Why Business Emergency Plans Matter | SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

11/17/2023 (Permalink)

Are you prepared for disaster? SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is here for you when disaster strikes!

Natural disasters continue to become more frequent across the nation. If you take a look at the statistics from the past five years, not only will you see that disasters are happening more often, but you’ll also see that they have gained in strength.

You can’t live by statistics alone, though, and there is always a chance that your business will never see a natural disaster. Even if that is true for your company, the possibility of a manmade disaster is still a real risk you could face.

Taking into consideration the risks your business faces is a hard task to complete, but it is crucial for staying safe. With a plan, your focus can be on growing your business instead of worrying about what could cause it to come to an end.

Keep Your Team Safe When Severe Storms Hit | SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

9/19/2023 (Permalink)

If your home or business was damaged in a storm, call SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to get you back in action.

As a business owner, you never really know what to expect during a typical workday. With so many challenges to overcome, it can be hard to focus on the possibility of trouble striking from outside the workplace, but you’ll need to consider it to keep your workplace safe.

Severe weather is one of the many obstacles that business owners must consider when preparing their businesses for the unexpected. By giving your team the knowledge to navigate a Winston-Salem storm, you create a secure environment that not only safeguards your employees but also keeps operations running smoothly.

Give your employees the storm safety training they need to stay safer and respond quickly during a Winston-Salem storm:

Preparing For Emergencies In Your Clemmons Business

9/29/2022 (Permalink)

The adage ‘life can change on a dime’ can certainly be used when you run your own business. Business owners never plan for an emergency to strike their business, but they can prepare for one. And the best way to do that is with the SERVPRO Emergency Response Plan or ‘ERP’. Generally, for many other emergency plans, not all employees have access, or if they have a copy, it’s never accessible when needed. At SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, we offer a free emergency response app that can be accessed from any mobile phone, tablet, or computer. With immediate access, many businesses can prevent additional damage and help maintain business continuity.

What Does SERVPRO’s ERP Cover?

• Insurance contact information and policy numbers
• Contact information for Utility Providers
• Photos of emergency cut-offs and directions to their locations
• Preferred Vendor List
• Employee and Emergency Contact Information
• Much, Much More

The SERVPRO® ERP covers response and recovery and can be shared with all employees via a mobile app. This will help ensure all your employees are prepared for an emergency and help keep your doors open.

To learn more about SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County’s ERP program, visit ready.SERVPRO.com or call our office at (336) 946-1131, and one of our team members can schedule a visit to your business to begin completing your ERP at no charge!

Because at SERVPRO® we’re here to help.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is the Key to Reopen your Winston Business After a Disaster.

8/17/2022 (Permalink)

As a leader in cleaning, restoration, and construction, the number one goal of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is to return your Winson-Salem business to preloss conditions as quickly as possible. Every SERVPRO franchise professional who steps onto the job site has that same goal. We understand every minute your doors are closed is another minute you can't service your customers. That's why we can offer turn-key services to both our residential and business customers.

In addition to our fire and water restoration and cleaning, our services include:

Content Services

• Inventory- When a disaster strikes, complete an accurate inventory to help you properly account for your inventory and supplies. SERVPRO provides a detailed room-by-room inventory of contents, including photos, suitable for filing insurance claims.
• Move Outs- When the business has suffered extensive damage, the cleanup and restoration process may need to be facilitated by relocating contents for cleaning, deodorization, and storage while your business is being repaired.
• Contents Cleaning-All restorable contents in the affected areas will be professionally cleaned and deodorized.

Structural Cleaning

• Ceiling and Walls-SERVPRO of West Forsyth County team of highly trained professionals can reduce the cost and time of recovery by expertly cleaning lighter areas of damage, thus preventing the need to repaint.
• Ductwork-The ductwork and HVAC system will be inspected to determine if they were affected by the disaster. Depending on the amount of damage, we will determine if your system needs to be cleaned and deodorized.
• Deodorization- SERVPRO of West Forsyth County's professionals provides specialized services to rid your business of offensive odors. Our technicians will seek out the source of the issue and remove the scent.

Your business is one of your most valuable possessions and the key to your livelihood. So, call the experts of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County at (336) 946-1131.

No Disaster is Too Small When It's Yours!

Thanks to the BA.5 Variant, COVID-19 is on the Rise in the Triad

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

Several Triad counties are considered to have high community levels of positive COVID-19, including Forsyth County, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Currently, local authorities are estimating that Forsyth County is averaging 750 positive Covid cases a week, many of which are the new BA.5 variant.

So, How do You Protect Your Customers and Business?

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has performed hundreds of proactive and post-positive cleanings for our local business community. As a result, businesses understand the key to keeping their doors open is to make sure their customers feel safe. And when their customers see the SERVPRO Certified Clean logo, they know that customer health and safety are critical to that business.

So, if you are interested in learning more about the SERVPRO Certified Clean program or if you have experienced any issues with fire, water, or mold damage with your home or business, give us a call today at (336) 946-1131. Our team of highly trained professionals is here to assist you. At SERVPRO we make both natural and manmade disasters "Like it never even happened."

Preparing Your Lewisville Business Survive a Disaster

7/25/2022 (Permalink)

It is estimated as many as 50% of businesses never fully recover from a disaster. So, it is critical to have a plan in place to protect your employees and safeguard your business. Doing this will help minimize the disruption of your business and its revenue. But if you've never considered completing a Disaster Recovery Plan or it all feels a bit overwhelming, let the experts at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County help. Our Emergency Ready Profile App is designed to help your business respond and recover from a disaster. This app keeps all critical information you may need at your fingertips, such as:

• Insurance Policy Information
• Critical Vendors and Their Contact Information
• Water and Gas Shut-Off Locations
• Much Much More

The best part of our ERP program is it's FREE! Our ERP app focuses on response and recovery to help get your business back to preloss conditions quicker. To learn more about our ERP plan or to schedule your appointment, call us at (336) 946-1131 or visit us at www.ready.SERVPRO.com.

At SERVPRO is here to help.

How Disaster Can Arise Inside Your Commercial Property | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

6/16/2022 (Permalink)

Local businesses serve our communities in a variety of ways every day. We all benefit from these businesses, whether it’s the one you work for or the one you frequent. It’s tragic when these businesses are affected by a workplace disaster.

Business owners have a lot on their plates. On a typical day, they supervise personnel, manage funds and attend to clients. On other days, owners are forced to deal with the aftermath of tragedies such as natural disasters.

In the United States, the amount of damage caused by natural disasters is continuously growing over time. According to the NCEI, our country has endured an annual average of $153 billion in damage over the last five years.

In a place like Winston-Salem, you can expect weather like tornadoes, floods and severe storms. This Winston-Salem marketplace faced the impact of intense flooding. Expensive equipment was ruined, and they were forced to close down for a short period.

We’ve compiled some data on the most common causes of damage around the country to assist you in better preparing your company for disaster. Continue reading to find out more.

Are you ready to have the cleanest business in town? Contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County for all your cleaning needs.

11/4/2021 (Permalink)

Homeowners know the deal—when natural disasters and storms strike, or accidental incidents like fire and water damage occur, they can call SERVPRO for complete, speedy recovery.

Business owners know it, too—when there’s damage to be repaired or mold to be removed, SERVPRO delivers on time, every time.

