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Keep Pets Safe This Winter

Some pets are more susceptible to the cold than others. Know your companions limits and keep pets safe!

Short hair, thin, old, or very young pets can get cold quicker so be sure to adjust the time you let them stay outdoors. Consider a sweater or coat to help keep pets safe from the elements such as hypothermia or frostbite which can pose major risks to pets in the bitter cold. If it’s too cold for you, it is likely too cold for your furry friends.

Wipe their paws

Walking in snow can cause your pets paws to pick up toxic things like salt, antifreeze or de-icer’s. Be sure to wipe their paws to keep them from tracking indoors or lick it it off and becoming sick. Take time to check their paws for cracks or bleeding when you wipe. Consider using pet-safe de-icer’s for an added level of safety.

Leash your pet

More than any other season, pets become lost due to fresh snowfall disguising scents that our pets normally use to find their way home. If you do become separated from your pet, make sure their collars have up-to-date contact information and be certain to microchip them.

Stay away from ice

While walking your pet, be sure to avoid frozen ponds and lakes. Dogs are curious but letting them wander onto ice can be dangerous if the ice were to break and your fluffy friend were to plunge into frigid water. Avoid the ice, it’s not worth it.

Leave Fido at home

We all know that hot cars are bad for our pets—so is extreme cold! Leave your pet at home, and, if you must take them for a ride, never leave them unattended.

Gimme Shelter

It is ideal for all pets to live inside. If your pet lives outdoors primarily, it is wise to bring them indoors during sub-zero weather. Pets need a dry, draft-free shelter large enough to sit or lay down comfortable but small enough to contain body heat. The floor of the shelter should be raised off the ground by several inches and covered with straw to insulate against the cold. Pets who spend more time outdoors in winter also require more food for energy to stay warm. Be sure to replace that energy being spent to stay warm by supplying extra food and never serve water or food in metal bowls when temps are low as their tongues can become stuck to the metal.

Emergency Kit for Fido

Winter can bring some bitter cold and extreme storms that can cause power outages. Be sure to have an emergency plan that includes your pets care. Emergency kits that provide for food, water, and medication to last a minimum of five days is best. Hopefully, you will never need it but if you do, you’ll be thankful you planned ahead.

Most of you know, Advance Restoration has a special love for pets, housing up to five dogs in our office on a daily. Take care, and enjoy the outdoors with them safely.

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3 Most Common Causes of Water Damage

frozen pipe repair

Many factors contribute to the destruction of water leakage in your home or business. Water can literally destroy hardwood flooring, drywall and important documents and electronics. Three of the most common causes of water damage are outlined below along with and some helpful tips for staying dry.

Extreme Temperatures Can Cause Water Damage

Changes in temperature that are extreme can cause pipes to crack, burst and leak. While we know this is common in consistently cold climates, burst pipes can happen with any type of temperature change that is extreme enough even in warmer climate zones.

Tip: Hot water temperatures can weaken your pipes over time so stay away from higher heat settings for this reason and protect your pipes by insulating them from the elements. 

Rusted Plumbing and Water 

Copper and steel pipes used in older home construction put your pipes at a higher level of risk. Rust accumulates and can block the flow of water in pipes allowing rust to take hold and weaken the structure of pipes causing erosion and consequently leaks.

Tip: Have a professional plumber give your pipes a tune up every 2-3 years to make sure the connections are secure and pipes are in good condition.

Water Damage and the Natural Settling of Foundations

The natural settling of your home or property can cause cracks in the wall of your foundation causing water to seep through causing flooded basements or crawl spaces. Pipes can be displaced during times when settling is taking place causing them to weaken, crack, or even break leading to water damage or flooding.

Tip: Checking the walls of your foundation once a year can help to ward off any issues. If you find cracks upon inspection, contact an expert to determine how widespread the issue is and repair damage a timely manner to ward off unwanted water disasters.

Looking for help with water damage, contact the water damage experts—Advance Restoration.

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Flood Plan — When’s the Best Time to Make One?

When it’s not flooding!

Seriously though, now is the best time to make a flood plan. Spring is the time of year with the highest risk for flooding in the Midwest. With melting snow and spring showers the rising water levels and precipitation into our rivers, lakes, and streams can make way for large-scale water damage.

With our close proximity to many lakes the Midwest can suffer significant flooding due to lake-effect weather. The contrasting cold lake waters and warmer air collide to create weather such as high winds and increasing thunderstorms.

