Fire Prevention Week a great time to check on your Smoke Alarms

10/3/2016 (Permalink)

Smoke Alarms should be replaced every 10 years

“Don't Wait: Check the Date! Replace Smoke Alarms Every 10 Years,” is the official theme for this year's Fire Prevention Week campaign, October 9-15, 2016. 

Per the National Fire Protection Association, the decision to focus on Smoke Alarms for the third year in a row was based on the fact that recent studies have shown that only a small percentage of people actually know the age of the smoke alarms in their own home.  Much less, a majority of people were completely unaware that a smoke alarm should be replaced every 10 years.

Because a large portion of the public is unaware of this requirement, many homes most likely have smoke alarms far past their expiration date, which puts people at a much greater risk in the event of a fire.

Because Fire Prevention Week was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire, we here in Chicago, should make sure to heed the advice of the NFPA. 

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3rd Wettest July on Record for Illinois

8/10/2016 (Permalink)

3rd Wettest July on Record

According to the National Weather Service (www.weather.gov) July 2016 was the 3^rd wettest July on record for the state of Illinois.  Closer to home, this past month was the 13^th wettest July on record for the City of Chicago, since 1871! 

After the third wettest July on record in Illinois, the NOAA Climate Prediction Center released their latest August outlook this past Saturday. They have the northern two-thirds of Illinois in this region with an increased chance of above-normal rainfall in August.  If you wish to see a map of their prediction, check out the link below (See first map, green shading):

https://climateillinois.wordpress.com/2016/08/02/august-forecast-wet-for-illinois/#more-8673

The message in all of this is that July was pretty wet, and August looks to be more of the same.  Now, while rainfall is certainly good for farmers and your home’s landscaping, it can do quite a bit of damage if it manages to get down into to your basement. 

If your home suffers flooding or a back-up, every moment counts.  The sooner you get it dry, the better, as you avoid secondary damage. 

When you need help fast, call SERVPRO of Evanston, anytime, 24/7, @ 847.763.1541.

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