Summer Safety and Enrichment for Kids: Tips for Parents

4/3/2024 (Permalink)

A DIY science project is always fun on a rainy day!

With school out for the summer, many of us look forward to fun-filled days and memorable adventures with our children. However, amidst the excitement, ensuring that our kids stay safe and engaged in enriching activities is crucial. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you navigate the summer months while keeping safety a top priority:

1. Outdoor Safety: Encourage outdoor play, but make sure children wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and take breaks in the shade. Remind them about road safety when biking or playing near roads.

2. Water Safety: Supervise children closely around water, whether it's a pool, lake, or beach. Ensure they wear appropriate floatation devices if needed and know basic water safety rules.

3. Home Safety: Conduct a thorough safety check of your home. Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Teach kids about fire safety, including how to exit the house safely in case of emergency.

4. Summer Enrichment: Keep children engaged with educational and enriching activities. Visit the local library for summer reading programs, explore nature trails, or enroll them in educational camps or workshops.

5. Creative Activities: Encourage creativity through art projects, DIY science experiments, or cooking together. These activities not only entertain but also promote learning and development.

6. Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries on screen time and encourage outdoor play, physical activities, and face-to-face interactions with friends and family.

7. Chores and Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate chores to teach responsibility and encourage participation in the household. These can include gardening, pet care, or helping with meal preparation.

8. Community Engagement: Get involved in community events or volunteer opportunities. It's a great way for children to learn about giving back and making a positive impact.

9. Family Time: Schedule regular family outings or game nights to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories together.

10. Emergency Preparedness: Review emergency procedures with your children, including who to call in case of emergencies and how to respond to different situations.

Safety should always come first, but summer is also a time for fun and exploration. Following these tips and staying vigilant can ensure our children have a safe and fulfilling summer vacation.

Wishing you a wonderful and safe summer!

SERVPRO of Longview Donates Time and Sponsorships

7/11/2021 (Permalink)

It was a great day to hand out water, stickers, and games for all who stopped at our booth.

Giving back to the community can take a variety of forms. Depending on your own skillset and the unique nature of your own community, you will find many opportunities to help those around you. Here are a few ideas to spark your giving side and get you serving those who need help in your community.

Donate

Sometimes giving back to the community is as simple as giving. Whether you have an overabundance of some sort or merely have something others could use, donating makes an immediate difference in others’ lives. From clothes to food to that old cell phone in the back of your closet, in-kind gifts move seamlessly from you to local organizations and into the hands of those in need.

Volunteer

If you have more time than money, volunteering may be a more effective and viable way of giving back to the community. Consider places you already spend a lot of time with, such as your child’s school or your congregation. Those who work, and give their time, in these local places can often use an hour or two from volunteers to take extra tasks off their hands.

Philanthropy

Sometimes it’s easier for you, and the community organization around you, to give cash donations instead of in-kind gifts. Financial philanthropy is a great way for local businesses to get and stay involved in the community. Choosing an organization and giving a percentage or portion of proceeds each month is both good for PR and the community.

Six Tips for Staying Hydrated In East Texas

7/6/2021 (Permalink)

Stay hydrated my friends.

SERVPRO of Longview wants everyone to enjoy their summer and one thing that is often overlooked is staying hydrated. 

Both doctors agree, your best defense against dehydration is prevention. Follow these six tips to stay safe and healthy, especially when temperatures — or your activity levels — increase:

1. Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink. By the time you feel thirsty, you’re already slightly dehydrated. Sip water steadily throughout the day and drink more fluids than usual when the weather is hot, especially if you’re active. 
2. Flavor your water. If plain water tastes boring to you, you can add flavor with fresh fruits or a splash of fruit juice. You can also consume clear broths, ice pops, or sports drinks (especially if you're doing intense exercise). Just make sure to limit caffeine and alcohol. 
3. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables. Certain fruits and vegetables contain plenty of water in addition to healthful nutrients. Watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, peaches, and pineapples are fruits with high water content. Water-rich vegetables include cucumbers, leafy greens, radishes, celery, zucchini, and tomatoes. 
4. Stay inside when it gets too hot. On very hot days, stay indoors in an air-conditioned environment. If you don’t have air conditioning at home, try a shopping center, movie theater, or public library. Avoid sun exposure, especially between 10 am and 2 pm when the rays are strongest. Plan outdoor activities in the early morning or evening.
5. Dress for the weather. Wear light, loose-fitting clothing that lets your skin breathe. Dark colors absorb heat, so stick with lighter shades. Wear a wide-brimmed hat in the sun to keep your head cool and use plenty of sunscreens to avoid sunburn, which can increase your skin temperature and make it harder to stay cool.
6. Be aware of the signs of dehydration (below). If anyone in your family is ill, pay attention to how much they’re able to drink — especially young children and the elderly. Anyone with a fever, vomiting, or diarrhea should drink plenty of fluids. Do not wait for signs of dehydration to appear.

