Helpful tips to prevent a house fire

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

House fires kill and injure many every year, while leaving many without their home, and valuable memories and possessions. Fire prevention is more important than many realize. 

Ways to Prevent House Fires

-Establish an emergency plan with fire routes. 

-Test all smoke alarms in your home.

-Teach your children fire safety. 

-Perform home maintenance consistently.

- Use candles with caution.

-Don't leave food cooking unattended.

- Store flammables safely.

- Know where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them. 

- Check all electrical cords in your home. If wires are frayed, throw it away.

Fire preparation is an important part of safeguarding your home and your family. Knowing not only how to prevent a fire but also how to escape it and get quick fire cleanup is essential.

Tips to get your business ready for the weather ahead

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Summer is over, fall is here, and winter is right around the corner!

Summer is over, Fall is here, and Winter is right around the corner! While not every storm will cripple a business, it is still necessary to be prepared. Along with frigid temperatures and snow, winter can create problems with plumbing and operations. Therefore, it is essential to make a plan for the worst-case scenario.

1. Prepare Your Building-Make sure you check your plumbing and electricity regularly, but even more so when a winter storm is heading your way. Outside plumbing should be shut off and cleared to prevent freezing and possible burst pipes. Additionally, it may be a good idea to secure a generator if your business does not already have one. If your company does have a generator, it is a good investment to have it serviced before the winter weather sets in.
2. Plan for Ice and Snow-Any winter storm is going to bring issues of snow and ice. Being prepared for this situation means having a plow service on contract and ensuring that all walkways and driveways are cleared and salted. It is vital to do everything in your power to ensure that customers do not get hurt on the way into your business.
3. Focus on Inventory-Also, as storms have the potential to cause significant business interruption as well as property damage, it is vital to take an accurate inventory of all your assets. This inventory will be used for insurance claims if property damage results in an inventory loss. You should move stock to a secure and climate-controlled area, photographing and documenting everything. This will help streamline the process if a claim is made.
4. Make a List of Contacts-While taking inventory is necessary, it is also crucial to make a list of emergency contacts. This list should include all personnel who are essential to your operations. Additionally, you should include a disaster restoration specialists in the Omaha area in case of an emergency.
   
   Winter storm season can produce significant threats to business operations. Massive snowfalls and ice storms can wreak havoc on you Omaha business, so it is essential to have a plan. 

Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County today at (402)835-5985 and schedule one of our marketers to come to your business to help you with an Emergency Readiness Plan at no cost to you!

Faster to your Omaha/Saunders County disaster

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Flooding and water disasters don't wait for regular business hours,and neither do we!

Faster to your Omaha/Saunders County water disaster!

Flooding and water disasters don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we. SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for all emergency cleaning and restoration, including all holidays. 

Faster To Any Size Disaster

Flooding and water damage is very invasive. Water quickly spreads throughout your home and gets absorbed into floors, walls, furniture, and more.  SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County arrives quickly and starts the water extraction process almost immediately. This immediate response helps to minimize the damage and the cleaning and restoration costs.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – (402)835-5985

About SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County

SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is 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.

National Readiness Month

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)835-5985 to discuss your ERP today!

Did you know September is National Readiness Month? Disasters can strike businesses big or small. Disasters can devastate a community in just a matter of moments.

Disasters caused by wind, fire, water, or weather can strike at anytime without warning. Business owners need to establish an Emergency Plan and practice it with all employees. 

Companies can find vital information regarding emergency plans at ready.gov/business. 

-Update all emergency contact information and give to all employees.

-Implement Emergency Policies and Procedures.

-Sign up for alerts and warnings in your area.

-Conduct Emergency drills with employees.

SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County offers a NO COST Emergency Readiness Profile (ERP) to help with your emergency planning. 

Don't wait until disaster strikes. Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)835-5985 to discuss your ERP today! 

Emergency Ready Profile

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

When fire or water damage strikes, you can either be ruined or you can be ready!

