Taking Care of Business

12/30/2020 (Permalink)

Our booth at Taking Care of Business

“Taking Care of Business”, an annual business event where several business’s set up tables with displays and free samples or giveaways. Each business voted for the best display and a prize was given to the winner. Each table also had a drawing to give away a gift. There were appetizers to snack on and fun to be had by all. Our table had rings for the kids that had flashing lights and candy to give away along with notepads and pens. Our drawing was for a beautiful floral arrangement. We had a board display to show how far out from our office we go to jobsites along with the different types of losses.

A Question for SERVPRO regarding fires

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

Question for SERVPRO:

Donald from Virginia asks: When there is a fire in a house how do you determine what can be saved and what cannot?

Fire Restoration:

When something tragic like a fire happens in your home you do not often think about your “stuff” until after the smoke settles, but trying to decide what can be saved and what can’t can be difficult. There are things that can are easy to throw away, like paper products that have been burned or charred walls, but what about everything else?

When we come into someone’s home after a fire we inventory everything in the house, and I mean everything. From the couch, to the bags of tea in the cupboard. We photograph every piece and get a description to send to the insurance company. From this inventorying we can determine what can be saved and restored and what has been damaged beyond repair.

However they are always things that end up in a grey area. Maybe it is slightly damaged, or maybe it is something that holds sentimental value. The chair that was made by your great grandfather cannot be replaced at your local furniture store. When this happens we work with the home owner and the insurance company to decide how to move forward. Maybe you would like the heirloom to be cleaned even if that means it will not be back to its original glory, but that is a decision that the home owner needs to make for him or herself. 

If the unfortunate happens call SERVPRO of Aitkin, Carlton & W. St. Louis Counties at 218-879-6141.

Staying Safe This Summer in the Heat

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

AtSERVPRO of Aitkin, Carlton & W. St. Louis Counties we're here to help you get ready for this Summer Heat! 

Stay safe during our Northern Minnesota heat by remembering these tips this summer:

• Get the trained in first aid to learn how to treat heat-related emergencies
• Stay well hydrated!!
• Have an emergency kit handy
• Keep ice packs handy in the freezer
• To reduce 80 percent of the heat that enters your home by covering windows that receives morning and afternoon sun
• Weather strip your doors
• Stay aware of upcoming temperature changes. Listen to local weather forecasts
• Window air conditioners snugly; insulate if necessary

 Stay safe this summer and if you need us remember to give us a call for any fire, water, and smoke emergencies that come up.

You can reach us 24/7 at 218-879-6141

Grilling Safety in Northern Minnesota

5/11/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Aitkin, Carlton and West St. Louis Counties wants to welcome the warm weather and give you some grill safety to consider when breaking out your inner backyard grilling skills.

June and July are peak months for summer grilling fires. 

The Memorial Day weekend is approaching quickly, it’s time to dust off the grills and put the inner backyard grilling skills back to work.  As exciting as it is to break out the grill for the official start of the summer season right, we want you to consider the safety that needs to be taken when preparing to light up the grill.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) says that the U.S. fire department responded to an average of 8,900 home fire that involved the use of grills, hibachis, or barbecues per year.  These 8,900 fires caused annual averages of 10 civilian deaths, 160 injuries, and $118 million in direct property damage. Almost all the losses resulted from structure fires. The leading causes of grill fires were a failure to properly cleaning of the grill, placement of the grill because it was placed to close to a structure, and leaving the grill unattended. Five out of six (83%) of grills involved in home fires were fueled by gas while 13% used other sources of fuel.

Precautions to take while grilling

Propane:

• Stay alert when grilling. Avoid grilling when you are tired or have consumed too much alcohol.
• Do Not leave your grill unattended.
• Keep the grill in a place that is free from flammable items and away from porch rails, and low lying branches.
• Keep children and pets as far away from the grill as possible
• Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year.

NOTE: A light soap and water solution applied to the hose is a great way to check for leaks. You can often smell a propane leak, but propane will also release bubbles when the soap and water solution is applied. If you detect a leak, turn the gas tank and grill off. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department.

• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before igniting.
• If you smell gas while cooking, immediately move away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.
• If the flames go out for any reason, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 15 minutes before re-lighting it.
• Keep your grill clean by regularly removing grease or fat buildup from the grates and trays below.

Charcoal grill safety tips to consider:

• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquid to the flames.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• Electric charcoal starters do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container with a lid.

Partner of the Week: SERVPRO

5/11/2016 (Permalink)

We had the opportunity to help Habitat for Humanity with a rehab project in Virginia, MN. We commend our crew for working diligently, allowing the rehab process to continue on schedule. We were surprised with an email like to the North St. Louis Habit for Humanity weekly newsletter. We were featured as Partner of the Week!

 “We thank SERVPRO for the great discount they gave us for the basement clean-up at our rehab project in Virginia.  Thank you so much for helping us make our rehab project an affordable home for our partner family, the Dows!” – North St. Louis Habitat for Humanity

It was such a pleasure working with Habitat for Humanity. SERVPRO of Aitkin, Carlton and West St, Louis Counties was honored to be able to help get this family back into their home.

Red Cross Blood Drive

2/14/2016 (Permalink)

We have partnered with the Red Cross for a blood drive.

The bloodmobile will be in Grand Rapids on May 20, 2016.We look forward to seeing you there. Here is what to expect if you join us;

Step 1

Our staff and volunteers will sign you in and go over basic eligibility and donation information.

You will read information about donating blood, and will be asked to show a donor card, driver's license, or other form(s) of ID.

Step 2

You will answer some questions during a private and confidential interview about your health history and places you have traveled.

We will check your temperature, pulse, blood pressure and hemoglobin level present in a sample of blood.

Step 3

The actual donation takes about 8-10 minutes, during which you will be seated comfortably. The process is safe and sterile. Red Cross staff and volunteers will be available if you have any questions.

Certain donation types, such as platelets, red cells or plasma, can take up to two hours.

Step 4

After donating, you should have a snack and something to drink in the refreshments area. You can leave the site after 10-15 minutes and continue with your normal daily activities.

Enjoy the feeling of accomplishment knowing that you have helped save lives

Home Show Season

2/14/2016 (Permalink)

This year 2019 SERVPRO of Aitkin, Carlton and West St. Louis counties will be attending the area home and builder shows in support of our communities.

We are planning to be present in at the:

Bemidji Jaycees Show

Grand Rapids Jaycees Show

NMBA Home Show in Grand Rapids

Iron Range Home Show in Virginia

Aitkin Home and Garden Show

Nashwauk Home Show

Perella Home Show in Hibbing

We are happy to answer any of you questions, or give you a little more information on what it is that we do. No questions? NO problem! Swing by and say hello and register in a drawing! Prizes vary by show. Don’t forget to pick-up a magnet, or pen! We look forward to seeing you!