Heat Your Home Safely

Each year fire claims the lives of 3,500 Americans, injures 18,300, and causes billions of dollars worth of damage. People living in rural areas are more than twice as likely to die in a fire than those living in mid-sized cities or suburban areas. The misuse of wood stoves, portable space heaters and kerosene heaters are especially common risks in rural areas. 

All heating equipment needs space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away. Supervise children whenever a wood stove or space heater is being used. Have a three-foot "kid-free" zone around open fires and space heaters.

Wood Stoves

 

Wood stoves cause over 4,000 residential fires every year. Carefully follow the manufacturer's installation and maintenance instructions. Look for solid construction, such as plate steel or cast iron metal. Check for cracks and inspect legs, hinges and door seals for smooth joints and seams. Use only seasoned wood for fuel, not green wood, artificial logs, or trash. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets. Inspect and clean your pipes and chimneys annually and check monthly for damage or obstructions.

Electric Space Heaters

 

Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Check to make sure it has a thermostat control mechanism, and will switch off automatically if the heater falls over. Heaters are not dryers or tables; don't dry clothes or store objects on top of your heater. Plug space heaters directly into wall outlets and never into an extension cord or power strip. Always unplug your electric space heater when not in use.

Kerosene Heaters

 

Buy only heaters evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and check with your local fire department on the legality of kerosene heater use in your community. Never fill your heater with gasoline or camp stove fuel; both flare-up easily. Only use crystal clear K-1 kerosene. When refueling, allow the appliance to cool first and then refuel outside. Never overfill any portable heater. Use the kerosene heater in a well ventilated room.

 

 

Fireplaces

 

Fireplaces regularly build up creosote in their chimneys. They need to be cleaned out frequently and chimneys should be inspected for obstructions and cracks to prevent deadly chimney and roof fires. Check to make sure the damper is open before starting any fire. Never burn trash, paper or green wood in your fireplace. These materials cause heavy creosote buildup and are difficult to control. Use a screen heavy enough to stop rolling logs and big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks. Don't wear loose-fitting clothes near any open flame. Make sure the fire is completely out before leaving the house or going to bed. Allow ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from your home and any other nearby buildings. Never empty the ash directly into a trash can. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.

For more information on Home Heating Safety from FEMA, visit http://www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/heating/.

To find out how SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston responds to a fire damage, visit http://www.servprogreaternortherncharleston.com/ - you can also visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/servproofgnc.

Smoke Can Be Surprising!

The complexity of property loss or destruction due to fire damage is due to the unique behavior of smoke. Smoke can penetrate within cavities of the structure, causing hidden damage and odor.

Some things you may not know about smoke:

• Hot smoke migrates to cooler areas and upper levels of a structure.


• Smoke flows around plumbing systems, using holes around pipes to go from floor to floor.


• The type of smoke may greatly affect the fire damage restoration process.


• There are at least many types of soot and residues left behind by smoke:  Wet, Dry, Protein, Fuel Oil and others.

Having a SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston Professional inspect and pretest your home after fire damage prior to beginning the cleaning process saves time and can prevent the loss of important items or keepsakes.

For more detail on the behavior of smoke, the risk of hidden damage and how we at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help, visit our Fire Damage and Restoration page and feel free to contact us, 24/7 at (843)-747-8750 or via our Contact Us form.

Hurricane Sandy 2012

SERVPRO had more than 1,000 crews placed in the areas affected by Sandy in October 2012.  This nationwide, cooperative effort included approximately 400 franchises from California to South Carolina.  The pages below show just a small sampling of pictures and stories from SERVPRO's respose to the devastation left in Sandy's wake.  We are proud to be part of a company that is capable of responding to a large loss, like Sandy, in the same compassionate and efficient manner as we would handle a water or fire damage in your home. 

For more information on how SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston can help you

be ready BEFORE disaster strikes,

visit http://www.servprogreaternortherncharleston.com/ or call 843-747-8750.



Sustainability Through Restoration

At SERVPRO we know sustainability. We are in the business of restoration rather than replacement - this provides the benefits of not only lower costs, but also a smaller ecological footprint.
Why do we focus on restoration?

