Recent Posts

It’s Time for Spring Storms | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

3/1/2024 (Permalink)

heavy rain pouring down on an outdoor metal roof in a storm Let SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton help you get from April showers to May flowers.

The spring season is finally here, which in our Georgia home means cold mornings and warm afternoons. It can also mean lots of rain, thunderstorms and even the occasional tornado.

As spring pushes forward toward summer and temperatures consistently get warmer, storms will undoubtedly get stronger. Although we are mostly landlocked in our counties, even leftover hurricane and tropical storm systems can’t be ruled out toward the end of spring. That makes it crucial for everyone to be prepared and to have a way to receive weather alerts quickly.

The Power of the Internet

None of us are ever very far from our phones or some other kind of screen during the day (and often at night), so this is an easy place to start when it comes to getting weather alerts. You likely already receive Wireless Emergency Alerts on your phone, but consider adding an app or two that can provide additional weather alerts as well.

When you look at apps to add to your phone, make sure you are using a reliable source. Skip apps that are looking for you to engage and instead go with information-based and nationally backed organizations. Be sure to sign up for local alerts as well. Civic Ready Alerts will give you the most up-to-date information about a variety of disasters.

Make sure to also tune into a local news station as a storm or other event nears our area as well. This will ensure you are not only getting the most information as quickly as possible, but also will keep you informed about evacuation orders and shelters opening.

Non-Electronic Options

While we may not spend a whole lot of time away from our cell phones, eventually they will run out of battery. That is why it is important to have another way to receive weather alerts that does not require external power. Even if you have an external battery charger, long-term power outages can still leave you without any charged electronics.

If there are weather sirens in your area, check to see if you are close enough to hear them during an event. Get used to what they sound like, and learn what the different alerts mean. A weather radio is another great investment to add to your emergency kit in order to get real-time updates on anything that comes your way.

NOAA weather radios do not require electricity. Many of them are hand-crank or solar-powered, and some of them can even charge your other electronics. These are also portable, which means you can take it to a safe space when you need to go to one. It also means it can stay by your side should you have to evacuate altogether so that you are staying in constant contact with local news.

Even when you are completely prepared, a disaster can still strike and leave your property dealing with damage. That is why we are available day or night. No matter what happens, we can start your recovery the moment you call us. We make it our goal to get you back on your feet in no time.

Serious storms can cause serious property damage. Call SERVPRO® 247 for immediate restoration assistance.

When Your Business Suffers a Disaster | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

2/15/2024 (Permalink)

business man in office talking to female SERVPRO rep SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton is here for your business every step of the way, from ERPs to disaster recovery.

Disasters can be all consuming. In a moment, your home, office or entire community can be affected, leaving you and others wondering what to do next.

Putting things back together at home is crucial, but for a small business owner, getting your operations up and running again can be just as critical. By learning how to get prepared ahead of a disaster and having a total restoration team like ours at SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton right around the corner, you can get life and business back to normal fast.

Prepare Ahead of Time

In order to recover quickly after a disaster strikes, you need to plan ahead. With a well-practiced emergency plan, your team can jump into action the moment you say go in order to prepare ahead of a storm, flood or fire. A solid plan should include steps to take before, during and after a disaster in order to keep work flowing no matter what happens.

Good communication is one of the most important parts of your disaster plans. Going over emergency procedures should not only be a part of new employee training, but it should also be something you visit often with your entire team to ensure everyone remembers each step to take.

Regularly host walk-throughs of your building to remind your crew where water shut-offs are and what the fastest escape routes are. Make sure everyone knows where fire extinguishers are located, and how to operate them. It may be ideal to assign staff members tasks in the event of an emergency, like securing outdoor items ahead of a storm or shutting off water during an internal flood event, in order to protect different areas of your building.

After a disaster threat is over, it is important for your employees to know how work will start back. If they are expected to work remotely, make sure they know how to access secure sites and have the proper equipment. If an alternate location is going to be used, everyone should know where and when to report there.