But there’s another option for businesses in the area, and it doesn’t require the stress of a crisis. That’s right, you can take advantage of outstanding SERVPRO service anytime, when you enlist our help for commercial cleaning.

Commercial Services for Businesses of Any Size

In a new era, when consumers are more concerned than ever about their health and keeping themselves in environments that promote and protect it, we provide top-notch sanitation and cleaning for all kinds of commercial facilities, such as:

Retailers and shops. Large or small, chain or one-of-a-kind, we can provide a safe, hygienic environment for the exchanging of goods and services.

Schools and athletic venues. Unfortunately, school desks and the most-used surfaces are still retaining half the bacteria present on them, despite daily cleaning by students and teachers. We can provide truly effective solutions for learning facilities and their sporting arenas.

Hospitals and healthcare facilities. From nursing care to pediatric offices, we can ensure that individuals with vulnerable conditions and the people in charge of their care can rest easy, knowing their environments are disinfected to the apex of what’s possible.

Hotels, resorts and convention centers. Where there’s a constant flow of people coming and going, doing business, conducting meetings and kicking back, there’s an extra need for sanitation and cleaning—and we’ve got the tools to take care of it.

Food service and restaurants. From processing plants to restaurants, and every step in between, we can help ensure the integrity of food distribution and service, and the health of preparers and customers.

Apartments and managed properties. High-rises, commercial parks and managed properties of all kinds can benefit from our regular, high-grade cleaning solutions. Healthy tenants are happy tenants.

Businesses are losing a quarter of a trillion dollars every year due to workplace illness and its effects. Protect your employees, customers and patrons, and at the same time look after your bottom line—it’s possible with SERVPRO commercial cleaning.

When you’re ready to have the cleanest business in town, we’re ready to help. Contact SERVPRO Of West Forsyth County to get our pros working on the cleaning so you can work on the work.

Disasters don't just happen at home

9/21/2021 (Permalink)

Disasters do not happen to just people with home owners insurance. Those folks have businesses of their own, or at least work in a business that could be affected by the same storm. We have had 14 named storms so far and 2 have come ashore in the US.  SERVPRO has storm response teams in place to help wind and flood damaged areas. These teams not only help your friends and neighbors but the local businesses. Helping to get the local businesses back up and running again is a vital role we play.  We understand that everyday a business is closed it’s a day without payroll or profitability.  

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has helped businesses get back in to Restaurants, Dental and office spaces for rent.  One of the many tools that will help you to be prepared for a disaster, is the mobile ready app. This app can send out the call for help. It is (Ready App) available in the Google or Apple store.  This convenient app helps key personnel in your business be aware of what to do in case of a business interruption. It tells us the service provider who can give permissions to start the process of getting back into business as soon as possible. Placing important contact and critical info all at your fingertips.  If you need help preparing for a disaster call us today at 336-946-1131. It is best to call us directly.

Winston-Salem’s Trustworthy Source for Disaster Recovery | SERVPRO® of West Forsyth County

8/7/2021 (Permalink)

Owning a home or business is a delicate balancing act. There are a thousand things that have to keep continuously spinning and running just so, or the whole thing gets out of whack. One hiccup is all it takes to shake the ecosystem.

But sometimes that one hiccup comes along, and it’s more like a heaving lurch that disrupts everything—a natural disaster, a fire or an exploding water heater can definitely be one of those major disruptors that makes everything stop.

That’s when you need us, and here’s why:

We’re Always Ready and Faster to Any Size Disaster

When your world stops, we’re ready. Our teams are geared up around the clock to make sure we reach you faster than anyone in the industry.

Wasted time means thicker swaths of black mold, more deep-seated smoke smell or another rank piece of soggy furniture. A rapid response means faster recovery, and having a SERVPRO team right here in Forsyth County means you benefit from the combination of a fast, local team and the stacked national network of SERVPRO resources.

We’re Trained to Handle Residential and Commercial Services

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, and don’t let anyone tell you differently. We’ve trained and innovated for over a half century because we’ve seen and learned to adapt to the needs of home and business owners all over the country.

We’ll Make It "Like it never even happened."

While our methods are many, our promise is singular: We’ll provide you with unimpeachable service, perfectly executed, and we’ll leave your home or business in such a fully restored state you’ll have to revisit your diary to remember we were even there.

We Offer the Services You Need in a Changing World

In the post-pandemic era of virus consciousness, part of the duty of business owners is to ensure a safe environment. Lucky for you, we developed the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program. Now you can safeguard your customers and employees, and foster consumer loyalty in doing so.

Regardless of why you need cleanup or disaster recovery, SERVPRO has the tools, the technicians and the training to get your situation under control. When you’re ready to get help from the best, get in touch with SERVPRO. It's Best to contact us directly at 336-946-1131

7 Things to keep around for safety.

3/25/2021 (Permalink)

Here at SERVPRO of West Forsyth we deal with some work spaces that can be hazardous. After a fire or flood things are not as neatly organized as it is in your day to day living.  Our manager, James Otterberg stresses safety first in all things SERVPRO related. Here are 7 things that you probably could use around your home or office that will help prepare you in the event of an emergency.

• Fire extinguisher – available at Fire Ade (here locally in Winston Salem) this asset to your home could save you more money in insurance discounts. But be sure to have them serviced annually.

• Carbon Monoxide detector – you may think, I don’t have gas so I don’t need this. But, do you have a garage? Do you have a self-cleaning oven? Do you have a fireplace? These are additional sources of carbon monoxide. You should place one on each level of the home or business.

• Training – What? This is an intangible you can’t keep this around the office. Ah, but you can, the Red Cross has online and local classes that you can take. They do have a cost to them but what is the safety of your family, coworkers or employees worth? As an addition to this a safety magnet reminding you of what you learned and emergency phone numbers is a good reminder.

• Emergency Radio – We are so dependent on our smart phones for our day to day lives and emergency notifications. But if the power is out for a longer than expected time, do you have a way to get information when your phone loses battery power? This product has a radio and can charge your phone.

• App alerts – Speaking of dependency on our smart phones, when your away from home does your house tell you there is a problem? CPI Security has smart features that tell you when a door has been left open or smoke has been detected. Coupled with a smart HVAC controller you can tell when power is out at your home or office, or any number of other situations that you should be aware of.

• Evacuation plan and needed items. Is your home or office more than one level? If you had to get out the window could you do it without assistance? Having an escape ladder stored near the window is a good idea. Teaching the whole family to be aware of the plan and tools to use are necessary to be able to account or everyone quickly.

• Emergency kit – This is not doomsday prepper type kit. This is a storm event or flood has made it necessary for me to survive on my own for a little while. Being prepared for this event is key. READY.gov has a great starting point to develop a first aid and emergency kit that every home and business should keep available. Remember to keep in mind your unique situation and include those items you would need. i.e. meds, pet supplies, any disability assist items.  

SERVPRO of West Forsyth wants you to be prepared for any event that could disrupt your routine. Be it water, fire or mold damage, we are here to help make it “Like it never even happened.”  It is best to call us directly 336-946-1131.

How many germs are in your office?