• We minimize the amount of building material discarded into landfills.
• We preserve the original architecture of building structures.
• Restoration is much more cost-efficient than replacement.
• Many items cannot be replaced, such as important documents and family heirlooms.

In addition to preserving original structures and items, a drive towards restoration can better satisfy a complete return to normalcy when catastrophe occurs. Insurance policies often have limits that cap the amount of a claim - restoration allows for minimizing the costs of returning a structure to pre-loss condition so that more of the claim can be used for other items (speaking of, do you have an up to date home inventory?)

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston

FASTER TO ANY DISASTER.

843-747-8750

info@servproofgnc.com  ~  servpronortherncharleston.com

Preparedness on a Budget

It is no secret that many families and individuals are looking to cut back on spending. But with the frequency of disasters, both natural and manmade, can you afford not to be prepared? Preparedness doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. September is National Preparedness Month, and we are asking you to help your family and friends prepare for whatever may come. Here are a few tips* on how you can protect those that matter to you without spending a fortune.

• Make a Plan. Work with you family and neighbors to make an emergency plan for the types of disasters that affect your area. Make sure everyone in your family understands where to go and what to do in case of an emergency. You can download Family Emergency Plan templates www.ready.gov/make-a-plan

• Update Contact Information. Having accurate records for family, friends and neighbors will help you stay in contact and possibly help those in need. Make sure updated contact information is posted in visible places throughout your house and workplace.

• Check Your Policy. Review your insurance policy annually and make any necessary changes – renters, too! When a disaster strikes, you want to know that your coverage will get you back on your feet.

• Make a Ready List. You may not need all of the items in ready-made preparedness kits. Choose the essentials that fit your needs and budget. Don’t forget to keep supplies at work and in your car. Sample Ready Lists can be found at www.ready.gov/document/family-supply-list

• Plan Your Purchases. You can save money by thinking ahead. Don’t buy preparedness items just before a storm when they’re expensive and supplies will be in high demand. Buy items at the end of the season when you can get good deals.

• Shop Sales. Shop at sales and used goods stores. Buy preparedness items throughout the year, instead of all at once, and you won’t notice the cost as much.

• Make Sure it Keeps. Store water in safe, containers. You don’t need to buy expensive bottled water, just make sure your water containers are disinfected and airtight

• Request a Gift. We all get things we don’t need. Suggest preparedness supplies as gifts from your friends and family. It just might save your life.

• Trade a Night Out. Trade one night out to fund your 72-hour kit. Taking a family of four to the movies can cost upwards of $80. Just one night staying in could fund your Ready kit.

*The best tip: start now. Take small steps toward preparedness and before you know it, you will be Ready! 

Got Jewelry?

We spent a little time chatting this week with our friend Carl Phillips, one of the top producers CT Lowndes here in the Lowcountry.  The topic of conversation?  Jewelry!  We were surprised to hear that Carl does NOT recommend you add your jewelry to your homeowner’s policy.  Instead, he suggests a personal articles floater for his clientele. 

According to Carl, separate coverage often results in higher limits, fewer exclusions, and the most important benefit:  Jewelry claims do not affect the homeowner coverage.  Jewelry and valuable personal items are not always actually in the home when they are lost or stolen.  However, when attached to the homeowner coverage, a claim of any size shows as a loss and counts against a “claim free” rating.   This causes many homeowners to choose to resist making the claim and simply take the loss of the jewelry in order to protect their policy premiums. 

Interested in hearing more about how you can effectively cover your valuable personal items?  Please contact Carl for details and a quote customized to suit your needs.  Be sure to tell him his friends at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston sent you!  

Click this link for all of his contact information or contact SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and ask for Beth. 

Two Step Approach to Disaster Readiness

North Charleston, SC (Grassroots Newswire) August 22, 2013 - There is no predicting when or where a disaster may strike, leaving property destruction and damage in its wake. But National Preparedness Month, sponsored each year in September by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), focuses the nation’s attention on the steps home and business owners can and should take to be ready to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

“SERVPRO^® professionals know a lot about disaster cleanup,” said Brandon Ferm, Owner of SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston. “And one of the most important things we know is that it’s better to take steps to prevent or minimize damage from an unexpected weather event or other disaster than it is to try to clean up after it. That’s why we emphasize the importance of readiness to our clients through SERVPRO’s ‘Emergency READY Program.’ Being ‘READY’ can make the difference between moving back into your home or losing it – or staying in business or closing the doors forever.”

