Celebrate Summer Safely

7/1/2022 (Permalink)

Thank you to all armed forces members and their families.

Summer is synonymous with barbecues, parades,
and firework displays; but along with all the
festivities are plenty of visits to the emergency
room?especially during the month of July.
Each year, around 230 people are injured badly
enough to require medical treatment after fireworks related incidents, according to the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission. In addition to causing
injury, fireworks are also responsible for thousands of
house fires each year with millions of dollars in property
damage.
There is nothing like firing up the grill during the
summer months! Did you know, July is the peak month
for grill fires? A backyard barbecue can become
dangerous quickly if proper safety precautions aren't
considered. SERVPRO of North Central Austin professionals
want you to have an enjoyable and safe summer.
Consider the following tips to help ensure your summer
celebrations are disaster-free.

• Propane and charcoal barbecue grills should only
  be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the
  home, deck railings, and out from under eaves
  and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat
  buildup from the grill and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• When using a charcoal grill, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal
  container.
• Anyone using fireworks or standing nearby should
  wear protective eyewear.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning
  fireworks. Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully
  extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of
  fire. Children should never pick-up fireworks that
  may be left over as they may still be active.
• The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a
  public display conducted by trained
  professionals.

If your residential or commercial property suffers
from structural fire damage, call SERVPRO of North Central Austin professionals to help make it "Like it never even
happened.®" 

Carbon Monoxide: A Silent Cold-Weather Killer

4/13/2022 (Permalink)

Carbon monoxide is a gas you cannot see, taste or smell. According to ready.gov, an average of 430 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. Oftentimes, it is the result of faulty, improperly used/vented consumer products like furnaces, ranges, water heaters, room heaters, and engine-powered equipment (such as portable generators). However, there are precautions you can take to help protect yourself, your family, and your employees from deadly CO fumes. Reduce the chance of CO exposure in your home by performing regular maintenance on equipment and appliances that can produce CO. Install carbon monoxide detectors on every level of the home, including outside of all bedrooms. Consider having all fuel burning heating equipment and chimneys serviced annually by a professional. Use portable generators only in well ventilated areas away from doors, windows, vents, and any other openings to prevent fumes from entering the home.

Dangers of Extreme Cold Weater

12/27/2021 (Permalink)

While your home can be damaged due to winter weather and extreme cold, your personal
health is also at risk. Fifty-three people died and three were injured due to extreme cold in
2015. It is important to be aware of the effect extremely cold temperatures can have on
you. The two main conditions to be aware of are frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is
caused when your skin is exposed to extremely cold temperatures. Physical symptoms are
white or grayish-yellow skin, skin that feels unusually firm, or waxy numbness. Hypothermia
occurs when your body temperature falls to an abnormally low temperature, caused
from long exposure to cold weather. Signs of hypothermia include shivering, exhaustion,
confusion, fumbling hands, memory loss, slurred speech, and drowsiness. If someone’s
body temperature is below 95°F, seek medical attention immediately. To avoid these
conditions, stay indoors if possible. If not, dress warm in layers and try to keep dry.

Happy Holidays from SERVPRO of North Central Austin

12/16/2021 (Permalink)

Pretty lights, candles and decorations are
just a few of the items bringing charm
and cheer to the holiday season—however, if
they are not used carefully your holidays may go
from festive to frightening.
The American Red Cross offers the following
safety tips to help greatly reduce the fire risk in
your home or business this holiday season.

• Place Christmas trees, candles and other
  holiday decorations at least three feet away
  from heat sources like fi replaces, portable
  heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
• Make sure that light strings and other
  holiday decorations are in good condition.
  Do not use anything with frayed electrical
  cords and always follow the manufacturer’s
  instructions.
• Always unplug tree and holiday lights
  before leaving the property or going to bed.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
  Always extinguish candles before leaving
  the room or going to bed.
• Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to
  tip over. Keep curious pets and children
  away from Christmas trees.
• Keep anything that can catch on fi re—pot
  holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils,
  paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and
  towels or curtains—away from your stove
  top.
• Designate one person to walk around your property to ensure all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after guests leave.

SERVPRO® of North Central Austin Professionals
wish you a safe and happy holiday season!

Happy Thanksgiving From SERVPRO of North Central Austin

11/16/2021 (Permalink)

Each November, families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving by preparing a delicious feast, but if you don’t practice safe cooking habits, your happy holiday could quickly become hazardous in a blink of an eye. According to the NFPA, cooking is the main cause of home fires and injuries, with the Thanksgiving holiday being the peak day for cooking-related fire emergencies. Review the following safety tips to help ensure you can enjoy a safe holiday. 