As the sales and marketing representative for SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County, one of my key targets each month is to help businesses be prepared in the event of a disaster.  One way we do that is through our Emergency Ready Profile program. 

The Emergency Ready Profile, or ERP, is a free service provided by SERVPRO in which we help area businesses with such things as locating their emergency shut offs for their electrical systems, water, and gas.  We also compile information on their key contacts in the event of any emergency so the business is prepared and can calmly work through the situation.  Since this is a free service, there are no contracts to sign and no obligations to purchase any products.  Our only request is, if your business does suffer from a disaster to give us an opportunity to make it "Like it never even happened".

The ERP also contains tips and suggestions that the business can do before help arrives and provides somewhat of a roadmap helping them get back into their business more quickly and ultimately minimizing the interruption. 

One example where we had the opportunity to truly see the power of the plan in action was last February.  A local business suffered a frozen pipe on the third story of their building reaching numerous rooms within the facility.  With this plan, the building contact knew exactly who to call and within hours our team was on site helping them to restore function to nearly 50% of the rooms affected by the end of day 1.  The other rooms required more drying time, but they were able to recover a fair amount of potential lost income by simply having a plan in place and knowing what to do prior to help arriving. 

The best part of the ERP process is the amount of work the business owner or manager must do to get this set up is minimal.  A sales and marketing representative will come to your business and take the necessary photos and information, then finish putting the document together at the office.  This process usually only takes 30 minutes or less and the business owner can proof and edit the document as often as they would like.  When approved, the business will receive both a hard copy and a digital copy through our ERP app. 

For more questions or to set up an Emergency Ready Profile for your business, call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County at 402-835-5985.

Dishwashers Lead to Water Damage

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Having a dishwasher in your business, home or office means there is a water line which can lead to potential water damage if leaking starts to occur.

It is pretty common nowadays to clean your dishes using a dishwasher. Having a dishwasher in your business, home or office means there is a water line which can lead to potential water damage if leaking starts to occur. 

SERVPRO recommends all Omaha/Saunders County restaurateurs, home owners and offices take the following steps to take care of their dishwashers to reduce the risk of water damage.

Do Not Overfill

It is tempting to fill your dishwasher to the brim especially when there only a couple of dishes left in the sink. However, tell yourself and your staff not the crowd the rack, as an over filled dishwasher is much more likely to leak. It is better to do a couple of smaller loads rather than trying to fit everything into one big load.

Do Regular Maintenance on Doors

Dishwasher door hinges become loose, door latches become misaligned or door seals break, all of which can cause a leak. Sometime the problem can be solved with a tightening of a few screws and you can use an epoxy patch kit to remedy minor seal breaks. However, other times it is not possible to fix the door hinges, latches or seals on your own and that leads to buying a new dishwasher.

Check the Tub and Hose

The tub and hose can both develop faults over time. Consistent and constant use may corrode the tub and create a big hole, and aging hoses can become unstable or cease to fit properly.

Use the Correct Detergent

Always use a dish washing detergent and follow the manufacturer instructions. The incorrect dish washing detergent or too much of the correct dish washing detergent can cause suds and even a blockage. 

These leaks, if not dried fast or correctly, can lead to mold.

For help with water damage to your business or home give SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County a call at (402) 835-5985 to help remedy the situation.

Services Offered by SERVPRO of Omaha West/ Saunders County

9/19/2022 (Permalink)

Do you know the services offered by SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County?

Do you know the services SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County offers?

1. Water Damage Repair and Restoration: Whether the damage is from heavy rains or flooding, a burst pipe, or an appliance malfunction, our techs are highly trained and certified in water damage restoration. We have specialized high tech equipment to efficiently dry out your property.

2. Fire Damage Repair and Restoration: Each fire situation is unique and requires a specific cleaning and restoration process. We have high tech equipment that allows to restore contents instead of having to replace. 

