Helping Others

3/26/2020 (Permalink)

We are always here to help whenever, wherever.

Understanding the need. Right now as we take a trip to our local postal department, the grocery store and to get necessities we see continued working people in need due to COVID-19. Is there anyway we can help? The response has been overwhelming. Our local postal services are in desperate need of hand sanitizer, local grocery stores need hand wipes and face masks. So we rise to the occasion and invite you to as well. We are currently making hand sanitizer and face masks here at SERVPRO. We encourage you to reach out and ask your local facilities, How Can We Help? 

Hand Sanitizer: 

3/4 a Cup of Isopropyl or Alcohol (99 percent)

1/4 Cup of aloe Vera gel 

Small Bottle

In a bowl, mix the two ingredients together and pour into your bottle.

Facemask:

2 6X9 100% Cotton Fabric

2 7 Inch Elastic

Thread

Sewing machine 

Facing print side inward, sew with the elastic in each corner of the fabric on the inside of the pattern. Sew 1/4 of a inch from the outside of the pattern all away around, leaving about a inch to turn the pattern inside out. Once the pattern facing print out, take the sides and make three pleats- pin to hold. Then sew a straight line down the pleat.

If you are unable to provide these items and know someone in need, please contact us! We are Here to Help! 503-427-9535

Responding to COVID-19

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO is always here to help even in this hard time.

We are in a pandemic and are considered "Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers During the COVID-19 Response". How do we react? Calmly! We are the front line. We GO as emergency responders to not only the current Covid-19 crisis, however an array of other emergencies, like fire, water and hazardous material as needed for the government and the private sector.  As our team members scramble to make sense of the daily breaking news and deal with it on a personal level, we too have felt the impact of deciphering how to address the current State of Emergency. Here at SERVPRO we continue to follow federal and state guidelines and implement daily measures to protect. We have taken the needed steps of having our team members work remotely and are following strict protocol when traveling to and from job sites.  Our #1 priority is to maintain the health and well being of our employees and our clients during this outbreak.

We know this will pass, here at SERVPRO we take great pride in being able to provide our emergency services through such unpredictable times. We are Here to Help and are Taking Part in Flattening the Curve While Still Being Able to Provide Impeccable Service! 503-427-9535

We are Cleaning Experts

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Southeast Portland is always here to help.

SERVPRO is Here to Help during this time of need
During this unprecedented time caused by the global pandemic of coronavirus, this is a reminder to our customers that we are specialists in cleaning services, and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards.
Specialized Training
We are prepared to clean and disinfect your home or business, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work that regular janitorial staff perform on a daily basis.
The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets and tables. Other spaces mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces include:
Kitchen/Food Areas
Bathrooms
Schools/Classrooms
Offices
Retail Spaces
Water Fountains
Shelving/Racks
Sales Counters
Carpets and Rugs
Stair Handrails
Elevator Cars
Playground Equipment
Fitness Equipment
Specialized Products
The CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
Call Today for a Proactive Cleaning
If your home or business needs deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Southeast Portland 503-427-9535.

Going the Distance

3/24/2020 (Permalink)

Firefighters on scene of a house fire.

A short story from our marketing manager. I was driving home after a long day’s work and noticed a plume of smoke off in the distance. I was on the I5 freeway just passing one of two exits prior to the smoke. As I got closer and realized the plume of smoke was not changing in color, as it does when fire is being put out, I had a surge of panic in my heart. I knew that black smoke meant there was a massive fire and people were in danger. At that moment I decided to take the second exit available and follow the smoke. I arrived on scene to find a 2000 square foot home on fire, flames bursting from the windows. Fire department arrived on scene at the same time as I did. As I looked around, I seen many onlookers gathering. My concern was, where were the people that lived here? As I walked closer, I found myself standing next to the owner. No words spoken, I wrapped my arms around her and held her. I stood there with her for four hours. Grieved with her and held her hand; as she was questioned by the Chief of Fire Department, American Red Cross and numerous other entities. My mind no where else but with this woman in her time of tragedy. I stayed on location with her until she felt comfortable leaving and reassured her that we would secure the remaining of her home.

If someone is in need and we offer a tiny part of our presence during their unbearable time, believe you me, we get more out of it then they do! Here at SERVPRO we go the distance, not because its our job but because we truly love our jobs and are here to help. Don’t hesitate to call in your time of need- SERVPRO of Southeast Portland 503-427-9535

Emergency Planning Ideas for Children!

3/6/2020 (Permalink)

The importance of knowing how to dial a phone number.

It's Saturday morning and your day off. Last night you laid in bed thinking about all the projects you need to tackle this weekend. The next 48 hours you must squeeze in the mundane task of the grocery store, laundry and preparing for next week. At the same time, you are thinking about your house and the safety your children. As a parent you want to enrich your children with the knowledge of how the world works and ponder ideas. Does this sound like you?

