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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Community Blog Posts

The 8th Good Thing About Enfield

7/31/2018 (Permalink)

Enfield Historic Sign We're proud to provide services to great towns like Enfield, Connecticut. Here are a few things that make the town great.

The first good thing about Enfield, Connecticut is that it’s part of our home base. Bloomfield/Enfield SERVPRO is honored to serve the Enfield community. We’ve helped a lot of people and made a lot of friends in Enfield. But there are so many other things that are good about Enfield.

2nd Good Thing: A Lovely Town

Enfield is a lovely town in North Central Connecticut just minutes from the Connecticut River and Suffield. Enfield is a community in Hartford County with a population of slightly more than 44,000 people (2010 census). Among the major employers in town are Lego and Hallmark Cards.

3rd Good Thing: Beautiful Parks

On Enfield’s Brainard Road, you’ll find Brainard Park. It’s full of amenities like an immaculate playground equipment, two lighted softball fields, and several shaded picnic areas.

Another nice Enfield park is Powder Hollow Park on Dust House Road. This park features a Little League baseball field, a regulation-sized baseball field, winter ice skating, and shaded picnic areas. Also in Enfield are White Acres Park, Mark Twain Park, Hazardville Park, and a dog park.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

4th Good Thing: Golf And Other Interesting Things To Do

Enfield is home to the Grassmere Country Club, a public nine hole golf course that many people list as a favorite. It’s also a popular venue for small weddings, banquets, and corporate outings. You’ll also find a brewery, good schools, fine restaurants, and other interesting places in Enfield.

5th Good Thing: The July 4th Town Celebration

Every year Enfield hosts a three-day celebration of our country’s birthday that attracts 10-20,000 visitors a day. Among the highlights at the 2018 celebration were 6 bands, the Taste of Enfield (foods from local restaurants), kids’ rides and games, a firehouse tour, a teen zone with music, sports, games, and a teen battle of the bands, and, of course, a large fireworks show. The best part is that it’s all free.

6th Good Thing: Museums & Tours With Access To Enfield’s Rich History

The Enfield Shaker Community, the town’s contributions to the gunpowder and carper industry and much more of Enfield’s rich history is preserved and promoted courteous of the Enfield Historical Society. The Enfield Historical Society operates three museums--all free of charge.

The Old Town Hall Museum was built as the third meeting house of the First Ecclesiastical Society of Enfield in 1774. More than two centuries later it continues to serve the town. The Martha A. Parsons House Museum was built in 1782 and houses two centuries of Parsons family possessions. The Wallop School Museum was built in 1800 and remained in service until 1949. The Enfield Historical Society also provides free tours and other services to schools.


7th Good Thing: Town Services

The town website contains lots of useful information including a large town services section that has pages of services for adults, building inspections, neighborhoods, seniors, tax information, and veterans.

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

8th Good Thing: People Like Enfield

And the eighth good thing about Enfield is that so many people seem to enjoy living and/or working in Enfield. On one review site, Niche, we found these comments:

“I love our town of Enfield. It’s a small town feel with one of the largest land areas in Connecticut. Close to Hartford and Springfield, we have a safe town and enough amenities to keep the town happy.”

“I have lived in Enfield for a year now and I love the town. It has a rural/suburban feel. You have many different shopping options available. I enjoy driving through the different sections of Enfield. The people here are friendly, you always see people out walking and bettering the town.”

“Enfield is close to neighboring cities with many options for entertainment and food. It's a quick drive to MA, or over to Hartford if you work or go out there.”

“Enfield is great because it has a lot of things to do, a good public education system, and also offers scenic and quiet areas as well. Lots to do and close to cities like Springfield and Hartford!”

Check Out Other Blog Posts
Every month on the SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield blog we publish educational articles on how Bloomfield and Enfield residents can protect their homes and businesses from disasters and how to deal with mold, fire, water, sewage, storm, or other damage. We also talk about the communities we serve, like we did in this post. 

For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You


SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Langan, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Volunteer in Your Community

6/18/2018 (Permalink)

Volunteer with Kids Volunteering strengthens your community and makes you feel good

At SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield we believe in giving back to the community. We encourage all our employees to do the same.

