Creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan for Your Family | SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties

10/2/2024 (Permalink)

Use these helpful tips from SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties to assemble an emergency kit to keep your family safe when disaster strikes.

Natural disasters can strike unexpectedly, especially in areas like Cape Girardeau and our surrounding communities. From tornadoes and floods to severe storms, it’s essential to have a plan in place to protect your home and family. Having an emergency preparedness plan ensures that you and your loved ones know what to do before, during, and after a disaster strikes.

Financial preparedness: Are you prepared for future disasters?

9/25/2020 (Permalink)

Financial preparedness is vital in every aspect of life. Vacations. Emergencies. Disasters. And the list goes on. No matter your tax bracket, a safety net is always encouraged and wise to have. 

September is National Preparedness Month. And what better time to implement an emergency savings account if you haven’t already done so?! Now is an opportune time to prepare your finances in the event of a disaster. By taking this crucial step now, you are one step closer to securing you and your family. And you can feel confident you can weather any storm. 

When a disaster strikes, that creates a stressful situation, and not having adequate financial backing can add even more of a burden. But, it doesn’t have to if you prepare now. It’s key that you protect yourself and your family financially. 

5 Tips to Be Financially Prepared for a Disaster:

1. Have emergency cash-on-hand 
2. Keep a robust emergency fund, and continue to contribute to it on a monthly basis 
3. Open a safe deposit box
4. Have proper insurance coverage
5. Keep detailed, accurate records

You can safeguard your future by taking those requisite steps now. Ready.gov provides some additional tips to help you prepare, such as downloading FEMA’s emergency financial first aid kit, storing the kit and important documents in a safe place, and understanding your insurance options. These simple steps can help create peace of mind, which is priceless. 

We hope you and your family do not have to face a disaster. In the event that you do, you can confidently rely on SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties. If a disaster hits your home or business, you can have confidence knowing our heroes can make the damage “Like it never even happened.” We’ll get you back to life, back to business -- faster. 

We know emergencies happen at all hours of the day. That’s why we are available to you 24/7/365. Just call 573-339-1948.

Severe Weather Safety Tips

5/4/2020 (Permalink)

Your insureds are your number one priority. And, as their agent, you do everything in your power to help ensure they are properly covered. With storm season upon us (March through June), it’s a good opportunity for you to review their policies and reinforce how essential it is to be properly covered. It’s good to be equipped with severe weather safety tips. Should severe weather strike your home or business, the heroes at SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties can be there to make the damage “Like it never even happened.” But it’s vitally important to know what steps to take to help keep you, your customers and their homes safe. As a result, it may help reduce your number of claims. 

According to noaa.org, severe weather can happen anywhere and at any time. Each year, Americans cope with an average of the following intense storms*:

◊ 10,000 severe thunderstorms

◊ 5,000 floods or flash floods

◊ 1,300 tornadoes

◊ 2 landfalling deadly hurricanes

According to noaa.org, approximately 98% of all presidentially declared disasters are weather-related resulting in around 650 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.

Here are some simple yet helpful tips to follow:

Know 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 can impact you, your business, and your family. Check the weather forecast regularly, obtain a NOAA Weather Radio, and learn about Wireless Emergency Alerts in your area. Severe weather comes in many forms, and your shelter plan should include all types of local hazard scenarios.

Take 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.

Be an example

Once you have taken action to prepare for severe weather, share your story on social media. Your preparedness efforts may inspire others to do the same.

Not only is it a good idea for you to be prepared, but it’s also a good idea for your business to be prepared. And we have the ideal solution: an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP). SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties is your exclusive ERP partner. Having one in place at your facility can help minimize business interruption in the event of a disaster. Furthermore, here are three additional benefits:

1. Helps ensure you’re “Ready for whatever happens.” 
2. Helps save time and money. 
3. It’s FREE.

Just contact our marketing team, and we can implement yours!  

We hope you found these severe weather safety tips to be beneficial. If severe weather causes water damage and/or storm damage to your home or business, the heroes here at SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties can help make the damage “Like it never even happened.” Our team is always “Ready for whatever happens!” We’re available 24/7, 365 days of the year for all your emergency needs. Just call 573-339-1948.