•  Never leave cooking food unattended—stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling, or broiling food. If someone must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, they should turn off the stove. 
• Check food regularly while cooking and remain in the home while kitchen equipment is in use. Use a timer as a reminder that the stove or oven is on.
•  Keep small children away from the cooking area. Enforce a “kid-free zone” and make them stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven.
•  Keep anything flammable like pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels away from the stove, oven, or other appliances in the kitchen that generates heat. 
• Do not wear loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
•  Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease build-up. 
• Purchase a fire extinguisher to keep in the kitchen year round. Contact the local fire department for training on the proper use of fire extinguishers if you are unsure. 
•  Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving the home to make sure all kitchen appliances like stoves, ovens, and toasters are turned off. 
• Install a smoke alarm near the kitchen, on each level of the home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside of bedrooms. Use the test button to check it is working properly every month. Replace the batteries at least once a year.

 SERVPRO® of North Central Austin wishes you a safe and happy Thanksgiving and holiday season.

Be prepared for a disaster!

8/13/2018 (Permalink)

Put an emergency readiness plan in place for your family's safety!

The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency or disaster. While each situation is unique, your family can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies. The following are measures you and your family can take to start getting ready. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your family, home, and the community. Review the following questions to learn if your family and home is prepared.

Be Informed Do you know what kind of emergencies might affect your home or daily life? Do you know what you and your family will do in an emergency situation?

Prepare Your Emergency Plan Do you have an evacuation and shelter-in-place plan? Do you have a plan to communicate with your family before, during, and after an incident? Do you have an emergency supply kit?

Practice the Emergency Plan Have you practiced your plan recently? Does your family know where to go in the event of a natural disaster? Have you reviewed your plans in the last 12 months?

Review Insurance Coverage Have you reviewed your insurance coverage recently to see if you’re covered in a disaster?

Secure Your Home Have you conducted a room-by-room walk-through to determine what safety measures can be taken?

Improve Cyber Security Have you installed a firewall on your computer? Do you regularly update your antivirus software? If you answered “No” to any of these questions, visit ready.gov and learn how to better prepare your family and home for an emergency or natural disaster.

For Immediate Service in Austin, Call SERVPRO

4/3/2016 (Permalink)

Austin residents, we provide immediate service, day or night!

SERVPRO of North Central Austin provides 24-hour emergency service and is dedicated to being faster to any-sized disaster in the greater Austin area. We can respond immediately to your emergency and have the expertise to handle your restoration or cleaning needs.

• 24-Hour Emergency Service
• Faster to Any-Sized Disaster
• Highly Trained Restoration Technicians
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment 

Have Questions? Call Us 24/7 - (512) 579-0189

Residential Services

Whether your home needs emergency flood damage or your upholstery cleaned, you can depend on us.  Our technicians have extensive cleaning and restoration training and can make your property look its best. Learn more about our residential services:

• Water Damage Restoration
• Fire Damage Restoration
• Mold Remediation
• Storm Damage Restoration
• Cleaning Services
• Building/Reconstruction Services

Commercial Services

There's never a convenient time for fire or Water damage to strike your commercial property. Every hour spent cleaning up is an hour of lost revenue and productivity. So when the need arises for professional cleaning or emergency restoration services we have the training and expertise to respond promptly with highly trained technicians to get your property back to business. Learn more about our commercial services:

• Commercial Water Damage Restoration
• Commercial Fire Damage Restoration

IICRC Certified Firm

4/3/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of North Central Austin is an IICRC firm

SERVPRO of North Central Austin is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

About SERVPRO of North Central Austin

4/3/2016 (Permalink)

Christopher and Jill VonSchweinitz, owners of SERVPRO of North Central Austin

SERVPRO of North Central Austin specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke or water damage event. Our staff is highly trained in property damage restoration and we are an IICRC Certified Firm. We believe in continuous training: 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.

Meet our crew!

CERTIFICATIONS:

• SRT - Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration Technician
• IICRC Certified Firm
• ASD - Applied Structural Drying Technician
• CDS - Commercial Drying Specialist
• RRRP - Lead-Based Paint Activities and Renovation
• WRT - Water Damage Restoration Technician
• ECTP - Employee Certification Training Program
• OSHA - 10-hour General and/or Construction Industry Training Program

We live and work in this community too; we might even be neighbors. As a locally owned and operated business, SERVPRO of North Central Austin is close by and ready to respond to your damage, whatever the kind. We are proud to be an active member of the Austin community and want to do our part to make our community the best it can be.

We're Hiring

2/5/2016 (Permalink)

We are a team committed to helping people physically, emotionally, and spiritually in their time of need.

We are hiring for several positions at our company. If you are interested, or have a lead on someone that we should contact, let us know; We do provide training for these positions.

1) Sales and Marketing Representative - full time sales position

2) Crew Chief and Crew Technician - full time positions. A crew is one Chief and one Technician. They help clean and restore businesses and homes after a water, mold, or fire damage.

3) Cleaning - on occasion, we need people to help clean people's household items at our warehouse, or in their home or business after a fire.

To learn more about our business visit: SERVPROnorthcentralaustin.com

If interested, call our office 512-579-0189 (ask for Recruiting) or email at jobs@SERVPROnorthcentralaustin.com 

We are an equal opportunity employer. This company does not and will not discriminate in employment and personnel practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, national origin, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.