In the United States more than 62 million people volunteer every year. Many choose to give their time to volunteer work because they find it deeply rewarding. It feels good to put energy into a cause that improves your community. Volunteering can also enable you to awaken dormant skills or practice a hobby in a more meaningful way. You could make new friends, professional contacts, and probably have some fun. You may even explore a new potential career path. So, how do you start?

Identify your interests and the skills you want to use. Do you enjoy working with children? Do you like working with numbers and financial data? Do you have a soft spot in your heart for someone who has a certain type of disability? Are you skilled at conversation, cooking, fundraising, mentoring, or in another area?

Once you've identified your area of interest and the skills you’d like to use, get tactical. Find organizations who need your skills and check out their mission statement. Make sure the group’s goals align with your values. Look at financials to see how funds are allocated and make sure their affiliations line up with your intentions. Find statistics about whom they serve and how they make an impact.

Don’t overcommit. Start volunteering a little and increase your volunteer time if it’s working for you.  

Here are just a few of the ways that a little volunteering from you can make a big difference in Bloomfield, Enfield, Granby, Suffield, or your community.

Tutor a Student

Today students include people of all ages--not just children. Teaching literacy to adults can change lives. Helping someone learn English can expand his or her horizons. You could tutor in an academic subject or teach others about computers and the Internet. Don’t forget life skills like cooking, sewing, budgeting, and home repairs.

Visit a Nursing Home

Many Bloomfield area nursing homes have plenty of residents whose families and friends are gone or not available. These residents are often lonely, desperate for conversation, and eager to connect with another person. By spending an hour or two a week you can make a huge difference in someone’s attitude and outlook on life. And you may learn something about life from those who have already traveled the journey before you.

For cleanup and restoration after a natural disaster call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.


Organize a Yard Sale for Charity

Do you enjoy tag sales? Then think about putting one together and donating the funds you raise to a local charity or nonprofit group. We bet most of the people in your town have electronics, furniture, clothes, or equipment that they’d be willing to donate to help the right cause. These items have value and can be recycled to those who will use them again.

Serve on a Community Board

Charities and community service organizations around Bloomfield and Enfield often compete with other bigger, for-profit businesses for the community’s attention and support. In many cases, nonprofits are at a distinct disadvantage. They may lack the resources to attract, compensate, and retain the best executive staff and administrators. If your talents are administrative, or if you have executive or board experience, your knowledge and insights could make a huge impact at a not-for-profit, community-based organization or charity.

For cleanup and restoration after a natural disaster call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield at (860) 216-2785.

Volunteer at a Hospital

Hospital volunteers provide crucial support to the hospital staff. Volunteers also offer comfort and convenience to patients, families, and visitors. Volunteer opportunities include everything from manning information booths, to sitting with patients, to providing a roaming book and magazine cart, or working with children. Your volunteering might also involve helping with food service or pushing wheelchairs.

The opportunities to volunteer in the Bloomfield/Enfield area are endless. You might build a house with Habitat for Humanity. You could donate your old clothes or volunteer at a soup kitchen. Think about giving your old eyeglasses to an organization that collects them and distributes them to people in need. Or consider volunteering at a food bank or homeless shelter. Volunteering is a great way to make your community a better place.



SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

20 Fireworks Safety Tips

5/24/2018 (Permalink)

Fireworks on the River Keep fireworks fun by using them safely

On Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, New Year’s Eve, and at other times many of us enjoy gathering with family, relaxing, and celebrating. When you’re celebrating, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield would like you and your family to have fun but to also be careful.

When dealing with fireworks, sparklers, or anything else that has the potential to cause harm if mishandled, follow safety guidelines from the American Red Cross or other similar groups. Here are some fireworks safety tips we support. Have a safe and fun holiday!

