also need to know how to respond after one does strike.
Once you have done everything you can to secure your building, safety should be your next top priority. You and your staff will need to ride out the storm, fire or flood somewhere safely so that you can get back to work as soon as it is safe to do so. In your disaster plan, create an alternate work plan for after a disaster.
If you are going to be working remotely, make sure your data is going to be secure ahead of the disaster striking. Check equipment and networks to ensure everyone can log on as anticipated. If you will be using an alternate location, make sure your staff knows how and when to access it.
As you get work going again, call our office so we can start your restoration. Our experts are available around the clock to put your building back together, no matter what has happened.
Need help creating a disaster plan, or has your business been damaged in a disaster? Contact us so we can help keep your business going.
Preventing Water Damage From Appliances | SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia
6/7/2024 (Permalink)
Has your home been impacted by unexpected water damage? SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia is Here to Help®. Call us today!
Have you ever walked through your home and wondered how there could possibly be another load of laundry or another load of dishes? Or perhaps the dog has just come home covered in mud, again.
There are so many ways we count on water—not only to keep things clean, but for a fresh drink, to wash our hands and even to cook our food. We are so fortunate to have water-based appliances that make things so convenient, but did you know that these appliances also leave our homes vulnerable to water damage?
Water damage that originates from appliances often goes unseen until it has created a total disaster. The good news is that with a little home maintenance, you can continue to enjoy keeping things fresh and clean without worrying about needing costly repairs.
Find It
In order to prevent water damage, you have to first find where it could originate. This is one of the reasons that water damage that stems from an appliance often goes unnoticed.
Water hoses are typically behind the appliance, which is almost always up against a wall. When a leak does develop, it is going to first affect the wall and the floor under the appliance, making it difficult to find.
Every few months, pull your refrigerator, washing machine and dishwasher as far away from the wall as possible. Check to see if the wall or floor around the appliance is discolored. Look for mold growth or check for a musty odor.
Replace water lines when they show signs of aging, and give everything a good cleaning before returning the appliance to its spot.
You can also catch an appliance leak in between these deep-cleanings by checking under the sink nearest them. Feel along water lines and look for moisture in the wall or cabinet area.
Make sure connection points are tight, and replace anything that is beginning to wear out. The more you can stay ahead of regular maintenance, the less likely you are to end up with structural damage from an appliance leak.
Respond Quickly
Sometimes we do everything we can to avoid something only for that very thing to happen. This is true for appliance leaks just as it is in the rest of our lives. Even the most well-maintained appliance could still end up flooding your floor. When that happens, the faster you respond, the less damage your home will have.
Familiarize yourself with water shutoff valves around your home. Under your sink, you may have a few different ones for your plumbing and your dishwasher. Make sure you know which one controls what so that you can quickly turn off whatever is causing the flood.
If you can’t determine right away where the water is coming from, turn your water off at the main shutoff valve.
Dry up water as quickly as possible to prevent any runoff into cracks through the floor. Don’t forget to get underneath shelves and appliances.
Call our team right away, even if it is the middle of the night. Water damage moves fast, and it can quickly lead to structural damage, mold growth and lingering odors. We will get a crew out to your house so that things are back to normal fast.
Do you have water damage in your home? Contact our SERVPRO® team to get things dried up quickly.
Teaching Kids Fire Safety | SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia
2/7/2024 (Permalink)
Unexpected fires can be devastating to your home. That's why SERVPRO of East Fullerton/Placentia can restore your home with a quick response. Call us!
There is so much we do every day to protect our children and keep our homes safe. Both of these responsibilities can be almost daily tasks—there are so many risks and hazards we have to be prepared for!
Along with ensuring our homes are ready to handle each season and our children are ready to handle schools and growth milestones, we need to also make sure both are ready for potential fires.
Teaching your kids fire safety is crucial to ensure you can all get out in the event of a disaster. There are ways you can prepare your home and your family without creating a lot of fear. Spend some time talking about fire safety with your family to keep everyone safe.