The more forms of communication you can use, the better, as some networks could be down long-term after a disaster strikes. Staying in constant contact with your staff will ensure a seamless transition back to work, as well as regular updates on everyone’s safety.

Recover Quickly

When you have planned ahead of time, you can rest a little easier knowing that recovery has begun even before the disaster is over. As soon as it is safe to do so, contact our SERVPRO® team so that we can head to your property and begin restoration.

As our crew starts the work on your physical location, let your customers know how you plan to move forward. Just like with your staff, it is crucial to get your message out across multiple platforms in order to ensure everyone is on the same page.

Communicate anticipated reopening dates, and keep customers posted on the process of restoration. The more engaged you stay with your consumers, the more likely they are to continue patronizing your business.

Maintaining an open mind throughout your recovery might be the best way to successfully get through it. Disaster recovery is a multilayered process, and you need to be willing to be flexible in how you operate your business. Take a step back and accept that this is your normal for the moment—it will help you continue to move forward and get back to the way things should be.

Create a plan, practice it often and be flexible in order to get through a disaster. With solid communication between your team, your customers and our disaster recovery professionals, you will be back to work fast.

Has your business experienced a disaster, or do you want help building an emergency plan? Contact us to find everything you need.

Multiple Forms of Damage Handled by One Team | SERVPRO® of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

2/1/2024 (Permalink)

heavy rain pounding down on a blacktop surface SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton is Here to Help® when any disaster strikes!

Have you ever felt like one disastrous event always leads to another? Even something small seems to lead to more and more issues—something as simple as a windshield wiper breaking can have you suddenly replacing the entire engine in your car.

The idea of “when it rains, it pours” isn’t a new one, and unfortunately, it is an idea that holds particularly true when it comes to a disaster. Mother Nature can deal a particularly damaging blow or an appliance leak can leave your home damaged, all while one kind of damage quickly adds up to another.

That simple cliché is the very reason why having a total restoration company like SERVPRO® right in your backyard is important. All it takes is a single phone call to get every kind of damage handled quickly in your home.

The Impact of Disasters

Disasters can take an enormous toll on your home or even your whole community. While sometimes you are able to prepare ahead of a storm, things can still become unpredictable and more destructive than anyone thought possible. A manmade problem happening in your home can also be destructive, especially as they can happen so suddenly.

When a storm moves into town with heavy rains, flooding can start and leave everything wet, which will later lead to intensive mold growth. High winds can happen with or without storms, and they can knock out power or cause damage to your roof. Fires lead to soot damage in rooms that never saw flames, widespread water damage from the effort to put the fire out and lingering odors that can be hard to get rid of.

The longer damage is allowed to sit, the more it will cause, too.

The physical toll of a disaster isn’t the only damage you will need to consider either. The mental toll can also be incredibly great. Getting your life put back together as fast as possible is crucial, which is why you need a team that can handle anything you face.

A Single Team, Total Restoration

When a disaster strikes, timing matters. Since disasters don’t happen when it is convenient, you need a team that is available no matter what time of day it is. SERVPRO is ready to take your call 247, 365 days a year. With one call, we will start your restoration. As we take your information over the phone, we will also put together a team and the tools to start recovery quickly.

At SERVPRO, our professional experts are trained in a wide variety of disaster recovery. Our team is certified and experienced—but we are also local. That means we have seen the natural and manmade disasters that have happened right here at home, and we have cleaned up after them all. We know and understand the homes and offices in our community, and we love living in this area as much as you do.

If you experience roof damage during a storm, we can respond around the clock to get it tarped and covered in order to keep the rest of the elements out. When a flood leaves standing water in your home, we will start drying things out immediately while we assess the rest of your home and dry out as much of your belongings as possible.

Our crew can even rebuild complete sections of your home when the damage is too great to repair. The goal of our team is to get your life back to normal as fast as possible. Whatever it takes to meet that goal, we’ve got you covered.

Approaching your project in order to completely restore things means that we won’t walk away until you are satisfied. If things don’t feel like they should or even smell like they should after a fire left things burned or mold tried to take over, we will keep working until you feel completely at home.