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public fireworks display put on by professionals. Stay 500 feet or more away. If, however, you choose to put on a display of fireworks from your home the American Red Cross and others recommend:

1. Never give fireworks to small children.
2. Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks and similar materials.
3. Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
4. Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
5. Light only one firework at a time.
6. Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
7. Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures, or flammable materials.
8. Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.
9. Know your fireworks. Read all the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
10. Always have a responsible adult supervise firework activities.
11. Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.  Save your alcohol for after the show.
12. Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area, away from buildings and vehicles.
13. Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak the dud in a bucket of water.
14. Never carry fireworks in your pocket or shoot them into metal or glass containers.
15. Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
16. Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and placing them in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.
17. Don’t attempt to travel on a plane with fireworks. FAA regulations prohibit the possession and transportation of fireworks in your checked baggage or carry-on luggage.
18. Report any illegal explosives, like M-80s and quarter sticks, to your local fire or police department.
19. Keep all pets far away from fireworks and the noise.
20. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2015 U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 11,900 people for fireworks related injuries. Fifty one percent of those injuries were to the extremities and 41% were to the head. Fireworks are serious fun. Please treat them as such.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Bloomfield Annual Celebration May 31-June 3

5/15/2018 (Permalink)

Bloomfield CT Come celebrate Beautiful Bloomfield May 31-June 3

Each June, our home town—Bloomfield, Connecticut—comes together for a week-long celebration. The celebration includes many community events designed to bring both town and area residents together in fellowship and fun. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield wants to help spread the word and celebrate with our great town.

This year’s events showcase the diversity of Bloomfield, a beautiful town, that was voted an all-American City in 1970. The Bloomfield events also offer an opportunity for people to get to know our town better. We hope you will participate and learn more about Bloomfield attractions, features, businesses, and history.

Thank You, Joel Neuwirth

Bloomfield Town Councilman Joel Neuwirth came up with the celebration idea. Joel and his  hard-working committee bring the festival to life each year. They have lots of information and updates available on a dedicated website appropriately named Celebrate Bloomfield.


As of May 16, 2018 here are some of the exciting events planned for this year’s May 31-June 3 festival. Be sure to visit the Celebrate Bloomfield site for updates. Some events require registration. Others require a fee.

Thursday, May 31


Paint night, 5:30 p.m. on the Bloomfield Town Hall lawn. $15 materials charge. The Bloomfield High School Band will entertain.

Friday, June 1

-Author Luncheon, at 1p.m, at the Wintonbury Hills Golf Course. Meet writer Martha Hall Kelly, author of Lilac Girls. Open seating buffet. Details on the website.
-Kick-off concert by the Bloomfield High School Band on the Town Hall lawn at 7 p.m.
-Family Movie Night at 8 p.m. on the Bloomfield Town Hall lawn
-Community Awareness Task Force table for Diaper Bank donations
-Food and drink from Pasticerria's, Waypoint Spirits, and more

Saturday, June 2, The Main Event

-Entertainment from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. including radio personality Brad Davis, Les Julian (children’s performer), steel drums, and much more. See the list on the Celebrate Bloomfield site.
-Face painting for children with Juliet Woods DeBeatham
-Poetry reading at Prosser Public Library from 1-4 p.m. More than 15 local poets will share their work.
-Food vendors including Ben's Fried Dough & Lemonade, RePublic, Pasticerria’s, Back East and Thomas Hooker Breweries, Waypoint Spirits, Sweet Water Deli & Juice Bar, Chik-Fil-A, Fair Food/Laurie Gruendle (fried mozzarella, funnel cakes, deep fried Oreos, soft pretzels), Angella’s Hot Spot Jamaican Food Truck, and Jeff's Kettle Corn
-Bloomfield Fire Department smokehouse and fire engine. Ride to the top of the fire engine’s ladder.
-Community Awareness Task Force - table for Diaper bank donations
-Mayor's Fund-raising Dinner from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Gillette Ridge Golf Club. Tickets are $50 per person/$90 per couple. All funds will benefit the Bloomfield Social & Youth Services Department. Tickets available in the Town Manager’s office, Leisure Services (330 Park Avenue), and Prosser Library.
Craft Fair under the tent, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. More than 60 vendors.

Sunday, June 3

Wintonbury Land Trust hikes. Explore parts of town you never knew existed.  See the beauty that is Bloomfield.

Please go to Celebrate Bloomfield for more complete information, to register, and for updates.

Celebrate That Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.



SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24-hour emergency service

Celebrating Our Town: Bloomfield, Connecticut

2/12/2018 (Permalink)

Town of Bloomfield Seal We appreciate the town we are located in: Bloomfield, Connecticut. Here are some of the reasons why.

If you’re like most of us you may not stop often to appreciate where you live and work. Here at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield, we consider ourselves fortunate to be located in the great town of Bloomfield, Connecticut. Today we’re pausing to express a little gratitude for a few of the things that make Bloomfield so appealing.