There’s “the blues,” then there’s the “Blues”

6/6/2019 (Permalink)

There’s “the blues,” then there’s the “Blues.”

How about those Blues? O’Riley breaking that second tie? Or how about Tarasenko putting that rebound by Rask? Everyone has been fired up about the St. Louis Blues. It’s been nearly half a century since they’ve been in the Stanley Cup, so this is a big deal, and everyone is ecstatic. While that’s an exciting aspect of the Blues, there’s another that’s not so exciting.

“The blues.” This is in reference to the type of blues you may not want to experience, but it could be inevitable. If you have fire damage, water damage, storm damage or any other kind of a disaster at your home or business, that can leave the feeling of “the blues.” Let our heroes at SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties come to your rescue to make it "Like it never even happened."

Not only do we provide fire and water restoration cleanup for residential and commercial properties,  we also do the following:

• Storm damage cleanup
• Commercial restoration
• Mold remediation and restoration
• Air ducts & HVAC cleaning
• Biohazard cleanup
• Carpet & upholstery cleaning
• Ceilings, floors & walls cleaning
• Drapes & blinds cleaning
• Odor removal
• Sewage cleanup
• Trauma & crime scene cleanup
• Vandalism & graffiti cleanup   

In 2018, we were selected the Business of the Year.

The flow of our process is smooth, efficient and effective -- from start to finish. When one has to deal with water damage or fire damage, that can be stressful enough for the customer, so we make it easy for our customers. All the way from dealing with your insurance company to getting your home or business back to preloss condition. Smooth transition.   

When an emergency leaves you in a pinch, all you have to do is call on our team. Emergencies are our “Power Play” situations. Use the leader in the fire & water - cleanup & restoration industry. Use SERVPRO® of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties. We’re always ready to make any disaster "Like it never even happened." Will you use us for your next cleanup and/or restoration job? Just contact us online, or call us: 573-339-1948. And let’s go Blues!

Who’s Ready for Some Football?

9/10/2018 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties is always in the end zone & ready to help with your fire or water damage even during football season.

Hot wings. Cheese boat. Little smokies. Chips and salsa. Artichoke spinach dip. Drinks. Snacks. And a bunch of other scrumptious game day recipes. Salivating at the mouth yet?

Well, it’s that time of the year that just about everyone has been patiently awaiting: the start of the football season. And it’s finally arrived. Whoohoo! Whether you've been waiting to tailgate with your favorite college team or spend a lazy Sunday watching the NFL, all football fans are excited the season has arrived. Then, the Super Bowl will be here before you know it (Feb. 03, 2019). Get the 411 here about Super Bowl LIII. Know what else it could be a potential time for? A time of chaos. Fires, leaks and water damage, which can result in mold. But, it doesn’t have to be with your SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties team.

When you’re glued to the football game, rooting on your fave team, the last thing you want to worry about is a fire from all the cooking or an indoor pool that wasn’t originally there. In fact, that’s the last “interception” you want to be concerned with. That’s where SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties comes into “play.” We’re always there in the “end zone” to rescue your home or business from any fire or water emergency.

And since we’re on the topic of football, did you know that SERVPRO is sponsoring the First Responder Bowl Dec. 26? “Score!” This is dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of America’s First Responders! You don’t want to miss this epic game. We are so proud and honored to give back in this capacity. And we salute them each and every single day.

As you’re gearing up for the season, ensure there are no “turnovers” and you have everything checked off your game day ready checklist:

Sustenance & Cold Ones

Sustenance may be one of the number one ingredients for any successful game day. And drinks (aka cold ones) -- a requirement. From meatballs to wings to stuffed jalapenos to pizza to delectable treats, these can make any get-together more pleasurable and game days complete. So, make sure you have plenty of food, refreshments and cold ones for your next football game gathering.

Friends, Family & Coworkers

Gathering friends, family and coworkers for football games is like the icing on the cake. Sharing laughter, stories, memories is what it’s all about … that is, of course, maybe before the game, during the commercials and after the game. Spending that quality time together is so special. Once the game is over, it’s a time for celebration of your winning team and, like Monopoly, collect your money if you made any bets or participated in any football pools.