Start With Prevention
In order to prevent creating fear as you prepare your kids for a fire, start by sharing with them the fire prevention tools you have in place at home. Walk them through the house and show them where your smoke detectors are.
These should be placed outside of every sleeping area and on every floor of your home. Turn them on while your kids listen so that they know what they sound like and you know their batteries are good.
Talk with your kids about the power of fire, and teach them to never play with matches or lighter. Children are naturally curious about how things work, so further protect them by keeping matches and lighters out of their reach.
Remove candles from your home as well. Flameless candles are a great alternative and can still offer the ambiance and even the smell of a regular candle without the risk.
If your kids are older and utilize appliances in the kitchen, make sure they know how to properly respond if something sparks. There should always be a pot lid close by to smother flames, but also keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Teach older children how to use them. Remind them to always turn heat sources off and to unplug appliances when they are not in use.
Make a Plan
Disasters can still strike in even the most prepared home. While ensuring you have plenty of prevention in place is crucial for protecting your loved ones, you also need to make a plan so they know how to respond if things get out of control. Fires can spread rapidly, leaving you less than two minutes to safely get out.
Draw a basic map of your home with your children. Make a game out of deciding what the fastest route out of each room is. Set a timer and have them race to see who can get out of a space and to a safe meeting spot outside of the home the fastest. Do a belly crawl race as well so that your children can learn how to stay low and avoid smoke in a fun way.
Talk to your children about safely navigating stairs in their exit route and how you will handle exiting out a window when it is the only option. Practice your plan regularly, and play your escape games. The more you can make your family comfortable, the better a potential disaster scenario will go.
Do you have damage from a fire in your home? Contact our SERVPRO® team, and we will get things back to normal fast!
Facts About Garages and Car Fires
10/31/2023 (Permalink)
All too often today, we hear sensational stories about Electric Vehicles (EVs) bursting into flames in home garages. When they do occur, these fires will burn at intensely high temperatures and fire departments find them far more difficult to extinguish than fires involving gas or diesel powered vehicles. Extinguishing an EV fire requires copious amounts of water that can become contaminated with lithium and other chemicals and firefighters and others can be exposed to electrocution risks. But, EV and hybrid vehicle fires don’t occur all that often and the concerns of homeowners or property managers of public parking facilities can be diminished when the facts are more closely examined.
Firefighting tactics don’t work the same on electric vehicles as on gas powered vehicles. Lithium ion battery fires are more tricky to put out, sometimes they can reignite hours, days or even a week later. Since California has the highest number of EVs and hybrid (gas and electric) vehicles among the 2.5 plus million such vehicles in the U.S., we have significant risk exposure. Studies have shown that fire occurrences among gas, hybrid and electric powered vehicles differ significantly. Hybrid-powered cars are the most prone to experiencing fire and have been involved in about 3.5% of vehicles sold (3,475 fires per every 100,000). Gasoline-powered cars experience 1.5%, (about 1,530 fires per every 100,000) vehicles. And in spite of the sensational headlines, electric vehicles (EVs) saw just 25 fires per 100,000 (.00025%) of vehicles sold.
So Do You Need To Protect Your Garage from a Fire?
The answer is yes – no matter what vehicle type you park there. A majority of garages contain flammable substances and electrical situations that are easy to ignite. You can vastly decrease the odds of a garage fire by following these simple garage-keeping safety steps:
- For gas or hybrid car owners, inspect regularly for gas and oil leaks. Clean them up and get repairs started immediately.
- For EV owners, avoid over-charging EVs. The U.S. Fire Administration recommends owners avoid charging their EVs overnight and park EVs that need repair outside. Not charging to 100% every time will also help prevent overheating.
- Have an electrician inspect your wiring before installing EV chargers to ensure they will handle the high voltages necessary to charge the vehicle. Older homes and damaged systems may be unable to charge EVs safely.
- Store any oil, gasoline, propane, paint and varnishes in a structure like a shed that isn’t connected to the rest of the house – these are highly flammable and shouldn’t be stored in your garage.
- If you have washers, dryers, refrigerators, shop vacs and other appliances in your garage don’t store any items on top of the machinery as it can lead to a fire.