Bloomfield is a picturesque Connecticut town of about 20,000 people. Our town’s graced with rural beauty, abundant land, quality schools, dynamic commercial building projects, and a highly educated work force.

Homeowners value Bloomfield as a quiet, friendly haven from the big cities. Bloomfield also offers an unmatched opportunity for businesses seeking a strategic location in New England. It has the largest tract of undeveloped industrial land in Connecticut’s Capitol Region, making Bloomfield, Connecticut the perfect place to build a dream home or an international headquarters.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Bloomfield is located in Central Connecticut, 10 minutes west of the state capital, Hartford. Our town is easily accessible to Bradley International Airport and Interstates 84 and 91. The town encompasses 26.4 square miles.

Bloomfield Gives

We’re a town that provides for the community. The Bloomfield town government has many departments that provide a wide range of services including veterans’ services, energy assistance, youth service programs, senior citizen and disabled resources, a food bank, and more.

We also protect our environment. For 35+ years the Wintonbury Land Trust has led the charge to protect and preserve land and natural resources.

Bloomfield has many interesting sites to see, places to visit, and assets to appreciate. They include: the 787 acre Penwood State Park, Marion Wilcox Park, Gillette Ridge Golf Club, Bloomfield Fire Department, and Thomas Hooker Brewery.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Great Public Schools

The public school system in Bloomfield is another asset. Bloomfield High School ranked in the top 10% of Connecticut high schools (#36) in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report’s “Best High Schools in CT”.  And Lead CT, a Connecticut-wide education consortium that promotes best practices in education, recognized Bloomfield Public Schools in 2016 as a model in “coherence and capacity”.

Strong Chamber of Commerce

The Bloomfield Chamber of Commerce has represented businesses of all sizes for almost 50 years. The Chamber promotes business success in Bloomfield through a variety of events, programs and initiatives. Businesses use the chamber to learn how to better manage costs, including healthcare benefit costs. Chamber educational programs help businesses improve  productivity and performance.

The many assets of Bloomfield, the well educated population, and the town’s giving natural help make it an ideal place for SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield to have our headquarters.

We're Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield serves Bloomfield, Enfield, and surrounding towns by providing fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage restoration, chemical cleanups, natural disaster cleanups, and more. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.



SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Massive SERVPRO Response to Hurricane Harvey

1/26/2018 (Permalink)

Stop Sign Flooded When the biggest disasters strike SERVPRO responds with thousands of restoration and cleanup professionals

On August 22, 2017--three days before Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast--SERVPRO was already there. Granted, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield did not play a role but more than 240 SERVPRO franchises with 550 crews did. It’s reassuring to know that if a similar storm or other natural disaster hits Connecticut you can rely on not just our franchise but hundreds of others close by.

A Hurricane Harvey Hero

Jeff Stone directed the Hurricane Harvey storm team. Jeff describes coordinating 550 crews from 240 franchises as a very difficult task. He conducted a daily WIP (Work in Progress) telephone conference call with as many franchises as possible. The WIPs allowed Jeff to remind crews of correct procedures, update them on the inflow of work, and walk them through the changes in the affected area that may impact their day-to-day work. Both frontline and back office staff were requested to be on each of the daily calls.

$180 Billion In Damage

Responding to a major natural disaster like Hurricane Harvey demands crews from far away come to the aid of the people in need. The wide devastation of Harvey required many SERVPRO crews to live away from home for weeks. A few facts explain why. Hurricane Harvey was a Category 4 storm that caused $180 billion in damage. That’s more than any other natural disaster in U.S history. The hurricane affected 13 million people from Texas through Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky. SERVPRO had similar responses from hundreds of franchises in those other states.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Storm Site Leader: Dave Howarter

While Jeff kept a big picture perspective, Dave Howarter served as the Hurricane Harvey storm site leader. Dave’s the one who arrived three days before the storm. He served as the main contact for any SERVPRO franchise impacted by the hurricane or participating in the cleanup. Dave also maintained close contact with the ERTs (Extreme Response Teams) who handle the larger cleanup and restoration sites.