SERVPRO is the only call you will have to make, no matter the size of your disaster. Our highly trained staff that is available the moment you need them with industry-leading equipment will handle everything from start to finish when the pouring rain settles into your life. You will be dancing in the sunshine before you know it.

Have you experienced a disaster and need restorations? Make one call to our office to start recovery fast.

Winter Fire Safety Basics | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

brick chimney with lit fire logs Fire safety is a top priority for us at SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton this winter. Keep your home safe with these helpful tips!

Cozy season has fully set in around Georgia, which means comfy clothes, fluffy blankets and crackling fires in the fireplace. While enjoying the warmth of a fire or a toasty room warmed by the space heater is one of the joys of winter, it also leaves your home vulnerable to house fires.

House fires are always more common in the winter, and many of them start because of an accident that could have been prevented. With a few simple steps, you can keep your home safe and enjoy every minute of those fuzzy socks.

Addressing Your Fireplace

Winter storms in our area may be few, but when they do roll in, power outages can be common. That makes having a fireplace a great way to stay warm no matter what happens. Fireplaces come with their own risks, though, especially when they are used improperly.

Wood-burning fireplaces should be cleaned of ash and debris after each fire, and your chimney should be cleaned and inspected by a professional once a year regardless of the heat source.

You shouldn’t burn anything in your fireplace other than the appropriate fuel source. Make sure you keep flammable materials away as well, which also means skipping items that hang from a mantle. Make sure you have smoke detectors either in the room with the fireplace or right outside of it. If you have a gas fireplace, you should also have a carbon monoxide detector. Dust around your fireplace often, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Space Heater Safety

With weather that can go from winter to summer and back again all in the course of the day, space heaters are a great way to warm up a room instead of the whole house. Space heaters are responsible for nearly 1,700 house fires every year, making them a risky convenience.

Only run space heaters on solid, level ground with a three-feet open area all around them. Check the cord before you plug it in to make sure it is free of breaks or fraying, and always plug your space heater directly into the wall.

Don’t place your space heater near your couch, curtains or any other flammable material. Teach the kids, both human and animal, to stay away from space heaters when they are plugged in. Running your space heater overnight isn’t a good idea either—stick some extra blankets on your bed instead.

Suggested Safety Features for Your Space Heater

While most space heaters on the market today are going to come with safety features, there are a few in particular you want to ensure anything you run in your home has. If your current space heaters are more than five years old, it’s time for an upgrade to keep things safe.

Do some research on the manufacturer of the heater to ensure they are both reliable and certified. Heaters should undergo some pretty solid testing before they make it into the hands of the consumer. Only purchase space heaters that have automatic shutoff features. They should shut off when they are bumped or tipped and after a set amount of run time.

The cord on your space heater should be at least six feet long and made from sturdy materials. Space heaters should never be plugged into an extension cord, so make sure what you are buying has a long enough cord for your needs.

Never leave a space heater or operating fireplace unattended. This way you can keep things safe and cozy all season. If an accident does happen in your home, call SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton right away. We will get soot, smoke or any other damage handled quickly.

A quick fire damage restoration is just a phone call away. Call SERVPRO® for immediate assistance.

Spots in Your Home That Moisture Can Hide | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

1/2/2024 (Permalink)

close up of condensation on window pane and ledge Water damage can happen anywhere in your home. Call SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton to restore water damage on your property 24/7, 365.

We rely on a lot of water in our daily lives. How many loads of laundry have you done today, and how many times have you washed dishes? Whether it is running in one of our appliances inside or hosing down the dog outside, being able to quickly access and use water any time we want is a blessing.

A blessing…until there is too much of it in all the wrong places. Whether Mother Nature has left our homes wet after a heavy rain or a crack in a pipe leads to a flood inside our homes, water can cause utter chaos when things get out of control.

Fortunately, you can take some steps around your home to keep things dry and safe and ensure water stays where it is supposed. Learning the most common spots where water can hide out is the best way to prevent potential damage.