- Always avoid overloading electrical outlets with multiple plugins. Overloaded outlets are a leading cause of garage (and home) fires.
- Avoid using extension cords in garages, especially when powering or charging appliances. It just adds another danger that wires could short and spark a fire.
- Sweep your garage frequently and throw out unneeded stuff. The more clutter, the more fire hazards.
- Never install a solid-fuel burning device in a garage. It’s against building codes and a serious fire hazard.
- Install a heat alarm instead of a smoke alarm in your garage. A heat alarm is more consistent and reliable. Smoke alarms are prone to sound off when the temperature gets too hot, or dust and fumes interfere with its reading. False smoke alarms will bug you so you’ll soon detach the monitor anyway.
October is National Fire Protection Month; a good time to inspect and apply some common sense so that home garages, basements and attics aren’t neglected year-round.
Storm Prep for Residents and Business's in Fullerton - Build a Disaster Supply Kit
10/31/2023 (Permalink)
When it comes to combating oncoming storms, the best offense is a good defense. In other words, being prepared for storm damage is of the utmost importance. Whether it be a snow, ice, rain or windstorm, having a plan in place and a disaster supply kit assembled, will have you one step ahead when they strike. Here are a few recommendations for your Disaster Supply Kit:
- Water (one gallon per person per day for a minimum of 3 days)
- Food (no less than a three-day supply)
- Battery powered radio
- Flashlight
- First aid kit
- Additional batteries
- Cell phone with chargers/battery backup
- Toolbox
- Pet food (if there are pets in the household)
- fire extinguisher
- Change of clothing for the appropriate weather and sturdy shoes
- Matches (preferably in a waterproof container)
- Writing utensil and paper
- Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
- Paper towels, plates, cups, and plastic eating utensils.
Other tasks that should be kept in mind prior to a storm:
- Fill your vehicle's gas tank
- Check your vehicle's tires
- Have cash on hand
- Charge your phone
- Plan alternate evacuation routes if necessary
- Gather important documents in a waterproof bag
- Have an extra set of keys
- Move your valuables to the highest level of the home
These are but a few items and tasks that can help you better be prepared when a storm is on its way. Of course, safety is of the utmost importance and should be your top priority. If your home or commercial property experiences fire, water, smoke or mold relating from storm damage, be sure to contact SERVPRO® and we'll be there to assist you. Always here to help!
Staying Safe During A Thunderstorm in Fullerton - Indoor Safety Tips
10/31/2023 (Permalink)
Thunderstorms can be exciting to watch but it is important to also be aware of and protect yourself and your family from the potential hazards associated with thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms can produce hail anytime during the storm. Hail can vary in size from smaller than the size of a pea to the size of a grapefruit! These chunks of ice can plunge to earth at speeds up to 120 mph.
Thunderstorms also produce lightning which can kill or seriously injure one caught in its path. Here are some safety tips to follow once you get indoors:
- Don’t use corded phones and electronics like power tools or computers. The electrical wires can conduct lightning.
- Don’t use the shower/bathtub, wash dishes, do laundry or wash your hands as the metal plumbing is also conductive.
- Stay away from windows, skylights and doors as high winds and hail can break the glass.
- Keep candles, matches/lighters, flashlights and batteries in a secure and easy to reach location in case they are needed during a power outage.
- Always have emergency non-perishable food and potable water in your pantry just in case.
- Keep a first aid kit fully stocked and in an accessible location in your home.
- Stay inside until the storm is over.
How to Manage Storm Damage Before Professional Help Arrives
1/2/2022 (Permalink)
Especially on the Central Coast, the thunderstorms that come rolling across the coast can cause severe damage, leaving homes and businesses upset and at risk in their wake. Coming home to an uprooted or fallen tree (or two) can inflict costly damage, particularly if you don’t know how to ensure it doesn’t get worse before it can be properly cleaned up. That’s why it’s important to know how to manage storm damage before professional help arrives.
