This 30 second PSA comes from NFPA's latest safety DVD available for this year's Fire Prevention Week. "Smoke Alarms - A sound you can live with!" mixes live footage and animation in a reality TV show format to make the case for smoke alarms. It features a high-energy array of quizzes, family challenges, PSAs, plus a fire drill to offer a solid overview of fire safety, smoke alarm, and escape planning fundamentals.
Smoke Alarm Squad
This 30 second PSA comes from NFPA's latest safety DVD available for this year's Fire Prevention Week. "Smoke Alarms - A sound you can live with!" mixes live footage and animation in a reality TV show format to make the case for smoke alarms. It features a high-energy array of quizzes, family challenges, PSAs, plus a fire drill to offer a solid overview of fire safety, smoke alarm, and escape planning fundamentals.
Tips For Removing Pet Odor From Carpets
We love our pets. They are important members of our families and bring immense joy to our lives. But we can't deny the fact that they can be a burden to clean up after. Dogs and cats track dirt and mud throughout the home - it's inevitable. And sometimes they have accidents on the carpet. We still love them, but it is frustrating to try to remove the stains and odors from our carpet and upholstery. As pet owners, however, we are resigned to the task of making sure our home stays clean and free from offensive pet odors.
These lingering odors are caused by the bacteria that remain in your carpet long after your pet has the accident. Simple blotting and toweling of the mess will not remove the deep-down saturation. This allows the bacteria to thrive and the odor to become unbearable.
Preventing these odors can be difficult, but there are some simple steps you can follow to keep your home fresh and eliminate the smell of pet odors. First, you should vacuum your home at least 2 times a week. This not only removes pet hair and dander from your carpets, but it loosens the deep-down dirt and odor causing bacteria. Vacuuming alone may not eliminate odors, but it is the first step in loosening the particles that are embedded in the carpet fibers. You may want to purchase an odor-removing powder that you sprinkle over the carpet before vacuuming. However, this method may only mask the odor, instead of removing it completely.
Enzyme treatments can destroy the odor-causing bacteria left behind by pet urine. These cleaners can usually be found in pet stores and are relatively inexpensive. Treating your carpets with an enzyme cleaner can be difficult if the stain has been allowed to dry or the urine, vomit or feces sat for enough time to fully saturate the carpet fibers and backing.
The best thing you can do to prevent pet odors is to make sure you clean the area as soon as the accident happens. Blot (don't scrub) with paper towels, baking soda or vinegar. Use an enzyme cleaner after soaking up the excess moisture. If the urine is allowed to soak into the carpet padding or the sub-floor, you will have bigger problems on your hands. A deep soil carpet extraction will be necessary in order to reach the contaminated area.
A professional carpet cleaning company should treat odors that linger and soiling that affects the deep carpet fibers and carpet padding. They have years of experience and the right equipment that uses odor-removing technology to completely neutralize and eradicate offensive pet odors. Chemicals that modern carpet cleaners use are non-toxic and safe for children or pets to be around.
If you have pets, you will no doubt need the help of a professional carpet cleaning company at some point. A good tip is to schedule a professional carpet cleaning - either steam or shampoo - twice a year. This keeps your carpet looking fresh and helps to eradicate typical odors, and prevents the deep soiling of odor-causing bacteria.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4056117
If you are having problems with pet odor in your home, Servpro can help! Call today to schedule an appointment for a carpet cleaning!
(707) 207-0122
Dan Doofus - "Exit Strategy"
Meet Dan Doofus, star of NFPA's series of video public service announcements about fire safety. Dan has to learn the hard way how to prevent home fires the correct way.
What Are The Main Health Problems Caused By Mold Exposure?
Mold exposure can cause serious health problems and as such, it is important to recognize early on if what you have is caused by mold or perhaps is caused by something else entirely. The most common symptoms associated with mold exposure would include the following:
1. A skin rash which is not always caused by direct contact with the mold contrary to popular belief. You can also develop skin rashes even through inhaling fumes that were given off by the mold.
2. Redness of the eyes is another symptom which can be caused by mold. During spring many people would think of it as a seasonal allergy when in fact it could be caused by invisible mold in their offices or homes.
3. Headaches can also be caused by mold through inhalation.
4. Lethargy is another for prolonged periods of times and even during days when you had enough sleep and is well rested. This can also be a symptom of exposure to mold.
5. Sore throat is also a symptom. If you are experiencing hoarseness when you talk or if you experience a raw feeling every time you swallow, then this could mean that there are spores that are lodged in your throat and causing irritation to your membranes.
You can also tell if it's a mold problem if when you travel away from home, your symptoms disappear. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, then its time for a mold inspection because the sooner you get rid of the source of your health problems, the sooner you'll feel better.
Mold can be hazardous to your health which is why it's important to know about mold exposure symptoms in general and black mold health problems in particular as exposure to this type of mold can be disastrous to your health.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Howard_Mouldar
Servpro is certified in Mold Remediation by the IICRC and the IAQA. We can help you if you have any kind of mold problem, from small little isolated areas of mold, to whole houses that are contaminated. We can also help you to discover why you are having a mold problem, if the problem isn't evident.
