24/7 Emergency ServiceIs your Cobb County home ready for winter weather?
12/3/2019 (Permalink)
SERVPRO of East Cobb is the restoration company that is faster to any size disaster and can make it "Like it never even happened"!
As the weather outside is frightful and your cozy homes becomes warm and delightful, the holiday season’s aglow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! While it is generally unlikely for Georgia to encounter massive snowfalls, it is still important to know how to be weather aware and prepared if winter weather strikes your home, business, or while your traveling. Winter weather can bring about more issues than just slippery roads and a sidewalk to shovel. If you live where temperatures sink below freezing, you are also at risk for frozen pipes and ice dams, which can create a major disaster at your home or property.
This blog is dedicated to helping you keep the holidays merry and bright, as well as keeping your property safe. But what happens if disaster strikes during the most wonderful time of the year? That’s easy...Call SERVPRO of East Cobb, you locally owned SERVPRO franchise. Even if it is the night before Christmas and even Christmas Day! SERVPRO of East Cobb is available when you need us 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 day of the year, ready when you need help the most.
National Influenza Vaccination Week: December 1-7, 2019
Starting in 2005, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) established the National Influenza Vaccination Week to highlight the importance of continuing flu vaccination throughout the holiday season and beyond.
During the 2017-2018 flu season, the CDC estimates the flu caused 49 million flu-related illnesses (more than the combined populations of Texas and Florida), 960,000 flu hospitalizations (more than the number of staffed hospital beds in the United States), and 79,000 deaths (more than the average number of people who attend the Super Bowl each year).
If you’ve already gotten the flu this season, you should still get vaccinated to protect yourself against other strands of the flu. People with a high risk of complications from the flu include young children, pregnant women, people with certain chronic health conditions, and people over the age of 65. Get a flu shot today to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Tips For The Home
You can winterize your home by installing insulation and weather stripping in areas that have gaps where cold air can infiltrate your home. You can also insulate water lines installed in exterior or exposed walls to help prevent pipe freezes. Having a working and well maintained heating system, whether it is gas or electric is very important. You should have your heating system serviced professionally once a year, and check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors monthly for charged batteries and are in good working order. Having a backup source of heat that can operate on alternative fuels is also a good.
Tips For The Car
The CDC has a few simple tips to prepare your vehicle for winter weather. Make sure your vehicle is in good working order and has a full tank of fuel. This will help prevent fuel lines from freezing and keep ice from forming in the tank. Use cold weather windshield washer fluid and radiator fluid to prevent your vehicle’s systems from freezing. Always carry an emergency kit in the vehicle with blankets, cell phone charger or extra batteries, flashlight, first-aid kit, and some food and water.
Going on vacation should be relaxing and worry-free, which is why it is important to make sure your house is secure before you leave for your trip. Be SERVPRO ready so you don’t come back to damages in your home. Here are some tips for preparing your home provided by SERVPRO of East Cobb.
Make Arrangements with an Emergency Contact.
- Choose a close friend or neighbor you trust as your emergency contact and provide them with all of your itinerary information in case they need to contact you.
- A timer on the lights will give the impression that someone is home.
- Leave written directions for alarm codes, doors, or other information needed to properly care for your home.
- Make sure your mail is collected; burglars often look for homes with overflowing mail.
- The Post office can suspend your mail and deliver the day you get back. Here is a link to the US Post Office.
Take plumbing and electric precautions.
- Prevent leaks and floods from damaging your home by shutting off gas and water at the meter, supply tank, or appliances.
- Turn off the water valves to washing machines, sinks, and the dishwasher.
- Unplug electronics to cut down on any possible shortages which could potentially cause a disastrous fire.
- Check your smoke detectors to ensure they are working properly.
- Adjust your thermostat for the season. Keeping your thermostat at 55-60 degrees in the winter and 75-80 degrees in the summer should help control usage.
Right before you leave:
- Notify your security company that you are leaving town.
- Take out the kitchen trash and other trash that could get smelly.
- Go on one last walk through of your house to secure windows, blinds, fences, doors, and plugs. This will ensure all entries are safe from hazardous obstructions.
If you come back from vacation and encounter damage to your home, call SERVPRO of East Cobb (770) 424-0400. We clean up mold, fire, or water damage to your home or business in the Kennesaw Area.
What to Expect Until Help Arrives!
When you call, we will ask several questions regarding your water damage emergency. These questions will help us determine what equipment and resources to bring, including how many trained SERVPRO Professionals may be needed.
Our SERVPRO Representative will ask several questions:
- Your name and contact information
- Your insurance information (if applicable)
- The street address of the water-damaged home or business
- When did the flooding or water damage occur?
- What caused the water damage (if known)?
- Is there electricity available (on-site)?
About SERVPRO of East Cobb
SERVPRO of East Cobb 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.