Time to Clean your Gutters

11/12/2024 (Permalink)

Its time to clean the debris from your gutters

The leaves are falling on your yard, your roof and in your gutters. Unless you have a gutter guard system on your home then those gutters are going to fill up quickly and daily.  It’s a job in itself this time of year, but a needed task that all homeowners need to focus on during this time. 

Clogged gutters can cause water to overflow onto your roof – causing a leak and damage to your roof. If not addressed, it can cause water damage inside your home. Constant overflow of rainwater can also lead to siding damage and wood rot. Your foundation can also be compromised with the overflow of water due to clogged gutters and downspouts. Clogged gutters can also cause damage inside your home if pooled water accumulates to any exposed wooden areas near our roof and windows. 

Clear your gutters of any debris and check them often until all your leaves have fallen. You want to make sure they are all clear before the winter temperatures arrive.

Trick or Treat Safety

10/30/2024 (Permalink)

Happy Halloween Pumpkins

It is almost time for Halloween and Trick or Treaters running through the neighborhoods. There are trunk n treats, but Halloween night is all for the kid’s going door to door for candy n fun!

Practicing safety for this special night for kids is a high priority.  Children are more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween night more than any other night of the year. Enjoy your time with your trick-or-treaters and be safe. Follow these tips to ensure you and your kids have a great and safe Halloween.

• Avoid costumes with a mask – they can obstruct vision.
• Make sure your children’s costumes are made of flame-resistant materials.
• Use reflective tape or stickers on costumes.
• Inspect all candy prior to consumption.

Enjoy this holiday and keep your children safe!

Space Heater Safety

10/22/2024 (Permalink)

Use safety when using a space heater to warm areas of your home.

October is Fire Prevention Month and a time for homes to prepare for the cooler the temperatures that are coming. Temperatures during this time of year can vary from day to day and we tend to experience all seasons in one day here in the South. To avoid turning your heating and cooling unit from cool to heat – some prefer to use a space heater in the cooler mornings and evenings. Using an additional heat source is common but make sure you have the proper safety measures in place.

• Plug Space heaters directly into an electrical outlet (DO NOT use a power strip or electrical cord to power the heater.
• Place your heater away from a high traffic area.
• Never leave your heater unattended
• Place heaters three or more feet away from curtains, bedding and furniture.
• Unplug your heater when not in use to avoid it being turned on accidentally.

Inspect your heater prior to use. Exposed heating coils or elements can spark a fire quickly. Portable space heaters are responsible for over 1,700 fires a year so following these few tips can save you and your family from a potential fire.

Hurricane Preparedness – Were You Ready?

10/10/2024 (Permalink)

Downed tress after Hurricane Helene in Laurens, SC

Hurricane Helene made its way through our area and left a path of destruction from Florida to Tennessee. Bringing hurricane strength winds, rain, and flooding across Five States. The destruction is without a doubt the worst anyone has ever experienced in our area. This does not happen here, not in the mountains! But it did – the questions is, how prepared were you? Can anyone prepare for this, maybe not, but I am certain we are all looking back and thinking what could I have done to be more prepared?

With the amount downed trees and powerlines that we all experienced during this Hurricane the length of time for power restoration was the most problematic hardship for most families.

Going without electricity for several days can take its toll on anyone. Loss of AC, loss of water if you have a well that runs on electricity and food you had purchased prior to the storm can become a major loss for everyone.

I think we can all learn from this experience and be better prepared for the next Hurricane or severe storm when it hits our area, and rest assured, it will.

SERVPRO of Newberry and Laurens Counties is here for every storm, no matter the damage you can count on us to see you through.

Tropical Storm Helene

9/24/2024 (Permalink)

Preparing for Tropical Storm Helene

Tropical Storm Preparedness

The month of September has been dedicated to Preparedness – and now we find ourselves in this very predicament of being prepared. Tropical Storm Helene is predicted to make landfall on the coast of Florida and move its way inland to our area in the next 48 hours. Heavy rains, high winds and localized flooding are evident.

Prepare now in the event of severe weather:

• Check your emergency kit.
• Have a bottled water supply to last you for 3 or more days and non-perishable food items available.
• Prepare your home - check your gutters and make sure your down spouts are clear of debris. Secure any outdoor furniture.
• Check any trees and cut back any dead limbs that could cause damage to your home.
• Stay tuned to your local weather forecast and the potential for severe weather.
• Power outages are evident – if your home is reliant on a generator, make sure you have an ample supply of gas to see you through the storm.

Stay safe and being prepared is your best defense. If you do experience damage, know that SERVPRO of Newberry and Laurens Counties is here for you!

