Tornado Preparedness 101: Protecting Your Family and Property

7/31/2024 (Permalink)

As part of the SERVPRO® team, I understand the importance of being prepared for any disaster, especially tornadoes. These powerful storms can strike with little warning, causing extensive damage to homes and posing significant risks to families. With the right preparedness plan, you can protect your family and property, ensuring safety and minimizing damage.

Understanding Tornado Warnings and Alerts

The first step in tornado preparedness is understanding the different types of tornado alerts. The National Weather Service (NWS) issues tornado watches and warnings. A tornado watch means that conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop, while a tornado warning means a tornado has been sighted or indicated by weather radar. It's crucial to have a reliable way to receive these alerts, such as a weather radio, smartphone app, or local news station.

Creating a Tornado Safety Plan

Every household should have a tornado safety plan in place. Start by identifying a safe room in your home where everyone can seek shelter during a tornado. The best options are basements or storm cellars. If these are not available, choose an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows, such as a bathroom or closet. Ensure that all family members know where to go and conduct regular drills to practice your plan.

Assembling an Emergency Kit

An emergency kit is essential for tornado preparedness. This kit should include basic supplies to sustain your family for at least 72 hours. Key items include bottled water, non-perishable food, a flashlight, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, important documents, and sturdy shoes. Store your emergency kit in your designated safe room for easy access during an emergency.

Protecting Your Property

There are several steps you can take to protect your property from tornado damage. Secure loose items around your yard, such as patio furniture, grills, and lawn ornaments, as these can become dangerous projectiles in high winds. Trim trees and remove dead branches to reduce the risk of falling debris. Reinforce your home's structure by installing storm shutters, securing your roof, and reinforcing garage doors. Additionally, consider investing in a tornado shelter if you live in a high-risk area.

Staying Informed and Connected

Staying informed about the weather conditions in your area is crucial for tornado preparedness. Monitor local weather reports and stay connected with community alert systems. Make sure all family members know how to use emergency communication tools, and establish a plan for reuniting if separated during a tornado.

After the Storm

Once the tornado has passed, it's essential to assess the safety of your environment before beginning any cleanup. Check for downed power lines, gas leaks, and structural damage. Contact SERVPRO for professional assistance with storm damage cleanup and restoration. Our team is equipped to handle the aftermath of tornadoes, providing you with peace of mind and helping you get back to normal as quickly as possible.

Tornado preparedness is a critical aspect of protecting your family and property. By understanding tornado alerts, creating a safety plan, assembling an emergency kit, protecting your property, staying informed, and knowing what to do after the storm, you can significantly reduce the risks associated with these powerful storms. At SERVPRO, we are here to support you every step of the way, ensuring you and your loved ones stay safe and your property remains protected.

Busting The Top 6 Lightning Myths

5/15/2024 (Permalink)

Lightning is a powerful force of nature that often leads to misconceptions about its behavior and effects. In this blog post, we're debunking 6 common myths about lightning to help you better understand this natural phenomenon and stay safe during thunderstorms.

Lightning Never Strikes the Same Place Twice

Contrary to popular belief, lightning can strike the same location multiple times. Tall structures, such as buildings and trees, are more likely to be struck by lightning due to their height and conductivity. It's essential to take lightning safety precautions regardless of whether a location has been struck before.

Rubber Soles Protect You from Lightning

While rubber-soled shoes provide insulation against electrical currents on the ground, they offer little to no protection against a direct lightning strike. If you're caught outdoors during a thunderstorm, seek shelter in a sturdy building or a hard-topped vehicle to stay safe from lightning strikes.

Only Metal Objects Attract Lightning

While metal objects are more conductive and can attract lightning strikes, they are not the only targets. Lightning can strike any object that offers a path of least resistance to the ground, including trees, water, and even people. Avoid standing near tall objects or bodies of water during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning.

You're Safe Inside a House During a Thunderstorm

While being indoors provides some level of protection from lightning strikes, it's essential to take precautions to stay safe. Avoid using corded electronics or plumbing fixtures during thunderstorms, as lightning can travel through electrical wiring and plumbing systems. Stay away from windows, doors, and concrete walls, which can conduct electricity from lightning strikes.

