After An Emergency, Call Your Insurance Carrier (And NOT Your Agent)!

3/18/2019 (Permalink)

People often wonder who to call immediately after a major incident. Do you know who your insurance carrier is?

Broken pipes, fires, and other emergencies in your home can be extremely stressful situations. They always seem to happen when you least expect it and can quickly turn everything in your life upside down. After an emergency, it’s important to get things back to normal as quickly as possible; in most cases, this process can be expedited by getting your insurance carrier involved and alerting them to the issues at hand. They, in turn, will help mobilize restoration companies – like SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth – to get on-site and begin the remediation and cleanup process.

Many people are unsure of where to turn immediately after a major incident. There tend to be many questions: Who should I call? Who do I need to contact? How do I report this, especially if it happened after-hours? Unfortunately, people often end up going through the wrong channels and can easily end up waiting far longer than they need to before even letting someone know, let alone getting a company like SERVPRO on-site. In many cases, people typically “follow the money” and contact the person who they send their insurance payments to; this is usually their insurance agent, the person who sold them their policies. While they are very good at their jobs, they’re usually unable to assist their customers during an emergency situation; it simply isn’t their department or area of expertise.

When an emergency occurs, it is typically advisable to immediately reach out to your insurance carrier, the company that actually covers your property and pays if you file a covered claim. Unlike an agent, most of the larger insurance companies are available 24/7/365; you’ll be able to speak with a representative to report your claim and being the process of getting an adjuster on-site to assess the situation and determine coverage. Best of all, they’ll often be able to help coordinate with restoration companies (such as SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth) to begin the clean-up, restoration, and remediation as quickly as possible. Many of these situations are very time-sensitive, so the faster we can get to your property, the better!

Remember: In the event of a water or fire emergency in your home, one of the first phone calls you should make is to your insurance carrier and not your agent. Your carrier is the company who actually insures your property, and they’re the ones who will be able to best assist you during the initial phases.

Do you know who your insurance carrier is?

When a fire or water event takes control of your life, we help you take control back. Call SERVPRO of Bangor/Ellsworth today: (207)947-0400

Tips for a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving

11/19/2018 (Permalink)

When celebrating a holiday that focuses on food - such as Thanksgiving - its important to practice good food safety!

No one wants to think about accidents or mishaps during the festivities of the holiday season; they're supposed to be happy, enjoyable days shared with family and friends! With that being said, it's important to remain mindful to ensure everyone is able to share in the holiday cheer together!

Turkey safety— the turkey is the biggest star. Make sure he evokes a round of applause—not a round of visits to the bathroom or, worse, the hospital.

• Buy carefully.
  1. Avoid fresh, stuffed turkeys; buy your turkey at least 1-2 days before you cook it, and keep it in the fridge; keep it in the freezer if you’ve bought it earlier.
• Defrost properly.
  1. Thaw in the refrigerator (every 4-5 lbs. needs one day to thaw).
  2. Submerge the turkey (wrapped in leak-proof packaging) in cold water (every 1 lb. needs 30 minutes to thaw) that should be changed every half hour.
  3. Microwave in a microwave-safe pan, removing any packaging and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cook immediately after thawing.
  1. Avoid slow cooking or partially cooking the turkey.
  2. At 165 degrees F at least.
  3. Opt to cook the stuffing separately.
• Use a thermometer on the innermost part of the thigh and wing, as well as the thickest portion of the breast, to ensure that the turkey is well cooked.
• Don’t carve at once; give the juices time (20 min.) to settle.
• Keep Clean!
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food.
  2. Keep all surfaces and utensils clean.
  3. Never handle cooked and raw food together, in order to avoid cross-contamination.
  4. Keep raw meat away from vegetables or other uncooked food.

Thanksgiving is a social dinner; while talking, joking, and laughing, choking is a very dangerous possibility.

• Call 911 if the person can’t cough, breathe, or speak.
• Give the victim five sharp blows on the back with the heel of your hand.
• If unsuccessful, wrap your hands around the victim’s abdomen and give five quick upward thrusts.

Store leftovers properly to eliminate food poisoning. 

• When serving, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold!
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly, no more than two hours after food has been served.
• Leftovers are most safely eaten within 3 days, or should otherwise be moved to the freezer.
• Store food in shallow containers.
• Reheated leftovers should be cooked to 165 degrees F; gravy should be boiled.

Halloween Safety Tips: Keep it Fun!

10/31/2018 (Permalink)

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury. 

Hard Facts

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Trick-or-Treat Tips

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
• Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. Visibility is key.
  
