What Causes Fires in a Commercial Building

5/21/2021 (Permalink)

Fire safety is a serious matter. It requires you to ensure that your office environment and commercial building is well prepared. Even a tiny spark can go on to destroy a building, its contents, and worse, hurt those who may be inside.

Once the fire starts spreading, it will become difficult for you to control if you did not take the right fire safety precautions earlier. Today, modern fire fighting methods have helped to curb the consequences of a raging fire. But that should not make you complacent.

WHAT CAUSES FIRE IN A COMMERCIAL BUILDING?

There are many reasons why fire can break inside a commercial building. Let’s talk about some of the most common causes of fire.

1. HEATING EQUIPMENT

Commercial buildings have furnaces, radiators and boilers that can often lead to situations where the building becomes overheated. This can cause fire, mostly in industrial properties.

2. SMOKING

We have seen many cases where the fire was the result of careless smoking or not disposing of the smoking materials properly. We will talk about this more later.

3. COOKING

If your commercial building has a pantry or a kitchen, there can be chances where flammable materials like oil and grease can catch fire.

4. ARSON

Arson is a fire that has been intentionally started by a person, often, but not always, using highly flammable substances. These deliberate fires can cause harm to the people inside the building or to the building itself. A good security system is the best safeguard against arsonists.

5. ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

If you have installed low-quality electrical equipment that has become overloaded, you definitely stand a high chance of fire breaking out in your building.

How to Protect Your Commercial Property From Flood Damage.

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

As a business owner, there is only so much you can do to protect your building from water damage. But sometimes what you can do is the difference between rebuilding and a close call. If your commercial property is located in a flood zone, near a body of water, or in an area with large amounts of rainfall, it’s important that you take the precautionary steps to prevent flood damage from occurring in your building. Use these tips to get you started.

How to Protect Your Commercial Property from Flood Damage

1. Smart construction and design of your building.  

   The first step is to make sure that your commercial property is not located in a flood zone. If it is, take extra precautionary measures when constructing the building, like making sure the building is watertight. Consider elevating the building if it’s near water. Install hurricane-glass windows and doors, as well as storm shutters for extra protection.

2. Roof and gutter cleaning. 

   Make sure your gutters and downspouts are clear of any and all debris. Pay special attention to removing clogs and larger debris like branches or birds’ nests. Clear your roof of any branches, grime, dirt, and debris as well. Be sure the roof is in good repair by sealing up any gaps, cracks, and holes.

3. Get commercial flood insurance. 

   Before you open your business, make sure you get flood insurance. Most insurance plans don’t automatically cover flood damage, business interruption, and lost revenue. When obtaining flood insurance, make sure you add this coverage into the plan. For more information, check out FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program. 

4. Use a board up service and/or a commercial flood barrier. 

   It never hurts to be prepared. If you know there is a natural disaster or severe weather headed your way, call a professional to board up your windows and vulnerable areas of your building to protect from flood waters, flying debris, and high winds. Using a flood barrier will create a dam-like effect around your building, protecting it from rising water. These measures may cost a little more upfront, but will save you time, money, and the overwhelming struggle of having to deal with closing your business to rebuild a damaged structure later on.

5. Create a business continuity plan. 

   A business continuity plan addresses concerns should anything unexpected arise, like massive flooding or other emergencies. Not only does a continuity plan prepare your company in case a natural disaster should occur, but it also provides a succession plan should anything happen to the current leaders of the business, like sudden illness or death. The plan should also give instructions on how to proceed in the event of a lawsuit, labor dispute, or distribution issue. Analyze your business to understand the processes in place that require your company to run efficiently. Identify any flood risks, assess critical business processes and the partners that support them, and where to store backup equipment to keep your business running should anything happen. Consider create a business Continuity plan to help you specifically identify the current and potential pitfalls within your company’s processes to resolve them before they turn into crises, as well as successful disaster recovery planning

Preparing Commercial Buildings for Hurricane Season

5/20/2021 (Permalink)

Understand Your Risks
The four key trademarks of a hurricane are high wind speeds, storm surges, torrential rains, and tornadoes – any one of them can put your business at risk during a storm. The FEMA Flood Map Service Center provides a range of information to help you determine how susceptible your business is to flooding and storm surge damage. An inspection by a licensed professional can help you assess the threat to your facility from high winds and whether a retrofit is needed to reduce vulnerabilities.