Educating People

Another key player in the Hurricane Harvey response was Bryan Stone. Bryan provided interviews, education and information to many media outlets including CNBC, Channel 12-Beaumont, TheStreet, the Houston Chronicle, Inside Edition, and Texas Monthly. On Facebook Bryan posted a video on where people should send donated items to the one of the most devastated areas. In Texas Monthly Bryan explained to people how to clean up their homes without getting sick from the contaminated flood waters. With more than a million Texans displaced by the storm, trillions of gallons of rain inundated more than 40,000 homes in greater Houston alone.   

7,000 SERVPRO Pros Deployed

The total number SERVPRO professionals deployed across the Texas coast after Hurricane Harvey reached 7,000. Among the safety advice Bryan delivered was for people to follow the same types of procedures SERVPRO professionals practice.  For example, he advised people to wear goggles and gloves. The SERVPRO crews also were required to wear rubber boots and particulate (P90) respirator masks.

Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield for Cleanup and Restoration. Call (860) 216-2785.

Help Is Here

The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, chemical cleanup, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

More Information On Our Blog

You can learn more by reading other posts on this blog:

Water Damage Cleanup & Repair

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield

Top 50 Franchise Nationally

100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro
Certified SERVPRO technician
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Preparing Your Pets For Emergencies

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Cat with Owner Make sure your emergency plan includes saving your pets

You may have a good disaster emergency plan for your family but what about your pets? Will you be able to safely move and protect your pets should a fire, flood, hurricane, or other natural disaster strike? FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) has some important guidelines for you.

Create A Pet Emergency Supply Kit
To keep your pets safe in a natural disaster think first about food and water. Prepare a pet emergency supply kit similar to the emergency supply kit you have for your family.  FEMA suggests having two pet kits—one with everything your pets will need to stay where you are; another lightweight, smaller version to use if you have to get away. Your pet’s kit might include:
•    3 days of food in an airtight, waterproof container
•    3 days worth of water for your pets
•    Medicines and medical records
•    First aid kit with a pet first aid reference book
•    Collar with ID tag, harness or leash
•    Crate or pet carrier
•    Sanitation supplies (pet litter, litter box, paper towels, plastic trash bags, etc.)
•    Copies of a picture of you and your pet together (in case you get separated)
•    Familiar items like your pet’s favorite toys, treats, or bedding

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Have A Plan
Before a natural disaster occurs you should have a plan on how you and your pets will get away, should you need to leave. How will you assemble your pets? Where will you go? Consider whether family or friends are willing to take you and your pets in during an emergency. Find facilities like hotels and shelters in your area that might be viable options for you and your pets.

Plan with neighbors, friends, or relatives to make sure someone will be available to care for or evacuate your pets if you cannot. Talk with them about your evacuation plans and show them where your pet’s emergency supply kit is. Have at least two locations, one in your neighborhood and another father away, where you will meet in an emergency.

Avoid preventable disasters. Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield (860) 216-2785

Consult Your Vet
You can also seek advice from your veterinarian. He or she might have good thoughts on what to put into your pet’s emergency supply kit. Your vet may also have names of vets or veterinary hospitals in other cities where you might have to seek temporary shelter.  Discuss the need for permanent identification (like micro chipping) and whether to enroll your pet in a recovery database.

Your pet is an important member of your household. Any pet is much more likely to survive an emergency like a fire, flood, tornado, or terrorist attack if you do some good emergency planning. Preparing your pets for an emergency makes sense. Get ready now.        
 

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, water damage, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
Top 50 Franchise Nationally
100 Peters Road, Bloomfield, CT 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Langan, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Support Your Local Fire Department

5/15/2017 (Permalink)

Firefighter Helmet Your local fire department needs your support

The Bloomfield (Connecticut) firefighters are a vital community resource. So are the Enfield and other local fire departments in Connecticut. These men and women save lives and property by preventing and putting out fires, educating our communities on safety, and handling many types of emergencies. We all should support our local fire fighters and fire departments. A lack of visible support in other communities has made firefighters feel cut off from local residents and businesses.

Here are some facts about firefighters and some ways that your business or you and your family can help strengthen and show appreciation for the Bloomfield, Enfield, or other local firefighters in your community.

1. Think about it: Bloomfield’s firefighters have been extensively trained. They have life-saving skills. They’ve learned the science and art of fire prevention and suppression. Bloomfield firefighters help our local communities in lots of other ways, especially in life-threatening situations like house fires, car accidents and other disasters.  Thank them with a letter to the editor in your local newspaper.