3/5/2021 (Permalink)

How clean is your office, do you think it is germ free? Well, no place is germ free. What can we educate our employees on to keep them healthy and safe?  First and foremost is good handwashing. We do everything with our hands.  Key times to wash are,

• Before, during, and after preparing / eating food

• Before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea

• Before and after treating a cut or wound

• After using the toilet

• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet

• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing

• After touching an animal, feeding handling pet food or pet treat, or animal waste

• After touching garbage

• Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth, mask

• Entering and leaving a public place

• Touching an item or surface that may be frequently touched by other people, such as door handles, tables, gas pumps, shopping carts, or electronic cashier registers/screens.

These surface areas that are high touch bring us to another point, cleaning them often especially when you have high traffic weather it’s employee traffic in a break room or customer traffic such as shared space in an auto dealership. Door handles and counter surfaces should be cleaned frequently. Start noticing the items your employees and customer lean on and touch you will be surprised at how often it happens. We can certainly help in this area by fogging with disinfecting agent approved by the EPA and CDC.  This is the most economical way of cleaning surfaces quickly.

Work stations are high touch also. Computers and phones need disinfection attention. Per the CDC many of the approved disinfectants are alcohol based so it will dry quickly. Be sure to follow manufactures guidelines for cleaning electronic products. Consider using a wipeable cover. SERVPRO uses the fogging method so that it covers the surface areas and it can dry naturally. Using a hospital grade disinfectant approved by the CDC is the most effective way of handling.

Clean or spray disinfectant on packages coming into your facility. I recently returned from a trip and the hotel actually sprayed my luggage with a disinfectant and had us step on a mat that was spongy and filled with disinfectant. This reduces the number of germs being tracked into the hotel.          

We have customers who we are doing regular proactive disinfection cleanings for,  If you would like a quote on disinfection cleaning for your business call us directly at 336-946-1131

Could your business survive a business interruption?

2/22/2021 (Permalink)

Could your business survive a business interruption? What happens when the internet is down? Do you panic? What if it was more serious? As business owners you need to think about what would you do if you walked in one morning and there was two inches of water on the floor. Well luckily you are reading this blog so you know what to do about that, you call SERVPRO. But what other resources will you need to handle a situation quickly and efficiently to get back to business ASAP. You need a plan and we have a free foundation of a plan in our Emergency Ready Profile mobile app.  Think about the vendors and contacts you need to have to run your business.

Let’s say that you had a fire in your business and stock inventory of the raw materials you use are destroyed. Let’s list out the resources that are needed in this event.

• 911 Fire dept
• SERVPRO of West Forsyth County
• Insurance company with policy numbers (what if those files were damaged)
• Key personnel within your organization
• Landlord if you rent
• Vendors of the raw materials

You may also need other resources to be able to contact them about restoring services or repairing services. Within the ERP you can load the account mgr. and account number so that you have them pull up your records quickly and know what services you have. These would include.

• The Electric company
• The Water / Sewer company
• Gas company
• Internet service provider

The ERP is customizable, this allows you to place key personnel and contacts that you need all at your finger tips to call right away. These may include.

• HR director for your company
• Maintenance mgr.
• IT Mgr.
• Trades service companies you have a relationship with such as HVAC, Plumber, General Contractors.

This may not be an all-inclusive list here, but having the list of resources and their related account numbers / contacts will make for faster communication. This will result in getting back to business faster. The ERP app is available to have on your phone and or print it out and place right beside / integrate with your current operations manual or employee handbook. We don’t schedule disasters but we can be ready for them when they show up unexpectedly. Call Ed Dean to schedule a walk through and ask for any assistance you need with the SERVPRO Mobile Ready App. 336-946-1131

How Clean Is Your Office?

1/4/2021 (Permalink)

Like mold, bacteria and germs are everywhere. Even a “sterile” environment will have something. But, making it as clean as possible to prevent the transmission of harmful pathogens is something that all of us can do a better job of.  What are some of the things you’re doing that could be bringing germs into your business? How do we prevent it?

The CDC suggests “Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.”  This is something SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can help with. Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program can put you on a schedule for proactively disinfecting your office.

Recently I discovered that resort hotel operators are manning the front door to stave off germs with a host of people. One is giving you hand sanitizer; another is directing you to step on a mat that is saturated with a disinfectant. Another is working on spraying your luggage with disinfectant. All of these protocols are at work to try and reduce the chances of transmission of the disease into the cleanest environment they can create. What can we learn in our own business from this? Spraying our shoes, and shopping carts or other items used frequently with disinfectant. Ensuring that we are sanitizing our hands and maybe even ensuring customers hands are sanitized before they come into our place of business.

What about those items we use in our office frequently with our hands, or even close to our face? When is the last time you disinfected your keyboard or phone? Wiping these electronic items with an electronics safe disinfectant is a good idea. Be sure to wipe your phone down when you come back in from being out and about. While you are out be sure to not lay your phone on a surface in public.

We sometimes forget about the small but “high touch” areas of our homes and businesses. These can include, the medicine cabinet, drawer pulls, handles, and light switches. If you use your hands to open, turn it on, or off, close or pull it, then it probably is a high touch item that needs to be sanitized even more frequently.

If you would like your office disinfected with a CDC approved product. Call us today at 336-946-1131, we can put you on a schedule to maintain a clean and safe environment for your business’s customers and employees.  Put the Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned shield on your door today.

Can you think of everything? No. Can you be ready for anything? YES.

10/23/2020 (Permalink)

From fires to storms to vandalism, your business could be disrupted. Can we think of every possible scenario? No, but we can prepare and surround ourselves with a team that will get us back into business as fast as possible. Now you have to ask what does that team look like? It should consist of all the key personnel that are needed to run the business. Do I have their contact information readily available? Most businesses have a file record of those folks but what if that file was compromised in the fire or flood? Can you retrieve those files from anywhere? If they are stored in the cloud you can.

What about key vendors that routinely are maintaining your building like HVAC or your Plumbing company? Would it not be convenient to call them and ask, can you meet me ASAP at the office I am on my way there? What about having the convenience of calling your insurance company and already knowing the policy number and having it available as well? What if you needed to order knew supplies to replace damaged inventory? Do you have those numbers and your customer account number handy?

Do you know the number to the water and power company? How about the non-emergency number to local police or fire dept.?

All of this and more is possible with the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile App. (ERP). It is available on Google Play and iTunes Store. With some planning and preparation, you can be ready for anything even if you can’t think of everything you would need it for. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County will be glad to assist in the planning and development of an Emergency Ready Profile plan. All you need to do is call us 336-946-1131 and we will be happy to assist.

Do you need help with a business disaster plan?

9/15/2020 (Permalink)

September is national preparedness month, and we have talked about the Ready App by SERVPRO before. Preparing doesn’t mean that you should try and plan for every scenario that could disrupt your business, but to have the resources to get back to business quickly.  Scenarios like flood, fire, or vandalism are certainly disruptions to your business, but having the Mobile Ready App with SERVPRO at your fingertips is a great first start. The Mobile Ready App places those contacts that you would need in an emergency to restart your business.   

The question is, have you shared it with your employees? Do they know what to do in case of a business disruption? Are they on the plan and do they know their role? Key personnel can be listed on the Ready App for quick access. You should advise them when they are part of your disaster recovery plan and what critical roles they will play. Do they have resources that they use in their day to day operations that need to be in the recovery plan?

SERVPRO has resources to help you get started with a plan and recover should you face a disaster that disrupts your business. For assistance with setting up the SERVPRO Ready App call us directly and ask for Ed Dean.  We will be glad to help you get started with preparing, so you and your company will be ready.