Whatever your mold problem, we can help!
(707) 207-0122
When Is The Best Time To Have Your Carpets Cleaned By A Professional?
You won't notice it immediately, but as years pass it becomes obvious that your carpet doesn't appear as bright and fresh as it did the day you had it installed. Over time regular wear and tear, coupled with accidents and various over the counter cleaners, will affect the pile and overall appearance. When standard vacuuming won't do the trick to restore your rugs to their former glory, you may wish to look into the services of a professional cleaner to handle the job.
Is there a right time to have your carpets cleaning with professional, truckmounted water extraction? A licensed cleaner may tell you that there is never a wrong time, but if you need an occasion or situation to encourage you to make that call, there are good reasons to look into this service:
Moving: Whether you rent or own, if you intend to move it's a good idea to have a pro go over your carpets once you have the furniture removed. It may surprise you to discover how much soil and grime is embedded, and how the color in the pile returns after everything is washed and dried. You can practically leave your home as clean as the day you claimed it.
New Baby: If you have added to your family recently, or are expecting a new arrival, you may think about carpet cleaning only after the little one has made a mess or two. Actually, it's a good idea to schedule a cleaning before you bring baby home. A thorough shampoo and extraction helps remove bacteria in your home and disinfect the rooms. For a baby immune to germs, this is a good illness prevention measure.
Renovation: Redecorating? Buying new furniture? Take advantage of the moving to get your carpets cleaned. With the space available, it provides less work for a cleaner to perform, and you can start living anew after a major makeover.
New Pets: If you have welcomed a four-footed companion to your home, it's a good idea to give your carpets not only a good cleaning but protection and sealant. This helps upkeep for your rooms so when accidents happen, they won't damage your carpets too much.
Once a year or every six months, depending on traffic through your home, is a good schedule to keep for cleaning and deodorizing. Because rugs and carpets absorb much of the daily dirt coming into your house, you want to make sure they remain as clean as possible to prevent illness.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4566198
Servpro At Last Month's Total Home And Garden Show
Servpro had a fun and successful time at Vacaville's Total Home And Garden Show! Thanks to all those who came out and saw us. If you missed it, keep checking back with us to see when the next show will be.
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Mold Removal: Use A Professional Or DIY?
Individuals are exposed to mildew every day, whether one is indoors or outdoors; spores naturally exists everywhere. It would be a practical impossibility to eradicate mildew, which would unbalance the environment even if it were possible. However, because inhaling spores in large numbers can cause illness such as allergic reactions, asthma attacks, and infectious diseases; cleaning spores from indoor environments is a practical possibility that will allow people to live healthier lives.
Home Inspection For Irritant Sources
The best method for determining if you have a spore problem in your home is by hiring a professional testing company. Mold testing can uncover toxigenic spores from areas such as behind wall paper, on sub-flooring, air conditioning ducts, and on attic sheathing. While doing it yourself is always an option; the necessary equipment, testing procedures, and understanding of what the tests mean can be frightfully expensive and will require time that you might not have in your busy life. A professional home inspection team will test your home's air, take swabs and tape lift samples, use equipment such as a borescope (an optical device used to inspect hard to get at places) and do moisture mapping, thermal imaging, and a relative humidity check to determine if your home needs mildew remediation work.
Being Safe When Doing Mold Testing And Inspections
Not only is the proper equipment expensive to procure and time consuming to learn how to operate, individuals may not protect themselves properly when they are looking for mildew in their homes. Mold testing professionals are aware of the health risks associated with exposure to large amounts of spores and protect themselves by using breathing masks and wearing protective clothing to make sure mildew won't enter into their air passage ways, which can cause chronic breathing problems, and won't settle on their skin, which can lead to uncomfortable rashes and other skin ailments.
Understanding Mold Removal
When elevated levels of mildew are found, the goal for mold removal is to eliminate as many sources as possible. A professional removal team will clean the air, wipe down surfaces where spores have accumulated, apply antimicrobial treatments so that mildew will be less likely to grow again, dispose of items that cannot be cleaned, clean and treat ventilation systems, and achieve a successful clearance test; which might not be possible for individuals who choose to do it for themselves.
Choosing A Professional For Mold Removal
You and your family's health could be at risk by having large amounts of spores circulating in your home. Individuals can look for the hidden sources of mildew in their homes; however, it can be prohibitively expensive to purchase the necessary equipment and potentially dangerous for the do it yourself person. Mold testing experts have the necessary testing and removal equipment, know how to protect themselves from risks of being in contact with spores, and have undergone a variety of certification programs that allow them to economically and safely free your home of this health risk.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5409567
NBC TODAY Show: Kitchen Fire Safety
Most home fires begin in the kitchen, and Home Safety Council President Meri-K Appy demonstrates how quickly a kitchen fire can get out of control. With a live fire burning as the backdrop for the segment, Appy offers critical tips to put out stove top fires and demonstrates the slide a lid technique.