Candle Alternatives in Wichita KS Home

8/2/2022 (Permalink)

During a storm you might lose power and use a candle to provide light. Candles are also great to have around your house for aesthetic purposes, and for a nice fragrance. They can also present a danger as candles are estimated to be the cause of 15,000+ fires every year. Additionally heavy candle use can cause soot damage to accumulate on your walls and ceilings. If you are unable to use candles in your Wichita, KS home or would just prefer something safer, there are several candle alternatives to consider. 
 

1. Flashlights

Battery operated flashlights are great to keep around your house just in case of a power outage. The most apparent use of a flashlight in an emergency kit is lighting your environment, indoor or outdoor.   Making sure to have a high-quality flashlight will mitigate this danger significantly. In addition to lighting the way at night, flashlights can be used to find people who require rescue, and a great tool for people who need rescue to signal for help.  

2. Headlamp

Like a flashlight (only way cooler) a headlamp will help provide light, hands free. These are great to keep around the house and especially in kids’ rooms. Headlamps are an easy and fun way to teach kids about storm safety. 

4. Flameless Candles

 
If you still want the ambiance of a candle, try a battery-operated candle. These items look like regular candles but do not put your home at risk. Some battery-operated candles even come in various scents, and some have a flickering light reminiscent of a flame, so you can easily create the atmosphere that you want. 

 
Home fires can be such a traumatic experience and fire damage remediation services can take a long time to complete. Using candle alternatives is just one way that you can reduce the chances of an emergency in your home. Give SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita a call if you experience storm or fire damage to your home or business (316) 260-9011.  

Hail Damage in Wichita KS

4/18/2022 (Permalink)

In Kansas one of the top causes of roof and home damage is hail. Hail can not only harm property such as homes, businesses, and vehicles, but can cause harm to livestock, and even humans. Hail is formed by raindrops being carried upward by a thunderstorm's updrafts into extremely cold areas of the atmosphere and freezing. Even though it is cool to see, the sound of hail hitting your car and roof will make any person cringe.  

According to NOAA (National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration) hail causes around one billion dollars a year in damage. Last year, Kansas had over 20 thousand claims due to storm damage. If your roof or windows are damaged by hail, then that can cause leaks into your home or business, which can result in water damage.  

Kansas Estimated Storm Losses According to the KS Insurance Department: 

Year: 2011 

Number of  Claims: 197,255 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 1,095,030,000 

Year: 2012 

Number of Claims: 96,775 

Amount in Storm Losses:$ 400,335,000 

Year: 2013 

Number of Claims: 86,990 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 284,604,290 

Year: 2014 

Number of Claims: 46,400 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 112,396,455 

Year: 2015 

Number of Claims: 54,870 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 173,637,443 

Year: 2016 

Number of Claims: 51,708 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 107,260,873 

Year: 2017 

Number of Claims: 47,736 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 194,599,103 

Year: 2018 

Number of Claims: 37,719 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 72,223,491 

Year: 2019 

Number of Claims: 60,140 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 276,577,312 

Year: 2020 

Number of Claims: 32,834 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 126,813,439 

Year: 2021 

Number of Claims: 20,510 

Amount in Storm Losses: $ 141,369,410 

Not only does SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita have the knowledge and expertise for water, fire or mold damage, we can also handle making sure the reconstruction gets taken care of. Being in the business for over 20 years in the Wichita area has given us a long list of trusted peers to help with your reconstruction process. If you find your home or business affected by hail or storm damage, give SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita a call at 316-260-9011. 

Snow Storms and How They Can Affect Your Home

2/8/2022 (Permalink)

Snow not only can affect things when it accumulates, such as slick roads, frozen pipes, and low visibility. It can also cause trouble when it starts to melt as well. When snow melts it can not only cause a slushy, muddy mess, but it can damage your home. Here are a few ways to help prevent damage to your home as snow starts to melt: 

1. Clean snow and debris from ground drains and gutters. 

1. Ice and compact snow can create dams that keep water from draining. 

1. Consider where snow will go when it melts. 

1. When shoveling snow on your property, think about which direction it will drain when it melts.  

1. Remove large accumulations of snow from areas where it could melt and enter your home.  

1. Shovel snow away from the outer edges of your home. Something to consider is, if snow builds up around your house and begins to melt the water may seep into any existing cracks in your foundation, leading to basement flooding. If the temperature drops below freezing once water has entered those cracks, the water will expand as it turns to ice, and that expansion could lead to even further cracking. 

1. Know what’s covered by your insurance policy. 

1. Not all household water damage is treated alike – freezing pipes may be evaluated differently than seeping snow. Read your insurance policy carefully and call your local, independent insurance agent to determine what’s covered. SERVPRO is here to help! 

If you do incur a loss inside your home because of melting snow, it’s important to take quick action. At the first sign of dampness inside your home, call immediately for professional help before long-term damage sets in. SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (316) 260-9011. 

Storm Damage Tips

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

Call SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita if your home or business experience's a loss after a storm (316) 260-9011.

Kansas Weather is always unpredictable, snow, rain, tornadoes you name it. When a storm comes through and causes damage inside and outside your home or business it can be hard to know what to do.  Do you stay put until the storm is completely over, or do you try to get out and get to safety? To help you figure out the best thing to do in a delicate situation, here are a few storm tips.

STORM TIPS

After any severe storm, your main concern should always be the safety of yourself and others.

Ask yourself the following questions to decide if you should stay:

• Is it safe to stay in the home? 
• Is there water damage that is affecting the walls or ceilings?
• Are there any fall hazards or electrical hazards?

When not to stay in your home during a storm event:

When a storm rolls through and affects your home, most often we think it is safer to stay in the home until it passes, or help arrives. Sometimes the affects on the home can be more dangerous then facing the elements. What should you look for in your home to know if you should evacuate?

These storm tips may help: 

• If your roof is compromised and caving in or materials are falling, it’s time to evacuate your home. 
• If any part of the home’s electrical wiring is exposed and touching water, it’s time to evacuate.  
• If any part of inside your home is exposed to the elements and the storm is still active, it’s time to evacuate, especially when there is lightening.

If you are in a situation where you must choose between staying in a damaged home or going out into the storm, you need to think carefully and act fast. Consider the storm tips above to make the best decision for you and your family. Remember SERVPRO of Southwest Wichita if your home is affected and know that we will be on site as soon as it is safe to get you back to your preloss conditions.