Under Your Sinks

Sinks are one of the biggest spots where hidden leaks happen. With so many different water lines, connection points and what is probably too many cleaning products stored under them, you need to get in the habit of checking under your sinks at least once a week in order to stay ahead of problems.

Feel water lines for moisture, and make sure all the connections are tight. Check the seals to ensure they are fully intact, and replace anything that is showing signs of aging. Leaks under the sink can run into cabinets and under the floor even if the hole is the size of a pinhead. Catch problems fast to avoid costly repairs.

Beneath Appliances

Appliances can be another problem area when it comes to water leaks that are hard to find. As long as they appear to be functioning correctly, we likely don’t think about how much water passes in and out of them on a regular basis. Dishwashers, water heaters, refrigerators and washing machines are all susceptible to leaks.

Pull your large appliances away from the wall every few months, and give the wall and floor around them a good cleaning. Look for mold growth, puddles or soft spots in the floor that are indicators of a leak. Feel along water lines you can reach. The faster you are able to identify a problem, the less damage you will have.

Behind Your Walls or Floors

One of the dangers of hidden leaks is that they can seep into any tiny crack or opening, and they often lead to water damage behind your walls or under your floors. Even when you locate a leak and correct it, you could still have moisture that crept into the wrong places.

Don’t ignore musty odors, especially if you have recently located a leak inside your house. A new squeak in your floorboards near appliances or sinks is another indicator that something is wrong.

Around Your Windows and Doors

Have you ever woken up and found your windows all fogged up? Condensation on your windowpanes is common when the weather fluctuates in temperature, but it can also lead to water damage. When condensation lingers, it can work its way into cracks or openings and cause damage to the structure of your home.

Run your hands along window panes and ledges. Check the seal on your doors as well to see if there is moisture there when it shouldn’t be wet. Seals wear out over time, so make sure you are checking them regularly. The change of the seasons is a great time to ensure your home is well-sealed.

If you do find water damage in your home, the best thing you can do is stay calm and call us at SERVPRO®. We can take your call the moment you need us, and we always have a crew ready to start your restoration right away. It doesn’t matter if you are dealing with a flooded basement or damage left behind from a drippy faucet. We’ve got you covered.

Don’t ignore signs of water damage! Call SERVPRO for a quick restoration.

Being Local Will Always Make the Difference | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

12/15/2023 (Permalink)

group of 3 SERVPRO reps standing near a green semi truck at a work site No job is too big or too small for our team of industry leading experts at SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton!

Imagining what life might look like after a disaster is not something that any of us want to do. Thinking about it happening anywhere is challenging, but considering our own homes being left with damage can be completely overwhelming.

You can prepare your home, but even with some preparations, you may experience losses when a natural disaster strikes. Something happening inside your home, like a plumbing failure, can also catch you completely off-guard and leave you dealing with a huge mess.

It doesn’t really matter what happens or how it happens, the faster you are able to respond, the sooner you can start getting your life back to normal. That is why having a reliable restoration service in your own neighborhood will always make a difference.

Making the Right Choice

Dealing with damage to your home after a disaster can be more than any of us want to handle. Trying to make decisions while you look at what is left of your home and you are full of emotions can be incredibly hard to do. The good news is that with one phone call you can start down the road to recovery.

Time matters when it comes disaster recovery, which is why it is so important to choose the right restoration service. You need a company that comes with years of experience, has trained and certified professionals and is available the moment you need them.

SERVPRO® checks the boxes on all of those and is a locally owned and operated business. Being local means we not only understand the importance of our community as your neighbors, but we have also seen exactly what our weather can do.

Our professional crew has experienced the toll, both physical and emotional, that disasters can have firsthand—and we have handled the restoration of all of them. Living in this community means that we aren’t just trying to get the work down, we are trying to put our home back together.

A History of Experience

Working with someone that knows your town well is a big comfort after disaster strikes, but SERVPRO is backed by a national brand. As soon as it is needed, we can call on extra help in order to handle any disaster, no matter how big or small.