Know Your Disaster Response
Although most major commercial and industrial organizations have well-established disaster response plans in place, conducting an audit of your emergency strategy is never a bad idea. Before a storm hits, be sure to:

• Review the company’s property insurance policy to ensure the business is adequately covered against major storm damage. Back this up with photographs or videos of the business premises, taken from all angles. This will help substantiate insurance claims, if necessary, at a later date.
• Remind staff of all hurricane-related policies and procedures, and inform essential employees of their specific roles and responsibilities in the event of an emergency.
• Make sure all emergency supplies are adequately stocked. This could include generators, sandbags, hand tools, and other essential items your business might need during a prolonged power outage and flooding.
• Revisit plans for protecting computer files to make certain critical data is secured through a backup system.

As a Storm Approaches
As soon as a warning is issued for a hurricane or tropical storm, property managers should check the facility’s interior and exterior surroundings and take appropriate safety measures.

• Bring in exterior displays and remove any outdoor signs or other items that could become airborne in high winds. Board up glass doors and windows or tape an “X” over them to prevent shattering.
• Disconnect all electrical devices except for refrigerators. Experts also recommend turning off electricity (except for those circuits running refrigeration) at the power supply box.
• Clear all desk or work surfaces of small items, and take down all loosely secured items hung on the walls.
• Move equipment and furniture away from windows. For maximum security, relocate critical files and equipment to the innermost rooms of the office building.
• Make sure key employees know the processes and procedures that will need to take place before allowing people back in the building once the storm has passed.
• Shut down non-critical building systems when all employees are evacuated.

After a Storm Passes
Personnel should wait to return to the building until authorities indicate it is safe to do so. A designated emergency response team should then conduct an assessment of the property before allowing people back onto the premises. These individuals can help identify any structural damages or hazards that may need to be addressed before the building can be occupied.

Preparing Your commercial roof for a Hurricane

5/18/2021 (Permalink)

There are a number of measures you should take to make sure your roof is in good shape to withstand a hurricane, both year-round and when a storm is approaching.

PERFORM REGULAR ROOF MAINTENANCE

Keeping a routine maintenance schedule for your roof is a good idea under any circumstances, but it can save a lot of time and energy, and prevent serious damage, in the event that a hurricane hits your area. Check your roof regularly for wear and disrepair, especially around seams, joints, and flashing, and remove loose items and debris. 

It’s a good idea to have your roof professionally inspected each year before June 1, and to address any issues of damage or wear. If your roof has multiple repair issues, you may consider a full roof restoration to bring it back into shape. While inspecting your roof, and after any repairs or restoration, be sure to document its condition with photos. This could be crucial if you have to file an insurance claim after the storm.

REMOVE OVER-HANDING TREE BRANCHES

Have a tree service remove any limbs or weakened trees that could damage your roof in a high-wind storm.

CLEAR GUTTERS

Regularly clean gutters and remove blockage or clutter. It’s also important to keep your roof clean, so potential obstructions like leaves and dirt can’t make it into your drainage system. Water pooling from blocked drains can be severely damaging. Also, confirm that gutters and drainpipes are properly anchored, and replace any rusted components.

Fire Damage Cleanup

2/6/2020 (Permalink)

We all hope that we never have to experience a fire at our home or business, but in the unfortunate event that a fire does happen, do you know what do do? Do you know how fire and smoke damage can affect your Indianapolis property and your belongings? 

Fires are incredibly destructive on their own, and are often coupled with smoke damage and damage caused by firefighting efforts including broken windows and water damage. But this doesn’t mean that you are better off tearing everything down and starting over. SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton can effectively return your home to preloss condition, but cleanup needs to begin as soon as possible to ensure the best results.

How Does a Fire Damage My Property?

