Deadly substances, dangerous items and nasty things!

3/20/2023 (Permalink)

What shouldn't you do?

You should not try to clean any substance that you're a questionable about! You should never try and pick up drugs or needles and if so, do so carefully and dispose of properly. You should never approach a cleaning of a dirty or nasty hazard without the proper training and equipment! 

What should you do?

You should call SERVPRO of Flagler County to handle any biohazard need you may have! We have the proper training, knowledge, know-how and experience to tackle the toughest of biohazard jobs. There are levels of biohazards and many of them can be hard to understand if you're not familiar but here they are!

1. Human blood and blood products

Bodily fluids, tissues that contain blood, serum, plasma, and other blood components in liquid or semi-liquid form are examples of biological hazards.

2. Animal waste

Any animal body part or the beddings of infected animals are also considered as biological hazards.

3. Human bodily matter

Direct contact with biological hazards such as human bodily matter in the workplace—blood, saliva, urine, and mucus—is highly risky most especially to healthcare workers.

4. Microbiological waste

Usually found in laboratories, this waste may contain concentrated forms of infectious products, such as blood or bodily fluids that have infectious pathogens, specimen cultures, and viruses.

5. Pathological waste

This covers any human body part, tissue, or organ that may have been taken out during surgical procedures.

6. Sharps waste

Belonging to the larger group of infectious waste, this type of biological hazard pertains to syringes, sharp tools, and broken glass that are at risk of pathogenic cross-contamination and piercing through human skin protection.

7. Molds and yeasts

These are found in nature, needed for the breakdown of plant debris. Such microorganisms can enter a building directly or their spores can be carried in by the air. For some people, inhalation of the molds, fragments of the molds, or spores can lead to serious health problems or worsen certain health conditions.

8. Organic material

Workers may also be exposed to rubbish, wastewater and sewerage, plant materials, and organic dust.

9. Airborne pathogens

Pathogenic microbes, which are small enough to be discharged from an infected person, are easily transmitted through sneezing, coughing, and direct or close contact.

10. Stinging insects

As these can be found throughout various geographic regions, stinging insects are especially dangerous to outdoor workers. Such insects include bees, wasps, hornets, and non-venomous and venomous spiders.

• Biohazard Level 1: Often pertains to agents that include viruses and bacteria, this biosafety level requires minimal precaution, such as wearing face masks and maintaining no close contact. The biological hazard examples in the first level include E.coli and other non-infectious bacteria.
• Biohazard Level 2: Usually causing severe diseases to humans, the second level classifies agents that can be transmitted through direct contact with infected materials. HIV and hepatitis B are some biological hazard examples that pose moderate risks to humans.
• Biohazard Level 3: Mainly through respiratory transmission, pathogens that are highly likely to become airborne can cause serious or lethal diseases to humans. Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria that causes tuberculosis, is an example of a level-3 biohazard.
• Biohazard Level 4: Extremely dangerous pathogens that expose humans to life-threatening diseases, the fourth and last level requires workers to utilize maximum protection and containment. Some biological hazard examples are the Ebola virus and the Lassa virus.

After some examples and levels of Biohazard, you can easily tell how it can be dangerous and, in some cases, scary! However, our team has it all under control and can handle all this and more especially if it's for our customers safety. You can call us at (386) 447-2202 for all your Bio needs 24/7 around the clock!

Who do you call when you spill something toxic or need a cleanup of something gross?

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

WHAT ARE SOME BIOHAZARD EXAMPLES?

• Human blood and blood products. This includes items that have been affected by blood and other body fluids or tissues that contain visible blood.
• Animal waste. Animal carcasses and body parts, or any bedding material used by animals that are known to be infected with pathogenic organisms.
• Human body fluids. Semen, cerebrospinal fluid, pleural fluid, vaginal secretions, pericardial fluid, amniotic fluid and saliva.
• Microbiological wastes. Common in laboratory settings, examples of microbiological wastes include specimen cultures, disposable culture dishes, discarded viruses, and devices used to transfer or mix cultures.
• Pathological waste. Unfixed human tissue (excluding skin), waste biopsy materials, and anatomical parts from medical procedures or autopsies.
• Sharps waste. Needles, glass slides and cover slips, scalpels, and IV tubing that has the needle attached.

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences. A failure to properly remove such substances can contribute to unhealthy and dangerous environments. SERVPRO of Flagler County is trained to safely remove biohazards and dispose of them properly in accordance with OSHA and health regulations.

Equipped with the necessary safety apparatus and cleaning products, we can help transform these unhealthy environments back into clean, safe homes and offices.

Please refer to our Biohazard Emergency Tips - Until Help Arrives Guide and follow these tips to protect yourself and your property.

Need Biohazard Cleanup Services?
Call Us Today – (386) 447-2202

Bio jobs are for the pros over at SERVPRO!