Meeting With Charlene Ingram's Local Longview State Farm Office

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

We absolutely love any and every opportunity we have to serve our Local Longview Businesses.

SERVPRO of Longview's very own Jerry Iverson was able to stop by Charlene Ingram's State Farm Office. At the visit, they were able to discuss the impressive fire, water, and mold damage services that SERVPRO of Longview could offer to them!

We absolutely love any and every opportunity we have to serve our Local Longview Businesses. SERVPRO of Longview is locally owned and operated, so we’re already nearby and ready to help Longview, TX residents and business owners with any size cleaning or restoration emergencies.

Live in the Longview area and have any questions about the fire, water, or mold damage restoration process? Just give us a call at (903) 238-8100.

Storm Safety in Gregg County

8/21/2020 (Permalink)

Protect yourself from the potential dangers of storms, practice an emergency plan with your family.

Summertime is a great time to enjoy the great outdoors, but when sudden storms pop up, staying safe is of paramount importance. Thunderstorms may come and go quickly, but while they are in the area, they can cause a concerning amount of damage.

While the safest place to be during a storm is at home, if a sudden storm pops up when you are away, here are some practical tips for safety.

Know your options for shelter. When you are made aware of a severe weather scenario and are safely at home, remaining there is the best thing you can do so you can wait out the storm. However, this is a luxury that will not always be present. If you are caught out in a storm, you can shelter in your car as long as you can pull over safely and cut off your engine.

Practice electrical safety. A lightning strike can hurt a structure in many ways, but the most common way is via a power surge. As the lightning travels through the home’s electrical system, the wires will become overwhelmed with charge and transfer that to anything plugged into an outlet. If you can, go through the area you are in and unplug everything before a storm. In general, it is best to also have surge protectors throughout your home and office.

Avoid direct contact with concrete. Concrete structures are so sturdy in part because of how they are built. As concrete is poured around metal, it creates a great structure—but also causes a concern if there is lightning nearby. The metal in concrete can disperse electricity if the building is struck by lightning, so avoid touching these surfaces directly if possible.

Stay indoors for at least 30 minutes. If you are out enjoying the day when a storm rolls in, make sure you are not rushing back out too soon and putting yourself in danger. Lightning strikes can travel tremendous distances, causing officials to urge people to stay inside for at least half an hour after the last clap of thunder.

SERVPRO of Longview is on Facebook!

8/5/2020 (Permalink)

Like and follow us on Facebook!

Have you visited our Facebook page? If not, you should drop a follow on Facebook!

SERVPRO of Longview’s Facebook is a great and easy way to keep up to date with all of our events, reviews of our service from real customers, and is a great way to reach out to us.

If you're still deciding on if we're the best choice for your situation put your mind at ease by checking out our reviews. All of the reviews on the SERVPRO of Longview Facebook page are by actual customers just like yourself!

We are also heavily involved with our community so by liking and following our page you can see which events we will attend! We have give-a-ways, games and prizes quite frequently and it's always a great time. 

Feel free to get in touch with on Facebook by messaging us and by leaving a comment or review!

Breaking down the potential threat of mold in your home

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

With the proper steps, Mold can be avoided.

Its name evokes images of green rot. Mold is a menacing pollutant existing naturally in the environment. But it's the last thing you want growing in your Longview home.

Like most people, you probably know that indoor mold ruins homes and threatens health. And you might agree that the first step to eliminating mold is locating its sources.

But do you know where to look for mold? Or even that using a popular disinfectant to clean it can do more harm than good? Chances are, you've been duped by these mold myths that should be laid to rest:

• A Clean Home is Mold-Free.

A dirt-free home is no guarantee against mold infestation. Mold thrives in closets, dark corners, and drywall, a common construction material in homes today. It's microscopic spores sail through the air, so you can't see them or know where they land.

• Your home has no moldy odors.

It's true that gasses produced by mold give off a musty odor. But it's false to assume that having no odor means your home isn't infested. Not all molds produce smells. And if mold is lurking in a basement, its smell doesn't enter the air you normally breathe. It's there, and you never knew it.

• Your home's basement never floods.

Wet basements are a major source of mold. But they're just one of many in your home. Other mainsprings for mold are humidifiers, leaky pipes, dryers that vent indoors, bathrooms and cooking areas that aren't ventilated, even carpets in a basement.

• Bleach can remove mold.

A powerful disinfectant, bleach wipes away mold on glass, metal, or plastic surfaces. But while its chlorine component doesn't penetrate to the sources of mold in drywall and wood, the water contained in bleach does. And--you guessed it--that water lingers beneath the surfaces, providing more than enough food for mold to grow.