When many people think of fires, they think of the physical damage caused by the heat and flames of the fire itself. In most cases, these things need to be replaced after a fire. But there are also several other things to consider including soot and smoke damage. Walls and ceilings are likely covered with soot and smoke damage, and smoke odors may have permeated throughout the house, being absorbed by various materials.

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton addresses all of these concerns. Different types of materials will react differently with the acidic soot and smoke buildup, so it’s important that fire damage cleanup begin quickly to prevent permanent damage to these items.

Should I Hire a Fire Damage Cleanup Professional?

In most cases, fire damage cleanup is a complex process and is best performed by a professional. There are some things homeowners can do themselves, but working with a fire damage cleanup professionals ensures that the fire damage is addressed quickly and that nothing is overlooked, leading to additional damage.

When the worst happens, call SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton to handle fire damage cleanup from start to finish. Our qualified team of fire damage restoration professionals will work hard to clean and restore your property so you can move on with your life.

Restoring Your Commercial Property After A Water Damage Event

7/16/2019 (Permalink)

Flooding and water damage events in commercial properties are often complex with numerous issues that require a knowledgeable and flexible response. Whether we’re dealing with a relatively small water cleanup scenario or a large scale event, we work quickly to assess each unique situation and isolate the damaged area. In many instances, normal operations can continue in a temporary space while we restore your facility.

Restoring Commercial Properties Presents Unique Challenges

Our professionals are trained to be mindful of legal and environmental concerns and strive to fully restore the damaged area while working within your budgetary constraints. We understand that every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when an emergency situation arises in your business, give us a call and we’ll be there fast with the help you need.

About SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton specializes in the cleanup and restoration of commercial and residential property after a 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.

Inspect Your Commercial Building for Waterproofing and Damages

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

Is your business in a building that is comfortable, dry and weatherproof? If so, thank the contractors responsible for exterior maintenance. It is their job to keep your building maintained. Proper maintenance ensures that the weather stays outside where it belongs. 

Damage to the exterior lets in the weather. Some, like broken windows, is obvious and demands immediate attention. Other damage starts tiny and grows into serious maintenance problems.

Examples of minor damage are:

• Small holes in siding
• Loose or cracked windows
• Gaps around vents, pipes and other exterior features like windows 
• Damaged masonry

Routine Inspections Are the Key to Preventive Maintenance

Every building has problems that are easy to overlook. They don’t interfere with the business operation, so they go unreported. The first step in fixing them is finding them. The best way to identify them is through a complete building inspection. Think of this as a close inspection of the building with the help of a checklist. Here are some of the tasks that an exterior maintenance inspection might include:

1. Inspect the roof. Look for areas where the roofing material needs repair. Check the vents, air conditioner and other features attached to the roof to make sure they won’t leak. Check the gutters and downspouts. Make sure that rain water will flow down and away from the building. 
2. Inspect the walls. Look for openings that might let water in. A structural engineer can help you determine if there is water damages.
3. Inspect the masonry. Areas that are failing might provide a path for water to get inside. Bring in a professional to check the situation.
4. Inspect the doors and windows. Make sure that they stop the flow of air and water.
Some exterior maintenance problems can’t wait.

One of these is water damage. There are local water damage restoration specialists ready to come to your aid. They are just a phone call away. 337-462-6500

How to Save Your Business’s Flood Damaged Electronics

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Technology is the lifeblood of business. A huge number of companies rely on in-house technology departments to deliver the computing power their businesses need to operate. Human Resource departments depend on technology for payroll purposes and to streamline employee on-boarding. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being utilized in various sectors, including banking, retail and healthcare.

The importance of technology is evident, and electronics are especially at risk when natural or man-made disasters strike. Floods are an inevitable aspect of nature. Whether it is a flash flood, overbank flood, coastal flood or ice jam flood, nature can heavily impact business operations. Similarly, floods caused by human error, such as burst plumbing pipes or flooding caused by dysfunctional sump pumps, are equally catastrophic to businesses.