As a National Sponsor of the American Red Cross Ready Rating Program^TM and the originator of SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, SERVPRO^® is uniquely positioned to offer North Charleston area home and business owners guidance on a robust, two-step approach to disaster planning and recovery, encompassing both readiness and recovery planning, according to Ferm.

Step 1: Readiness Planning

Knowledge is power, and the American Red Cross Ready Rating™ program is designed to help home and business owners assess their level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies in advance.  This free, web-based program, available at readyrating.org, walks responsible parties at businesses, organizations and schools through a 123-point self-assessment of their establishment’s level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies, and then offers tips and best practices to help improve their readiness.

Step 2: Recovery Planning

Through SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, local schools, businesses and other establishments can arrange for a SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston disaster recovery professional to establish an Emergency READY Profile^® (ERP) for their facility, at no charge. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about the business, including emergency contact information, shut-off valve locations and priority areas. In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by ensuring there is an immediate plan of action already in place for the facility. If disaster strikes and damages the business, the ERP can save the property owner both time and money during the recovery period. Smartphone app and web versions of the Emergency READY Program are also available.

“This two-step approach to disaster readiness makes perfect sense,” said Rick Isaacson, Executive Vice President of SERVPRO Industries, Inc., “because it provides a complete readiness solution for businesses and other property owners. In Step One, The Red Cross Ready Rating Program gives individuals the knowledge they need to take all necessary steps before disaster strikes to protect their property from damage and loss. Step Two kicks in when disaster does strike and fast response is key to minimizing damage and downtime. Knowing what to do and who to call saves critical time – and that’s where SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program can help. Together, these two programs offer maximum peace of mind to businesses and other organizations.”

SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston 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. North Charleston area residents are encouraged to contact BrandonFerm of SERVPRO^® of Greater Northern Charleston at (843) 747-8750 or beready@servproofgnc.com or visit www.servpronortherncharleston.com for information on readiness resources including SERVPRO’s free READY Plan Mobile Application, available on all smartphones.

For more information on the Red Cross Ready Rating program, please visit http://readyrating.org/.

Did you know?

~ SERVPRO was founded in 1967,

~ We are the National leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services.

~ We also specialize in mold mitigation and remediation.

~ A network of more than 1,600 individually owned and operated Franchises make up the SERVPRO family.

~ We have franchises in Canada.

~ We respond to property damage emergencies ranging from individual residential disasters to multi-million dollar commercial losses.

~ SERVPRO^® System has established relationships with all major insurance companies.

~ Most of all… We love working with our Lowcountry home and business owners!

For more information visit our Website 

or call 843-747-8750

We are available 24/7

Weather Warning!

During the last several weeks in the Charleston area, few have escaped the hair raising severe weather alerts screaming from our radios, televisions and now, even our smartphones.   Flash flood warnings have just about become the norm.  We did a little digging into where those alerts are generated and found that it takes an impressive amount of study and testing by NOAA's National Severe Storms Lab to ensure those alerts get to us as quickly and as accurately as possible.

From collecting local information thru public survey responses to simulated weather projects, the NSSL is constantly increasing our understanding of the science behind forecasting the weather and providing weather warnings with the most lead time possible.  Every day they are discovering new information that will ultimately translate into local protocols that will improve the safety of our communities, here at home, under the threat of severe weather.  

Want to know more?  Click here to check out the full scoop on the National Severe Storms Lab.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston wishes everyone in Charleston and the surrounding areas a disaster free storm season.  However, if your home or business experiences a water intrusion and you find yourself in need of a little help getting back up and running, don't hesitate to call.  We are here for you ~ 24/7!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston

FASTER TO ANY DISASTER.