Cars Are Always Safe During Thunderstorms

While cars provide a degree of protection against lightning strikes due to their metal framework, it's essential to follow safety guidelines. Avoid touching metal surfaces inside the car and refrain from using electronic devices connected to the car's electrical system. If possible, pull over to a safe location and turn off the engine during severe thunderstorms.

You're Safe from Lightning Indoors if You're Not Near Windows

While staying away from windows reduces the risk of injury from shattered glass during lightning strikes, it doesn't guarantee safety from electrical hazards. Lightning can travel through wiring, plumbing, and metal framing in buildings, potentially causing electrical fires or shock hazards. Follow lightning safety guidelines indoors and avoid using corded electronics or plumbing fixtures during thunderstorms.

By debunking these common lightning myths, we hope to raise awareness about the importance of lightning safety and help you make informed decisions during thunderstorms. Remember to seek shelter indoors during thunderstorms, avoid high-risk activities, and follow lightning safety guidelines to protect yourself and your loved ones from the dangers of lightning strikes. If your home sustains damage from a lightning strike or severe weather, don't hesitate to contact SERVPRO® for professional restoration assistance.

Storm-Ready Success: Tips for Business Owners in Storm Season

1/9/2024 (Permalink)

As storm season approaches, business owners must take proactive steps to safeguard their operations, employees, and assets. Being well-prepared can minimize disruptions and ensure a swift recovery in the aftermath of severe weather events. In this blog, we'll explore essential tips for business owners to prepare for storm season and navigate potential challenges.

Develop a Comprehensive Emergency Plan

Start by creating a thorough emergency plan that outlines evacuation procedures, communication protocols, and roles and responsibilities during a storm. Ensure that all employees are familiar with the plan and conduct regular drills to reinforce preparedness.

Back Up Critical Data

Safeguard your business's critical data by regularly backing it up and storing copies in secure offsite locations or the cloud. This ensures that essential information is not lost in the event of equipment damage or data corruption during a storm.

Protect Physical Assets

Evaluate your business property for vulnerabilities and take steps to fortify it against potential storm damage. This may include reinforcing doors and windows, securing loose outdoor items, and investing in storm shutters or impact-resistant glass.

Invest in Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems

Power outages are common during storms, and they can disrupt business operations. Install UPS systems to provide temporary power to essential equipment, allowing for a safe shutdown and preventing data loss.

Communication is Key

Establish reliable communication channels to keep employees informed and connected during storms. Utilize multiple platforms such as email, text messaging, and social media to ensure that critical information reaches everyone promptly

Maintain Emergency Supplies

Keep an emergency supply kit on-site, stocked with essentials like first aid supplies, flashlights, batteries, and non-perishable food items. This ensures that employees have immediate access to basic necessities in the event of an emergency.

Review Insurance Coverage

Regularly review your business insurance coverage to ensure it adequately protects against storm-related damages. Understand the terms of your policy, including deductibles and coverage limits, and consider additional coverage options if necessary.

Secure Remote Work Options

With the rise of remote work, establish and test remote work options for your employees. This ensures that operations can continue even if the physical workplace is inaccessible due to storm-related issues.

Collaborate with Local Authorities

Foster relationships with local emergency management authorities and stay informed about community storm preparedness efforts. This collaboration can provide valuable resources and support during challenging times.

Train Employees on Safety Protocols

Train employees on safety protocols and procedures specific to storm events. Ensure that they know how to respond during emergencies, including evacuation routes, shelter locations, and communication protocols.

Storm season poses unique challenges for businesses, but proactive preparation is the key to resilience. By implementing these tips, business owners can fortify their operations against potential storm-related disruptions, ensuring the safety of employees and the continuity of business activities. A well-prepared business not only safeguards its assets but also sets the foundation for a quicker recovery in the aftermath of a storm. Stay storm-ready, stay resilient, and pave the way for continued success in the face of adversity.

Wind Storms in Colorado Springs

4/16/2022 (Permalink)

Downed tree collapses roof.

If you've been outside you have noticed we just cant seem to get away from all this wind. It seems every week we have a day where we are reaching high digit speeds and these storms are leaving damage in their wake.

Roofing shingles and asphalt blown all over town, creating leaks in structures in various parts of our territory. Downed trees have penetrated structures causing extensive damage since December. Our crews have been working diligently to assist those in need with repairs and claims. SERVPRO is a preferred provider with most insurance companies and our teams can help you get back into your homes and buildings with life carrying on as normal.