Humidity levels, for instance, spike when water floods indoors. The average recommended humidity level is 30 to 40 percent. When a flood occurs, the humidity levels become dangerously high for an office or floor housing numerous computers or printers. The surplus moisture settles onto the electronics and causes component failure. Corrosion also results from the excess moisture in the air.It’s a given—floods in the US cause $6 billion in damages annually. Any place rain falls is vulnerable to floods. When a business is literally under water, the first thing business owners should do after taking care of employees is save their flood damaged electronic devices.

Take a Look: Unplugged or Plugged In?

Safety should be the first thing on your mind, no matter what.

Thoroughly extracting all traces of water in flood damaged electronics can spark life into the units. Recover the wet device by first turning it off and removing the cords or any batteries. Without electricity, there is no chance for a shorted circuit. Recovery is possible at this point.

If the electronic device is small enough, gently shake it to dislodge all traces of water. You may take apart a few panels to thoroughly dry a larger device.

Apply rubbing alcohol to the wet areas inside the device. The alcohol content serves to hasten the evaporation process. A Q tip is handy if the device if small. Alternately, as mentioned, a clean cloth will work for larger units. Allow the cloth to gently absorb the water; do not attempt to use swiping motions with the cloth, as the water will disperse to different locations inside the device.

Set the device out in a well-ventilated area to dry. Set up fans nearby to speed up the drying process. At least one to two days are required for complete air drying. 

Test the Electronics

Allow the flood damaged electronics to dry at least 24 hours, using the steps mentioned, before turning them on. If the devices function once powered on, consider the units to be in good working condition. If the electronics operate but not at 100 percent, traces of water are still likely to be inside the unit. Repeat the drying processes to dislodge all the remaining droplets of water.

If the electronics fail to work at this point, replace the devices or have a technical specialist attempt to salvage the devices. A data recovery lab is optimal if your computers contain invaluable data. Data recovery specialists, while expensive, utilize sophisticated equipment to retrieve data from almost any device, despite the condition.

Prevention is the best route to avoid the necessity of replacing or restoring water damaged electronics. Always regularly back up important data often to avoid losing it in the event of an unforeseeable flood. Elevate electronics, whenever possible, rather than placing them directly on the floor. When an unanticipated flood wreaks havoc in your business, take swift action by contacting

Professional Water Damage Restoration

Use fans to help dry areas affected by mold and water damage

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton provides emergency extraction and dehumidification when your water damaged company requires urgent attention. Our specialists will also move affected items into our temporary storage for drying and cleaning. Business owners can be certain their environment is free from dampness with the moisture monitoring services we provide. Since floodwaters teem with bacteria, your business receives a thorough sanitation and an anti-microbial application to ensure a safe work space.

A valued benefit SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton provides is its 24/7 accessibility, 365 days a year. When water damage strikes, timing is critical. Our certified technicians at SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton are available to immediately respond to your emergency call. 

How to Prepare Your Business for A Hurricane

7/9/2019 (Permalink)

Safety and survival are always your number one priority when facing a hurricane, but if time and conditions allow, you want to prepare your business to weather the storm, too. Check out these tips from the restoration professionals at SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton to secure your business and minimize the damages from Hurricane Irma and future natural disasters.

1. Communicate with Employees

If you have a business emergency plan already in place, review it immediately with your employees to ensure the safety of both your property and people. Go over or create a plan to communicate with staff and keep the lines of communication open before, during and after the storm, even if cell towers or phone lines become unavailable.

If the hurricane is far enough from land and there's enough time, you can discuss each person's role in preparing the business and property to survive hurricane damage. Always remember, however, that keeping people safe is the most important priority in any emergency situation.

2. Protect Your Property and Possessions

If it's safe to remain in your area, you can take several actions to increase your preparedness and minimize property damage:

• Stock up on emergency supplies. See our general hurricane survival supply list and tweak it to meet your business needs.
• Secure windows and doors. Board up openings with plywood to help keep wind, water and debris out.
• Lay sand bags around the building's perimeter to help block or slow water penetration.
• Bolt large furniture pieces and storage shelves to wall studs.
• Unplug all electronic devices and shut off all utilities.
• Move expensive equipment to high ground, if possible. If floodwaters do make it inside, your possessions have a better chance of surviving on higher floors or shelves.
• Keep records of your business's possessions and take pre-hurricane pictures of the property for insurance purposes.
• Back up electronic documents and data to offsite storage, like electronic cloud storage or similar service, such as Google Docs.
• Stash important paper documents in waterproof containers and store them as high as possible, or move them offsite if time allows.