Flooding can take place slowly or it can be abrupt and take place without warning. Know what to do before, during and after a flood emergency or disaster.

Know The Difference Between a Flood Watch, Flood Warning, or Flash Flood

  • Flood Watch: According to Michigan Flood Ready a flood watch indicates that flooding is possible in your area. Monitor local news channels and listen to your NOAA weather radio.
  • Flood Warning: A flood warning indicates that flooding is occurring or will occur in your area. Move to high ground and listen to local media for evacuation orders.
  • Flash Flood: When rapid flooding occurs with great force. Low-lying areas are at the greatest risk for flash flooding.

What To Do After A Flood.

  • Return home only when it is safe to do so. Floodwaters often erode roads and walkways making passage difficult at best. Be aware of areas where floodwaters have receded and be sure to watch for debris.
  • You should never attempt to drive directly through floodwaters. Just six inches of water can sweep your vehicle away. Standing water may be electrically charged from downed power lines or from beneath the ground, be sure to avoid walking through standing water.
  • Photograph or video your property damage for insurance purposes.
  • Do not attempt to clean-up standing water, this is best left to a professional who knows how to check for electrical and other hazards.

Hopefully, extreme weather conditions won’t be prevalent this spring however, it is important to know your flood risk, and consider purchasing flood insurance if you are near a flood zone. Familiarize yourself with local emergency plans and know where to go should you need to get to higher ground, the highest level of a building, or to evacuate.

Make a flood plan or emergency plan and include a minimum of 3 days of food and water. Included in your emergency preparedness kit should be a flashlight, batteries, cash, and first aid supplies. Stay tuned to your phone alerts, TV, or radio for weather updates and emergency instructions

If you find yourself in the aftermath of a flood that has caused water damage to your vehicles, home or business call Advance Restoration, a team of disaster restoration specialist on call for 24/7 response, day or night.

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Tornadoes On The Rise—Are You Prepared?

When warm air meets cold air the conditions for tornadoes rises. Do you know the warning signs of a tornado?

Tornadoes can strike at any time and without warning although meteorologists are better able to predict the signs of a twister now more than ever before. Every minute counts, and even a few minutes warning can provide an opportunity to seek shelter.

Do you know the difference between a watch and a warning?

A tornado watch is when the conditions are favorable for a tornado to develop. If you hear an alert that there is a tornado watch in effect, this is your opportunity to be attentive to the weather, alert friends and family, and listen for updates by TV or radio. Cars should be moved into the garage as well as any lawn furniture or equipment that could pose a hazard should it become airborne causing bodily harm or property damage. If you hear a tornado siren, stay inside and take cover.

A tornado warning tells you that a tornado has been spotted either by eye or on radar in your area. When the warning alarm is given, it’s time to take cover as you may have only seconds to protect yourself and your family.

Signs of a tornado:

  • Dark ominous sky
  • Large hail balls
  • Dark, low altitude clouds
  • Loud roar that sounds like a train

Where to seek shelter.

The safest place to go is underground such as in a basement, or bomb shelter. Protect yourself by going to an area of your home, school, or workplace that is away from windows such as a bathroom, closet, interior hallway, or under a heavy piece of furniture. Stairwells are also good places to take cover and in some cases lead to lower levels where you can get out quickly when safe to do so.

If you are in your car or truck you should abandon the vehicle and find shelter inside or underneath a sturdy structure. Lie facedown in a deep ditch or low area and protect the back of your head with your arms, staying away from trees and other structures that are easily blown down. If you are in a mobile home or trailer, get to a safer structure immediately; you may even be safer outdoors if you can find a ditch to lie in.

When the tornado is over:

  • Stay put until the storm is completely over or emergency personnel have arrived and given the go ahead
  • Survey the people around you for injuries and give first aid or seek help if needed
  • When leaving your shelter, watch for downed power lines and stay away from water that may have downed wires in them
  • Do not use lighters or matches as there may be gas leaking from broken pips or fuel tanks nearby

 How do you recover?

Standard homeowners and business insurance policies typically cover tornado and storm damage, as does the optional comprehensive portion of an auto insurance policy. If you experience tornado damage contact a reputable storm damage restoration specialist. Trained disaster specialists will help you to file your loss and work with your insurance to assess the damage and provide detailed documentation of your property and content damage so that you can get your home or business back to pre-loss condition or better without delay.

Don’t be caught without a plan.

Make a plan today. Go to Make a Plan for helpful suggestions on disaster preparedness.