Recent General Posts

Essential Family Emergency Preparedness Tips for Western Wisconsin Residents | SERVPRO of Hayward

10/2/2024 (Permalink)

Emergency kit with canned food, water, first aid, flashlight, matches, candles, and other essentials Use these helpful tips from SERVPRO of Hayward to assemble an emergency kit to keep your family safe when disaster strikes.

Western Wisconsin is known for its beautiful landscapes and vibrant communities, but it also presents unique challenges when it comes to emergency preparedness. From harsh winter weather and flooding to severe storms and power outages, being prepared is crucial for keeping your family safe.

At SERVPRO of Hayward, we understand the specific needs of our region and are here to offer essential tips to help you prepare for any emergency.

Prepare for Harsh Winter Weather

Western Wisconsin winters can be extreme, with heavy snowfall, ice storms, and frigid temperatures posing significant risks. To ensure your family’s safety during these conditions, start by preparing a comprehensive winter emergency kit. This should include warm clothing, blankets, and a supply of non-perishable food. Keep a battery-powered radio on hand to stay informed about weather updates and emergency alerts.

For your vehicle, have a snow shovel, ice scraper, and an emergency roadside kit readily available. At home, prevent pipes from freezing by insulating them and ensure your heating system is well-maintained. Stay vigilant with weather forecasts and have a plan for maintaining warmth and safety in case of power outages or if you become stranded.

Plan for Flooding and Severe Storms

Flooding and severe storms are also common in Western Wisconsin, particularly during the spring and summer months. To prepare for potential flooding, determine if you live in a flood-prone area and become familiar with local flood warnings and evacuation routes. Elevate critical utilities, such as electrical panels and heating systems, to prevent water damage.

Installing sump pumps and backflow valves can also help manage water intrusion in your home. When it comes to severe storms, including high winds and tornadoes, designate a safe area in your home, like a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor. Keep an emergency kit stocked with flashlights, batteries, and a first aid kit, and regularly practice storm safety drills with your family to ensure everyone knows how to respond.

Address Power Outages and General Emergencies

Power outages can occur throughout the year in Western Wisconsin due to storms, high winds, or other disruptions. To prepare for extended outages, stock up on candles, matches, and a battery-operated lantern. Ensure you have a supply of non-perishable food and bottled water, along with a manual can opener for emergency meals. If frequent outages are a concern, consider investing in a generator.

Keep important contact numbers easily accessible and have a backup charging method for your devices. Additionally, develop a communication plan for your family in case of separation during an emergency. Regularly review and practice your emergency preparedness plan to keep everyone informed and ready.

By preparing for the specific challenges faced in Western Wisconsin, you can better protect your family and home from emergencies. At SERVPRO of Hayward, we are dedicated to helping our community stay safe and resilient.

For more information on emergency preparedness or to discuss how our services can assist you, contact us today. Your safety and preparedness are our top priorities.

Tackling the Odor Problem in Your Home | SERVPRO® of Hayward

1/3/2023 (Permalink)

a SERVPRO crew setting up machines to clean a kitchen If you experience an odor or any other damage inside your home, call SERVPRO of Hayward day or night.

Day or night, we are proud to offer our professional cleaning and restoration services to the Hayward area. Part of our cleaning process includes tackling any odor problems in your home or business!

Damage of any kind can create odor problems, whether it be from the start of mold growth or residual soot after a fire. If you start to notice a bad odor that you just can’t get rid of, give us a call! Our thorough approach to odor removal can ensure that your lingering odor is a thing of the past.

How We Get Rid of Odors

Odors can be caused by all kinds of things! Airborne chemicals, gasses or tiny particles left in the air can all cause lingering smells. In each case, we approach the problem thoroughly to make sure that we completely get rid of the odor.

Some of our methods are:

Masking agents. While this method isn’t usually our first approach, we can use our masking products to create a more pleasant environment for you while we prepare our other methods.

Filtration agents. Our filtration products can pull the smell right out of your furniture, walls and floor! When applied, they can also pull the odor particles directly from the air.

Disinfectants and sanitizers. This is an important step! We make sure to sanitize the space to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing so the odor cannot come back.