3. Mold Remediation and Restoration: From setting containment to using negative air, our techs are trained in proper mold remediation. 

4. Storm Damage Cleanup and Restoration: We have the resources and personnel to quickly respond to any storm or disaster. With over 1800 franchises, SERVPRO is close by and ready.

5. Commercial Cleaning Services: SERVPRO offers commercial COVID cleaning and disinfecting, along with proactive cleaning. We follow protocol set by the CDC, and use a hospital grade EPA registered disinfectant. 

6. Bio-hazard Cleanup: Crime scene cleanup, sewage backup, and suicide cleanup are a few of the bio-hazard cleanup services we offer.

7. Vandalism and Graffiti Removal: The media blaster can clean almost any surface. We can seamlessly remove graffiti or cleanup after a break-in.

8. Air Duct and Carpet Cleaning: Cleaning your HVAC unit can extend the life of the equipment. This can save you money, and give you cleaner air to breathe. Carpets act as a filter trapping contaminants. Regular cleanings can extent the life span of your carpet.

9. Odor Removal: Our techs are trained to identify and quickly eliminate offensive odors. 

Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County for all your restoration and cleanup needs.

Top 5 Common Causes of Fire Damage

9/6/2022 (Permalink)

Take Steps to Prevent House Fires

Cooking
The NFPA reports that from 2015-2019, cooking caused 49 percent of reported home fires, 20 percent of reported home fire deaths, and 42 percent of home fire injuries. It is the most common cause of residential fires. Major cooking holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are the riskiest time for cooking fires.

Approximately 44 percent of house fires begin in the kitchen or cooking area and from 2013-2017, almost half of all home structure fires were caused by cooking. These fires are commonly due to things being left cooking unattended as well as open flames and spills. If someone is not in the kitchen to extinguish the fire it can quickly get out of hand.

Tips

• Maintain a fire extinguisher in the kitchen (that is rated for kitchens)
• Don’t use the stove if you are tired or have consumed any alcohol
• Remain in the kitchen while cooking
• Utilize a timer to remind you that things are cooking
• Keep anything that could catch fire (e.g. paper towels, oven mitts, wooden utensils) away from the stove. 

Heating
Per the NFPA, from 2014-2018, local fire departments responded to an average of about 48,530 fires annually that involved heating equipment. This is equal to about 14% of all reported home fires during this time period and resulted in approximately 500 civilian deaths and 1,350 civilian injuries each year. 

The most common heating cause of fires is space heaters. Although fireplaces and furnaces can pose a risk, space heaters can cause a fire simply by being left too close to other things that can catch fire. 

While furnaces can cause fires in a home, space heaters and fireplaces are more common sources of heating equipment fires.

Tips

• Always keep anything that can burn a minimum of 3 feet from heating equipment
• Each year you should have your heating equipment, such as your chimneys, cleaned and inspected by a professional

Electrical
Another common cause of fires in the home is electrical, namely faulty wiring. You may be able to tell that your house has faulty wiring if you see blinking lights, lights that dim when you turn on appliances, or sparks coming from an electrical outlet. 

Tip

• Always have all electrical work done by a professional

Smoking
Another common cause of fire damage is lit cigarettes or lighters. Sadly, one out of every four victims who die from a smoking-material fire is not the smoker. Merely dropping a lit cigarette can cause a blaze that spreads throughout the entire house. This often occurs when someone drops a cigarette after falling asleep. The best way to combat fire damage from smoking is by always smoking outside of the home. 

Tips

• Only smoke fire-safe cigarettes
• Always smoke outside
• Always keep smoking materials (e.g. cigarettes, lighters, etc.) out of the reach of children
• Never leave e-cigarettes to charge unattended
• Never smoke around medical oxygen, which is easily combustible

5. Candles

According to the NFPA, each year (from 2015-2019) U.S. fire departments responded to approximately 7,400 home structure fires that were started by candles. These fires resulted in an average of 90 fatalities and 670 injuries per year. An average of 20 home candle fires are reported daily.