843-747-8750

info@servproofgnc.com  ~  servpronortherncharleston.com

Annual Emergency Expo 2013

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is excited to be participating in this years Annual Emergency Presented by Lowcountry Community Emergency Response Team at the Lowe's on Northwoods Blvd.  The festivities begin Saturday morning, June 1st at 11:00 am and will continue until 2 pm (Details below).

Check that "Trip to Lowe's" off your To Do List tomorrow and while you are there, be sure to drop by our tent!  We will be the one's with the BIG green truck!

We are looking forward to helping your family safely thru the 2013 Storm Season.   Can't make it, but interested in how we can help you be prepared in the event of a severe storm? Call 843-747-8750 and ask for Bryan.  Or contact us thru our website.

____________________________________________

Just a little shout out to our host and sponsor!

 Lowe's -- Northwoods Blvd

Lowcountry Community Emergency Response Team

____________________________________________

Full Detail for Saturday's Event:

Annual Emergency Expo 2013

Date: Saturday June 1, 2013
Time: 11am - 2pm
Location: Lowes, North Charleston
7555 Northwoods Blvd, North Charleston, SC 29406

Lowcountry CERT and Lowes of North Charleston are partnering together for our joint Annual Emergency Expo. The event is free to the public!

This Tri-County event is designed to get the word out to our neighbors on what is needed to prepare and to protect your life and property. As in the past we will have Fire, Police, US Coast Guard, DHEC, volunteer organizations and other Tri-County Emergency Services Providers present to demonstrate how they serve the communities.

The event will also include:

• Interactive displays from over 40 federal, county and municipal governments, volunteer organizations and local businesses to include rescue boats, fire trucks, etc.
• New York Life's Child I.D. program will be offering FREE Child IDs at this event. The Child IDs include your child’s photo, digitally-scanned fingerprints, and emergency contact information and other pertinent information needed by the police in case of an emergency. A Child I.D. card is printed for each parent or guardian free of charge. Please note that children must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
• Free inspections and installations of car seats are being offered to Lowcountry parents. Certified car seat technicians will be on hand to check car seats for proper installation as well as install new car seats free of charge. The City of North Charleston Fire Department is offering this service in partnership with Safe Kids Trident Area and several area fire departments. The safety check station will open at 11 a.m. and run until 1 p.m.

Tuesday Tip ~ May 21, 2013

Unclog and freshen your drains without using harsh chemicals!  Among it's many uses... Baking Soda can be trusted with your slow moving drains and musty odors.  A single use can help clear clogged lines and regular use will help to keep them clear as well as keep odors at bay.  Click here to check out a couple different "how to" methods.

Baking Soda, aka bicarbonate,  should be a staple item in any household toolbox.  Here are 50 more ideas how you can replace many harsh chemical based products in your home. 

Have a stain too tough for the faithful bicarb?
Wait too long to unclog that sink and it's overflowed into your bathroom?
Have no fear! SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is here to make it like it never even happened!  Call anytime ~ 24/7 ~ (843) 747-8750.

A SERVPRO SUPER SUMMER!

Thank you SO much to our 2013 Super Summer Contributors!  

We had a great time at this Charleston Chamber of Commerce's 2013 Business Expo. 

Please take a minute to visit our these generous local businesses.

Whether you are flying out to see friends and family,
in need of a date night,
looking for adventure on the water or
wanting to burn off a little energy...
These contributors have you covered!

2 Free Rides to Charleston International Airport from

Charleston Green Taxi

Find them on Facebook!

Paintball for 4 from
Paintball Charleston
Find them on Facebook!

2 Paddleboard Rentals from:
Odyssey Board Shop
Find them on Facebook!

2 Dolphin Sunset Tours to Capers Island from
Barrier Island Eco Tours
Find them on Facebook!

Gift Certificate from
Foster's Pub
Find them on Facebook!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston hopes you and your family have a safe and disaster free Summer.   However, we are here, around the clock, in the event that your Summer fun gets interrupted by a water or fire damage in your home or business.  843-747-8750 ~ 24/7  Save that number in your phone and relax knowing that peace of mind is just a phone call away!

We love doing business with you Charleston!