It is best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

Commercial Disaster Planning In The Era Of Corona Virus

7/27/2020 (Permalink)

Businesses in Winston Salem have put up with a lot these past two years. The shut down of business highway 40 took a toll by itself, but then the pandemic shut down those non-essential businesses. Now, some non-essential businesses have reopened only to discover water damage or have a disaster strike just when they are getting permission to reopen. They’re asking themselves how much more can they take, or else they are simply not surviving. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can help with planning, and recovering from a disaster, so that when it does happen you will be #SERVPROready.

Our mobile app puts your emergency contacts and vendors in the palm of your hand. We will consult with you, work with you, trying to minimize the disruption to your business. We will also work to get you back up and running as quickly as possible to get to the “Like it never even happened,” as soon as possible.

No one would have ever thought that we would be dealing with a pandemic so devastating that it would limit the number of customers in our store, or even if we could open. That was unforeseeable. But knowing something could happen like water or fire damage that can disrupt your business is a realty. Knowing what could happen, and being prepared is the difference between being inconvenienced and bankrupt.  Don’t wait till you think it’s safe to deal with water damage, it has to be dealt with as soon as possible otherwise it could cause secondary damage or cost you more money.

Staying safe and keeping your customers and employees safe is also of concern to business owners. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can help there as well. Weather you have had a proactive case of Covid19 or just simply want to proactively disinfect your office or store, we can help there also. Our Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned program will consult with you on your space. Clean that space using CDC protocols and EPA approved products. And leave behind signs to show your customers and employees that you care about their well being and safety.

If you would like to know more about the commercial services we provide call Ed Dean at 336-946-1131.

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned For Your Business

6/30/2020 (Permalink)

Today’s businesses have been turned upside down this year with Covid 19. Having to shut down, waiting for the government’s permission to open back up, and implementing safety precautions to keep their customers and employees safe. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can help business owners with this new found situation they find themselves in. Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned is a new program that helps businesses give confidence to their customers and employees that they are shopping and working in the cleanest and safest environment possible. 

Whether it is proactive cleaning in a work space that you want to ensure it has been sanitized, or you have had an employee or customer tell you that they have tested positive for Covid19, SERVPRO can Consult, Clean and Certify your business SERVPRO clean.  

Understanding how you do business is part of consulting with you so that we can ensure that we are cleaning the high touch points by your customers and employees. Understanding that there are unique areas to be concerned for, such as food prep or high value electronics, helps us to determine what SERVPRO EPA registered product we will use or method of sanitizing to provide the highest quality of service.

When cleaning your business, we will use CDC guidelines, and EPA registered approved products that have been known to kill similar Corona type viruses. Using state of the art equipment we can most efficiently fog, spray and or wipe the space distributing these disinfectants.

As a part of our certifying process we will post our shield representing your commitment to the comfort and security of your employees, customers and community. Along with digital emblems and other collateral, this beacon will tell all who see it you have gone above and beyond to ensure you are SERVPRO clean.

It is best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

Cleaning for germs

3/13/2020 (Permalink)

How does one get a germ? According to the Minnesota department of health there are 5 common ways of spreading germs.

• Nose, mouth, or eyes to hands to others
• Hands to food
• Food to hands to food
• Infected child to hands to other children
• Animals to people (petting)

So, what do these all have in common? They involve your hands. The number one thing you can do is wash your hands frequently.  Around the office what are the items that your employees touch the most? These items are the most used by your employees and therefore need to be cleaned more often and thoroughly.

• Door Handles
• Desktop / computer / telephone
• Elevator buttons
• The copier or other office equipment
• Water fountain / cooler
• Public coffee pot /maker / mugs
• Sink / cleaning supplies i.e. sponge
• Break room appliances
• Vending machines
• Restrooms

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County can perform a proactive cleanup that involves cleaning and disinfecting these areas and more for your office. The CDC encourages cleaning of high-touch surfaces such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, light switches, bathroom fixtures, toilets, phones, keyboards, tablets, and tables at a minimum. These same surfaces are mentioned in the CDC’s guidance for commercial spaces as well, including:

• Kitchen/Food Areas
• Bathrooms
• Schools/Classrooms
• Offices
• Retail Spaces
• Water Fountains
• Shelving and Racks
• Sales Counters
• Carpets and rugs
• Stair Handrails
• Elevator Cars
• Playground Equipment
• Fitness Equipment

For your office cleaning needs call SERVPRO of West Forsyth County directly at 336-946-1131

Providing a disaster plan solution to business

2/24/2020 (Permalink)

How are those resolutions going? Did you say to yourself I’m going to lose weight or I’m going to exercise more? You’re not alone but these things take preparation and determination. They also take practice for to get into a habit. On average it takes 2 months to get into a habit and could vary even more depending on the behavior of the person. 

SERVPRO has an easy and free plan for your business to get into the habit of preparing for a business disruption.  Because, when a business disruption happens to you, the last thing you want to be doing is asking “well, what do I do now?” With the SERVPRO Ready App you will have all of the answers and team in place to get back into business quickly.

This handy mobile application can be managed by your maintenance team and will have the resources at your fingertips to handle any situation that business or life throws at you. Access the link above or call Ed Dean with SERVPRO of West Forsyth County for a free consultation on getting started with your disaster plan.

It’s best to contact us directly at 336-946-131

Recognizing fire hazards in the work place

1/8/2020 (Permalink)

Are you paying attention to some early warning signs or recognizing the potential for fire hazards? We have heard of crime dogs but being a fire hound can make your life much safer.  Here are 5 things to be on the lookout for around your home or office.

Overloaded plugs – with Christmas time coming and the extraordinary amount of electronics we have in our offices, it is easy to overload a two-plug circuit. Never daisy chain extension cords or multiplug surge protectors. Check the local fire code regarding extension cords, as they are typically not permanent solutions. Be sure to follow the guidelines on the manufacturer’s instructions for Christmas lights and decorations. Bob Vila has a list of 10 things not to plug into a power strip. If an item is not used on a consistent basis, consider leaving some of these energy vampires unplugged when not in use.

Everybody has a junk drawer, right? Do you store batteries in that drawer? If you do, they could potentially be a fire hazard. According to Battery Products you should never store loose batteries. The reason is the same reason you should not throw batteries in a trash can. Even low voltage batteries have the potential to start a fire. This video of a battery starting a fire was set intentionally, but think of all the metal and paper items in your junk drawer is it fire hazardous? Battery organizers help prevent batteries from being loose and the negative and positive ends from coming into contact. How does your company store batteries for tools that you use?

What is that smell? Do you come into a room turn a light switch and it smells like plastic melting? It may smell like a drill or a mixer that has run to long. Now if an appliance is new that may be normal, for a bit. But if that smell is coming from a wall switch or outlet it’s time to turn it off and call and electrician to check it out.

Speaking of turning on light switches, do the lights flicker? If one light is flickering it may be a loose bulb. But, when multiple lights flicker, that is not a good sign. Tighten or replace the bulb and if the flickering continues call an electrician.

Circuit breakers keep tripping? If your circuit breakers keep needing to be reset see tip number 1. But if overloaded plugs are not the case then you may need to replace the breaker. Usually these don’t need a lot of maintenance but age and use can eventually wear one out. Never attempt to do this with the main power on to the building.  If you are even a little unsure of how to do this call a professional and we don’t mean YouTube.

