Avoid Moldy Jack O'Lanterns

10/23/2023 (Permalink)

There are a few things you can do to avoid a moldy pumpkin for this Halloween. 

Things you will need: A pumpkin; Petroleum Jelly; A bucket/sink/spray bottle; diluted bleach; soap & water. 

Step 1: Clean your pumpkin with soap and water before carving. 

Step 2: Scape the inside nd carve out your design

Step 3: Apply bleach  to entire pumpkin, either with a spray bottle or by dunking the entire pumpkin into a bucket or sink with the diluted bleach water. 1 tbsp of bleach per 1 quart of water. 

Step 4: Rub edges with petroleum jelly to hold in moisture.

Step 5: Show off your creation. 

24/7 Emergency service; 50+ years of experience; #1 Choice in clean-up & restoration; Faster to any disaster; Locally owned; SERVPRO of Quincy 217-223-2993

Plan Ahead: May 4th is Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

3/29/2019 (Permalink)

In 2018, there were 55,911 wildfires in the U.S., which burned 8.6 million acres, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Nearly 90% of wildfires are caused by humans. 

Help reduce your community's wildfire risk by participating in a local event for Wildfire Community Preparedness Day. To see a project map to locate local events, or for more information and resources to host your own event, visit wildfireprepday.org.

National Day of Service and Rememberance

8/21/2018 (Permalink)

In honor and memory of those who died on September 11, 2001, as well as the survivors and First Responders, National Day of Service and Rememberance was established in 2009 as a day of reflection. Led by the Corporation for National and Community Service, this is a day to come together as Americans did following the events of 9/11 to help neighbors in need, and to honor veterans and First Responders in your community. 

On this day and everyday, SERVPRO salutes those heroes who arrive in the greatest times of need and stand strong in the face of disaster. These heroes are the First Responders who keep our communities safe in trying times. 

Give back and make a difference in your community this year. To find a volunteer opportunity near you, or to register your National Day of Service and Rememberance event, visit nationalservice.gov/911day. 

A Salute to First Responders

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." This famous Mr. Rogers quote comes to mind when we celebrate first responders: those who arrive first on the scene of any disaster or emergency.

In the event of a disaster or emergency, there are many different agencies and people in your community who are ready to respond. Whether it's a house fire or a hurricane, we are thankful every day for these first responders. 

Firefighters, EMTs, and Police

Local fire and police departments, as well as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), are often first on the scene of an emergency. In the U.S., there are more than 29,700 fire departments with 1,160,450 total firefighters, according to the National Fire Protection Association's 2015 U.S. Fire Department Profile. 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are almost 245,000 EMTs and paramedics in the U.S. 

In the U.S. there are about 18,000 federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies, employing more than 750,000 full-time sworn officers, according to the Uniformed Crime Reporting Program collected by the FBI. 

Military

When events such as natural disasters strike, different branches of the military are often a first line of response. The Army National Guard and Air National Guard, with over 342,000 soldiers, respond domestically when deployed by their state Governor, often during states of emergency from weather-related events. They can also be called upon during terrorist attacks or civil unrest, or called overseas by the President of the United States. 

Active duty soldiers can also be called upon for certain domestic events as well. 

FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)

As a part of FEMA's Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), these volunteers are trained to be prepared for any disasters that may affect your local area in an effort to support professional responders. CERT volunteers are trained in "basic disaster response skills such as fire safety, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations," according to FEMA. With more than 2,700 CERT programs, over 600,000 individuals have been trained nationwide. Teams are managed locally, but supported nationally by FEMA. 

National Volunteer Week is April 15-21, 2018

Did you know many first responders are volunteers, from firefighters to EMTs? Take the time to thank local volunteers for their time, energy, and dedication to keeping our community safe during National Volunteer Week.

SERVPRO recognizes these and the countless other first responders in our communities for keeping our communities safe. 

March is Red Cross Month

2/27/2017 (Permalink)

Founded in 1881, the American Red Cross is a charitable organization that relies on donations and volunteers to carry out their mission. Whether it is disaster relief, blood donations, military family support, or training and certification in CPR, lifeguarding, first aid and more, the Red Cross is committed to helping those who need it most. The American Red Cross is part of the Global Red Cross Network, the world's largest volunteer network found in 187 countries, according to redcross.org.

Every year, March is declared Red Cross Month by the President of the United States. The American Red Cross celebrates by honoring the "everyday heroes" who support and carry out the mission of the Red Cross by donating, giving blood, taking a class or volunteering.

SERVPRO began a partnership with the American Red Cross in 2013, and became an official Disaster Responder partner in 2016. The Disaster Responder program provides families and individuals immediate support, comfort and assistance when a disaster, such as a house fire, happens to them. Disaster Responders also help communities prepare for disasters ahead of time by participating in preparedness activities such as the Smoke Alarm Installation Campaign. 

Around 3.1 million people donate blood through the American Red Cross. The American Red Cross collects and processes about 40% of the nation's blood supply to approximately 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide. Volunteers constitute about 90% of the American Red Cross workforce, making it possible to respond to nearly 70,000 disasters every year, most of them home and apartment fires.

SERVPRO of Quincy is hosting a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on May 16th. Please call our office at 217-223-2993 for more details. 

To learn more about the American Red Cross, or about how you can get involved, visit redcross.org.