How to Trace a Plumbing Water Leak

Tracing a leak in your home’s plumbing can be tricky, but it is necessary to avoid the potential damage that leaking pipes can cause. Finding the source of the leak depends largely on the type of leak you have. A leaking pipe under your sink is easier to find than one that is blocked by ceilings or walls. The first step to tracing the leaking pipe is to determine that you do indeed have a leak, and then you must inspect each room of your home.

Confirm the Leak

Move appliances out of their location wherever possible to look for the source of the moisture. A damaged supply line on a dishwasher, for example, will leak water around the appliance. If this does not reveal the source of moisture, turn off every faucet, appliance and fixture in your home that uses water, and mark where the needle is pointing on your water meter with a pencil or a piece of tape. Leave fixtures, faucets and appliances off for about eight hours, and read the meter again. If the needle has moved, this indicates a leak somewhere in your plumbing system.

Kitchens and Bathrooms

Open cabinet doors beneath sinks and shine a flashlight inside to look for moisture at joints and at the bottom of the P trap. Signs of a leaking pipe may also include corrosion on the supply line fittings and valves. Clear out the cabinet and examine the bottom for water stains, dampness, mold or mildew, and buckled or peeling material, which indicates a leak has occurred. Tighten fittings and wipe away moisture. Turn the water back on to see if this fixes the problem. Sometimes the leak is in the supply valve or line, and it will be evident when the supply is turned off and then activated again. If this is the problem, replace the leaking supply line. You can do the same for all water-using fixtures and appliances such as your toilet, dishwasher and refrigerator.

Floors, Walls, and Ceilings

Examine the flooring around fixtures and appliances that use water, including toilets, bathtubs, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Cracked or warped flooring or spongy spots in the floor indicate the presence of moisture and a possible leak. Examine the walls and ceilings in rooms located directly beneath bathrooms as well. Stains on the ceiling or walls, and bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper, indicate a leak somewhere in those pipes. Contact a plumber to inspect and repair the leak, and to confirm its location before you begin ripping out walls or floors.

Basements and Crawlspaces

Inspect exposed pipes in basements and crawlspaces. Corrosion or moisture present around the pipes indicates a leak. If you see mold, mildew or rotted wood around these pipes, your leak is probably in this area. Water tends to travel downward, and often the location of water stains is not the exact location of the leaking pipe. Still, it is a good indicator of the general area of the source of moisture.

Types of Carpet Stains

Many stains on your carpet can be cleaned yourself - knowing about the type of stain is the first step in addressing the cleanup.

Water-Soluble Stains

• alcoholic beverages
• berries
• colas
• excrement
• food dyes
• gravy
• ice cream
• jelly
• milk
• mud
• washable ink
• wet or latex paint

Use a simple cleaning solution made up of 1/4 teaspoon of nonbleach detergent (or white vinegar) mixed with 32 ounces of water.

 

Special Water-Soluble Stains

• blood
• chocolate
• coffee
• mustard
• tea
• vomit
• wine

Try 1 tablespoon of ammonia mixed with 1 cup of water (but not on wool or wool-blend carpet; instead use mild detergent and water). If that doesn't work, you can try one part chlorine bleach to five parts water, but only on solution-dyed carpets, such as polypropylene. Bleach will harm other types of carpets; check with the manufacturer if you are unsure what type of carpet you have.

 

Fat, Oil, and Wax

Place a paper towel over the carpet and iron on warm setting. The wax, fat, or oil should come up off the carpet and stick to the paper towel.

 

Cigarette Burns

These can be removed by gently rubbing the pile with the edge of a hard and flat surface, such as a dull knife.

 

Glue

Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol and press it on the affected area. Once the glue residue is thoroughly moistened, gently wipe it off and repeat until the carpet is clean.

 

Wax and Gum

Use ice to freeze the wax or gum, then shatter it with a blunt object, such as a spoon. Vacuum before the pieces soften, and blot the carpet with a white towel.

 

Nail Polish

Blot the area with a rag dipped in nail polish remover.  

Urine

Absorb as much as possible with white towels, then blot with a damp, cool cloth. Next, spray or blot with a solution of one part white vinegar to one part water. Finally, apply a solution of 1/2 teaspoon of clear, mild, nonbleach detergent mixed with 32 ounces of water, rinse, and blot dry. If the urine was the result of a dog's accident, you may also want to try a housebreaking aid such as No-Go. 
 