Tips

• Never leave candles burning attended
• Always trim the candle wick after each use
• Keep candles at least a foot from anything that can burn
• Always blow out candles before going to sleep or leaving the room

Congratulations Amy Mason

8/24/2022 (Permalink)

Gift Card Winner Amy Mason

Amy Mason won a gift card from SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest at the 27th Annual IIAN Golf Tournament. Congratulations Amy! SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest sponsored a hole that was visited by 150-golfers from IIAN Association.

Fire preparation is an important part of safeguarding your home and your family

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

Fire preparation is an important part of safeguarding your home and your family.

House fires kill and injure many every year, while leaving many without their home, and valuable memories and possessions. Fire prevention is more important than many realize. 

Ways to Prevent House Fires

-Establish an emergency plan with fire routes. 

-Test all smoke alarms in your home.

-Teach your children fire safety. 

-Perform home maintenance consistently.

- Use candles with caution.

-Don't leave food cooking unattended.

- Store flammables safely.

- Know where the fire extinguishers are and how to use them. 

- Check all electrical cords in your home. If wires are frayed, throw it away.

Fire preparation is an important part of safeguarding your home and your family. Knowing not only how to prevent a fire but also how to escape it and get quick fire cleanup is essential.

Carbon Monoxide the Silent Killer

7/27/2022 (Permalink)

Carbon Monoxide...The Silent Killer

You can’t see or smell carbon monoxide, but at high levels, it can kill a person in minutes. Often called the silent killer, carbon monoxide is an invisible, odorless, colorless gas created when fuels, like gasoline, wood, coal, natural gas, propane, etc. burn incompletely.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, hundreds of people die accidentally every year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning as a result of improperly used or malfunctioning fuel burning appliances. Even more die from CO produced by idling cars.

The EPA says prevention is the key to avoiding carbon monoxide poisoning. Protect yourself with these tips:

• Have fuel-burning appliances, like oil and gas furnaces, gas or kerosene heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves, inspected by a trained professional at the beginning of every heating season.
• Install audible CO detectors; in homes, place them outside of each sleeping area.
• Never use a charcoal grill, hibachi or generator in an enclosed area, like a garage. Even if the door is open, the CO may not be properly ventilated.
• Do not idle a car inside a garage.
• Before using a fireplace, make sure the flue is open of proper ventilation.

Aren't all restoration companies the same?

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Why choose SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County

Aren't all restoration companies the same? What sets SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/Saunders County apart from the rest? 

Education: We know that knowledge is power! We have invested in all of our techs to take specialized training in water restoration. All of our techs are WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) certified. This is specialized certification through the IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) that gives techs a better concept of water damage, it's effects and techniques for drying of structures. Lathe leads the team with several certifications and years of cleanup, restoration and construction experience. 

Equipment: We have invested in specialized state-of-the-art drying and cleaning equipment. The trailer mounted desiccant dehumidifier can remove 500+ gallons of water from a large space in a 24 hour period. It can dry spaces 50,000 + sq ft. This saves you time and money when it matters most. The complete ultrasonic cleaning system can be used to restore personal belongings instead of the cost to replace. The media blasting machine can remove soot and smoke damage, mold, and even graffiti from property. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest has also invested in a brand new duct cleaning machine. We take pride in our arsenal of specialized drying equipment. 

Customer Service: We value our reputation. The techs are there to explain the process in full, address any questions or concerns, and help to get your property back to pre-damage condition. We strive to make the restoration process seamless for the customer. At the end of a job, we want to make sure the customer is happy with our services and would recommend us in the future.

Faster to Any Disaster: We know when you have an emergency, you need someone there fast! Flooding and water emergencies don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we. Our crews are on call and ready to help 24/7- including all holidays.  The faster we can start the initial assessment process, the faster the water extraction process can start.Timing is essential to prevent any secondary damage.