We hope that you never experience a fire in your home or office but if you do you can count on the expertise of SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to help you. It’s best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

Commercial maintenance is just as important as home maintenance

11/1/2019 (Permalink)

Power failure lighting

We changed the clocks back and hour and we hear the call to test our smoke detectors in our home. Well the question is do maintenance managers for your businesses do the same thing around the office? Many of the same maintenance issues you have around your home are needed and or required at work. So, if you are the owner of an office building what are you doing to keep your employees safe?

Most homes don’t have the luxury of power failure lights that turn on when the power goes out. But then again, they don’t have the windowless walls that a lot of offices have. But when is the last time you tested the power failure lights? These will be critical to helping employees escape a flooded building in a storm or a fire that has knocked out the power.

What about emergency exit signs are they illuminated? Are the exits clear of equipment or trash around them?

When is the last time fire extinguishers were tested? Have they expired?

Have you planned an evacuation route? Or put into place a plan to account for all of your employees, in the event they can not all get out the same door.?

Keeping your business, employees, and customers safe should be your top priority. Protecting your office and home is step #1 to prevent a disaster from happening but if it does, we can make it “Like it never even happened.”  It is best to call us directly at 336-946-1131

Be Ready for an Emergency

9/12/2019 (Permalink)

Local SERVPRO disaster restoration specialist highlights no-cost tools to help property owners prepare and maintain a comprehensive emergency readiness plan

No matter where you live or work, emergencies caused by weather, fire, wind, water, and other natural or manmade disasters can strike at any time and are largely unpredictable. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County reminds Winston-Salem-area home and business owners that preparing in advance is the best thing you can do to help minimize a disaster’s impact on your loved ones and your property. Each year, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates September as National Preparedness Month – a time to create, or update, your plan for when disaster strikes.

National Preparedness Month is a great time to resolve to create a plan, or review your existing plan, each and every year,” said Jeff Meadows of SERVPRO^® of West Forsyth County. “Everyone needs a comprehensive emergency plan. Business owners also need to plan for business interruption and continuation. But equally importantly, families and businesses alike need immediate access to data like emergency and insurance contacts, shut-off valves, electrical panel locations, and the line of command to authorize work so emergency responders can react quickly and appropriately during the emergency. This month’s focus on preparedness is a great incentive for both families and businesses to put a plan in place and review it regularly.”

Creating an emergency plan is straightforward, according to Meadows. No matter what type of threats exist where you live or work – wildfires, flooding, hurricanes, tornadoes, or other natural or manmade disasters – tools are available from FEMA (https://www.ready.gov) with guidelines for preparing emergency food, water, and medical supplies; planning for special needs; and creating communication and evacuation plans. These tools and others, like the SERVPRO READY app, also help you store essential contact and property information electronically where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes. Both home and business owners can download the free app at https://ready.SERVPRO.com/home/mobileapp.

Local business owners can take an additional preparedness step by designating SERVPRO of West Forsyth County as their disaster mitigation and restoration provider. SERVPRO professionals will conduct a no-cost assessment of the facility and assist the owner in completing a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) to be stored in the READY app.

“The key to getting your life or business back on track is timely response after a disaster strikes. That’s why it’s important to take the time to record and store your information electronically, and then commit to a time – like National Preparedness Month – to review and update your records at least once each year,” said Meadows. “Remember, filing cabinets and their contents may be inaccessible or even destroyed in an emergency situation, so don’t depend on them to keep track of critical insurance, property, or contact information in the event of a disaster. Store your data electronically. If disaster strikes, you’ll have the information you need literally at your fingertips.”

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup, and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, please contact Jeff Meadows at (336) 946-1131. For more information on SERVPRO^® and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, please visit www.ready.SERVPRO.com.

What is you plan for disaster?

7/15/2019 (Permalink)

If you walked into your place of business and stepped into ankle deep water what is the first thing you would do? Jokingly most have said turn around and walk back out. But as a business owner can you afford to do that? Can you afford to be closed? No.  So, that is why every business owner needs a plan of attack when disaster strikes not just water damage but, fire, storm or even vandalism damage can cost you precious days of valuable production.

Can you get to your disaster recovery plan? Small businesses and large will sometimes have a notebook manual on how they are to operate in a crises situation. What if that manual is in the same room as the fire? SERVPRO’s ready App. Is available on your phone 24/7. Even if you are not on site you will have access to the phone numbers and personnel who can ensure that your business opens for business. You can download, and sign up for the app. HERE

Call Ed Dean at 336-946-1131 to help you get started on a free assessment to see if you are SERVPRO Ready.

Plan to stay in business

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

We all have insurance of some kind. For our family we pay it to take care of them weather it is health insurance or homeowners. It gives, or it should give you peace of mind to know that the money and things you have worked hard for are protected.  What about where you work? What assurances do you have that if your company suffers a loss can they recover from it?  Chances are that if you work for a large corporation they have all the insurance they think they need but do they have a plan? Small business need a plan just as much as large companies do.

Preparedness planning for your business is just as important as planning for the needs of your family. After all our work family is who we spend even more time with than our own.  Recognize the types of risks you have for your business. Do you have the resources lined up to handle losses? Losses do not come just in water damage or fires. Thunderstorms can knock out power and cause loss of production. In North Carolina the government estimates business lose $4-$7 Billion dollars annually due to power failures.

Our free Emergency Ready Profile (ERP) helps discover where you may be vulnerable. It asks questions, reviews, and identifies key personnel that will be instrumental in getting back into business quickly. Not just SERVPRO of West Forsyth County but resources like electricians, plumbers, and decision makers that can make sure your business maintains continuity of production and profit.

Call Ed Dean today to ask about the ERP 336-946-1131

Being ready is better than being ruined

6/3/2019 (Permalink)

Your business has to be able to operate when you walk in. Do you operate on the weekends? What do you do when you unlock the door, head for the alarm system and you suddenly feel that your feet are wet? You just stepped in two inches of water.  Downtime is expensive, and rent doesn’t stop nor do any of the other operational costs of doing business.

One solution is being prepared prior to stepping into a mess, is to have the SERVPRO READY app. It’s available in the Google Play and Apple iTunes store.  This app places all the necessary resources for all the “what if” scenarios in the palm of your hand. You can call the experts at SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. We understand that you need to be operational ready quickly.

Depending on the source of the water you will need to call a plumber or a landscaper or maybe even someone who does waterproofing and structural repairs. The SERVPRO READY app can have those resources for you so that you can be ready to deal with unexpected emergencies.

If you do not already have the app and you would like assistance setting it up in the Winston Salem Forsyth County area feel free to call Ed Dean with SERVPRO of West Forsyth County  336-946-1131

Resolve to be ready for disasters

1/9/2019 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Urges Winston-Salem Home and Business Owners to “Resolve to be Ready” in 2019

Local cleanup and restoration specialist shares no-cost emergency planning tools that enable fast and effective disaster response and recovery

New Year’s Eve has come and gone, but it is not too late to think about making just one more resolutions, according to Jeff Meadows, owner of SERVPRO^®of West Forsyth County. While resolutions typically involve committing to personal changes and reaching goals, Meadows says the single most important resolution both business and home owners can make for 2017 is to “Resolve to be ready.”

