Seasonal safety tips from your local restoration experts

10/28/2021 (Permalink)

Safety is key!

Just like that, we are about two months away from wrapping up 2021; How time flies! On that note, we are just about to enter the Holiday season, how exciting is that? This means family time, good food, and year-end annual traditions. With that being said, here are a few seasonal safety tips for your home.

• When cooking your Thanksgiving feast, practice kitchen safety. Keep a fire extinguisher handy, just in case. Keep cleaning rags and mittens away from your stovetop. Never leave your stove unattended while cooking.
• If you plan on participating in the Black Friday shopping tradition, be mindful of others at stores. Please remember that safety should be a priority while partaking in this tradition.
• If you are traveling during the holiday season, remember to adjust your thermostat accordingly. During the colder evenings, this can help prevent broken pipes and water damage as a result.
• If you are purchasing a real Christmas tree this season, remember to water it regularly. A dry Pine tree can be a fire hazard.

Most importantly, enjoy the upcoming season with your family and loved ones. Always remember that your local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help.

Back to school week!

8/30/2021 (Permalink)

Safety tips from your local SERVPRO

This week marks a big time for our little ones, this week they return to in-person school learning after over 1 year. We hope that they all have a prosperous and successful school year. We also wish them a safe return. On that note, here is a small list of tips for a safer return to school.

• When driving be sure to follow the speed limit, especially near school zones
• Practice washing your hands together, remind them to count to 20 seconds
• Advice your children to try not to touch their eyes, mouth, or nose

We hope that these tips will be useful to you and your children.

How to help prevent a heat illnesses during the hot summer days

7/27/2021 (Permalink)

Beat the heat!

Enjoying the summertime fun is an annual treat for many of us. This includes outdoor activities like going to the beach, bike riding, or hiking. Doing these activities safely is a challenge. We have compiled helpful information from the Maryland Department of Health, please read and share. If you work outdoors and are in the heat all day, this list is for you.

6 Tips for coping with hot weather

• Drink plenty of fluids
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and overly-sweetened beverages
• Wear loose-fitting, lightweight, and light-colored clothing
• Avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen; stay in the shade when possible
• Avoid salt tablets, unless advised by a doctor to take them
• Take it easy outside; schedule physical activity in the morning or evening when it’s cooler and take breaks if necessary

Here at SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus, we wish you a healthy rest of your summer 2021. Remember that your local SERVPRO is always here to help!

Fireworks safety tips from SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus

7/2/2021 (Permalink)

We wish you a happy and safe 4th of July!

This weekend we celebrate the Independence day of our great nation. On this special day, we celebrate with cookouts, delicious food, and beautiful firework displays. Though in many counties and cities of the state of Maryland, fireworks are prohibited. If fireworks are permitted in your jurisdiction, and you are planning on part-taking in this tradition, please read the following safety precautions.

• Light fireworks one at a time
• Keep a hose or bucket of water nearby
• Do not point fireworks at anybody
• Never light fireworks indoors
• Do not allow children to handle fireworks without adult supervision
• Do not ignite fireworks in a container
• Do not attempt to light a malfunctioning firework

We hope that you've found these tips helpful. We wish you a happy and safe 4th of July.

Helping our community this Holiday season

12/1/2020 (Permalink)

Help your community this Holiday season

Along with the Clarksburg Chamber of Commerce and the Clarksburg Closet organization we were able to lend a helping hand to community members in need. This week we collected over 500 coats for children and adults in need this winter. The Clarksburg closet will distribute all items collected to families in need. Remember that this is the season to give back, help a neighbor in need.

Keep warm during the cold winter days!

2/17/2020 (Permalink)

Prepare for cold weather!

Though we enjoy the winter season and its beautiful snowy days, we must be cautious and prepared for the cold weather. We would like to share tips and information, courtesy of the American Burn Association, on what can be done to avoid sicknesses like Hypothermia. First off, Hypothermia is considered a medical emergency, which averages 1,300 deaths per year in the U.S. Hypothermia occurs when the body temperature cools down to a life-threatening level and sometimes accompanies frostbite injuries. Signs of hypothermia include slurred speech, shivering, weakness, confusion, drowsiness and/or loss of consciousness. If you feel any of those symptoms seek medical attention as soon as possible! If you are planning a day out in the cold weather, please see the tips below.

• Pay attention to weather forecast
• Dress in several layers of loose clothing, wear hats that fully cover the ears, wear warm boots and mittens
• Drink plenty of warm fluids but avoid alcohol and caffeine
• Avoid or limit outdoor activities when the temperature nears or dips below 5°F (-15°C)
• Take frequent breaks indoors from the cold

We hope you found those tips helpful. Always remember that your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help, and make it “Like it never even happened."

Tips on preventing kitchen fires this Holiday season from your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus

12/21/2018 (Permalink)

We wish you a safe holiday season.

The Holiday season is like a whirlwind of different activities, the decorating, the gift wrapping, the cooking! Sometimes it feels like there’s so much to do with so little time. Here at SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus we understand the meaning of the “whirlwind” that comes along with the Holiday season. We know that a celebration isn’t complete without a feast to share with your loved ones. Your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is here with helpful tips to prevent kitchen fires this Holiday season.

• Watch what you are cooking! The leading cause of kitchen fires is because the kitchen was left unattended whilst cooking a meal.
• Keep children at least 3ft away from the stove. Enforce a 3ft area perimeter around the stove for your children to avoid. Younger children run higher risks of being burned from hot food or hot liquids on the stove.
• Use kitchen appliances correctly. Follow manufacturer recommendations when connecting appliances like microwaves, crock pots, steamers, toaster ovens, and any other appliance. Connect these items directly to a wall outlet, using extension cords can overload the circuit and cause a fire.

• Keep flammable items away from the stove. Keeping the following items away from your stove top can potentially prevent a fire in your home. Common flammable ingredients and items: Flour, sugar, cooking alcohols, oils, paper products, wooden spoons, cloth napkins etc.

 Keeping a fire extinguisher in your home is always a good idea. A class K fire extinguisher is most commonly used in the kitchen area. Fire extinguishers should be placed at least 30 feet away from the stove. Always remember safety is the most important aspect when putting together a feast for your family this Holiday season. Keep in mind that your SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus is always here to help, and make it “Like it never even happened”.

Preparedness Month at SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus

9/26/2018 (Permalink)

Where is your water shut off valve?

Knowing where to shut off your water source in case of a flood is vital. We don’t mean the sink or water hose, we mean the main shut off. If your home is flooding and you can’t find the source, shutting off the main water valve is your next step. By doing this, you avoid further water damage. We recommend that you label your main water shut off valve with clear lettering, like the picture shown above. If you would like a label like this one, you’re local SERVPRO of Poolesville/Clarksburg/Damascus will be happy to provide one at no charge! Keep in mind that we are always here to help and make it “Like it never even happened”.