Explaining Our Process

Here is how the odor removal process can look:

1. Remove the source. We have to know exactly what is causing the odor so we can remove the source from your home. This includes anything that has been compromised by the odor as well, and everything affected will be removed from your home.

2. Clean residue from surfaces. Once the source is removed, we work on cleaning and sanitizing your space. This step ensures that we get every odor particle!

3. Recreate the odor-causing conditions. This step can help make sure we didn’t miss anything. We employ a deodorizer to recreate the original environment that helps identify any lingering smells.

4. Seal exposed surfaces. If your odor is severe, we also have the ability to seal off the affected area to keep the smell from traveling further while we assess our next steps.

No matter what is causing your odor, we are here for you! Our team will evaluate your home and create a plan that is specifically tailored to your home’s needs.

If you experience an odor or other damage inside your home or business, call us at any time, 24⁄7. We have the training and equipment to quickly get your property back in operation.

Thanksgiving Day Tips for Emergency Prevention

11/14/2017 (Permalink)

Follow these tips to make sure this doesn't happen when celebrating your Thanksgiving

Did you know that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas, and Christmas Eve? We want you to enjoy these days with your loved ones, so here are a few safety tips for when you are cooking that scrumptious meal.

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stovetop so you can keep an eye on the food.
  • Stay in the home when cooking your turkey and check on it frequently.
  • Keep children away from the stove. The stove will be hot and kids should stay 3 feet away.
  • Make sure kids stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or splash from vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
  • Keep the floor clear so you don’t trip over kids or toys.
  • Keep knives out of the reach of children.
  • Be sure electric cords from an electric knife, coffee maker, plate warmer or mixer are not dangling off the counter within easy reach of a child.
  • Keep matches and utility lighters out of the reach of children — up high in a locked cabinet.
  • Never leave children alone in room with a lit candle.
  • Make sure your smoke alarms are working. Test them by pushing the test button.

Be especially aware when Deep Frying a turkey, people tend to put too much oil in which causes overflow and spreads to the open flame causing a mass fireball. Also putting in a frozen or very wet bird can cause major problems which they call B.L.E.V.E which stands for Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion.

  • Always use fryer outside away from any structure
  • Keep oil under 350 degrees, the hotter the oil the more combustible it is
  • Don’t overfill the pot with oil
  • Thoroughly defrost turkey(24 hours for every 10 pounds the turkey weighs)
  • Turn off flame before putting turkey in
  • Keep grease fire approved extinguisher on hand
  • Lower turkey into pot slowly

If by unfortunate event you have an emergency this Holiday Season please know your SERVPRO of Hayward is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, even on Holidays. Contact us if need be at (715)634-0699 and we will be there to help. Happy Holidays!

Fall Cleanup

10/30/2017 (Permalink)

Fall can be a beautiful time of year, but can also lead to a lot of work for homeowners.  The simple picking up of leaves can be a daunting task when they never stop falling.  Here are a few tips to get your home and property ready for the upcoming cool air and soon to be winter weather.  If an emergency does arise SERVPRO of Hayward is here to help.

Need Emergency Service? Call Us 24/7 – 715-634-0699

  • Clean gutters and downspouts. Once most of the leaves have fallen, clean out gutters and downspouts (hire a helper if you are not comfortable on a ladder). Clogged gutters during rainstorms can cause water to pool and damage your roof or siding.
  • Make exterior repairs. Take a walk around your property, looking for signs of damage to the roof, siding and foundation. If you spot anything that needs repair, schedule it before winter weather hits.
  • Seal gaps where critters could enter. Mice need only a tiny gap to be able to sneak into your house and raid your pantry — and with colder weather coming, all of the little critters out there will be looking for warm places to make a home. Fill small holes and cover any larger gaps securely with heavy-duty hardware cloth to keep the wildlife outdoors.

By doing these simple maintenance tips you can possible prevent water damage, or fire to your home.  SERVPRO of Hayward specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration. From initial and ongoing training at SERVPRO’s corporate training facility to regular IICRC-industry certification, rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property.

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