2. If your local fire department hosts a fundraising event be sure to participate.

3. Sometimes Bloomfield and other fire departments sponsor fire safety events. It’s worth the time to go and learn how you, too, can help prevent fires.

4. Many fire departments have a member or officer who will visit schools. She or he will help educate young children on the importance of fire safety. The firefighters also tell school children how to react in case of a fire. In Bloomfield or elsewhere, encourage your local schools to participate in these types of fire safety programs. Children love to learn about firefighters and how important they are as members of a community.

5. Volunteer fire departments often have limited financial resources. Local businesses, families, and individuals often find ways to support their department by performing important tasks like:
• Hosting a fire safety event at your local community organization
• Teaching fire safety to children
• Encouraging people to install smoke alarms in their homes
• (If this is in your skill set) Offering to maintain the department’s website and social media efforts
• Distributing the fire department’s disaster preparedness materials
• Providing refreshments to first responders during long incidents (e.g. a wild fire or large commercial building fire)
• Cooking for the fire department’s on-duty staff
• Helping maintain the fire station and grounds (painting, carpentry, etc.)
• Donating services (like bookkeeping) so the department can devote more financial resources to fire prevention
• Spreading the word about the fire department’s resources (the Bloomfield Fire Department has a website with eight pages full of material on fire prevention and even a Kids’ Corner.)

6. The famous stop, drop, and roll skill is taught to children at various ages so that they have the skills to put out a fire on their bodies if needed. Make sure children in your community learn that skill.

7. You can make a huge impact by becoming a volunteer firefighter. Ask if you can meet with the local fire department chief and discuss what’s involved in volunteering.

8. Fire Prevention Week is the Sunday through Saturday period that includes October 9. For example, in 2018 Fire Prevention Week is October 7-13. Check with your local fire department to see how you can help celebrate that week.

9. Investigate resources like the Firefighters Support Foundation. This foundation produces and distributes advanced, life-saving training programs free of charge to firefighters, rescue crews, and EMS personnel.

10. Whether you live or work in Bloomfield, Enfield, or another town, the best advice is to contact your local fire department to find out what specific needs they have.

19,915 Out Of 29,980 Fire Departments Are All Volunteer
In the United States, 69 percent of firefighters are volunteers. Rural towns in particular could not survive without these dedicated men and women. Out of 29,980 fire departments in the United States, 19,915 are totally volunteer. Volunteer firemen and women have to attend hours of rigorous training. Many times they purchase their own gear. To fund the departments the firefighters have to put on fundraising activities. In addition to hours spent fighting fires and training, they are expected to raise money to buy the equipment necessary to fight fires. SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield strongly urges you to support your local department in any way and every way you can. And remember this quotation:
“Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless.” -- Sherry Anderson

Fire and Fire Protection Information For You 
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent and deal with fires.

Fire Damage Restoration

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We serve clients in Bloomfield, East Granby, Enfield, Suffield, and Hartland.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Landon, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Visit Our Facebook Page

3/27/2017 (Permalink)

Facebook Logo You'll find more useful information on our Facebook page. Skim these examples.

Thanks for visiting us on our website. You can find out more about us on our Facebook page. In fact, here are posts you’ll find there.

Drainer Saver
November 28, 2016 Post: A picture and some advice on to prevent cooking grease from stopping up your kitchen drain.

Grand Opening in New Building
October 17, 2016 Post: Check out the pictures of our Grand Opening celebration for our bigger and better facility at 100 Peters Road in Bloomfield.  We had great food, a live band, a bounce house, and much more to thank our customers and employees.

Ceiling Fans
July 13, 2016 Post: A quick and helpful hint on saving money if you use ceiling fans.

Tornado Safety
May 13, 2016 Post: We bust another myths about staying safe in a tornado.

Fire Department Thank You
August 13, 2015 Post: Pictures and a huge thank you to the many great local fire departments for saving a family’s home.  Includes Blue Hills Fire Department, Bloomfield, Manchester, Suffield, Windsor, Wilson, and others.
 
