Build an Emergency Supply Kit

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

Weather-related disasters can happen at any time, which is why it is important to be prepared ahead of time. Being prepared means being equipped with the proper supplies you may need in the event of an emergency or disaster. SERVPRO encourages everyone to build an emergency supply kit. An emergency supply kit is a collection of basic items you and your family may need in the event of an emergency. Below is our recommended emergency supply kit.

• Water (one gallon per person per day)
• Food (non-perishable 3-day supply)
• Manual can opener
• Battery operated radio, preferably a NOAA Weather Radio
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Clothing
• Dust masks or bandanas
• Plastic sheeting, garbage bags and duct tape
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Hygiene items
• Important documents; copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account information
• Cash
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container

Contact the SERVPRO of Altoona professionals for more readiness tips and tools.

Tools to Keep You Safe

7/23/2019 (Permalink)

One of the best precautions you can take is to purchase a good quality weather radio. A weather radio is designed to alert you to potentially dangerous weather situations, like an approaching tornado. It allows you to be warned ahead of storms, providing you time to seek shelter. A weather radio is the most reliable source for weather alerts.

Weather radios have made many advancements over the years and are very affordable. Most basic weather radios average around $30 and can be programmed to only alert you for the weather alerts you choose. 

When shopping for a weather radio, look for the following key features.

• Reviewable alerts (you can scroll through alerts and turn off the siren for alerts you do not wish to hear).
• Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) alert programming (alerts when specific counties are threatened, ensuring you only receive alerts for your county). 
• Ease of programming.

If you need help programming your weather radio, you can always contact your local National Weather Service Office or for additional information, including county codes for your state, visit the NOAA Weather Radio website at www.nws.noaa.gov/nwr. 

Lightning Safety Tips

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Lightning is one of the leading causes of weather-related fatalities. Though the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year are only around 1 in 500,000, some factors can put you at greater risk for being struck. Here are a few lightning safety tips. 

1. Be aware

Check the forecast before participating in outdoor activities. If it calls for thunderstorms, postpone your trip or activity, or make sure adequate safe shelter is available. 

2. Go indoors

Remember the phrase, "When thunder roars, go indoors." Find a safe, enclosed shelter when you hear thunder. Safe shelters include homes, offices, shopping centers, and hard-top vehicles with the windows rolled up.

3. Avoid windows, doors, porches, and concrete

Do not lie on concrete floors and avoid leaning on concrete walls. Lightning can travel through any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. 

4. Avoid water

Do not bathe, shower, wash dishes, or have any other contact with water during a thunderstorm because lightning can travel through a building's plumbing.

5. Avoid electronic equipment

Do not use computers, laptops, game systems, washers, dryers, stoves, or anything connected to an electrical outlet. Lightning can travel through electrical systems, radio and television reception systems, and any metal wires or bars in concrete walls or flooring. Equip homes and offices with whole-house surge protectors to protect appliances.

Call the Cleanup Team That's Faster to Any Size Disaster!

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

When disaster threatens, it is often too late to take the necessary steps to prepare homes, businesses and family members for the situation. Whether it's a blizzard, flood, hurricane or wildfire, disasters of all types often give little to no warning before they strike. The time to prepare for a storm is not as it approaches, the time to prepare is now. Whether you have damage caused by a hurricane, tornado, flash flood, or any other reason, SERVPRO professionals have the resources, experience and training to help get your doors reopened for business as soon as possible. SERVPRO provides 24-hour emergency service to handle any unexpected disaster. If your property suffers a fire or water damage, SERVPRO professionals will be ready to help you make it "Like it never even happened." 

Be Storm Smart and Storm Ready

7/18/2019 (Permalink)

Severe weather can happen any time, anywhere. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms:

• 10,000 severe thunderstorms
• 5,000 floods or flash floods
• 1,000 tornadoes
• 2 landfalling deadly hurricanes

Approximately 98 percent of all presidentially declared disasters are weather-related, leading to around 500 deaths per year and nearly $15 billion in damage. Knowing your risk of severe weather, taking action and being an example are just a few steps you can take to be better prepared to save your life and assist in saving the lives of others.

1. Knowing your risk

The first step to becoming weather-ready is to understand the type of hazardous weather that can affect where you live and work, and how the weather could impact you, your business and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts. Severe weather comes in many forms and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazards.

2. Taking action

Take the next step in severe weather preparedness by creating a communications plan for your home and business. Put together or purchase an emergency kit. Keep important papers and valuables in a safe place. 

3. Being an example

Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story with co-workers and family and friends on Facebook and other social media platforms. Your preparedness story will inspire others to do the same. 

Contact us to learn more and be "Ready for whatever happens!"