3/10/2023 (Permalink)

When you think of biohazard cleanup, you might imagine laboratories or private facilities. However, this type of cleaning service often involves sanitizing offices or other workplaces. The following guide explains why this practice is essential.

What Is Biohazard Cleanup?

A biohazard is any potential threat to the environment or human health caused by biological agents. Common biohazards include human bodily fluids, rodent droppings, drug residue, and chemical waste. Bodily fluids are spread by coughing and sneezing, which can increase the spread of viruses. Biohazard cleanup sanitizes the area and reduces the risk of infection. As a result, it makes your workplace safe for you and your employees.

What Are Its Benefits?

Since the pandemic began, many businesses have been operating remotely to follow social distancing guidelines. However, as employees return to the workplace, it's more important than ever to sanitize and disinfect your premises to prevent infection. This precaution can improve productivity since your employees will know that you're prioritizing their health. Your team members won't have to take breaks to find disinfecting wipes and sanitize their areas. Also, since you'll prevent the spread of disease, there will be fewer employee absences. 

Why Should You Hire Professionals?

Professional cleaners have the expertise and personal protective equipment to sanitize correctly and safely. They use the proper chemicals to destroy microbial contaminants and know where to apply them for the best results. A team of professionals will clean door handles, light switches, desktops, and other necessary locations. 

If your business is opening up again and requires biohazard cleanup, contact SERVPRO of Flagler County in St. Augustine, FL. This local company offers commercial and residential cleaning services. We will disinfect surfaces and prevent the spread of disease to keep your workplace safe and productive. We can also provide mold remediation, water damage restoration, and fire damage repairs. Visit the website to learn more or call (386) 447-2202 to schedule biohazard cleanup. You can also check out our online videos.

How does water damage affect your property in Flagler County?

2/8/2023 (Permalink)

Here is a commercial water loss job that SERVPRO will have like new in no time.

Some examples of how water damage that is left unattended can wreak havoc on your home or business include:

• Mold growth within 24 hours of exposure or with any lingering moisture left behind.
• Swelling and warping in drywall, floorboards, and ceiling
• Discoloration of exposed materials
• Unhealthy humidity levels
• Cracking foundation
• Deterioration of support beams
• Peeling paint and wallpaper

All of which SERVPRO of Flagler County has worked with using on the top-of-the-line equipment and professional care!

With the risk of mold and unhealthy humidity levels can also put your health at risk, making water damage cleanup even more urgent. There are also risks that often fly under the radar when considering water damage repair. Contaminants in the water can put you at great risk if you are not properly equipped to handle the job. Things like bacteria, chemicals, and even raw sewage can be lingering below the surface of your water damage, requiring professional care and attention in order to eliminate any immediate or future threats.

At SERVPRO of Flagler County, we know just how important it is to begin water removal and water damage repair right away. We will work quickly and efficiently without sacrificing quality of work or attention to detail.

Call us today at (386) 447-2202!

What damages can come from a fire?

2/2/2023 (Permalink)

Flagler Fire Damage

Smoke damage
The residues, gases, and vapors produced by fire are products of incomplete combustion (PIC) that can include particle matter (PM), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, heavy metals, dioxins, and other complex chemical compounds, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Centers for Disease Control. Chemical composition varies with the material burned, the amount of oxygen available, combustion temperature, and humidity. These variables change during the fire, as do the resulting PICs.

Heat damage
Damage from high heat is easily identified as physical damage, char, or blistering. Temperatures in a structure fire can exceed 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat can cause damage to surfaces and materials at much lower temperatures. For example, gypsum goes through a process of calcination at 176 degrees Fahrenheit where it changes both physically and chemically (release of water). At this point, the gypsum becomes brittle and can begin to crumble. The “heat line” is a visible demarcation between heavy and light smoke residue. An easy way to determine if the gypsum is damaged is to tap the drywall below the heat line and above the heat line; there will be an audible difference in the tone where this calcination has occurred. The heat line can be used as a reference to determine the potential restorability of structural components and contents.

Pressure damage
All fire damage has a pressure component that can help us understand why PICs end up in seemingly odd areas. A protein fire produces little pressure, but thermal dynamics will cause the PICs to be attracted to cool surfaces either by pressure or condensation. Areas in the kitchen behind cabinets and appliance mounting cavities, cool closets several closed doors beyond the source, and the inside of cabinets and case goods are suspect locations of residue and odors. Cleaning to remove the PICs will resolve the associated protein odor.

Addressing damages
Depending on the nature of the smoke and the surface involved, PICs often can be successfully removed by cleaning provided there is no heat damage. Heat damage often requires refinishing or replacing the surface. When addressing fire damage, restoration professionals must understand and consider the dynamics of fire, smoke, heat, and pressures to accurately assess the damage and prepare a successful scope of work.