Storm damage comes in all shapes and sizes—it doesn’t fit into one clear box, but there are a few general steps to take to manage storm damage immediately after it happens:
- Don’t Go Outside Until You Hear the Okay
Whenever severe storms, tornadoes, or other natural disasters have watches or warnings around you, take caution! Make sure you monitor your radio and your phone to hear the okay to leave your home when the threat of the storm has passed. Your safety and well-being always should come first.
- Document the Damage
Before doing anything else, take out your phone and snap pictures of all the damage. This is essential to make any insurance claims on property damage that you have sustained due to a storm. By having photos of the damage before any cleanup has occurred, you’re more likely to be able to claim the maximum amount of coverage from your insurance that you can in order to cover the costs.
- Cover Any Areas Where More Water Could Enter
If your roof or home has any holes or damage that allows water to continue to enter your home, make sure you cover them to the best of your ability with a tarp or something else to prevent more water from entering. Chances are, rain may still be pouring down after you sustain some storm damage, and you never know when it may start up again even if it has stopped.
- Remove Excess Water
Is your basement now a mini-ocean? Do your best to remove any excess water you can by the bucketful or with a shop-vac. However, don’t attempt to do this until you are certain that there is no electrical damage and you aren’t at risk of your power channeling itself through the standing water.
In all that you do after storm damage occurs, be sure to take caution and keep your safety in mind first and foremost. Once you have the time and signal to do so, call a local professional restoration company like SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia to get your place looking back to normal. You can reach us at 714-525-0158.
Why Should You Choose SERVPRO?
12/28/2021 (Permalink)
Every day at SERVPRO we get asked by our customers: “Why SERVPRO?” We, of course, can give you statistics and show you our outstanding reviews from Google. But that just paints a picture of what we do – and how we do it. But to us, the answer of “Why SERVPRO” goes a bit deeper and we can find it in our staff.
Our staff is filled with amazing people, and each person brings unique qualities to our team. You’ll be hard pressed to find a day where someone isn’t laughing or telling some sort of story. We’re so much more than just a team, we’re a family here at SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia and we are proud of that fact. In the following blog posts we will be showcasing members of our family – letting you learn a little more about them, and why SERVPRO is the best team to handle your disaster.
Commercial Property Water Loss and Extraction
12/27/2021 (Permalink)
Commercial Property Water Loss and Extraction
Water is the single most long-term destructive substance in the indoor environment. It can dissolve or weaken building materials, damage floors and ceilings, and can also cause microbial growth if you don’t fix water damage quickly and professionally.
The faster the water is extracted the less damage to the building structure and contents.
The first thing to do if you are dealing with water damage at your place of business is to remove the water immediately. The faster the water is extracted the less damage to the building structure and contents. In situations, this is not enough. Standing water from carpet, flooring and walls can cause permanent damage if not taken care of in a timely manner
Extracting water in commercial buildings or properties, is a very important part of any large water loss. Fire sprinklers, used to stop fire from spreading, can leave you with wet and soggy office spaces.
Water extraction is used to assist in the prevention of microbial growth from expanding and growing. Extraction of water is also needed to keep floors from buckling. The dehumidifiers and air movers will be placed by the technicians in the necessary areas of the building.
A SERVPRO manager will walk the property with the owner/manager and adjuster explaining the process and to answer any questions they may have about removal of property, items and demo.
At SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia we are here for your water and fire needs 24 hours day seven days a week. Call us at 714-525-0158
Helping to make it “Like it never even happened.”
Restoring Commercial Property After Water Damage
12/26/2021 (Permalink)
Restoring Commercial Property After A Water Damage
Commercial Buildings Flood and Water
Commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response when dealing with flood and water damage in the E. Fullerton / Placentia area. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large-scale event, SERVPRO ofE. Fullerton / Placentia works quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.
Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges
SERVPRO ofE. Fullerton / Placentia technicians specialize in the water damage cleanup and restoration of commercial property after a water damage event. Our technicians are highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So, when an emergency arises in your business, give us a call!
SERVPRO of E. Fullerton / Placentia
714-525-0158
Helping to make it
“Like it never even happened.”
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