3. Monitor Storm Updates

Listen to local, state and national radio stations for the most recent hurricane updates. Prepare an exit strategy in case evacuation is necessary. Don't postpone leaving to tend to your property. Keep in contact with your employees to make sure you're all updated on road closures and the latest storm information. You want make sure your family, friends and employees all make it out of the danger zone safely so you can all return to rebuild after the storm.

Once the storm passes and it's safe to return to your property, assess damages and take the first steps toward recovery. Call your insurance providers if you need to file a claim, and then contact experienced water damage and restoration experts to help you rebuild your business

Protect Your Business From Commercial Water Damage

7/3/2019 (Permalink)

Your family depends on your business. So do your employees, as well as your customers and community. So the thought of commercial water damage caused by extreme weather or plumbing failure is scary. But you don’t have to be scared. A little planning and a few precautions will help you breathe a little easier, knowing you’re ready for any commercial water damage contingency,

Commercial Water Damage Tip: Think it Through

Start by asking yourself, “What if?”

That’s a powerful question when it comes to reducing commercial water damage risk. For instance, what if a water main bursts and floods your office? This always leads to more questions, such as how will you ensure the safety of your employees and customers? Or how will you prevent or eliminate business disruptions that might result in cash flow problems? How will you communicate with employees during emergencies or periods of disruption (say, when a pipe bursts and requires the main power to be shut off during repairs)? Make notes of your answers to all your questions, because organizing this information is the basis for the next key step in preventing and minimizing commercial water damage: making a plan.

Commercial Water Damage Tip: Make a Plan

While thinking through possible commercial water damage scenarios for your business, you made notes of the solutions you came up with for your “what if?” questions. Now put your thinking into action to craft an emergency plan for your business. A good emergency plan should provide for the safety of all people who could enter your business, as well as set forth processes and procedures for carrying on with business during a variety of challenges.

It should include, at the very least:

• an emergency contact list (accessible from off-site)
• emergency procedures
• emergency staffing instructions
• vendor lists and contact info
• data backup plans and other resources to support business operations in case you have to temporarily or permanently relocate your business operations.

You should note that this plan is never finished. You should always be updating and improving it with lessons you learn during any business disruption.

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton

6/22/2019 (Permalink)

Let us help your business prepare in the event of a storm event or extreme damage.

SERVPRO of Deridder, Leesville & Vinton offers an Emergency Ready Profile to help businesses establish a plan for how to respond in the event of an emergency. While we cannot predict when disaster will strike, we can protect our customers' businesses by helping them be prepared.

Here are reasons why you should have an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP):

1. This document consolidates information you will need in case of an emergency. Instead of having multiple documents, the ERP will put together this information for you in an organized manner.
   
   
2. The ERP contains all emergency contact information, as well as contact information of maintenance companies.
   
   
3. The ERP will map out your building so you’ll easily be able to find information such as shut-off valves.
   
   
4. You will have a point-of-contact at SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton who you can call in case of an emergency.
   
   
5. Our team will already have a layout of your building, helping us prepare and arrive more quickly to any disaster.
   
   
6. Last but not least, the assessment is completely free!

Call SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton at 337-462-6500 to see how we can help you set up your Emergency Ready Profile!

National Safety Month Spotlight: Forklift Safety

6/17/2018 (Permalink)

Part 3 of the National Safety Month blog is dedicated to forklift safety in the workplace. Forklifts are used to transport heavy objects within short distances. As these big machines deal with heavy objects, safety measures have to be practiced in order to avoid injuries and deaths. Here are some safety tips you can share with the rest of your team:

1. Forklift operators MUST be qualified. Only individuals who have had sufficient training in forklift operation should be allowed to use the equipment.