HVAC Maintenance

Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.

A typical maintenance check-up should include the following:

• Check thermostat settings to ensure the cooling and heating system keeps you comfortable when you are home and saves energy while you are away.
• Tighten all electrical connections and measure voltage and current on motors. Faulty electrical connections can cause unsafe operation of your system and reduce the life of major components.
• Lubricate all moving parts. Parts that lack lubrication cause friction in motors and increases the amount of electricity you use.
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioner, furnace and/or heat pump (when in cooling mode). A plugged drain can cause water damage in the house and affect indoor humidity levels.
• Check controls of the system to ensure proper and safe operation. Check the starting cycle of the equipment to assure the system starts, operates, and shuts off properly.

Cooling Specific

• Clean evaporator and condenser air conditioning coils. Dirty coils reduce the system's ability to cool your home and cause the system to run longer, increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Check your central air conditioner's refrigerant level and adjust if necessary. Too much or too little refrigerant will make your system less efficient increasing energy costs and reducing the life of the equipment.
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow for greater comfort levels. Airflow problems can reduce your system's efficiency by up to 15 percent.

Heating Specific

• Check all gas (or oil) connections, gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger. Improperly operating gas (or oil) connections are a fire hazard and can contribute to health problems. A dirty burner or cracked heat exchanger causes improper burner operation. Either can cause the equipment to operate less safely and efficiently.

Actions To Do Yourself

• Inspect, clean, or change air filters once a month in your central air conditioner, furnace, and/or heat pump. Your contractor can show you how to do this. A dirty filter can increase energy costs and damage your equipment, leading to early failure.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston
  FASTER TO ANY DISASTER.
  843-747-8750
  info@servproofgnc.com  ~  servpronortherncharleston.com
  
  
  
   

Earth Day: The History of A Movement

Each year, Earth Day -- April 22 -- marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970.

The height of hippie and flower-child culture in the United States, 1970 brought the death of Jimi Hendrix, the last Beatles album, and Simon & Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. Protest was the order of the day, but saving the planet was not the cause. War raged in Vietnam, and students nationwide increasingly opposed it.

At the time, Americans were slurping leaded gas through massive V8 sedans. Industry belched out smoke and sludge with little fear of legal consequences or bad press. Air pollution was commonly accepted as the smell of prosperity. “Environment” was a word that appeared more often in spelling bees than on the evening news.  Although mainstream America remained oblivious to environmental concerns, the stage had been set for change by the publication of Rachel Carson's New York Times bestseller Silent Spring in 1962.  The book represented a watershed moment for the modern environmental movement, selling more than 500,000 copies in 24 countries and, up until that moment, more than any other person, Ms. Carson raised public awareness and concern for living organisms, the environment and public health.

Earth Day 1970 capitalized on the emerging consciousness, channeling the energy of the anti-war protest movement and putting environmental concerns front and center.

The idea came to Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator. Hayes built a national staff of 85 to promote events across the land.

As a result, on the 22nd of April, 20 million Americans took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies. Thousands of colleges and universities organized protests against the deterioration of the environment. Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values.

Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders. The first Earth Day led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species Acts. "It was a gamble," Gaylord recalled, "but it worked."

As 1990 approached, a group of environmental leaders asked Denis Hayes to organize another big campaign. This time, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people in 141 countries and lifting environmental issues onto the world stage. Earth Day 1990 gave a huge boost to recycling efforts worldwide and helped pave the way for the 1992 United Nations Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It also prompted President Bill Clinton to award Senator Nelson the Presidential Medal of Freedom (1995) -- the highest honor given to civilians in the United States -- for his role as Earth Day founder.

As the millennium approached, Hayes agreed to spearhead another campaign, this time focused on global warming and a push for clean energy. With 5,000 environmental groups in a record 184 countries reaching out to hundreds of millions of people, Earth Day 2000 combined the big-picture feistiness of the first Earth Day with the international grassroots activism of Earth Day 1990. It used the Internet to organize activists, but also featured a talking drum chain that traveled from village to village in Gabon, Africa, and hundreds of thousands of people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, DC. Earth Day 2000 sent world leaders the loud and clear message that citizens around the world wanted quick and decisive action on clean energy.