“Preparing in advance to deal with the unexpected can make a world of difference in how quickly and completely property owners can put the pieces of their lives back together,” says Meadows. “Emergency readiness plans are the foundation for effective and timely emergency response.”

Meadows encourages all property owners to take advantage of the no-cost and easy emergency planning tools available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) (https://www.ready.gov/publications), as well as SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Profile and READY Plan Mobile App (http://ready.SERVPRO.com).

For homeowners:

• FEMA resources include guidelines for a creating a Family Emergency Plan and Emergency Supply List, with additional tips for pet owners, seniors, people with disabilities, and even commuters.
• SERVPRO offers their free SERVPRO READY Plan app, which stores critical contact and property information electronically in advance, where it can be accessed with a mobile device in seconds if disaster strikes.

For business owners:

• FEMA offers materials on topics ranging from creating a Business Continuity Plan to an Insurance Discussion Coverage Form in addition to guidelines for creating an Emergency Response Plan.
• For businesses, SERVPRO offers a no-cost facility assessment and assistance in creating a comprehensive Emergency READY Profile^®(ERP). The ERP includes information about emergency contact numbers, priority and high/risk areas, shut-off valve locations and more that can then be stored in the READY app.

“The time to gather and store information like emergency contact numbers; insurance contacts; and the location of fuse boxes, fire suppression system controls, and such is before an emergency strikes, not during an emergency,” says Meadows. “Having this information at your fingertips can help emergency responders react as quickly and effectively as possible, helping to limit loss of property and even lives.”

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. For more information on SERVPRO of West Forsyth County, or the SERVPRO mobile app and the SERVPRO Emergency READY Program, contact Ed Dean at (336) 946-1131 you can also visithttps://ready.SERVPRO.com.

Equipment for Large Commercial Water Damage

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

Certified SERVPRO employee extracting water from a large commercial loss

Water damage in your business can certainly impact your bottom line. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County understands this. We move quickly to remove the water and dry the area so you can get back to business quickly. Whether your sales or production or office staff are affected, we will quickly and safely remove the water to prevent further damage. We will also use the necessary equipment and mitigation techniques to prevent mold from growing. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County uses commercial grade dehumidifiers to pull the water out of the air to contain it safely.

If mold has already started to grow then we will mitigate that as part of the scope of work.  Here we see a SERVPRO employee using the extractor to remove the water we can see. The sheet rock was cut out to remove damage you don't see and prevent mold from forming behind the wall. Drying the entire area and structure to help prevent the production of mold.

If your business is affected by water damage call us directly at 336-946-1131

Fire prevention maintenance

10/29/2018 (Permalink)

Why do you change the oil in your car? To prolong the life of the car, right? Maintenance around your office or home is just as important. Fire prevention is a part of that maintenance. Some of these include  items that are often overlooked or placed on the back burner (pun intended). But they are key to avoiding the need for SERVPRO of West Forsyth County’s fire restoration services.   

• Be sure to test smoke detectors monthly. It’s a good idea to change the batteries when we change the clocks in the fall and spring.
• Your Fire Extinguishers should be checked to ensure they are in date. The fire marshal will inspect and tell you if you have enough for your building. A company like Fire-Ade will test and certify extinguishers. Extinguishers can last anywhere from five to fifteen years. Ask your fire marshal if you have to have your extinguisher certified.
• Check the lights in Fire Exits and Exit Signs. Can customers and employees clearly see exit signs? Can they easily get to them? Have you practiced a fire drill to ensure guests and employees can easily get out of the building in the event of an emergency. Assign key personnel to ensure the safety of customers and visitors in the building in case of emergency.
• State or Local Guidelines. Here are the Forsyth County inspections page and includes common hazards and violations. Take a minute to read up on these, check to see if you are in violation or have a hazard around your home or office. Talk to your local fire marshal to learn about the guidelines.

Keeping your business, employees, and customers safe should be your top priority. Protecting your office and home is step #1 to prevent a disaster from happening but if it does, we can make it “like it never even happened.”  Call us directly at 336-946-1131

Power Failure Plan = Business Success

9/17/2018 (Permalink)

If you experienced a power outage this week due to storms did you follow your plan? Did the plan work? Are there improvements to make in your plan?  In case you missed it here are the steps to creating a plan for your business.

Before the power outage.

                Have an emergency continuity plan.

• Determine the processes and equipment that would be affected by a power outage. Electrical equipment such as computers, security alarms, elevators, as well as HVAC and lighting.
• Inventory all equipment and keep it up date. What key equipment is used in your day to day operations? Prepare a list of equipment that need to be shut off during an outage to prevent damage to it when power is restored.
• Back up computer data frequently invest in redundant cloud based service that backs it up off site and protects it from hacking and virus threats.
• Make sure computers and other sensitive electronics are plugged into surge protection devices
• Test your battery backup UPS systems, emergency lighting, phone, security and fire protection systems quarterly or a week before a weather predicted event.
• Determine what the impact of the outage will be.

Have a plan for alternative power

• Use a standby generator.
• Portable generator
• Or backup UPS (uninterruptable power supply)

Have emergency lighting available

• Battery operated light sources. (flash lights or lights that turn on when power fails) Do not use candles and consider the installation of emergency lighting for the safety of your employees

Establish shelter locations in the business or on the business site

• Should you have to shelter in place ensure there is enough space for all employees and allow for any customers that are visiting your establishment at the time the emergency is declared.
• Ensure the shelter location has emergency supplies. i.e. flashlights, battery powered radio, first aid kit, blankets, water, and food.

Educate employees

• Educate and review often the emergency plan of action
• Ensure key personnel know the role they have responsibility for in the emergency plan. I.e. Mgrs. Should be able to account for their personnel who report to them.
• Identify employees with special needs will they need assistance evacuating. If the power is out and elevator unavailable or cannot see well in low light.

What are your customers to do?

• Determine the likelihood of customers being in your business at the time of outage.
• Ensure that your emergency plan includes customers. Since you cannot review your plan with customers regularly be sure the employees who interface with customers are aware of their responsibility in the plan. They should guide customers to safety.

During a Power Outage.

                Stay informed of the conditions

• Listen to the battery powered radio for situational developments.
• Download the local news app for your phone.

Backup power

• Use only approved indoor sources of power such as battery
• Never use a generator indoors or any source of power that could emit deadly exhaust into your emergency shelter
• Don’t go outside to start a generator if the weather conditions are unsafe.

Equipment safety

• Go through your list of sensitive electronic equipment and turn it off and or unplug it to prevent damage to them.

After a Power Outage

Turn on the most essential equipment first.

• Wait 10-15 minutes to plug in other equipment this will prevent the electrical system from becoming stressed and going out again. Turning everything on at once may overload it and cause it to fail once again.
• Check your facility to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for
• Ensure all equipment is operating correctly and safely
• Review the preparedness plan to determine if any areas need to be improved and train appropriate personnel.

Should you need SERVPRO of West Forsyth County assistance after a loss event call us directly at 336-946-1131 #NatlPrep #SERVPROready

Can your business survive a disaster?