Our team of technicians are professionally trained and super experienced with fire damage and know that it can be difficult to take in. However, we provide 24/7 service to keep damages to a minimum and get the restoration process done at a more rapid pace. Whether that be smoke, soot or odor! SERVPRO of Flagler County is ready for you call when you need us or if you have any questions or concerns at (386) 447-2202!

When you find mold at your Flagler property, who are you calling?

2/2/2023 (Permalink)

Must Knows on mold!

Ten Things You Should Know About Mold:

1. Potential health effects and symptoms associated with mold exposures include allergic reactions, asthma, and other respiratory complaints.  
2. There is no practical way to eliminate all mold and mold spores in the indoor environment; the way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.
3. If mold is a problem in your home or school, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.
4. Fix the source of the water problem or leak to prevent mold growth.
5. Reduce indoor humidity (to 30-60%) to decrease mold growth by: venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing, and cleaning.
6. Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.
7. Clean mold off hard surfaces with water and detergent, and dry completely. Absorbent materials such as ceiling tiles, that are moldy, may need to be replaced.
8. Prevent condensation: Reduce the potential for condensation on cold surfaces (i.e., windows, piping, exterior walls, roof, or floors) by adding insulation.
9. In areas where there is a perpetual moisture problem, do not install carpeting (i.e., by drinking fountains, by classroom sinks, or on concrete floors with leaks or frequent condensation).
10. Molds can be found almost anywhere; they can grow on virtually any substance, providing moisture is present. There are molds that can grow on wood, paper, carpet, and foods.

Key points to keep in mind:

• The key to mold control is moisture control.
• If mold is a problem in your home, you should clean up the mold promptly and fix the water problem.
• It is important to dry water-damaged areas and items within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

Mold can grow from any water source in as little as 48 hours, the water can come from anywhere, including humidity, a drip from a water supply line, from your widows or your roof. Once the mold begins to grow it can spread throughout your home or business quickly - infecting the air conditioning system; duct work; walls; floors;  and the contents unless taken care of quickly. If your home or business has a mold problem, call SERVPRO of Flagler County, we are a State of Florida Licensed Mold Remediation Contractor who has the expertise to inspect and assess your property and use our specialized training, equipment, and expertise to remediate your mold infestation.

 If You See Signs of Mold,
Call Us Today – (386) 447-2202

Flager commercial properties are in good hands with SERVPRO!

1/26/2023 (Permalink)

Pictured here is a larger commercial water loss that SERVPRO has completed to make the facility like it never happened.

SERVPRO of Flagler County

A commercial building is abuilding that is used for commercial use. Types can include office buildings, warehouses, or retail. In urban locations, a commercial building often combines functions, and can often times have several companies in one large commercial building with levels and floors that reach into the double digits. SERVPRO has the experience with commercial jobs that many others may not know! To operate on a commercial job is a scale up meaning more equipment, more manpower, planning knowledge, correct pricing and overall experience. 

Residentials are far more different than commercial jobs. As both are taken with extreme care and detailed commercial jobs tend to be larger and damages tend to be more in depth meaning they can be tougher than most. This isn't always the case but it's the realty more often than not. With different forms and more people involved then just you and the homeowner the process can sometimes be longer if insurance is involved and SERVPRO knows that we have done several commercial jobs and will continue to do more as they come. 

SERVPRO helps commercial customers with a wide variety of cleaning, construction and restoration projects, both large and small. When your commercial property is suddenly hit with damage due to a storm, flood, fire or other disaster, it can leave you, your employees and customers in shock. It’s important to know that you have professional large-loss specialists to handle the restoration process as quickly as possible so that you can get back to business. SERVPRO’s Disaster Recovery Team is an elite team of technicians. We’re strategically located and prequalified to respond Faster to any size disaster.

If have a commercial disaster or job call us today at 386-447-2202

Storm response in Florida is a necessity.

1/18/2023 (Permalink)

24/7 Storm Response

SERVPRO of Flagler County has been working year-round to prepare and be ready and equipped for these devastating storms! Whether you think you will be affected by a storm or not, SERVPRO will be here to help you in the case it brews your way. From these storms we see a great deal of lighting that should not be taken lightly as it packs a punch in fire damage jobs and is often times overlooked as a possibility. Of course, these storms bring major water damages to the whole coast and that's just strong storms. Sometimes these storms can be paired with harsh winds, surges, floodtides and excess amounts of rainfall. Often times restoration companies are aware of storms and will prepare ahead of time, SERVPRO of Flagler County stays ready all the time so we don't have to get ready! If you call us in the middle of the night you will get a real person, not an automated line! 