Much like 1970, Earth Day 2010 came at a time of great challenge for the environmental community. Climate change deniers, well-funded oil lobbyists, reticent politicians, a disinterested public, and a divided environmental community all contributed to a strong narrative that overshadowed the cause of progress and change. In spite of the challenge, for its 40th anniversary, Earth Day Network reestablished Earth Day as a powerful focal point around which people could demonstrate their commitment. Earth Day Network brought 225,000 people to the National Mall for a Climate Rally, amassed 40 million environmental service actions toward its 2012 goal of A Billion Acts of Green®, launched an international, 1-million tree planting initiative with Avatar director James Cameron and tripled its online base to over 900,000 community members.

The fight for a clean environment continues in a climate of increasing urgency, as the ravages of climate change become more manifest every day. We invite you to be a part of Earth Day and help write many more victories and successes into our history. Discover energy you didn't even know you had. Feel it rumble through the grassroots under your feet and the technology at your fingertips. Channel it into building a clean, healthy, diverse world for generations to come.

Discover more at Earth Day Network

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston

FASTER TO ANY DISASTER.

843-747-8750

info@servproofgnc.com  ~  servpronortherncharleston.com

Mold Cleanup & Restoration

In most water damage situations, mold growth is not a problem, and SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston professionals can safely restore your home or business to preloss condition.  However, in conditions of excessive and/or prolonged moisture, mold growth becomes a potentially dangerous issue. The need to address the mold removal can only be determined by an on-site, indoor environmental inspection.

In some situations an indoor air quality professional will be required to create a restoration plan for your home. SERVPRO is experienced at carrying out the assigned mold remediation plan and working to make it "Like it Never Even Happened."

The Key Steps to Mold Control

Front side of wall-board looks fine,
but the back side is covered with mold.

1. Assess the size of mold problem and note type of mold-damaged materials.
   Mold most often grows on high-cellulose materials such as drywall, wood, paper, and ceiling tiles.While usually obvious, in many cases the growth is occurring in hidden areas such as the back side of drywall, wallpaper, or paneling, the top of ceiling tiles, the underside of carpets and pads. SERVPRO professionals uncover these difficult to identify but potentially dangerous mold infestations.
2. Communicate with building occupants throughout process as appropriate to situation.
   Protecting the health and safety of the building occupants is paramount - consult a health professional as needed. In some cases, especially those involving large areas of contamination, the remediation plan may include temporary relocation of some or all of the building occupants.
   See also: Health Effects of Indoor Mold
3. Identify source or cause of water or moisture problem.
   When addressing mold problems, we must always address the source of the moisture problem, or the mold problem may simply reappear. We check for high humidity and condensation problems as well as actual water leaks, maintenance issues, and HVAC system problems.
4. Fix water or moisture problem.
   In many cases a professional plumbing or HVAC technician must be consulted to correct a water leak or HVAC moisture problem. If you do not have one already, we can refer one of several reliable companies in the Charleston area.
5. Clean and dry moldy materials.
   Our specialized cleaning agents are designed to safely remove mold contamination from a variety of surfaces and materials. We then dry any non-moldy items within 48 hours to prevent further growth. There are sometimes moldy items and materials that cannot be cleaned and will pose a health risk if not removed - in these cases we work with you to properly discard and replace the affected areas.
6. Check for return of moisture and mold problem.
   Signs of a recurrence include the presence of visible mold, strong musty odors, any evidence of past moisture problems, and excessive humidity.

Excessive amounts of mold and certain types of mold may present health concerns. It is essential for the health of you and your family, as well as the protection of your property, to address the issue and arrange for professionals to conduct mold removal and mold remediation as soon as the presence of mold is identified.

If you think you might have a mold problem, call SERVPRO of Northern Charleston at (843) 747-8750 to schedule an inspection or mold removal.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston

FASTER TO ANY DISASTER.

843-747-8750

info@servproofgnc.com  ~  servpronortherncharleston.com