The A to Z's of Summer Safety | SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City

7/7/2021 (Permalink)

A is for Aloe: Buy an aloe vera plant and use gel from leaves, or use a product containing aloe vera skin gel specifically for mild sunburns.

B is for Beach: Always remember to bring proper sun protection (a hat, umbrella, sunscreen, water, and towel or blanket).

C is for Careful Around Water: Drowning is always a risk when babies and children are near water. Do not leave any child alone near pools, the ocean, or lakes.

D is for Driving Comfortably: Use a shade to protect seats (and baby seats) from overheating in the hot sun. Never leave a baby, child, or pet in your car alone — especially in the summer, which can be deadly!

E is for Eyes: Help protect your child’s eyes with UV-blocking lenses that have a strap to keep them on. 

F is for Food Safety: When the weather gets warmer, the risk of food spoilage increases. Pack food in an insulated cooler with plenty of ice packs and keep it closed.

G is for Grilling: When you grill, use one plate for raw foods and another for cooked. 

H is for Hat: Avoid sunburns by dressing your baby in protective clothing, including a brimmed hat and protective lightweight clothing to cover exposed skin.

I is for Independence Day: July 4 is one of the highest days of the year for injuries from fireworks. 

J is for Jellyfish: If you or a family member is stung by a jellyfish, carefully remove the tentacle and walk to the nearest lifeguard station for proper first aid.

K is for Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion: Nausea, headache, muscle cramps, and heavy sweating — all signs of heat exhaustion. Getting to a cool place to bring the body’s temperature down, drinking water, and resting can help.

L is for Life Jacket: Children should wear life jackets in and around any body of water.

M is for Medication Safety: It takes only a minute for kids to get into something when they are out of sight. Put away medications; store them up and out of sight and reach.

N is for Nighttime: Consider attending a New Orleans Park with children. Be sure to bring a flashlight for the walk back to the car. Visit the website to learn more.

O is for Ocean: Check ocean water quality before going for a swim, especially after a storm. For updates on water quality, check here.

P is for Pesticide Safety: Avoid all pesticide use around pregnant women and children. 

Q is for Quality Control when eating outdoors: Be sure to follow food safety and sanitation standards for cooking and storing perishable food, while picnicking or barbecuing.

R is for Relaxing: When the temperatures rise, slowing down and taking breaks can help protect your family from heat-related health issues.

S is for Sunscreen: While the sun can supply lots of beneficial vitamin D, avoid sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and protect skin.

T is for Tides: Check the tide schedule before taking a trip to the beach. 

U is for UV Rays: UV rays from the sun are strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Use a good amount of sunscreen, find shade or cover up with light-blocking clothing.

V is for Vacation: If you’re planning a weekend getaway, create a checklist for you and your family to stay safe on the go. 

W is for Water: On hot summer days, it’s important to hydrate with plain water. Soda and sugary drinks can make you feel thirstier. 

X is for eXcluding Mosquitoes: Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus, which can result in serious illness. Use tight-fitting screens in windows and close doors to keep them out.

Y is for Yellow Jackets and Other Pests: Yellowjackets, wasps and other flying pests can become a nuisance during picnics and other times outdoors. Keep them away by mixing 2 ounces of mint extract with 10 ounces rubbing alcohol, and pour ingredients into spray bottle. Spray down picnic and play areas. 

Z is for Zinc Oxide: Zinc oxide is a powerful sunscreen, and many types for children change color to let you know when to reapply. 

Does Your New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City Home Need a Dehumidifier?

4/5/2021 (Permalink)

When cleaning up water damage, commercial-grade dehumidifiers are excellent for sucking excess moisture from the air, helping to dry out the area and prevent further damage. While extraction of the standing water takes first priority, dehumidification prevents a variety of further problems such as improving air quality and reducing mold growth. If you don’t already have a dehumidifier, here are some benefits of why you should get one.

1. Overly moist air is susceptible to catching a variety of airborne particles, contaminating your air. This could include dust, dead skin cells, and mold spores. Dehumidification reduces the number of particles in the air, making it easier and better for breathing.
2. Reducing moisture and maintain cleaner air is one of the best ways to prevent mold growth in your home. Mold grows by finding a damp, wet environment and then releases spores into the air which spread throughout your home until they find another surface to grow on. One of the reasons we at SERVPRO of New Orleans Uptown & Mid-City dehumidify areas that have been affected by water loss is to reduce the chance of mold growth.
3. A less humid environment in your home means clothing will dry faster, pieces of bread and cereals will remain fresh longer without getting stale, and you won’t find signs of rust or corrosion on things like computer equipment, electronics, and tools.
4. A dehumidifier also lowers energy costs because it helps your air conditioner run more efficiently. When the air in your home is more humid, the A/C must do the function of cooling the air and removing moisture, which means it has to work harder. This also causes your A/C to wear out sooner, which means you will need to replace and repair it more often.