Extreme Heat Safety Tips to Prepare Your Home

7/6/2018 (Permalink)

The Summer of 2018 has been an extremely warm one. There are things you can do to keep the heat out and the cool in, in your home.

Install window air conditioners snugly: insulate if necessary.
Check air-conditioning ducts for proper insulation.
Install temporary window reflectors (for use between windows and drapes), such as aluminum foil covered cardboard, to reflect heat back outside.
Weather-strip doors and sills to keep cool are in.
Cover windows that receive morning or afternoon with drapes, shades, awning, or louvers. (Outdoor awnings or louvers can reduce the heat that enters a home by up to 80%.)
Keep storm windows up all year.

Extreme heat is a serious danger. For more information on preparation and prevention, visit ready.gov or cdc.gov.

"Stay safe and be cool!" from SERVPRO of Joliet.

National CPR/AED Awarness Week

5/18/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Joliet would like to remind you that June 1- June 7 is National CPR and AED Awareness Week. The resolution was created by the American Heart Association, along with the American Red Cross and the National Safety Council and was passed by congress in 2007.

Every second counts in cardiac arrest. Sudden cardiac arrest claims thousands of lives every year. Knowing when and how to perform CPR and use an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) can make the difference between life and death for someone suffering from cardiac arrest. The Red Cross recommends that households, businesses and schools receive training in CPR and use of an AED. This training can give them the knowledge and confidence to respond during an emergency situation with the skills that can save a life. Check with your town or the American Red Cross today to sign up for a course.

Should I or Shouldn't I?

1/12/2017 (Permalink)

'Tis the season for colds and flus

Will you catch pneumonia if you go outside with a wet head in winter?? Ever wonder what are really health tips and what are old wive's tales? Well this article from WebMD answers those questions about some common practices we do to try and keep us germ free.

Use hand sanitizer: Worth it

“Hand sanitizers have gotten better in recent years,” explains Charles Gerba, PhD, a germ expert and environmental biologist at the University of Arizona. Look for one that contains 60% alcohol. That's the amount needed to kill germs.

You don’t have to overdo it, Gerba says. Use it once or twice during a typical day, as well as after using public transportation, when you get home, or before you eat (if you can’t wash your hands).

Wash your hands constantly: Not (necessarily) worth it

Turn off the faucet with a paper towel: Worth it

“The faucet handle is the most contaminated surface in a restroom,” Gerba says. Using the same towel to open the restroom door on the way out is also a good idea.

Skip the hand dryer: Worth it

These machines aren’t only annoyingly loud, but they could be hazardous to your health. Studies find that a jet air dryer spreads 1,300 times more germs than paper towels . Use paper towels if available, or air dry your hands.

Use a paper toilet seat cover: Not worth it

The porcelain throne is actually one of the cleanest spots of a public restroom because they’re often cleaned with disinfectants, Gerba says.

If it gives you peace of mind, go for it, but that thin piece of paper isn’t going to do much good, since fluid can go right through it, says Philip Tierno, PhD, microbiologist and clinical professor of pathology at New York University. But chances are good you’re not going to come in contact with anything that can infect you, he says.

Touch elevator buttons with your knuckle or sleeve: Worth it

The ground-floor button, which everyone touches, can get especially grimy, Gerba says.

Avoid shaking hands or hugging people who appear ill: Worth it

Explain that you’re not being rude; you’re protecting your health. Both experts say they avoid touching friends and relatives who are sick, especially if they’re coughing and sneezing.

Keep your fingers off your face: Worth it

Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with germy hands is a surefire way to get sick. And you may be doing it more than you realize. One study found the average adult touches their face about 16 times per hour.

Bring your own yoga mat to class: Worth it

Doing downward dog can deliver plenty of health benefits, but your yoga mat can also be a prime place for germs, Tierno says. Make sure to clean it with antibacterial wipes after every use.

Wipe down gym equipment: Worth it

Working out can play a role in boosting your immune system, but exercise equipment is pretty dirty. One study found the virus that causes the common cold is present on 63% of gym machines. Protect yourself from germs as you work out by wiping gym equipment with a towel before using it. (Tierno suggests using your own towel and marking an X on the “dirty” side.)

Wear a surgical mask on airplanes: Actually worth it!

It’s not overkill, Tierno says, especially if someone behind, beside, or in front of you is sneezing and coughing. Any further away, you’re probably safe.

National Preparedness Month

9/6/2016 (Permalink)

National Preparedness Month is recognized during the month of September and is sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It serves as a reminder that we all must take action to prepare, now and throughout the year, for the types of emergencies that could affect us where we live, work, and also where we visit. In order to be prepared, the first things to do would be to make an Emergency Plan and an Emergency Kit.

• Make a Plan. Work with you family and neighbors to make an emergency plan for the types of disasters that affect your area. Make sure everyone in your family understands where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. You can download Family Emergency Plan templates at www.ready.gov/make-a-plan. Business owners can go to https://ready.SERVPRO.com/ to downlod the SERVPRO Ready App and create a business emergency ready plan.

• Update Contact Information. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need. Make sure updated contact information is posted in visible places throughout your house and workplace.

• Check Your Policy. Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes – renters, too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

• Make a Ready List. You may not need all of the items in ready-made preparedness kits. Choose the essentials that fit your needs and budget. Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car. Sample Ready Lists can be found at www.ready.gov/document/familysupply-list

These are just a few tips to begin being prepared. Start now..you can never be too prepared!

Open House / Anniversary Celebration

6/7/2016 (Permalink)

Recently our franchise reached a milestone of 10 years of serving our local community. We celebrated that milestone on May 5th, 2016 with an Open House at our warehouse facility. We wanted to share our success and show our appreciation to the local community and those who have helped us get here today. It is an honor and privilege to serve the residents and businesses in our community in their time of need. Thank you from SERVPRO of Joliet/Lockport/Lemont/Homer Glen!

(More photos posted in the photo gallery)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2015 FROM SERVPRO OF JOLIET

10/13/2015 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Joliet would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Halloween. Listed below is our territories trick or treat hours per town:

Joliet 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Crest Hill 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Romeoville 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (815) 436-5735

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