7/11/2018 (Permalink)

We consider ourselves lucky to live and work in such a beautiful and vital area as we do.  Whether you spend most of your time in Winston Salem, Lewisville, Clemmons, Pfafftown, Rural Hall, Tabaccoville or any of the other neighboring areas we understand why you are choose to live and run your business here.  As this area’s premier disaster recovery service we also understand the circumstances that can put your loved ones, your business and your investments at risk. 

As a business owner or manager, you are a leader in your community and have the opportunity to set an example for your employees, customers, and community to follow. 

Disasters not only devastate individuals and neighborhoods, but businesses of all sizes. As an employer in the Winston-Salem, Forsyth County or any of the surrounding areas, having a business continuity plan can help protect your company, its employees, and its infrastructure, and maximizes your chances of recovery after an emergency or disaster. 

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County would like to invite you to check out the Ready Campaign which is encouraging individuals, families, and businesses to take active steps toward becoming Ready. 

Ready Business, helps business owners and managers of small and medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency. The Business section of Ready.gov/business . There you will find more information and links where business owners can download or order free Ready information, publications, and much more. 

For more information to help prepare your business visit our website for the ERP App. The app contains vital information for businesses on how to get started preparing their business for their unique needs during an emergency.  If you have any questions feel free to contact Ed Dean directly at our office 336-946-1131 

Plan for a disaster with the SERVPRO ERP App

6/22/2018 (Permalink)

The SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile 

 If your home or business had a fire whom would you call after 911 and Winston Salem’s fire fighters have left? Your insurance agent? Your banker?  The interior decorator that made your office the warm and inviting place you did business. Now here is the important question. Do you have all of the numbers you need at your fingertips to call all the people you need to help you get back into business or your home quickly?

You can with the SERVPRO Emergency Ready Profile APP. This is free and only takes a little time to gather the info so you are ready for whatever could prevent you from enjoying your home or office.

?  A no-cost assessment of your facility. Letting you know where you may lack preparedness thinking of things you had not thought of before.

?  A concise profile that contains only the critical information needed in the event of an emergency.

?  A guide to help you get back into your building quickly following a disaster.

?  Identification of the line of command for authorizing work to begin.

?  Provides facility details such as shut-off valve locations, priority areas and priority contact information.

?  Profile is viewable online or on your SERVPRO READY APP and is secured with a login and password. So even if you’re not onsite when disaster strikes you have a plan.

Don't wait until a disaster strikes.

Contact SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to establish your Emergency READY Profile.

Or visit https://ready.SERVPRO.com/

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County

336-946-1131

It's always best to call us directly. 

Business power outage preparedness

6/20/2018 (Permalink)

In the recent years there have been discussions regarding the infrastructure of our nation’s power grid. What would happen if your business was without power for an extended period of time? Every business should have a continuity plan. That is where SERVPRO’s ERP can assist by having key personnel and vendors on a list in one place to help you resolve a crises quickly.

Take note or inventory of the processes in your business that would be affected by a power outage. Computers are the first thing most business owners will think of. What about security systems, or alarms, HVAC, and elevators in multilevel buildings could also be impacted.

Do you need an alternate source of power to be operational during the outage? Uninterruptable power supplies to power down computers and save work. You should obtain and keep that system maintained. There would be nothing worse than preparing for an outage only to find that the generator does not work or is low or out of fuel.

Emergency lighting, most warehouses and cubicle farms have limited if any natural light. You need to consider if customers and office workers would be present during the outage. Their safety should be a priority.

Should a shelter in place order come from authorities do you have proper emergency supplies? Consider that same emergency kit you have for home for the office and keep it maintained. This should include flashlights, battery powered radio, first aid kit, food, water and blankets.

Education: Do your employees know what to do in case of an emergency? Inform them of what the emergency business plan is. Review it with them regularly. Keep in mind any special need employees who may need assistance evacuating the building if necessary. Make sure they know what to do with customers in order to keep them safe.

During an outage stay informed, listen for directions from authorities or news broadcasts to take shelter or evacuation routes.

Use the backup power safely. Never use a generator indoors. Doing so can be fatal causing carbon monoxide poisoning. The most common symptoms are headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion.

Electrical surges or spikes can cause damage to sensitive equipment when the power is restored. These devices should be unplugged to avoid being damaged especially if critical to your operation.   

After the power is restored turn on the most essential equipment first. Wait 10 -15 minutes to reconnect other lesser essential items. This will avoid overloading the electrical system and give it time to stabilize to the demand. Remember all of your neighbors are doing the same thing rushing to get power may put you back in the dark.  Be sure all equipment is running correctly and safely.  Most importantly be sure all personnel are safe and accounted for.  Review with your department heads what went wrong with the plan what went right, be sure to take corrective actions to your plan.

How ready is your business for a disaster?

10/23/2017 (Permalink)

It is estimated that up to 50% of businesses that close due to a disaster, such as fire and flood never reopen!  Of the businesses that survive, the overwhelming majority of them had a preparedness plan in place.

Are you “Ready for whatever happens?”

Preparation is a key component for making it through any size disaster, whether it’s a small water leak, a large fire, or an area flood.  The best time to plan for such events is not when the event happens, but well before it happens.

The SERVPRO^® Emergency READY Profile serves as a quick reference of important building and contact information or can be an ideal supplement to any well-designed emergency preparedness or existing contingency program.  Rather than simply reacting to disaster situations, most prefer proactive measures to establish a relationship with a restoration services company.  And it’s available as a mobile app in the Google Play and iTunes stores.

By working with SERVPRO^®of West Forsyth County to develop your personalized Emergency READY Profile your business will receive the benefit of over 40 years of experience in reducing the impact of any natural or man-made disaster.  SERVPRO^® is a leader in water and fire damage response and can help you quickly get your property back in working order.

Call Ed Dean at 336-409-3060 Today for a No Cost Assessment 
of Your Facility!

Emergency planning can be the difference in open or closed

10/23/2017 (Permalink)

Even with insurance coverage, disasters can shake the foundations of even the best-managed companies. Make a business assessment for the survival of your company. Regardless of the cause of the catastrophe, a company’s very survival often depends on being prepared to responding quickly and efficiently, so a carefully constructed disaster recovery plan is one asset that every business needs. Before any calamity strikes, you should know what tasks will need to be performed to get your company running again and who will be responsible for accomplishing them. While there is no one-size-fits-all recovery plan, every business’ strategy should include some basics. Laying the groundwork by preparing to handle insurance claims, scouting viable options for temporary operations and considering the implications of various financial alternatives before trouble strikes can make the process of recovery much easier. The impacts from hazards can be reduced by investing in mitigation. If there is a potential for significant impacts, then creating a mitigation strategy should be a high priority.

 https://www.ready.gov/sites/default/files/5.2.1.0%20Risk%20Assessment%20Process.png

Insurance Considerations

Depending upon the details of the policy that you have selected for your business, commercial property insurance may cover damage or loss of the insured property, time element losses, loss mitigation costs, and loss adjustment expenses. It may also cover costs for public relations, research and development, and other necessities. When a disaster occurs, it is crucial to take the steps that will preserve and maximize your insurance coverage. To ensure that you receive all the benefits that your business is entitled to, familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of your policy before any problems arise. Work with your insurance company to create a checklist of your responsibilities after a loss to aid you in meeting deadlines and assembling documentation. Knowing what you are responsible for and being organized will make the recovery smoother and faster.