We have been working in the restoration industry since 1967. Our growth started pretty much right away and has continued ever since. Today there are more than 2,000 locations around the nation all in our network, including our SERVPRO, located right here in Dublin.

When SERVPRO is your choice for restoration services, you get highly trained professionals who maintain certifications in a wide range of disaster recovery efforts. Our team has everything you need—we are truly a complete package.

With a highly trained crew, we can handle every single step of your recovery, from tarping your roof to rebuilding a section of your house. Our team comes with industry-leading equipment, the latest technologies and more recent recovery techniques. We do everything we can to be able to handle your disaster professionally and quickly.

SERVPRO understands the community and comes with a long history of experience in recovery. We’ve got all of your needs completely covered—after any disaster.

Want to learn more about everything we can do for you? Contact us to be prepared for anything.

What to Do About Standing Water in Your Business | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

12/1/2023 (Permalink)

concrete floor tiling with large cracks and water on it Has water damage infiltrated your business? Give SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton a call to get that resolved!

Ever walked into work ready to conquer the day, only to immediately notice a musty odor in the air? As you flip on the lights you can’t help but wonder if there is a leak causing damage somewhere in the building—not exactly how you wanted to start your day.

While this scenario is bad enough, imagine stepping through the doors of your commercial building only to find your foot fully immersed in water. Now you are in an actual nightmare situation.

Regardless of where it is coming from, standing water in your business will require fast action to prevent extensive damage. Learn how to handle things when water tries to take over so that you can get back to work.

One Step at a Time

Even when a flood is predicted and you are able to prepare as much as possible, finding water in your business can be incredibly overwhelming. In order to get things handled quickly, first take a deep breath.

All you have to do is take things one step at a time, and things will be cleaned up and back to normal before you know it.

1. Safety first. As with any disaster, make sure your first priority is safety. Find a dry place to assess the situation, and then call SERVPRO®. We will start taking your information over the phone while we put together a team to head to your property. While you wait, take some photos of the flooding.

2. Keep things controlled. The best way to avoid major disasters is by taking fast action. If you can, identify the source of the flood. Shut off water sources that are still flowing. If the source is an internal one but you cannot find the exact spot, use the main water valve to cut water to the whole building.

3. Dry things out. Floodwaters can quickly become contaminated, even when they originate from a clean source. The more you can stay out of the water, the safer you will be. If you can safely do so, open windows around the flooded area and remove anything in the path of the water to start the drying process.

Work With the Pros

When our crew of professionals get there, removing the water will take top priority. While we start clearing out the standing water, we will also complete a total assessment of everything your business will need in order to be fully restored. We work directly with your insurance agency as well. It is our goal to make your process as simple as possible.

As your recovery process progresses, you can turn your focus on getting your business up and running again. If the flooding was isolated to a small area and our experts determine you can safely do so, you may be able to open other areas of your building in order to keep working. We will close off the section that needs restoring and keep things as out of view of clients as possible.

While you handle your team, our team will make sure everything is getting completely dry. It is our goal to save as many of your belongings as possible so you have less to replace. We will make sure you understand every single step we take, and you will always be a part of the decision-making process.

Don’t let standing water ruin your day. Call us fast so we can help you get back to work.

Do you need repairs after a water disaster in your commercial building? Contact us to get dried out quickly.

Different Kinds of Home Damage | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

residentail home with roof destroyed and debris falling down If you discover damage in your residence, call SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton right away.

There are so many ways our homes can be damaged. Severe storms, a fire, physical wear and tear, and even your neighbors and their new favorite sport can result in a broken window or dented siding that has you calling your insurance company for repairs.

While there may be an essentially endless list of ways our homes are at risk, we can’t spend all of our days worrying about them. Disasters can’t always be predicted, especially when they are the product of Mother Nature, but you can prepare for them. When you are prepared, you can face each day and anything it brings with minimized risks.