2. Wear the right clothes. Loose fitting clothes can get caught in the machinery.

3. Check the equipment. Plan for regular maintenance checks to make sure the forklift is in good, working condition.

4. Look at your surroundings. Only drive the forklift through clear pathways.

5. Don't speed. Drive at a reasonable speed to avoid mistakes.

6. Avoid hazards. Avoid slips and cracks that may make you lose control of the machinery.

7. Make sure the load is stable. Stabilize and secure the load before you move.

8. Check for even loads. Always lift with both forks.

9. Make sure you can see. Use a designated lookout person if you need one.

10.  Keep clear.  Inform your employees that the forklift is being used and advise everyone to keep clear of the area.

National Safety Month Spotlight: PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

6/12/2018 (Permalink)

June is National Safety Month, and this time is used to promote safety awareness and minimize injuries and deaths. PPE or Personal Protective Equipment prevents injuries and illnesses that may be acquired through hazardous environments such as chemical, electrical or mechanical settings. A PPE may include gloves, eyewear, hearing protecting, clothing, etc. 

This National Safety Month, employers can utilize this time reinforce the importance of wearing PPE at a job site. The goal is to instill the mindset of putting safety first before any job or customer. Employers can set time aside to do a refresher course for PPE and provide a "lunch and learn" type event. When on-site, production managers can praise employees when they're wearing PPE correctly as a positive reinforcement. Over time, employees will correctly wear their PPE at all times without needing positive reinforcement.

PPE is only effective when it is fitted properly. It won't inhibit movement, allowing the employee to move freely. When it fits, it's more comfortable for the employee and they'll be more likely to wear it. During this month, employers can set up fitting stations and size employees for gloves, eyewear, apparel, hearing protection, etc. 

Safety training doesn't always have to be done through a PowerPoint presentation. The goal is to get employees involved as much as possible by encouraging participation. If you have veteran workers, ask them to demonstrate proper PPE use and share stories if any. If you plan to administer quizzes, make it interesting by making it a contest among employees.

PPE is essential to SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton's team as it is used to protect our crew from potentially hazardous situations. At times, PPE may only be a pair of latex gloves and at other times, it'll be the whole PPE suit. We take time to train our technicians which PPE is needed for every type situation. We remind our team that our safety always comes first before anything.

How to Turn Off Water at Commercial Properties

6/8/2018 (Permalink)

Knowing where your water shut off valve is located is critical when faced with a plumbing emergency. During an emergency, every second counts in the prevention of additional water damage. Being able to locate and teach your employees where to find the water shut off valve will instill more confidence in your team and give you more control over the situation. 

What is a water shut-off valve?

A water shut off valve helps stop the flow of water to your home or place of business. While homes usually have local shut off valves for plumbing fixtures, you would want to look for a main shut off valve for a commercial property. Main shut off valves are usually located by the entrance of water into the commercial property. You'll usually find a water meter box close to the street. If you cannot find your shut off valve, consider reaching out to your local water department and they should be able to further assist you. 

How SERVPRO of DeRidder Leesville & Vinton can help...

We provide a no-cost service to create an Emergency Ready Profile for our commercial clients.  The ERP puts together all information needed in case an emergency were to occur at your place of business. The documents lists out key contact information as well as all shut off valve information. In addition to this, it lets our team know specific information such as preferred parking locations, where to enter the building, also the size of the building. 

What does the ERP do in the event of a plumbing emergency?

• The ERP has information ready for you and your team on how to find your water shut off valve.
• Our SERVPRO team will have a copy, so that we can instruct your team on how to find the shut off valve.
• The ERP will have preferred plumber contact information.
• Our SERVPRO team will have an idea of how big your property is, so we will know how many pieces of equipment to bring. 
• You will have a point of contact SERVPRO team member.

Call 337-462-6500 to schedule your consultation today.

National Chocolate Chip Day!

5/16/2018 (Permalink)

National Chocolate Chip Day

Here at SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton, we realize the importance of balancing work and fun. While we provide 24-hour, immediate restoration & cleaning services to our community, we also like to give back in other ways. We love our community & try to show appreciation whenever we can. Sometimes, chocolate is a great way to show that you care.