Making Your Claim

If your business is hit by disaster, set your recovery plan into motion by providing prompt notification of any claim to your insurance company. Be ready to meet any deadlines for filing proof of loss statements. If circumstances make the deadline for these statements unreasonable, get written approval for extensions. Be prepared to meet any requirements for preserving the evidence of your claim if destructive testing or immediate remediation is necessary. You will also want to record your loss mitigation efforts and the reasons that these efforts were needed.

Regardless of the cause of the catastrophe, a company’s very survival often depends on responding quickly and efficiently, so a carefully constructed disaster recovery plan is one asset that every business needs. SERVPRO of West Forsyth County has a FREE customizable app that can aid your company recover in a timely manner. 

Timing Matters

Timing is critical in insurance claims. While keeping your insurance company informed is important, you need to understand any time limitations in your policy and their potential consequences. Review your policy to see if there is a deadline for electing a valuation method. See if there is a time limit for rebuilding or replacement. You will also want to check your policy for a suit limitation clause. Most policies contain one, so you will want to be sure that it is conservatively calendared to give you time to maneuver if necessary.

Payment Possibilities

It is not surprising that cash flow is a primary concern for a business working to recover after a catastrophe. While it can take time for a claim to be settled, some insurance policies contain provisions for claim advances or partial payments. Search through your policy to see if these provisions are included and identify how you would invoke them.

Re-establishing Operations

A business impact analysis (https://www.ready.gov/business-impact-analysis) of your business before a disaster will plan and effectively get your business running smoothly again. Before anything bad happens, think about how your business could operate during the recovery phase. This may involve moving to a temporary location or finding storage for undamaged inventory or equipment, so it’s smart to be aware of the possibilities in your area. Make a note to analyze leasing and service contracts if you are forced to relocate so that you can try to tailor them to your business’s specific needs.

Property Considerations

Regardless of where you set up shop after a catastrophe, you will have to decide what to do with your original location. Is rehabilitating or rebuilding the site worthwhile? If you believe that it is, then you will need to arrange for professional remediation, design and construction services. If you decide against rebuilding, then you must figure out how to dispose of that property and acquire a new permanent location. Remember that a new location will still require design and construction services in order to modify it to suit your company’s needs. Don’t forget to review zoning issues for any new property to verify that your business will be able to build appropriate facilities and operate as desired at that location.

Financing Issues

Even with insurance, a recovery may require financing. Depending on your recovery plans, options might include a line of credit, an acquisition loan or a construction loan. In some situations, it may be possible to use legal actions to seek reimbursement from the party responsible for your loss. Weigh all the possibilities carefully and remember to consider the potential tax consequences. Understanding the pros and cons of your options before any problems start will make it easier to make smart decisions when a disaster hits.

When your business needs assistance dealing with the aftermath of a catastrophe, count on SERVPRO of West Forsyth County. Our professionals are prepared to respond, so when a significant event occurs, they’ll be there for you. Whether it is damage from flooding, a fire, a tornado, a hurricane, an ice event or a snowstorm, we have the resources and expertise to help in the Winston Salem, Forsyth County are.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County serves Winston Salem, Lewisville, Clemmons, Rural Hall, Pfafftown, Tobaccoville, and surrounding areas. It’s best to call us directly 336-946-1131 Emergency Services available 24 hrs. a day. 

Lead paint renovations in your home or office

10/19/2017 (Permalink)

Doesn’t it seem like every time you turn around there’s something new that you should avoid because it’s “toxic”? In our industry we hear about mold and asbestos all the time. Lesser known is another substance known to cause health issues: lead.  The most common place lead is found is lead-based paint. Chipping or peeling paint that contains lead and lead contaminated dust are the main sources of lead poisoning. Houses and apartments built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on the inside, outside, or both. Lead-based paint can also be found on toys, furniture, playground equipment, older cars and boats. Soil, especially around the foundation of homes and near highways, and old water pipes may also contain lead. Hobbies such as making pottery, stained glass or refinishing furniture can expose someone to lead.

Exposure to lead can result in serious health issues. The Forsyth County Environmental Health web site has more information regarding the effect of lead on the body.

Can I just paint over existing lead-based paint?

Repairing damaged painted surfaces can temporarily reduce your family’s risk of lead exposure, but it is not a permanent solution. Never use a belt sander, dry scraper/sandpaper, water blasting, torch, flame, or heat gun on painted surfaces that may contain lead. A contractor who is certified to work with lead-based paint knows how to safely work around the potential hazard and should conduct any work needed. And SERVPRO of West Forsyth is a certified lead paint renovator.

In disaster situations, we sometimes have to disturb lead paint in order to properly dry your home and make it safe. There are many jobs that we tear out drywall, and therefore paint. Enter the EPA Department of Health Services. There are laws about how to deal with structures older than 1978: we assume that lead is present unless we test for it and confirm otherwise. We use lead safe work practices, which basically means contain the workspace and make sure it gets cleaned up per EPA regulations. This makes it a safe environment for your home or workplace.

Place your trust in SERVPRO of West Forsyth County to handle all of your water, fire, smoke, mold, and vandalism damage, lead paint renovation and restoration needs.

It’s best to call us directly 336-946-1131

Is your work family ready for a disaster?

9/1/2017 (Permalink)

Businesses should take steps to prepare for all kinds of emergencies. Recent events in Texas show us the importance of preparing for as many contingencies as possible. From terrorist attacks to natural disasters anything could happen to disrupt your business.  Despite a national campaign of activities, resources and information each year less than ½ of all households surveyed could boast a plan of action already in place.  52% of businesses say it would take them 3 months to recover from a substantial loss.  But 75% of them do not have a plan in place to minimize that time or even know where they would begin to recover. Of business polled, if a disaster were to occur, 44 percent of small business owners say they don’t have access to generators — and 66 percent don’t even have business interruption insurance.

The numbers are staggering but they can be planned for and minimize the amount of disruption to your home or business. Are you ready?  On the Home front, FEMA offers lots of information for adults, children and teachers to help them assist in educating and formulating a plan for themselves and those in their care at:  http://www.ready.gov.  This site offers everything from checklists to coloring pages as well as information on how best to plan for those with special needs.

For business owners, SERVPRO of West Forsyth wants to ask Is your business ready?  50% of the businesses that suffer a disaster that causes a disruption in transactions never reopen, according to the latest research. Of the businesses that do survive an overwhelming majority had a preparedness plan in place.   A disaster recovery plan is a detailed, step-by-step course of action for getting a business back on its feet quickly following either a natural or manmade disaster. Where are your documents?  How recently was your information backed up, or updated and how do you gain access to it?  Can you reach your team members?  Answering questions like these ahead of time could be the difference between getting up and running quickly and smoothly or perhaps not at all.  Get started;   http://www.ready.gov/business offers business specific planning and resources.

SERVPRO of West Forsyth County would like to help.  By developing a SERVPRO Emergency READY Profile for your business, you’ll have an immediate plan of action. Knowing what to do and what to expect in advance is the key in minimizing how disasters can affect your business.  Customize your ready plan data on your mobile device for quick access during an emergency.  Our Emergency Ready app is available as a free download at:  http://www.SERVPRO.com/disaster-recovery

Our location off Stratford Road and I-40, SERVPRO of West Forsyth County is strategically located to quickly respond to your call anywhere in the Winston Salem area.   Call us directly at 336-946-1131