We are here for you East Texas

7/20/2020 (Permalink)

Always local first!

One of the most profound losses that business people and homeowners experience are mainly caused by fire, water, mold or smoke damages. Witnessing your home and precious belongings being consumed by water or fire can be traumatizing. The only reassurance you can have after such a disastrous loss is obtained from having a clear support and guidance in rescuing as much property as possible.

In the indoor environment, water is the only long-term most catastrophic material. Structures and other personal properties can deteriorate rapidly as a result of too much flooding or moisture.

We have successfully restored much water, fire and smoke damaged structures in Longview, TX.

We have a wide variety of residential and commercial services to our clients. Over the years, our company has grown all over the East Texas area as a result of the exemplary services that we provide. We have a team of certified and fully trained professionals who are ready to respond to all emergencies at any given time.

Our company can tackle any disaster since we have all the necessary equipment for fire, smoke, and water mitigation.

Some of the services that we provide are as follows,

• Fire damage restoration

• Restoration of water damage

• Restoration of storm destruction

• Mold damage restoration and others.

As a leading restoration firm, we are capable of handling it all; from damage restoration, to water removal, to the cleanup of fire damage.

If not handled carefully and immediately, natural disasters can cause extensive destruction to your property. That's why you need a company that is fully equipped and experienced to restore your property to its initial condition. SERVPRO of Longview is the company you need for quick mitigation of any form of natural disaster.

Our team of emergency support is on standby 24/7, so you shouldn't hesitate to give us a call night or day.

Different Ways to Prepare for a Storm In Longview, TX

4/24/2020 (Permalink)

A bad storm—wind, rain, snow or ice—can at worst endanger your life and at least make for some challenging hours and days, especially if you lose power. You and your family will weather the storm much more easily and safely if you prepare by having some key supplies on hand well before you need them.

1. Food & Water

Stock up with a two-week supply of food and water. Choose foods that are high in calories and nutrition, and that don’t require refrigeration, water or special preparation, such as canned food, dry mixes and other staples. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends storing at least one gallon of water per day per person. Keep your food and water in a cool, dry and ideally dark place. Periodically, check expiration dates and replace items as necessary. And if you have a pet, keep a two-week supply of that food on hand, too.

2. Lights & Electronics

If your power fails, you’ll want lighting and a way to power your phone or other electronic device. Before the storm, stash away several flashlights and a compact lantern that offers abundant light. Don’t forget to include an ample supply of batteries for the lantern and flashlights and portable radios, too. When a storm is predicted, be sure to fully charge your phone and devices—and if you have one or more power banks, charge them, too.

3. First Aid Kit

Be ready to handle minor injuries on your own, because emergency facilities and personnel may be in great demand during a major storm. Have a first-aid kit on hand that includes bandages, gauze, a cold compress, scissors, tweezers, a seven-day supply of necessary medications and more. Store these essentials in a portable carrying case so you can grab and go if you need to.

4. Documents & Records

After a storm disaster you may need ID to prove who you are. Gather and store (in a portable waterproof, fire-safe security chest) your important identification documents, such as birth certificates, Social Security cards, marriage certificates, adoption papers, passports, naturalization documents, wills, living wills, powers of attorney and property deeds/titles. Include important DVDs, portable disks and flash drives, too, if there’s room.

5. Cash & Gas

Make it a habit to keep some spare cash tucked away at home for a real emergency. (If you have the means, you’d be wise to build up a separate supply of easily-accessible funds that you can tap after a storm disaster to cover sudden expenses.) And when a storm is in the forecast, gas up your vehicles so that you can charge up your electronics and run errands—or evacuate if necessary.

Holidays Tips in Longview, TX

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Make sure light strings and other holiday decorations are in good condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.

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 fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
• Make sure 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. n 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 fire—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 Longview is here for you 24/7, 365. 

Thanksgiving Cautions for Longview, Texas

11/26/2019 (Permalink)

• Turkey Fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Consider placement of the fryer, is it flat, sturdy, out of reach from children?
• An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill when the turkey is put in and a frozen or partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter (sometimes with great force) when put in the pot
• Even a small amount of cooking oil spilt on a hot burner can cause a considerable flame or fire
• Without thermostat controls some turkey fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire. Make sure it’s not too hot.
• The sides of the cooking pot, lid and handles can get dangerously hot. Protect you hands when maneuvering to prevent injury or spillage

Your friends at SERVPRO of Longview wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and remind you to stay safe. Remember, our team is on call 24/7 365 days a year, no matter what holiday or time of night. If you experience a fire SERVPRO of Longview will come to your rescue, don’t hesitate to call 903-238-8100.