In Flagler County we have hurricane season, which has been known to cause a great deal of water damage. It can be caused by intrusion on the property or appliance malfunction due to power problems during the storm. Although that is just a couple of main causes there are many other scenarios that we have seen and heard of! All of them can be fixed by SERVPRO like it never happened! Our team is highly trained with years of experience on many storm jobs and are very communicative and responsive to any and all disasters.

(386) 447-2202
CALL NOW for a free estimate or any questions or concerns you may have!

SERVPRO of Flagler County

What you need to know about emergency fires!

1/15/2023 (Permalink)

Fire damage is one of the more serious damages as it not only puts your life at risk but also your home and lifestyle!

What does a fire need?

Heat is the first and most essential element that a fire needs. A fire can't even start or spread unless there's a significant amount of heat involved. Fuel is the second element found in the fire triangle. The fire will need a fuel source in order to continue to burn. The fuel can be anything that's flammable such as paper, wood, fabric, chemicals or combustible materials. Oxygen is the last element in the fire triangle. It's also one of the more important factors because oxygen is everywhere. A fire needs oxygen in order to ignite and continue to burn.

How do most fires start?

• Cooking Accidents
• Heating Systems 
•  Intentional Fires 
• Cigarettes
• The Dryer 
• Chemical Fires
• Grills
• Overloaded Power Boards
• Holiday Lights
• Faulty Wiring
• Faulty Appliances
• Charging Appliances

If you want to keep you and your home safe from fire, knowing how house fires start is one way to stay proactive. Take the precautions necessary and you can keep yourself, your family, and your entire home from getting burned. Have a family meeting and discuss what to do in the event of a fire. While you cannot know when or if a fire will start, you can reduce the risk to your family by having an evacuation plan.

What to do in the event of a fire?

According to the National Fire Protection Association, house fires are responsible for more than 2,600 fatalities per year. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are fire protection steps you can take to keep your family safe in the event of a home fire. If you can extinguish the fire, do so thoroughly. If not, run for safety and call for help. To make your way through a fire, crawl beneath the smoke and be sure to avoid going through doors that are hot. Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL 9-1-1 or your local emergency phone number. 

After the fire is put out and the damage is assessed allow our SERVPRO team to come in and restore your home or place of business to the best of our abilities! Our goal is to make it "like it never happened". Fire damage can easily be the toughest damage that we see. This is because fire damage can not only burn structure to an ash but also because if the fire department has to use a large amount of water, then we are looking at water damage as well. SERVPRO of Greater St. Augustine / St. Augustine Beach is on call 24/7 and wants to be on site as soon as possible to get everything cleaned up and restored in no time. We also deodorize as soon as possible so that fire odor doesn't stick around, and you can breathe. Our technicians are trained to get your place looking how it looked pre-fire with top-of-the-line equipment and customer service.

Contact us today for a free estimate or an emergency/ SERVPRO of Flagler County at (386) 447-2202

What Are the Most Common Causes of Fires in the Workplace?

1/11/2023 (Permalink)

Most people are concerned with fire prevention in their homes, but it’s also vital to consider potential fires in the workplace. There were 123 fatalities due to injuries from fires and explosions in 2021, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Offices, restaurants, hotels, and other facilities are full of potential fire hazards. To avoid fires and costly fire restoration, it’s important to be aware of these dangers. The following are some of the most common causes of workplace fires that your business should prevent. 

3 Common Causes of Workplace Fires

1. Flammable Materials

If you work in an industry that uses flammable materials like propane, natural gas, or combustible vapors, be sure to handle storage well. If these substances ever come in contact with a flame, they could start a fire or even cause an explosion. These significant accidents can make fire restoration more difficult. Protect your workers by properly storing flammable substances away from electrical sources. 

2. Faulty Electrical Wiring

Electrical equipment is one of the top causes of workplace fires. If the wiring is old or damaged, it could overheat and combust. Overloaded outlets could also be a hazard, leading to major damage requiring fire restoration. To prevent fires caused by defective wiring, be sure to have your business’s electrical work inspected regularly. You should also avoid overloading circuits and talk to an electrical professional about how to best arrange electronics. Create policies to prevent employees from using risky high-wattage or high-heat appliances like personal space heaters in the office. 

3. Negligence 

Many fires happen due to accidents and human error. This could include improper disposal of cigarettes at a work site or leaving an open flame unattended. Your business may also have outdated fire safety measures or hard-to-reach fire extinguishers, causing a small flame to turn into a powerful blaze. To avoid fires due to negligence, be sure that all of your employees are well-versed in fire safety and response. 

If you need fire restoration after a workplace incident, call the team at SERVPRO of Flagler County. We offer water damage restoration, fire restoration, water extraction, mold remediation, and emergency cleaning services for Florida residents and businesses. We will customize a plan to fit your needs, so you can move on with your life as soon as possible. Call us at 386-447-2202 to schedule an appointment.