National Preparedness Month

9/13/2024 (Permalink)

Around 75% of businesses do not have a disaster plan in place.

Disaster doesn’t care. It can, and will, happen at any time.

Preparation is KEY to minimizing costs and damages during a disaster event.

As Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell puts it, pre-disaster planning on "blue sky days" is essential.

Each year in September during National Preparedness Month FEMA creates a campaign focused on spreading preparedness awareness to marginalized groups, which you can learn more about by visiting this link.

SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties keeps businesses prepared by completing complimentary, customized, digital pre-disaster planning tool kits called Emergency Ready Profiles (ERPs). With an ERP, business operations know exactly who to call, what to do, and where to go in the event of a property emergency like water damage or fire damage.

This toolkit puts businesses ahead of the curve by ensuring all necessary documents, contact information, and facility information are securely stored in one place: your pocket! The convenience of having an ERP accessible through a mobile app eliminates the need to search for paperwork when time is precious and stress is high, during a disaster event.

Be prepared and get ahead. Disaster strikes at any time, usually when least expected! Pre-disaster planning makes all the difference.

When should smoke alarm batteries be changed?

9/6/2024 (Permalink)

Smoke alarms save lives!

To ensure your smoke alarm is up to date and functions properly, it’s advised to replace the batteries twice a year. An easy way to remember when to switch is when the clocks change during daylight savings time and daylight standard time, or during Spring and Fall.

How to switch smoke alarm batteries:

• Gently twist or remove the detector from the base that it's attached to by turning counterclockwise, and open the cover
• Take the old battery out – contact your local environmental agency or department of health for updated regulations about disposal methods
• Replace with a brand-new battery (most detectors use 9V batteries)
• Reattach the detector to its base by turning clockwise

This may be a good time to test that the smoke alarm actually works! 

Majority of smoke alarms have a “Test” or “Push” button to test it its sound.

• If yours doesn’t have the test button capability, you can test it by lighting two matches and holding them under the alarm
• If yours doesn’t work, replace the device!

The earlier a fire is detected, the less overall damage it may have on your property. Smoke alarms save lives! Remember to switch and test yours twice a year.

SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is equipped to make smoke and fire damage “like it never even happened”! Trust us to make your house home again after suffering a fire.

Professional Cleaning Services in London, KY

8/29/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO® has their very own Chemist, Hugh Lloyd, who formulates all the cleaning products we use.

We're well known for water damage cleanup, but what often comes as a surprise is the variety of specialty services offered under the first word of our tagline: Cleaning. Restoration. Construction.

That's right -- insurance agents, realtors, property managers, and homeowners usually aren't aware that SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties provides cleaning services!

Here’s a short list of the professional, specialty cleaning services that SERVPRO® offers:
- General cleaning
- Carpet / Floor cleaning
- Ceiling / Wall cleaning
- Upholstery and linen cleaning
- Soot removal
-  HVAC cleaning
- Biohazard cleaning
- Odor removal
- Vandalism / Graffiti removal

We're ready for whatever happens when it comes to all things Cleaning.

If your home or business could use a good, quality clean, call the pro's.

606-877-2160

Trust your Certified team for your Storm Damages

5/21/2024 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties celebrates 19 years serving the London, Somerset, Corbin, and surrounding areas with water and storm damage.

When dealing with storm damage, it's crucial to enlist the services of a proven team that is certified in handling such situations. A certified team will have the expertise, experience, and proper training to effectively assess and repair storm damage, ensuring your property is restored safely and efficiently.

The importance of a proven and certified team includes:

• Expertise: Restoration teams like SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties have the knowledge and expertise to identify and address various types of storm damage, such as wind damage, roof leaks, water damage, and structural issues.
• Safety: Certified teams are trained to prioritize safety during the restoration process, ensuring that any potential hazards resulting from the storm damage are mitigated effectively.
• Quality of Work: A certified team is committed to delivering high-quality workmanship, utilizing industry-standard practices and techniques to restore your property to its pre-storm condition.
• Insurance Claims: Many certified restoration teams are familiar with the insurance claims process and can assist you in navigating the procedures to ensure a smoother and more streamlined claims process.

It's important to verify the certifications and credentials of any storm damage restoration team you consider hiring, as this will provide peace of mind that the team has the necessary skills and knowledge to handle the restoration process effectively. Trust that SERVPRO of Pulaski and Laurel Counties is Here to Help®!

What's that smell in my London home?

9/8/2023 (Permalink)

Specializing in Residential and Commercial cleaning and deodorization.

Have you ever had a small kitchen fire, and after the cleanup of the general area wondered why there was still an odor? 