May 15th was National Chocolate Chip Day this year, so we decided to bring a box of cookies to local businesses in the area. On the cookie box, we attached cards saying "You're the Chip to our Cookie! From SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville and Vinton". The local businesses were excited to receive the surprise chocolate treats from us.  After all, who wouldn't be excited to receive surprise cookies? (Not me.)

Office Safety Tips

3/14/2018 (Permalink)

Slips, trips and falls make up most of all workplace injuries. By establishing and following office safety rules, most accidents can be avoided. Here are some tips that businesses can follow to keep their workplace safe:

1. Replace light bulbs that are out, and make sure each room has enough lighting.

2. Make sure that electrical cords do not pose a tripping hazard. 

3. Flooring issues such as cracks or breaks should immediately be repaired.

4. If there are any items on the floor, these should be picked up and put away. Trash on the floor should immediately be disposed.

5. Inspect places of storage, and make sure stacks of boxes are never piled too high that they may fall on individuals. 

6. Report spills in the restroom, kitchen, and any other applicable area.

7. Keep a first aid kit in the office and let employees know where they can access it.

8. Do not block fire sprinklers. Items should not be within 18 inches of the sprinkler heads. 

9. Do not block fire escape routes. Make sure there is a clear path in case of an emergency.

10. Do a regular walk-through of the office to make sure employees are practicing good safety habits.

Creating an Emergency Ready Plan

3/7/2018 (Permalink)

About 50% of businesses do not recover after a disaster. Of the ones that did survive, majority of those businesses had an emergency plan in place. We cannot predict when disaster will strike, but we can protect our businesses be being prepared. SERVPRO of Deridder, Leesville & Vinton offers an Emergency Ready Profile to help you at times like this. Here are reasons why you should have an Emergency Ready Profile (ERP):

1. This document consolidates information you will need in case of an emergency. Instead of having multiple documents, the ERP will put together this information for you in an organized manner.
2. The ERP contains all emergency contact information, as well as contact information of maintenance companies.
3. The ERP will map out your building so you’ll easily be able to find information such as shut-off valves.
4. You will have a SERVPRO point-of-contact nearby who you can call in case of an emergency.
5. Our team will already have a layout of your building, helping us prepare and arrive more quickly to any disaster.
6. Last but not least, the assessment is completely free!

Call today at 337-462-6500 to see how we can help you! Please view our home page for a list of cities that we service.

SERVPRO's New Warehouse Facility in DeRidder

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton's new warehouse facility.

Newly constructed warehouse facility close to home!

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton is pleased to announce the opening of its new facility located at 2819 Hwy. 171 in DeRidder.

With approximately 5,000 sf of climate controlled warehouse, SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton is ready to handle any size disaster.  Our SERVPRO professionals are knowledgeable and highly trained to assist in any number of disaster scenarios.  

Our new facility allows us to store your contents on property, making SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville, & Vinton your one stop shop for any restoration/remediation need.  With contents remaining on property until the conclusion of reconstruction, this allows us to offer our customers a better product in a shorter time frame.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, contact SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton today at 337-462-6500

SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton Adds New Truck to its Fleet

6/1/2017 (Permalink)

SERVPRO's 2016 Ford F-250 fleet truck.

SERVPRO's always here to help!

To better assist our customers, and to answer a growing need for restoration efforts in the DeRidder area, SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton has added an additional vehicle to its fleet.

Soon this truck will transform from stock white, to SERVPRO green, and is capable of assisting in any number of loss situations.  Whether your home or business was struck with water damage, a fire or soot loss, or is in need of mold remediation, this truck will be on location to assist.  Able to pull one of our covered cargo trailers, or a utility debris trailer, this truck makes us faster to any sized loss.

Continue to visit our webpage for additional pictures once the SERVPRO graphics have been installed.

For additional information, or to schedule an appointment, please call SERVPRO of DeRidder, Leesville & Vinton today at 337-462-6500.