When disaster strikes, call the team with the knowledge and experience, the state-of-the-art equipment, and compassion at each step of the process. SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/Saunders County proudly serving Omaha, NE and surrounding communities.

Commercial Water Damage...No Problem

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

We are here to help in a water intrusion emergency!

Water damage in a commercial space is never a fun thing to deal with. Restoration professionals understand how crucial it is to act immediately when there is an emergency such as a pipe break or water in your business from plumbing failure. Recognizing that a flooded business causes a devastating setback to businesses, they do whatever it takes to get things back to normal as soon as possible.

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/ Saunders County has the right equipment for large commercial water damages. Our trailer mounted desiccant can remove 500+ gallons of water from a commercial space in 24 hours. This machine acts as a large dehumidifier drying out large spaces quickly. This helps to speed up the drying process, and saves you time and money when it matters most. 

No matter the size of the commercial water loss, SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/ Saunders County can handle it. Once on site, our highly trained professionals will do an initial assessment to assess the damage and form a scope of work to dry out the property. They have high tech equipment that shows moisture, and the path it has taken. 

SERVPRO will restore your property to pre-damage conditions. It is essential to call right away, to prevent further damage from water. 

Call SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/ Saunders County to make your commercial water loss, "Like it never even happened."

402-408-0134

Commercial Water Damage...No Problem

6/30/2022 (Permalink)

Our Desiccant can remove 500 gallons of water from the air in 24 hours

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/Saunders County proudly offers commercial restoration services in Omaha,NE and surrounding communities. SERVPRO has invested in state-of-the-art drying equipment for any size disaster.

Large Loss? No problem.

When drying interior spaces, humidity control is crucial.Our trailer mounted desiccantincreases your productivity and profitability. It can significantly reduce drying time and save you time and money when it matters most. This machine can remove 500+ gallons of water in a 24 hour period. It can dry spaces 50,000+ sq ft. You can achieve faster and more consistent drying times. It’s also the most effective system on the market, outperforming refrigeration and convection-style heat-drying methods.

SERVPRO of Omaha Southwest & Omaha West/Saunders County is the ONLY restoration company in the Omaha area to own a trailer mounted desiccant! Our techs are highly trained to use this state-of-the-art specialty equipment. Call SERVPRO today for all your water restoration needs. 402-408-0134

Let our staff make your large water loss, "Like it never even happened."

The Water Damage Restoration Process

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

When water invades your property, timing is everything. Call the professionals at SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County today.

Do you know the right steps to take when you have a water damage? Timing is essential when it comes to water. When your home or business suffers a water loss, call the professionals at SERVPRO of Omaha West/ Saunders County. Our crew is WRT (Water Restoration Technician) Certified. We have the expertise and state-of-the-art drying equipment to properly restore your property after a loss. 

Water Damage in Omaha, NE?

Call Today- (402)835-5985.

Even though there are no two water damages the same, the general process is the same.

Step One- Contact SERVPRO for Emergency Services

The restoration process begins when you call us. Our crew will take vital information to help us get the right equipment to you right away. Timing is vital to stop further damage from water. 

Step Two- Inspection

We assess the damage and form a scope of work to be done. Our crews use thermal cameras and meters to measure moisture. This helps us to determine how far the water has traveled, and to do a proper and complete dry out. Even though your carpet and walls may appear and feel dry, water can be underneath flooring or behind the wall. Our equipment helps to find all moisture.

Step Three- Water Extraction

Extracting and removing the water is vital. We have different methods of extraction, depending on the amount of water. This step is essential to help prevent any mold growth. 

Step Four- Drying 

We have specialized equipment to dry out your property. The techs are highly trained to use the right equipment and the right amount to dry out your property quickly and efficiently. 

Step Five- Clean and Sanitize

Our techs will clean and sanitize to restore your property to pre-damage conditions. We have specialized equipment to clean anything from carpets to contents. 