Satisfied Customers
February 9, 2015 Post: Here are pictures of a couple who had to abandon their home for six months because of pipe break. In the pictures they’re happily moving back into a completely restored and safe home with SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield professionals bring in the furniture.

Helping In Buffalo
November 25, 2014 Post: Two of our Bloomfield, Connecticut trucks hit the road to help people in need in Buffalo, New York.

Fun Halloween Events
October 10, 2014 Post: We provide a link to fun events in Connecticut to make Halloween even more special for children.



For Cleanup Or Restoration Needs Call SERVPRO Of Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785 Anytime

Here For You
In Bloomfield the team at SERVPRO has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield in Bloomfield at 860-216-2785 anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Langan, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Red Cross. Real Heroes.

1/31/2017 (Permalink)

American Red Cross Today, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency.

In life you can’t rely on too many things. But you can rely on the Red Cross. The American Red Cross does an amazing amount of good. Here are just a few facts and examples:
•    Clara Barton and a circle of her acquaintances founded the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881.
•    Today, every 8 minutes the American Red Cross responds to an emergency.
•    90% of the Red Cross workforce are volunteers.
•    During the Second World War the American Red Cross provided extensive services to the U.S. military, allies, and civilian war victims. The Red Cross enrolled more than 104,000 nurses for military service, prepared 27 million packages for American and Allied prisoners of war, and shipped over 300,000 tons of supplies overseas. At the military’s request, the Red Cross also initiated a national blood program that collected 13.3 million pints of blood for use by the armed forces.

Questions? Call 860.216.2785 Anytime 


•    The American Red Cross has a presence in nearly every community in the United States and around the world.
•    In 2015 the American Red Cross provided 32,000 shelter stays, 980,000 meals and snacks, 500,000 relief items, and 35,000 health and mental health contacts.
•    The last weekend of January 2017 at least 60 tornadoes hit the southern states over one weekend. The American Red Cross was there with food, shelter, and recovery help with at least seven Red Cross shelters. Red Cross workers supported those affected for as long as help is needed. During the first four days in Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, Red Cross and community partners served over 30,000 meals and snacks, distributed over 8,000 relief items, and provided 900 Health Services and Disaster Mental Health contacts. The Red Cross mobilized over 500 workers to help.

Questions? Call 860.216.2785 Anytime 


•    The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters. It supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood supply.
•    The Red Cross gave hope to our men and women in uniform by providing more
than 367,000 emergency assistance services to members of the military and their families in fiscal year 2015—while also processing nearly 7 million blood products to meet the needs of patients across the country, and teaching millions of people critical health and safety skills.

Natural Disaster Information For You  
Every month on our blog, SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield publishes educational articles on how to prevent natural disasters and deal with them quickly and effectively should they occur. 

Here For You
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield also has specialized training and experience in water damage restoration services, fire damage restoration services, mold remediation, commercial services, and disaster repair. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860-216-2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
100 Peters Road
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Landon, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860-216-2785 anytime

Prevent Fire. Know Its 4 Elements

7/18/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Estimator with Client Let us help you reduce the risk of fire at your home or business.

Fire is impossible unless four elements are present. If you eliminate or prevent one of the four elements from being present, you can protect yourself from fires at your home, business, or anywhere. Here are how the four elements work and what causes them to occur.

1. Heat
Heat is necessary for a fire to start. Unfortunately, heat can build up and start a fire in many ways including contact with a flame, too much friction, or mechanical generation (like with your car’s spark plugs). Firefighter and author Scott Finazzo says heat gets transferred in one of three ways.
    1. Direct contact: The heat source touches another object.
2. Radiation: Heat travels in an electromagnetic way like when you put your hands near a campfire. 
3. Convection: the heat transfers from one location to the next by the movement of fluids. An example is how a hot stove burner transfers heat into a pot of water.

Concerned about a fire risk or fire damage? Call (860) 216-2785.

2. Fuel
All fires require a fuel--something that burns. That can be wood, fabric, gasoline, ethanol, hydrogen, butane, or one of many, many other substances. Surprisingly, Scott Finazzo says most solids and liquids don’t actually burn. They are heated beyond their ignition temperature and start to give off combustible vapors (pyrolysis). It’s the escaping vapors that burn.

3. Oxygen
The third element every fire needs is oxygen. The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. That’s enough to support combustion but oxygen itself does not burn. Air with a greater percentage of oxygen in it will burn more intensely.  