Well we know this feeling all too well here at SERVPRO of Southeast Portland. As a woman owned company and a large woman work force, we decided to compile some ways to destress and address! Here are some fun interactive activities you can do with your children.

• Make a map of your house, and have fun with this!

-Document all exit points (windows, doors, crawlspaces) and make a location to meet in case of an emergency.

-Make sure and add your house address, go outside and show them where to locate the address and closest cross street.

• Real life practicing! Have your child practice dialing your phone number from a land line and a cell phone. Yes, sounds basic however most children do not know their parents' phone number.
• With teenage children create a “Course of Action Emergency List.” Have your teenagers research all the emergency numbers they think are needed in an emergency, without your help.

Call 911

Call your insurance agent and file a claim.

In a water or fire emergency, we are the next to come out and secure your home. Make sure they know who we are and our phone number.

Numbers of family or friends to stay with until they are to be safe with you.

• Create a sign for your front window to let emergency response teams know there are animals or elderly in the home.
• Call Us to come out and do an “Emergency Readiness Program” free of charge. We will show you how to turn off your water, gas and electricity correctly, and provide you with an app for your phone to monitor major catastrophes in your area.

We encourage you to role play an emergency fire or flood situation annually and update your phone list monthly. Oh, the relief you will have, from knowing you and your children have created an emergency plan. REST easy our fellow parents, you Have an Emergency Action Plan!

When The Smoke Clears (What to do after a fire)

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

After a catastrophic incident like a fire to your home or business it may be difficult to know what to do next.  While these events are traumatic it is important to focus on what needs to be done to minimize the amount of distress caused.  Once the smoke has cleared hopefully following these steps will aid in the recovery process from the unfortunate scenario.

What to do After a Fire:

1. Find a temporary safe place to stay. The continued safety of you and your family is the most important thing.  Life circumstances will dictate your specific options so please be aware of these in the event a fire occurs.  Friends and family are always a good option for temporary housing.  Not only will you be safe but being around people that care can help to alleviate some of the stress.  Another option for temporary shelter and housing is the American Red Cross that is available to those who need it in Oregon and SW Washington.  One final suggestion leads into the next step.  This being that if you decide to opt for hotel accommodations please remember to stay within the budget allotted by your insurance company. 
2. Contact your insurance company. Probably the most important step in getting you back to normal is ensuring that the loss is covered.  Getting in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible will help to expedite the disaster.  Knowing what is included in your policy will help in planning out each step without costing you more than the fire already has. 
3. Consult with a restoration company. It is important to have a professional, trained restoration company assess the damage as soon as possible in order to salvage as much of your personal belongings as possible.  In addition, it is generally less expensive to restore than to rebuild or replace helping the financial burden that may be left from a fire.  The damage can continue to worsen even after the fire has been extinguished, so time is essential in restoring your belongings.
4. Cooperation with the insurance provider is key. Although we all know that insurance companies aren’t necessarily excited about having to pay out a claim, they are there to help you out in you time of need.  The quicker they can get all the information about the incident and the belongings affected the quicker they can help with replacement or restoration.  Insurance may not be everyone’s favorite topic, but I can tell you from experience it sure is nice to have when the unexpected happens.
5. Make sure financial obligations are met. With all the stress that comes as a result of a fire it can be easy to forget things.  Making sure that your mortgage is paid as well as insurance are just a few of the bills you need to remember during this trying time.  Also ensuring that you are responsible with your spending with the restoration and reconstruction of your property is necessary.  If you didn’t have granite counter tops and marble floors prior to the loss maybe you shouldn’t have those things put in with the reconstruction.  Making sure that your replacements are within the guidelines of what your insurance covers will save on out of pocket expense. 

Hopefully most of us will not have to go through the traumatic experience of watching their home or business fall victim to fire.  While it may be a rare occurrence for most of us it is important to know what to do if it does happen to you.  Some statistics of the damage caused by fire in Oregon can be found here from the U.S. Fire Administration.  This list, while not exhaustive, is a good guide to help alleviate some of the stresses that can result from a fire. 

Minimizing Business Interruption

1/28/2020 (Permalink)

When your business is impacted by a disaster minimizing business interruption should be your main concern as an owner, manager or employee.  When a disaster occurs this may not be the first thought that comes to mind.  That is why it is important to have assessed potential risks and have in place a plan to deal with potential threats.   These are a few steps that can be taken to ensure you are prepared.

