Recent Community Posts

September is National Preparedness Month

9/26/2016 (Permalink)

Take advantage of National Preparedness Month to review your readiness for emergencies and remember to keep SERVPRO’s number in your kit! 732-805-9944

“Don’t Wait, Communicate!”

Prepare BEFORE an emergency!

The following steps can help you be ready in case of an emergency:

  • Make a disaster supplies kit.
    • One gallon of water per person (and pet!) per day for at least three days.
    • Non-perishable food, at least a three-day supply; manual can opener for food.
    • Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert, and extra batteries.
    • Flashlight with extra batteries.
    • First aid kit.
    • Whistle to signal for help.
    • Dust mask to filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and duct tape.
    • Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
    • Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
    • Local maps (not on your phone!).
    • Cell phone with charger, inverter, or solar charger.
    • For more supply kit recommendations click here.
  • Make an Emergency Communication Plan that answers the following questions for your family or household:
    • How will we get emergency alerts and warnings?
    • How will we get to safe locations for relevant emergencies
    • How will we get in touch if cell phone, internet, or landlines don’t work?
    • How will I let loved ones know I’m safe?
    • How will we get to a meeting place after the emergency?
    • For more details, click here.
  • Download the FEMA app for alerts and more information here.
  • For more information about the different kinds of emergencies you can prepare for, click here.

And of course, make sure you have SERVPRO of West Somerset County’s number (732-805-9944) in your kit in case of any damage to your home or property. That way, we can get right to work helping you make it “like it never even happened!”

National Poison Prevention Week

3/24/2016 (Permalink)

National Poison Help Line 1-800-222-1222

 “Children Act Fast…So Do Poisons!”

 “Poisoning Spans a Lifetime.”

March 20 through 26 is the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2016 National Poison Prevention Week. This makes it a good time to review the medications, cleaning chemicals, pesticides, laundry detergents, and other chemicals your keep around the house, particularly if you have children or pets. A recent survey by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regarding pesticide use in and around the home revealed that almost half (47%) of all households with children under the age of 5 had at least one pesticide stored in an unlocked cabinet, and less than 4 feet off the ground (i.e., within reach of children). The survey also found that 75% of households without children under the age of 5 also stored one pesticide within reach of children.

A few selected recommendations are listed below. Please see the links under “Sources” at the bottom of the page for complete information.

  • Always read the label: review all warnings and storage recommendations for everything you buy, and regularly review directions for safe use.
  • Store items out of reach and out of sight of children or pets: cabinet locks found at any hardware store can help keep little fingers and paws away from danger.
  • See your home from the perspective of children and pets: crawl around on your hands and knees to spot potential issues you might not usually see.
  • Never store cleaning chemicals, pesticides, laundry detergents, or anything else potentially dangerous in containers that could be mistaken for food or drink (i.e. cups, water bottles).
  • Keep chemicals in their original containers; or if transferring them to something such as a spray bottle, label it very clearly along with particular dangers (i.e. use with gloves).
  • Use child-resistant packaging properly by closing the container securely after use or if you have to step away from a container you are in the process of using.
  • Always leave the light on when giving or taking medicine; always check the dosage. Avoid taking medicine in front of children and never refer to it as “candy.”
  • Alert all adults and caregivers coming into your home to potential dangers. When travelling to a home without children or pets (i.e. grandparents), make sure they have gone through these steps to avoid problems. A study conducted for the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission by the American Association of Poison Control Centers found that 23 percent of the oral prescription drugs that were ingested by children under 5 belonged to someone who did not live with the child.
  • Keep the number for Local Poison Control in a prominent place in your house and programmed on your cell phone: 800-222-1222.
  • Hold on to the label of anything someone might have ingested in order to provide the information to emergency personnel.

By following and reviewing these basic guidelines as well as the information provided by the EPA and HRSA at the links below, you can ensure the safety of everyone under your roof.

Sources

US Department of Health and Human Services – Health Resources and Services Administration – Poison Help: http://www.poisonhelp.hrsa.gov/

EPA - Pesticides: https://www.epa.gov/pesticides

EPA - Reduce Your Child’s Chances of Pesticide Poisoning: https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/reduce-your-childs-chances-pesticide-poisoning

EPA - Protecting Pets from Fleas and Ticks: https://www.epa.gov/pets

http://www.poisonprevention.org/