  
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  
  
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
  
  
• When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

• Plan a route in advance. Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house, so try to avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.
  
  
• Check your child's candy. When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.

Most importantly, make sure you - and your loved ones - have a spooky time!

Spring Yard Work Safety

4/23/2018 (Permalink)

Spring is more or less in full-swing, which means it's time to hit the yard and start the post-winter cleanup and repairs. Before you head outside, it's important to keep safety in mind.

Here are a few tips to help keep you and your family safe during your Spring clean-up.

1) Know your equipment. Before operating your lawn equipment, read the owner’s manual and all of the safety information. Be sure to check with the manufacturers for any safety recalls, as well.

2) Practice Ladder Safety. Always ensure sure your ladder is firmly set on a level surface. Never set ladders on boxes or other objects to make the ladder reach higher areas.  Lock or barricade any doors that may open toward ladders. Never stand on the top rung or step of a ladder.

3) Protect your body. Always wear protective gear; lawnmowers hit rocks, sticks and other items which can be turned into flying projectiles. Wear long pants to protect your legs from flying objects and wear non-slip, closed-toe shoes. Sunglasses will protect you from sun and earplugs can eliminate loud noises from machinery.

4) Properly tools and materials. Stepping on, landing on or being hit with garden tools like shovels, rakes, and trowels can cause a number of potentially severe injuries. Do not use these tools when in close proximity to children. When not in use, store them in safe, enclosed areas.  If you have small children or pets, weed killer or lawn fertilizer can be deadly.  Seal bags and store at heights where small children cannot get in to potentially harmful materials.

5) Be aware of electricity. Don’t leave electrical tools plugged in while not in use. When ready to use a tool, make sure equipment is in the off position before you plug it in. And, as is obvious, always turn equipment off and unplug it from an outlet before you attempt to fix the machinery.

Winter Driving Tips

12/5/2017 (Permalink)

Severe weather can be both frightening and dangerous for automobile travel. Motorists should know the safety rules for dealing with winter road emergencies. AAA reminds motorists to be cautious while driving in adverse weather. 

General winter driving tips:

• Avoid driving while you’re fatigued. Getting the proper amount of rest before taking on winter weather tasks reduces driving risks.
• Never warm up a vehicle in an enclosed area, such as a garage.
• Make certain your tires are properly inflated.
• Never mix radial tires with other tire types.
• Keep your gas tank at least half full to avoid gas line freeze-up.
• If possible, avoid using your parking brake in cold, rainy and snowy weather.
• Do not use cruise control when driving on any slippery surface (wet, ice, sand).
• Always look and steer where you want to go.
• Use your seat belt every time you get into your vehicle.

Tips for long-distance winter trips:

• Watch weather reports prior to a long-distance drive or before driving in isolated areas. Delay trips when especially bad weather is expected. If you must leave, let others know your route, destination and estimated time of arrival.
• Always make sure your vehicle is in peak operating condition by having it inspected by a AAA Approved Auto Repair facility.
• Keep at least half a tank of gasoline in your vehicle at all times.
• Pack a cellular telephone with your local AAA’s telephone number, plus blankets, gloves, hats, food, water and any needed medication in your vehicle.
• If you become snow-bound, stay with your vehicle. It provides temporary shelter and makes it easier for rescuers to locate you. Don’t try to walk in a severe storm. It’s easy to lose sight of your vehicle in blowing snow and become lost.
• Never over-exert yourself if you try to push or dig your vehicle out of the snow.
• If you must pull over or go off the road, tie a brightly colored cloth to the antenna or place a cloth at the top of a rolled up window to signal distress. At night, keep the dome light on if possible. It only uses a small amount of electricity and will make it easier for rescuers to find you.
• Ensure the exhaust pipe isn’t clogged with snow, ice or mud. A blocked exhaust could cause deadly carbon monoxide gas to leak into the passenger compartment with the engine running.
• Use whatever is available to insulate your body from the cold. This could include floor mats, newspapers or paper maps.
• If possible, run the engine and heater just long enough to remove the chill and to conserve gasoline.