In order to prepare your home, you need to understand the risks you may face. The more you understand what you might be facing, the more you will also understand that restoration after a disaster can be pretty simple, especially with a team like ours at SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton.

The Biggest Risks

In Georgia, the outside risks to our home vary throughout the year. In the spring and summer, heavy rains, strong thunderstorms and tornadoes cannot be ruled out, while fall and winter bring us the possibility of flooding rains and frozen pipes. Even though the risks may vary, everyone should be aware of the possibility for roof damage, water damage and fires. These are three most common ways homes are damaged everywhere.

Your home could experience water damage from a number of different sources, both internally and externally. Roof damage can also come in a number of ways, including high winds, intense rainfall or just the random occurrence like a limb falling or a golf ball soaring through the air. Likewise, fire can originate from a lot of different places, although the vast majority of home fires are created by preventable, man made accidents.

Compounding Damages

Facing the possibility of a disaster is scary enough, but when you add in the fact that one kind of damage can easily lead to others, it can feel overwhelming. Flooding leads to mold growth, which can result in structural damage to your foundation.

Having a fire in your home, regardless of how big it gets, will likely result in smoke and soot damage spread throughout your entire home. Fire can also leave your home with an odor that is hard to get rid of. In the process of putting a fire out, your home could be damaged by water and chemicals.

Regardless of how your home is damaged, recovery will take several steps in order to get everything back to the way it was. Our team has you covered, though, and we will walk with you through every single step. With industry-leading equipment and plenty of experience in every kind of disaster, we can handle everything from tarping your roof to tearing down and rebuilding parts of your home.

With water damage, our first step will always be getting things dried out. We will also sanitize and make sure there are no unwelcome smells left behind. If the water came through your roof, we can replace structural parts in order to make sure things are sound. We will seal the space water intruded as well to stop future mold growth.

When a fire strikes in your home, we will start with the burned areas and then continue to clean throughout the rest of your house to eliminate smoke and soot damage. Just like when we handle flooding in your home, we will also dry out any water left over from when the flames were put out to prevent potential mold spread.

Our professional crew doesn’t just work directly with your insurance company, we will also coordinate every aspect of your recovery. That means you only have to make one call and won’t have to deal with multiple contractors. With 247 availability, our team will make your recovery as simple as possible.

Does your home need restoration and you don’t want to make more than one call? Contact us to get everything handled by one team.

Why Your Business Needs an Emergency Plan | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

clip board with a disaster preparedness checklist and emergency supplies in the background Are you prepared for disaster? SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton is here for you when disaster strikes!

Over the last several years, there has been an increase of natural disaster occurrences. When you look at the statistics, natural disasters are not only happening more often, they are also getting stronger and leaving behind even more damage than ever before.

You can’t rely on statistics alone, though, and there is always the very real possibility that you might not ever experience a natural disaster. Even so, there is always the potential for a manmade disaster to happen and leave your business in trouble.

Thinking about all the ways your business might be affected by a disaster might be a hard thing to do, but when you are unprepared, you could be facing damage that leaves you facing long-term interruptions. When you have a plan of action that you can take before, during and after an event occurs, you can mitigate your losses and get back to work faster.

The Importance of a Plan

As natural disasters continue to become more frequent, making a plan can mean your employees will be safer and your business might be able to avoid extensive damage. The first step to creating a plan that will protect your people and keep your business safe is gaining a better understanding of the potential threats you might face. When you know what to prepare for, you can stay ahead of flooding, fire or storm damage.

Disasters, whether manmade or from Mother Nature, don’t just create physical damage, they are also one of the most costly events a business can face. When you have a plan, you can keep your employees safe and ensure your finances stay on track.

When you plan ahead, you can get back to business after a disaster fast. A lot of businesses that experience damage from either a natural or manmade disaster never find a way to reopen again. With a plan, you will know exactly what to do in order to keep work going while repairs are made to your building.

An Emergency Ready Plan

Creating a plan can feel like a daunting task, but when you partner with SERVPRO® , we will work with you to create a unique plan that matches your specific needs. Our Emergency Ready Plan can be completely customized to cover anything and everything your business needs.