National Preparedness Month

9/9/2024 (Permalink)

Supply items to prepare for an emergency.

September is National Preparedness Month – this annual campaign is held every September to remind and promote families and communities to be prepared for disasters and emergency situations.

This year’s theme is “Start a Conversation”

Talking about potential disasters or emergency situations that could happen is not always easy – especially when it comes to your children. Having a plan in place and reassuring your family that you have a plan in place in the event of a disaster will help ease your mind and keep your family safe, calm and more comfortable. Helping them understand that they play a very important role in the planning will encourage your family to all have a plan in place.

• Gather Important Documents and keep them in a safe accessible place.
• Build your emergency kit.
• Have an Evacuation Plan
• Prepare your home inside and out.
• Plan for power outages
• Stay up to date on weather alerts.

September is the most active month of Hurricanes, fall like temperatures may fool you but storms are more active during this time. Be prepared and stay safe.

Holiday Weekend Fun

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

Celebrating the holiday weekend grilling safely.

The official end of Summer is upon us - but that depends on how you look at it.  The high temperatures doesn’t seem to put us in the state of mind that summer is ending, but the holiday weekend approaching has everyone geared up for the last blast of sweet summertime.  

As you start planning for bomb fires, cookouts and fireworks – keep in mind safety.  We had weeks of rain but lately the drought seems to be back – the dry conditions combined with the dry conditions is the perfect scenario for a fire.

You may have used your grill throughout the season but always check to make sure your tanks have no leaks, and your grill is clean of any debris. If you are camping this holiday weekend, make sure there is a no fire burn in place before setting your campfire up for smores.  If you are planning on fireworks, keep a water hose or a water source nearby.

Following these safety tips can assure you and your family are set to enjoy a fun-filled holiday weekend and a last woo-rah to summer.

Is HVAC Maintenance Important?

7/24/2024 (Permalink)

Routine maintenance being completed on an HVAC unit.

Here in the South, we have experienced extremely hot temperatures over the past several weeks – with a heat index over 100 degrees. With the hot temperatures your HVAC unit is working overtime to keep you home cool.

Regular prevented maintenance is crucial to the health and efficiency of your system. Much like driving your car, would you continue to drive your car without changing the oil? Same concept. A trained technician will clean and evaluate your system to ensure it is operating efficiently. Costs will be lower and the quality of air your breath will be higher.

Having routine maintenance will reduce your annual cost of electricity and extend the life of your system. Change your filters inside your home monthly – make a reminder when you pay your monthly electric bill – it is time to change the filters. This will also help the efficiency of your HVAC unit and help control the dust and allergens inside your home.

Enjoy summer and make sure your HVAC unit will not leave you in the heat!

Hurricane Season is here!

7/11/2024 (Permalink)

Hurricane Season Sign

Hurricane Season is here!

The hurricane season has officially begun, with Hurricane Beryl wreaking havoc across the Atlantic.

This is an extremely early occurrence for a major category 5 hurricane to hit this early in the season, but the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-normal hurricane season. The month of May is declared National Hurricane Preparedness month. Families are encouraged to start planning for the season early. So, if you have yet to have a plan – the time is now!

• Have a plan to evacuate – especially if you live near the coast.
• Have your shelter plan in place and be ready to live without water – electricity, gas and phone service for a while.
• Stay connected – sign up for emergency alerts and monitor local weather.
• Gather emergency supplies – water- non-perishable food- daily medication – batteries and have a full tank of gas in your vehicle prior to a hurricane warning.
• Secure your home by covering windows, removing patio and outside furniture toys.

The season is just beginning so making sure your family is prepared will be your first line of defense assuring your safety.

Fireworks and Safety    

7/3/2024 (Permalink)

Fireworks over a city.

The 4^th of July holiday is finally here - the time to spend with family and friends! Food and Fireworks are always a part of this special Holiday but let us all remember “Safety First” when it comes to fireworks.  Each year an average of 19,500 fires are started due to fireworks. That includes homes and forestry.  Drout conditions in our local area will also be a factor in this year’s event so take extra caution.

• Keep a water hose or bucket of water nearby.
• Never re-light or handle fireworks that are not functioning properly.
• Keep children a safe distance from your fireworks displays and never let them handle them.
• Keep your pets inside.
• Never shoot fireworks near your home – use an open area around your home.

If you do not feel comfortable handing fireworks – then leave it to the professionals as there will be several events in your area that you can enjoy and save yourself some money too!

Have a safe and Happy 4^th of July! 

Happy Birthday America!