Tips for driving in the snow:

• Accelerate and decelerate slowly. Applying the gas slowly to accelerate is the best method for regaining traction and avoiding skids. Don’t try to get moving in a hurry. And take time to slow down for a stoplight. Remember: It takes longer to slow down on icy roads.
• Drive slowly. Everything takes longer on snow-covered roads. Accelerating, stopping, turning – nothing happens as quickly as on dry pavement. Give yourself time to maneuver!
• The normal dry pavement following distance of three to four seconds should be increased to eight to ten seconds. This increased margin of safety will provide the longer distance needed if you have to stop.
• Know your brakes. Whether you have antilock brakes or not, the best way to stop is threshold breaking. Keep the heel of your foot on the floor and use the ball of your foot to apply firm, steady pressure on the brake pedal.
• Don't use excessive force; "jamming/slamming" the breaks on an icy or snowy road can cause your vehicle to skid. Losing control of your vehicle in snowy or icy conditions is far from ideal.
• Don’t stop, if at all possible. There’s a big difference in the amount of inertia it takes to start moving from a full stop versus how much it takes to get moving while still rolling. If you can slow down enough to keep rolling until a traffic light changes, do so.
• Don’t power up hills. Applying extra gas on snow-covered roads just starts your wheels spinning. Instead, try to get some inertia before you reach the hill and let that inertia carry you to the top. As you crest the hill, reduce your speed and proceed downhill as slowly as possible.
• Don’t stop going up a hill. There’s nothing worse than trying to get moving up a hill on an icy road. Gain inertia on a flat roadway before you take on the hill.
• Stay home. If you really don’t have to go out, don’t. Even if you can drive well in the snow, not everyone else can. Don’t tempt fate: If you don’t have somewhere you have to be, watch the snow from indoors.

Thanksgiving Day: Tips for a Safe Feast

11/20/2017 (Permalink)

When celebrating a holiday that focuses on food - such as Thanksgiving - its important to practice good food safety!

No one wants to think about accidents or mishaps during the festivities of the holiday season; they're supposed to be happy, enjoyable days shared with family and friends! With that being said, it's important to remain mindful to ensure everyone is able to share in the holiday cheer together!

Turkey safety— the turkey is the biggest star. Make sure he evokes a round of applause—not a round of visits to the bathroom or, worse, the hospital.

• Buy carefully.
  1. Avoid fresh, stuffed turkeys; buy your turkey at least 1-2 days before you cook it, and keep it in the fridge; keep it in the freezer if you’ve bought it earlier.
• Defrost properly.
  1. Thaw in the refrigerator (every 4-5 lbs. needs one day to thaw).
  2. Submerge the turkey (wrapped in leak-proof packaging) in cold water (every 1 lb. needs 30 minutes to thaw) that should be changed every half hour.
  3. Microwave in a microwave-safe pan, removing any packaging and following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cook immediately after thawing.
  1. Avoid slow cooking or partially cooking the turkey.
  2. At 165 degrees F at least.
  3. Opt to cook the stuffing separately.
• Use a thermometer on the innermost part of the thigh and wing, as well as the thickest portion of the breast, to ensure that the turkey is well cooked.
• Don’t carve at once; give the juices time (20 min.) to settle.
• Keep Clean!
  1. Wash your hands with soap and water before and after handling food.
  2. Keep all surfaces and utensils clean.
  3. Never handle cooked and raw food together, in order to avoid cross-contamination.
  4. Keep raw meat away from vegetables or other uncooked food.

Thanksgiving is a social dinner; while talking, joking, and laughing, choking is a very dangerous possibility.

• Call 911 if the person can’t cough, breathe, or speak.
• Give the victim five sharp blows on the back with the heel of your hand.
• If unsuccessful, wrap your hands around the victim’s abdomen and give five quick upward thrusts.

Store leftovers properly to eliminate food poisoning. 

• When serving, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold!
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly, no more than two hours after food has been served.
• Leftovers are most safely eaten within 3 days, or should otherwise be moved to the freezer.
• Store food in shallow containers.
• Reheated leftovers should be cooked to 165 degrees F; gravy should be boiled.

Halloween Safety Tips

10/27/2017 (Permalink)

Halloween can be great fun for kids of all ages...but, it's always important to keep things safe!

HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Everyone loves a good scare on Halloween, but not when it comes to child safety. There are several easy and effective behaviors that parents can share with kids to help reduce their risk of injury. 

Hard Facts

On average, children are more than twice as likely to be hit by a car and killed on Halloween than on any other day of the year.

Trick-or-Treat Tips

• Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors. Since masks can sometimes obstruct a child’s vision, try non-toxic face paint and makeup whenever possible.
• Have kids use glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers. Visibility is key.
  
  
• Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, remind them to stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
  
  
• Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
  
  
• When selecting a costume make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.

• Plan a route in advance. Trick-or-treating could take you several streets away from your house, so try to avoid long paths by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to paths that you and your child are familiar with to avoid getting lost.
  
  
• Check your child's candy. When sorting through candy at the end of the night, be sure to throw away any candy that is not in its original wrapper, or looks as though it has been opened.