In order to create your plan, our crew will come out and assess your needs in order to start creating the perfect path for your business. During this free assessment, we will walk you through how to handle a disaster before, during and after.

Before a disaster strikes, your plan will cover what steps you and your team can take. This might mean packing up paperwork or preparing your staff to begin working remotely, but it could also lay out how to prepare your building in order to mitigate damage. The goal before a storm will be ensuring safety and doing everything you can to prevent damage, as well as making sure everyone knows what to do the moment you so “go.”

Communication will be another crucial part of your Emergency Ready Plan. A chain of command will be laid out for before, during and after the event occurs so that everyone knows what to expect every step of the way.

After a disaster occurs, our team can immediately respond to your property in order to start restorations while your team will know where to go and how to keep the work flow going. If working remotely isn’t a possibility for your business, your guide can also include alternate physical work locations for your team to report to as soon as it is safe to do so.

Your disaster plan should be the total package, and the Emergency Ready Plan is just that. With a plan that covers every possible need, you can avoid both financial losses and a potential long-term closure.

When you create an Emergency Ready Plan, it is tailored to meet your unique needs—and it comes with 247 availability and the backing of a national brand. That means your business is put back together faster and you don’t miss a moment of work.

Ready to create your Emergency Ready Plan for your business? Contact us for your free assessment to start the plan you need.

A Holly, Jolly Fire-Free Holiday Season | SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

pan on kitchen counter in residence ablaze while unattended Fire damage in your home? Not for long with SERVPRO of Dublin/Vidalia/Claxton on the case!

It’s one of the best times of year, the holiday season! No matter how or when you celebrate, there is likely to be some really incredible food involved. Really incredible food can’t happen without someone putting in the work to cook it though—and more time in the kitchen means a higher risk of house fires.

The number of house fires that occur increases dramatically when the holidays roll around, and a vast majority of them begin in the kitchen. That doesn’t mean you have to cut out Grandma’s pumpkin pie this year; instead, it just means taking some extra steps to keep your home safe.

Reducing Flammable Materials in the Kitchen

It’s pretty natural to put in a little prep work when you head into the kitchen to get ready to cook. Make sure some of your preparation includes making things fire-safe as well. Kitchen fires don’t just stem from cooking, but can also be caused by clutter.

Keep towels, oven mitts or pot holders away from any sources of heat. Watch out for wooden utensils, too, storing them off of the stove when they are not in use. It only takes the grease popping once or a single spark to catch these items on fire fast.

Consider what you are wearing when you start working on the holiday meal as well. Anything with flowing fabric, hanging strings or dangling items can be a fire hazard. Skip the fun apron, and roll up your sleeves to stay safe.

Keep a Close Eye on Food

Any time you cook, make it a point to stay in the kitchen the whole time. Even after everything is done, stick close by until your appliances begin to cool down. Kitchen fires can get very big, very fast. You need to be able to move as quickly as possible should one start in order to prevent a total disaster.

If you are planning on deep-frying a turkey for any of your gatherings, make sure you take some extra steps towards safety. Never overfill the oil, and follow all safety precautions as listed by the fryers manufacturer.

Put the fryer on a level surface away from anything flammable, and make sure the kids know to stay away. Thaw your turkey completely. Even a turkey that is only partially frozen can cause popping and sizzling grease that could burn you or start a fire.

Install Protective Measures

Fires may not be completely preventable, but taking as many precautionary steps as possible can reduce your risks and protect your home. Your house should already have smoke detectors on every level, but make sure there is one right outside of the kitchen as well. Check the batteries before you start cooking to make sure you are good to go.

Keep a fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen, and make sure several members of your family know how to use it. For potential grease fires, keep the lid to any pots and pans you are using so that you can smother them out fast.

This season, make safety a priority. If you do have a fire in your home, call us right away. We can tackle any damage around the clock, so you can get back to your celebrations.

House fires can happen in the blink of an eye. Contact us for a quick restoration day or night!