Here’s another point many people don’t know. You can have enough heat, fuel, and oxygen without having a fire. There is one more element required.

4. Chemical Reaction
A chemical reaction occurs when the exact mixtures of the other three elements of fire (heat, fuel, and oxygen) blend in the right concentration to promote ignition.

Take away any of these four elements and you can prevent or stop a fire. Spraying water on most fires, for example, removes the heat to stop the fire.  Shutting off the value to the burner on your gas stove removes the fuel and the fire stops. Putting a lid on a grease fire in a frying pan takes away the oxygen and stops the flames. For more information about fires, like the five major classes of fires, you could check Scott Finazzo’s book, The Neighborhood Emergency Response Handbook. Or call us.

Help Is Here
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield has specialized training and experience in fire restoration services, natural disaster prevention, and natural disaster cleanup. Call SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

We've served clients in Avon, Agawam, Bloomfield, Coventry, East Hartford, East Longmeadow, Ellington, Enfield, Farmington, Hartford, Manchester, Newington, Simsbury, South Windsor, Springfield, West Hartford, and beyond.

SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Landon, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service

Getting Insurance Company Help After A Disaster

1/11/2016 (Permalink)

Your SERVPRO rep will help your work with your insurance claim adjuster.

Disaster strikes. You’ve got major damage to your home. Fortunately, you have good insurance. But the way you work with your insurance company and its claim adjuster can make a big difference in whether you get your claim approved and receive appropriate reimbursement for the damage. Here are some tips from the Insurance Information Institute.

Start by contacting your homeowner’s insurance representative. Ask your insurance rep:

1. Whether the damage is covered under the terms of your policy
2. How long you have to file you claim
3. Whether your claim exceeds your insurance deductible (the amount of loss you agree to pay before insurance kicks in)
4. How long it will take to process the insurance claim
5. Whether you’ll need estimates for repairs

We work well with insurance companies. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield At (860) 216-2785

Your insurance agent or representative is not the person who will come to your home to inspect the damage. Damage assessment is done by an insurance claim adjuster. Your rep will put you in touch with a claim adjuster from the insurance company. You’ll need to prepare for the adjuster’s visit.


Preparing For The Adjuster's Visit
Your insurance company may send you a proof of loss form to complete or the claim adjuster may visit your home first. (An adjuster is a person professionally trained to assess damage.) In either case, the more information you have about your damaged possessions -- a description of the item, approximate date of purchase and what it would cost to replace or repair -- the faster your claim generally can be settled by the insurance company.

To substantiate your loss, prepare an inventory of damaged or destroyed items. Give a copy to the insurance adjuster along with copies of any receipts. Don’t throw out damaged items until the adjuster visits you. You should also consider photographing or videotaping the damage. If your property was destroyed or you no longer have any records, work from memory.

Identify structural damage to your home and other structures such as your garage, tool shed, patio, or in-ground swimming pool. Make a list of everything you want to show the adjuster, for example, cracks in the walls and missing roof tiles. You should also get your electrical system checked. Most insurance companies pay for these inspections.

Get written bids from licensed contractors. The bids should include details of the materials to be used and prices on a line-by-line basis. This makes adjusting the claim faster and simpler.

Keep copies of the lists and other documents you submit to your insurance company. Also keep copies of whatever paperwork your insurance company gives you and record the names and phone numbers of everyone you speak to.

Flood Damage Often Excluded
Flood damage is excluded under standard homeowners and renters insurance policies. Flood coverage, however, is available as a separate policy from the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and from a few private insurers. The NFIP provides coverage up to $250,000 for the structure of the home and $100,000 for personal possessions. Flood insurance claims should be filed with your homeowners insurance company.

We’re Here To Help
The team at SERVPRO of Bloomfield/Enfield frequently helps customers work well with their insurance claim adjuster. Many customers use us to be certain they’re fully prepared for what the insurance company will require before they will consider a claim. Call SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield (860.216.2785) anytime, 24/7.

SERVPRO Bloomfield/Enfield
IICRC Certified
Ralph DiCristofaro, Nat Landon, Ron DeFeo
Certified SERVPRO technicians
Call 860.216.2785
24 hour emergency service