Oklahoma Tornado Reminds Us of the Need to Be Prepared

Administrator Craig Fugate reminds us that getting the warning is only the first part of staying safe during severe weather.

What Should I Do If I Have a Water Damage at My Home?

DO:

• Have a professional plumbing contractor eliminate the water source.
• Call a professional water damage restoration company immediately for help! Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within just a few hours.
• Remove as much water as possible from floors by mopping or blotting with clean white towels.
• Turn off circuit breakers supplying electricity to wet areas if appropriate. Unplug and remove any small electrical devices located on wet carpet or other wet surfaces.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings that are not attached. Do not remove wall-to-wall carpet.
• Hang draperies and pin up furniture skirts to prevent contact with wet carpet.
• Wipe furniture and prop up wet cushions for even drying.
• Place aluminum foil under legs of wood furniture (especially antiques).
• Remove small furniture items to prevent rust or stains and to expedite restoration.
• Remove books, shoes, paper goods, fabrics, potted plants and other items that may stain the carpet (be sure to check under the beds and in closets).
• Move photos, paintings, art and any high-value items to a safe, dry location.
• Open drawers and closet and cabinet doors to speed the drying process.
• Make plans for a restoration crew to move large furniture items onto dry carpet, linoleum, garage or storage area.

DON’T:

• Don’t use your home vacuum because electrical shock may result as well as damage to the vacuum.
• Don’t use TV’s or other appliances on wet carpet or floors.
• Don’t place newspaper in the traffic areas because the ink transfers easily.
• Don’t walk on wet carpet more than necessary in order to keep from spreading damage.
• Don’t activate the HVAC system if it has been directly contacted by the water or it may spread contamination.
• Don’t disturb visible mold.

What Should I Do If I Have a Fire In My Home?

DO:

• Call for professional help as soon as possible. Corrosive byproducts can cause irreversible etching.
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, open windows to ventilate the home.
• If you have to turn off your water, take steps to prevent your plumbing and/or heating supply pipes from freezing.
• If the electricity is off, remove perishable foods from your refrigerator and freezer. The odor created by spoiled food is usually impossible to remove. Leave the doors propped open.
• Discard any open food packages.
• Keep a listing of anything you have discarded and receipts for any expenses you incur in protecting your property. Most likely, your insurance claim representative will ask for these items.
• Vacuum loose dry soot smoke particles from carpets. Make sure the vacuum cleaner has a HEPA filter to prevent redistribution of fine soot. Avoid walking or tracking on carpet if possible.
• Close doors on affected areas to localize smoke odors as much as possible.
• Change the furnace or air conditioner filter if the blower is operating. Tape damp cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape to capture loose soot in the air.
• Clean Formica, chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.

DON’T:

• Don’t touch anything with your bare hands. Oils from your hands can cause additional damage.
• Don’t use any TV, stereo or electronic appliances until they have been checked by a technician.
• Don’t use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.
• Don’t attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Don’t wipe or attempt to wash ceilings or other absorbent surfaces. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
• Don’t consume food items exposed to smoke or canned goods that have been subjected to excessive heat.
• Don’t use upholstered furniture if possible.

Protecting the Value of Your Home

Check out this great video from Chubb Insurance. This video explains replacement costs, restoration verses rebuilding, and how to make sure your home is properly insured.

Gay, Georgia: A Tiny Town With a Rich Agricultural History

The town of Gay, Georgia might be pretty small today, but it wasn't too long go that the community was a major export hub for agricultural products like cotton and peaches. Today the town holds a twice-yearly festival to celebrate that legacy. Ray D'Alessio explains.

How Can I Control Mold Growth In My Home?

Mold is definitley a 4-letter word to most people. But not all mold is dangerous. Mold helps to make cheese, fertilize gardens, and speed decaying of garbage and fallen leaves. But mold can become a problem when it starts digesting things we don't want it to digest, such as our house!

So how can you control mold growth in your home so it doesn't become a problem?

Here are a few tips:

• Keep the humidity level in the house between 40% and 60%.
• Increase air circulation within your home, especially along the inside of exterior walls, and ventilate with fresh air from outside.
• Keep a dehumidifier running in the basement.
• Ventilate and insulate attic and crawl spaces.
• Install and use exhaust fans in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
• Regularly check for water leaks and repair them immediately.
• Install a gutter system that moves water away from concrete slabs and basement walls.
• Check your roof frequently and repair any leaks found.
• Cover dirt floors in crawl spaces with heavy plastic.
• If you experience a water damage, have a professional water damage restoration company repair it within 24 to 48 hours.

LEARN ABOUT CHAMPION'S MOLD REMOVAL AND REMEDIATION

The PMA Wants YOU!

Come find out what the PMA is all about!

 

The May meeting will be hosted by PDI

Mcdonough, sponsored by RBM of Atlanta with

Guest Speaker Ellen Whitaker!

 

Come and get your mingle on while learning all about the benefits of joining the PMA!

 

What: MAY PMA MEETING

When: May 14, 2013

Where: 290 Racetrack Rd, Mcdonough, Ga 30252

Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm

 

RSVP: Please RSVP at your earliest convenience to

Robbie @ 404-683-5183 or via email at

 robbie@deltaplumbingga.com

 

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER FOR MORE DETAILS

 

Eat Out and Help the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia

Have Dinner Out and Help the Alzheimers Association!

Click here to learn about the Alzheimer's Association.

If you would like to help this great cause, all you have to do is print the flyer and go eat! Everyone who brings in the flyer they will donate 20% back to the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia.

Here are the dates and participating locations:

Ruby Tuesday in Newnan, GA

May 28, 13

June 11, 2013

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Chili's in Peachtree City, GA

May 23, 2013

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Help! My Landlord Won't Repsond to My Concerns About Mold!

If you feel your property owner or landlord not been responsive to concerns you’ve expressed regarding mold or mildew exposure, you can contact your local board of health or housing authority. Applicable codes, insurance, inspection, legal, and similar issues about mold generally fall under state and local (not federal) jurisdiction. You can also contact your county or state health department about mold issues in your area to learn about what mold assessment and remediation services they offer.

Zach and Icela Reets on the Today Show this Morning!

Check out Zach and Icela Reets on the Today Show this morning! Look closely that's them peeking out between Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie. Icela is wearing a red jacket and Zach is right behind her. All of us stuck back here at Champion are glad to see they are having fun and that their New York trip is off to a great start!