Entertainment Area with Large TV

Anytime there’s a large gathering of people at your abode, you need an ideal entertainment space for them. Especially when it comes to the football season, a large television is a must-have for everyone’s viewing pleasure. Your entertainment area will be the number one gathering place for everyone, so the aesthetics, comfortability and a large television are key. Since a tv is a big investment, especially a nice, large, quality HD one, you want to protect it in case it’s damaged as a result of water and/or fire damage.

Practice, Practice, Practice

With anything, practice makes perfect. Just like football players constantly practice throughout the year to improve their game (even if they’re the best, the greatest!), we strongly advise you to practice your emergency evacuation routine. Practice, practice, practice, then practice again. It’s vital you and your family make strategic moves and know exactly the “game plan” should an emergency occurs.   

The #1 Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration Team on Speed Dial

As you’re gearing up and preparing for the big game day at your home, be sure you’re preparing for a disaster, too, because it can happen at the least unlikely times. And SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties is always ready and equipped for “Whatever Happens.” We’re always focused on your “safety.” When a disaster strikes, just easily reach us with the touch of an app or the dial of a number. If you ever wondered if there’s an emergency ready app for disasters, yep, there’s an app for that, and it’s our SERVPRO Ready App. Get it for free in your App Store. You can, also, call us anytime, 24/7/365. Put us on speed dial. And we’ll “rush” over and be there in a “snap” to your home or business.

Now, who’s ready for some football? And now you’re prepared for a disaster, too. Our team of heroes can “tackle” any size disaster at your home and/or commercial property. Once we’re done cleaning or restoring your home or business, it’s sure to be a “touchdown” and “Like it never even happened.” We’re the fire & water - cleanup & restoration team you can bet on. As soon as a disaster strikes, call to get SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties on the other end of that “receiver.” Here, we’ll “punt” the number to you: 573-339-1948.

Extreme Heat

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

As summer approaches, it is time to consider safety precautions for extreme heat in the coming months. Heat affects all people, but especially the young, the elderly, sick, and overweight. Urban area residents also have a greater chance of being affected than those who live in rural areas due to the heat island effect.

Heat Island Effect

According to the EPA, " the sun can heat dry, exposed urban surfaces, such as roofs and pavement, to temperatures 50-90 degrees (F) hotter than the air, while shaded or moist surfaces--often in more rural surroundings--remain close to air temperatures." These surface heat islands are stronger during the day when the sun is shining, while the atmospheric heat islands are more likely after sunset "due to the slow release of heat from urban infrastructure."

Don't let the heat get to you

Whether you are in an urban or rural area, there are several things you can do to prepare for and prevent extreme heat from affecting you. If possible, stay indoors in air conditioning. Be sure to check on your pets who may be outdoors or bring them inside. Stay hydrated and limit alcohol and caffeine intake.

If you must go outside, wear loose-fitting, light-colored clothing, and be sure to apply sunscreen often. Pay attention to signs of heat exhaustion, which are heavy sweating; weakness; cold, pale, and clammy skin; nausea or vomiting; and fainting, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Heat exhaustion can lead to heat stroke, which is life-threatening. Signs of heat stroke are high body temperature (103 degrees (F)+), rapid and strong pulse, and possible unconsciousness. If you think someone has heat stroke, call 911 immediately and move the person somewhere cool. Reduce body temperature with cool, wet cloths or a bath. Do not give a person with heat stroke fluids, and treat the situation as a serious medical emergency (CDC).

It's not the heat, it's the humidity.

Since we live in a humid climate, be aware of the heat index. The heat index factors in the humidity, which can make the temperature feel 15 degrees hotter.

Extreme heat is a serious danger. For more information on preparation and prevention, visit ready.gov or cdc.gov.

Our Highly Trained Restoration Specialists can Restore your Southeast Missouri Home

8/22/2016 (Permalink)

We are an IICRC Certified Firm

SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops the Standards for the Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties

SERVPRO of Cape Girardeau & Scott Counties 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 and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

Our Certifications:

• SERVPRO ECTP Fire Certification
• CCT - Carpet Cleaning Technician
• RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
• ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
• UFT - Upholstery & Fabric Cleaning Technician
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• SERVPRO ECTP Crew Training Course
• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• OCT - Odor Control Technician