Helpful Updates & Resources Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

3/25/2020 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Tarzana/Reseda is Here in Your Community & Here to Help!

1. Update on taxes: Tax Day is now July 15, 2020.

Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin has announced that the government is, "moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties."

2. Update on Student loan payments are extended for 60 days.

The Department of Education announced that student loan borrowers will be able to suspend their federal student loan payments without a penalty and without accruing interest for at least 60 days. 

3. Resources if you lose your job as result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

If your work has been compromised or you think it may be, read here. & please share with anyone who could use this information. Thank you for helping us help one another.

4. Check in with your overall health & wellness

 If you’re able to over the next few days, check out these resources for looking after your overall wellness. Bring your stress level down with these simple steps:

 Stay positive. Laughter has been found to lower levels of stress hormones, reduce inflammation in the arteries, and increase "good" HDL cholesterol.

 Meditate. This practice of inward-focused thought and deep breathing has been shown to reduce heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. Meditation's close relatives, yoga and prayer, can also relax the mind and body.

 Exercise. Every time you are physically active, whether you take a walk or go for a jog, your body releases mood-boosting chemicals called endorphins. Exercising not only helps you destress, it also protects against heart disease by lowering your blood pressure, strengthening your heart muscle, and helping you maintain a healthy weight.

 Unplug. It's impossible to escape stress when it follows you everywhere. Cut the cord. Avoid the internet and TV news. Take time each day — even if it's for just 10 or 15 minutes — to escape from the world.

 Find ways to destress. Simple things, like a warm bath, listening to music, or spending time on a favorite hobby, can give you a much-needed break from the stressors in your life.

 Therapy or coaching can help provide clarity. Find affordable online mental health resources.

 Escape. Here are some free virtual getaways.

• The Musée d’ Orsay
• National Portrait Gallery
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
• The Houston Zoo lets you peek in on their elephant yard from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. CST. At the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington, D.C., the giant panda and lion cams are live 24 hours a day.

“May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.” — Nelson Mandela

IICRC Certified Professionals @ SERVPRO of Tarzana/Reseda

5/24/2017 (Permalink)

Ask the professionals

SERVPRO of Woodland Hills, Tarzana, and Reseda is an IICRC firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) creates the standards for the restoration industry and provides training and certification to restoration companies. IICRC Certified Firms have the right to display the IICRC Certified Logo.

IICRC Certified Firms must

• Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.

• Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.

• Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.

• Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.

• Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.

The IICRC Develops The Standards For The Restoration Industry

The IICRC has been the driving force in establishing the main industry standards and reference guides for professional carpet cleaning, water damage restoration and mold remediation. These IICRC standards take years to develop and require the coordination of experts in the field: manufacturers, industry organizations, insurance professionals, training schools, contractors, and public health professionals.

Every five years, the standards are reviewed and updated. The water damage restoration field changes rapidly with advancements in technology and science, and therefore the standards must evolve to keep pace.

Flu Prevention

1/3/2017 (Permalink)

Tips on prevention of the flu

Strategies for prevention of the Flu:

According to the Center Of Disease Control and Prevention people may take action everyday to stay healthy in the wake of the flu outbreak.

* Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.

* Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol based hand cleaners are also effective.

* Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

Try to avoid close contact with sick people.

* Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.

* If you get sick, CDC recommends you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.

Help prevent the spread of flu germs.

Homes and business can depend on their local SERVPRO franchise professional to clean and sanitize building materials, surfaces and contents following restoration industry standards, using professional cleaning products and EPA- registered cleaners and disinfectants.