If there is a lingering smell left after fire damage in your home, it is essential to address it promptly. The odor can be persistent and unpleasant due to the various materials that burned during the fire. Smoke and soot can stick to a variety of materials in your home.

Consult professional help: If the smell persists or the fire damage is extensive, it may be necessary to contact professional home restoration companies, such as SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties that specialize in fire damage cleanup. They have the expertise and tools to thoroughly clean and deodorize your home. Our team of trained technicians can not only clean your contents, but we also have a storage area on site that can house your home items that need extra cleaning. Or store them while your home is being properly cleaned and deodorized. 

Remember, fire damage restoration can be complex, and it's essential to ensure your safety during the process. If the fire damage was significant or you have concerns about the cleanup, consider contacting professionals to assess the situation and provide appropriate recommendations. They can help ensure thorough restoration and deodorization of your home. Another aspect of cleaning after a fire is getting your HVAC system cleaned. Most of the time that smoke or soot could have traveled into your duct work. We have specialized equipment to help clean that odor out.

Call our offices in London today at 606-877-2160. We always have teams on standby, even after regular business hours. Let our team of trained and certified technicians get your home back to "Like it never even happened."

Fall Safety Measures in your London Home

8/29/2023 (Permalink)

It's that time of year when summer turns to fall and with that comes fireplaces, heater use, fire damages, and needing a fire safety plan. We want your home and family to be safe this fall. SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties brings you safety tips to prevent fire in your home. 

Be aware when burning wood in your fireplace or wood stove.

• Have your chimney and flue cleaned by a professional. Buildup in your chimney can create a perfect storm for fire damage. 
• Clean your wood stove and remove any clutter that has accumulated on or near the stove or fireplace. You want to make sure nothing can catch fire. 

Test your smoke alarms and CO₂ detectors.

It is that time of year to change your CO2 detectors and smoke/fire alarm batteries. With a heightened chance of fire damage during the fall always keep in mind, that when fall hits it is time to change those batteries. 

Make a fire safety plan.

One of the best ways to keep your family safe is to have a plan. When a fire occurs make sure your family is equipped with how and where to go in your home. Fires and smoke from the fire spread quickly, especially among children or senior citizens.

• Designate a meeting location away from the home where everyone knows to go, so it's easy to see who has been accounted for from the home.
• Always make sure you have one person to call the fire department if a fire breaks out in your home. 

If you need help from fire damage restoration professionals in London, Corbin, Somerset, Pineville, and surrounding areas call SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties at 606-877-2160 today.

Safeguard Yourself Against Severe Storms | SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties

5/19/2023 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen anytime. Make sure you're prepared and remember, SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties is here to help when disaster strikes.

We are right in the heart of peak severe weather season in the Somerset area. Some of the most volatile weather passes through our community from March to June, though we all know that Kentucky weather is anything but predictable.

In order to keep your family safe from severe weather, it is important that you are prepared ahead of the weather warnings and projected forecast.

Our SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties team explains how to get ready now before the next severe storm hits, so read on to learn how to prepare yourself.

Have a Plan in Place

Have you ever heard that the best offense is a good defense? That applies to preparing for severe weather, too!

You should discuss your family’s emergency plan regularly and communicate where you should go and what you should do during a weather warning. Pick the lowest and most interior room in your home as the location that you will shelter, or explain how to get to your underground storm shelter quickly.

You should also take the time to update your emergency contacts and your family’s contacts so that in the event that you get separated, you can easily connect with one another.

Finally, you should ensure that your alert systems are ready to go. You should have at least two reliable ways of receiving weather alerts with one of them not being dependent on electricity in order to work.

Prep Your Space

In your safe shelter location, you should have an emergency kit that is stocked with whatever you would need to live safely for a couple of days in a disaster situation. Pack a first-aid kit, batteries, flashlights, a battery-operated weather radio, ponchos and a three-day supply of food and safe drinking water.

Remember, while a lot of these items do have long shelf-lives, they can still expire. You should be going through your emergency kit each season to check for expiration dates and swap out anything that is old or compromised. Don’t forget to include food and water for your pets as well!

What to Do After the Storm

As you stay hunkered down in your home with your family, don’t go outside until you are sure the storm has passed. Once it is safe to do so, take a walk around your home and property to look for damage. If damage is discovered, call SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties immediately.

We will arrive at your home quickly and will get to work securing the rest of your house to prevent more damage in the meantime. This can include laying tarps or boarding up windows and doors.

Then we’ll move on to the rest of the project! We can dry up water, remove debris, clean up messes, and sanitize your space. After that, we can address any necessary repairs to bring your home back to its preloss condition. Even though experiencing storm damage may be scary, our restoration team is here to ensure you experience a full recovery.