1. Identify possible risks to your specific business. Depending upon your industry, size of the structure and geographic location risks will vary.  By identifying the most likely risks to your business is the first step to being prepared for an event.  For example if your located in a cold weather climate a flood from a broken pipe could be a potential issue.
2. Have a specific plan in place for each potential disaster. After identifying the most likely scenarios have a plan that dictates actions to be taken in each event.  Have an easily accessible plan that the employees in charge would have access to.  Depending upon the scenario the plan should include emergency contact information, a list of vendors to use to remedy each situation and a crisis communication plan.  Having a formal plan that all key employees follow and understand is important in minimizing business interruption.
3. Understand your insurance coverage. It is important to have a clear understanding of what is covered by your policy in the event of a disaster.  Knowing what coverage you have prior to an event will help in planning how to go about fixing the issue.  It can also save time and stress to already have a clear understanding that whatever happens you are covered.  Having the business interruption coverage that is right for your business is integral to the recovery of your business.
4. Get back to doing what you do best. With the proper planning and implementation of your plan you should be back to work in no time.  No matter what industry your in, time is money, so getting back to running efficiently as soon as possible is important. 

Here at SERVPRO of Southeast Portland we deal with commercial loss quite often.  It is always our top priority to minimize the business interruption that is experienced by our commercial clients.  We sincerely hope that you never need our services, but we do hope that you are prepared in the unfortunate situation that you do. 

Tips to Keep Your Christmas Tree From Catching Fire

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

This time of year, we all enjoy the decorations, music and festivities of the holiday season.  One of the most important elements of decor to many is the Christmas tree.  This iconic image makes its appearance once a year in downtown areas, stores and of course living rooms all across the country.  One concern for many who choose to put a beautiful tree in their home is if it is in fact a fire hazard.

According to the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year.  Another staggering fact from the NFPA is that on average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.  Now we don’t want to dissuade anyone from enjoying a tree in their home, we simply hope that you take proper precautions to not become a statistic. 

Some of the best tips to protect your home or business from a Christmas tree fire are quite simple to do. 

This list should help to ensure a safe and happy holiday, without a devastating Christmas tree fire:

• Make sure string lights are in excellent condition and do not have loose connections, cracked lamps or frayed cords.
• Use only a single extension cord that can reach your home's outlet without being too long and being tangled.
• Use UL-approved lights and cords.
• Make sure lights are off when you go out and before you turn in for the night.
• Make sure all outdoor light connectors are away from metal rain gutters and off the ground.
• Never use candles to light or decorate a tree.
• Purchasing a freshly cut tree can lessen the chance of a fire hazard, and it smell better!
• Ensure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Water the tree every day and remove it from your home after Christmas or once it becomes dry. 
• Avoid burning Christmas tree branches or wrapping paper in your fireplace.
• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that could burn. 

This video from the National Fire Prevention Association shows that in less than a minute a Christmas tree fire can be extremely damaging. 

SERVPRO of Southeast Portland wishes all our friends and neighbors a safe and happy holiday season.  If you are unfortunate enough to experience a fire this season remember that we are always, “Here to help.” 

Homeless Camp Cleanup

12/20/2019 (Permalink)

We have all noticed the urban campers here in Portland that continue to be a concern for our communities.  Approximately 2,037 individuals sleep unsheltered in the City of Portland each night.  Portland Shelter capacity is not enough to meet this need according to Portland’s Homelessness/Urban Camping Impact Reduction Program.  This lack of indoor shelter is what leads many to camp on the city sidewalks, parking lots and alongside buildings here in Portland.  Living this way without things many of us take for granted such as indoor plumbing and garbage service creates an issue with the cleanliness of our communities. 

Now we do sincerely wish we had a solution to the homeless problem, but we can help business and commercial property owners with the clean up after a homeless camp has moved.  The debris and often hazardous materials that can be left behind can be a bit daunting for the business or property owner.  Our highly skilled technicians have the proper training and equipment to make even the worst situation, “Like it never even happened.”  If you or your business need help cleaning up don’t hesitate to give SERVPRO of Southeast Portland a call and we will immediately be there to help.   

More Than The Pie Got Burned

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Earlier this year we received a call from a local pie shop in Multnomah Oregon that they had damage due to a fire.  Unfortunately an oven had caught fire at Prosperity Pie Shoppe in the Multnomah Village neighborhood.  Once the fire had been extinguished we were more than happy to assist with the clean up efforts to get our favorite pie shoppe back up and running.  We immediately began our fire restoration process to minimize business interruption that occurs after an unfortunate event such as a fire.  

More about the business, which their full name is Sacred Money Studios & Prosperity Pie is more than just pies.  Their mission is more than just making delicious pies.  In fact the shop has a social mission of providing job training, growth-oriented work opportunities and money management education for previously incarcerated women in the Portland area.  SERVPRO of Southeast Portland was proud to help get them back to helping our community.