If you suffer from a water damage, call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County to make it "Like it never even happened."

Why SERVPRO Over the Other Guys?

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Why SERVPRO?

1. Locally Owned and Operated, National Support

All SERVPRO franchises are independently owned and operated. SERVPRO has over 1800 franchises in the US and Canada. SERVPRO owners have resources across the country, with years of experience and knowledge in all things restoration and cleaning. When disaster strikes, rest assured SERVPRO will be able to handle any size disaster. 

2. Highly Trained Professionals

Our SERVPRO crew is highly trained in cleaning and restoration. All of our techs are WRT (Water Damage Restoration Technician) certified through the IICRC. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) certifies and sets the standards for the cleaning and restoration industry. Our team understands that disaster doesn't always strike at the most convenient time. Our crews are ready and waiting 24/7- including all holidays. We are faster to any disaster.

3. Advanced Specialized Equipment

The IICRC sets practical standards for restoration and cleaning. In the IICRC S500 for water damage, it incorporates psychometry. Psychometry involves the manipulation of temperature and relative humidity to remove moisture and dry a property quickly and effectively. An infrared camera may be used to identify water location for thorough water removal. Hygrometers can be used to measure the extent of moisture saturation. This helps to find lurking moisture even when it appears dry. Our desiccant can remove 500+ gallons of water in a 24 hour period. In addition to the desiccant, we have an arsenal of high tech drying equipment. 

The Storm Hit, Now What?

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Storms don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we.

There are so many questions after your Omaha, NE home or business is flooded due to a storm. What should I do now? Who should I call? Follow these steps to assure your taken care of: 

1. AVOID ADDITIONAL RISKS- Disconnect all the electronics in your home, these can start fires if left on. Contact utility companies if you suspect damage to water, gas, electric, or sewer lines.
2. TAKE PICTURES- Before you remove any water or make repairs, fully document the damage of your home by taking photos or videos. Digital photos are best so they can easily be transferred and shared. The best approach is take a photo from each corner of the room, so you have overall photos of each room.
3. PROTECT YOUR HEALTH- Even if the water in your home is clear, it could be contaminated by sewage or household chemicals. Wear gloves when removing water-damaged possessions, throw away any food that may have come in contact with the flood water.
4. CALL YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY-Call your insurance agent as soon as possible after the flood. Always have their number on hand in your emergency bag. Document the damage, communication, and notify them of any repairs. 
5. REMOVE WATER/MITIGATE MOLD DAMAGE- Have a restoration company like SERVPRO of Omaha West/ Saunders County remove the water quickly. Time is sensitive to prevent secondary damage when dealing with water damage. SERPVRO has different specialized equipment that can be used to extract water quickly and effectively. Mold can also develop within 24-48 hours after a flood. 

Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County to help cleanup your storm damage. 402-835-5985. Our highly trained crews are available 24/7/365. Storms don't wait for regular business hours, and neither do we.

Did You Know Mold Can Grow in 24 Hours?

3/7/2022 (Permalink)

Not only can our team help to identify the mold, they can help with options for removal and remediation of surfaces affected.

Did you know mold can start to grow in less than 24 hours? If water caused your basement to flood, mold can start to appear on surfaces that day!

The first step to preventing mold growth, is to identify the cause and fix the source of moisture. Mold thrives with moisture. Steam from a shower, damp basements, plumbing leaks, and flooding are examples of sources of moisture. Also, it's important to keep the humidity levels down in your home.

Follow your nose to find the source. Mold generally has a musty odor. Mold can appear to be slimy or fuzzy, and can grow anywhere moisture is found. If you detect any mildew smells, you may have a mold issue that would benefit from professional mold remediation.

Call SERVPRO of Omaha West/Saunders County at (402)835-5985 to help remediate your mold issue today. Not only can our team help to identify the mold, they can help with options for removal and remediation of surfaces affected.