Storm damage is common at this time of year. Contact us at SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties if your home suffers damage.

Reduce Your Risk of a Fire This Spring

3/6/2023 (Permalink)

If you experience fire damage as a result of a wildfire, SERVPRO® of Pulaski & Laurel Counties can help make the damage "Like it never even happened."

Spring is finally making its way to the Somerset area! It can be a relief to us that the colder months of the year are finally behind us.

Now is the time to start preparing our homes for the change in season, the warmer days and much more time spent outside. With the arrival of spring and summer, it is necessary to take extra precautions around your home to prevent house fires and reduce your risk of contributing to spring forest fire season.

Keep Wildfire Fuel to a Minimum

Spring forest fire season is from Feb. 15 through April 30 in Kentucky. That means there is an increased risk of starting a wildfire on your property at this time of year, so there are different burning regulations and restrictions in place.

It is important to follow all safety guidance laid out by our counties and individual cities in order to keep your risk of starting a fire as low as possible.

Since spring is a great time of year to address any spring-cleaning needs and head into the warmer months with a fresh start, yard projects are common for a lot of us. This includes trimming trees, removing branches or leaf piles from around your property and shaping hedges or shrubs.

If you do any of these tasks, make sure you are not stacking the debris near your house. All that debris is fuel to a fire! Choose an area far away from your home or consider removing it from your property completely.

Address Your Garage

Be mindful about storing anything that is combustible in your garage. Any gas cans that have sat dormant during the winter have the potential to leak, so be sure to toss them right away and clean up any spills.

As the temperatures rise with the change in season, it can create a dangerous and high fire risk environment if there is any improperly stored fuel on your property.

In addition, now is a great time to give your outdoor grills and lawn equipment a full inspection. A small leak in your gas line or a dent in your propane tank can create a dangerous situation, and all it takes is a single spark to start a full blaze. Inspect the gas tanks of your outdoor equipment and address any holes or leaks as well.

Keep Your Vents Clear

With summer arriving, you may be doing more laundry since your children will be home and there are more opportunities to get dirty, go swimming or just have fun running around outside. Because of this, it is important to clean out your dryer vents thoroughly.

Lint can get caught within your vents and can cause your dryer to overheat or even catch on fire. If lint builds up and blocks the vents from working properly, it can even cause a backup of carbon monoxide in your home. Clean them frequently, and make sure the vent leading outside is free of blockages as well.

Reducing your fire risk is all about prevention! These simple steps can help you avoid either sparking a wildfire or starting a fire in your home.

However, we understand that disaster can occur in any circumstance, so we are ready to respond to your call for help when you need us. Our fire damage restoration team is available 24/7 to return your home back to its preloss condition as soon as possible.

If you suffer fire damage, know that you are not alone. Contact us at SERVPRO of Pulaski & Laurel Counties right away.

The Three Ways of Fire

9/7/2022 (Permalink)

Fire Damage to your London Home 

Fire can uproot so much in your life after causing fire damage to your home. There are several ways to combat fires by knowing what can cause them. We have collected a few ways that fire damage can occur and how to avoid them: 

Lightning Rods are made to attract lightning to a contained, grounded metal avenue and prevent fires. Make sure your lightning rod is in good condition and have it professionally installed. Trees can also act as a lightning rod, but be careful that they are trimmed up during the down season.

Lights Off is another way to keep the risk of an electrical fire low. Sometimes light bulbs can create a spark or catch fire during a power surge, or burn out. Try to use LED lightning when you can, and even flip the lights off when you do not need them. 

Avoid Candles is one of the biggest ways to keep a fire from accidentally starting in your home. Make sure you always blow out your candles before even leaving a room for an extended period of time with a lit candle in it. 

We want you to keep your home safe, so follow these tips from SERVPRO® of Pulaski and Laurel Counties. 

Fire Damage Clean-up: What to do Before Help Arrives

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Our fire damage clean-up process begins when you let us know that we have been called for help.

At this point, it is important to keep some things in mind, as the fire itself can cause further damage, if not handled properly.

Some things to watch out for include but are not limited to:

1. You want to have someone tarp or board up your roof or windows if they were damaged enough for entry from the elements or other people. 

2. You want to make sure your home has been cleaned by professionals for professional cleaners and yourself to enter to begin the cleanup process. 

3. Try to salvage any items you can before starting to throw away everything. 

4. Hire a professional team that can help you during your time of need!

We understand that when faced with a fire loss there are many additional concerns beyond simply repairing the damage caused by the fire. Our team specializes in protecting you, your home, and your investment.