Clutter Can Cause Hazards in Chicago Homes and Offices

Chicago, IL March 10, 2010 – Some of us hate the never-ending task of having to tidy and organize the things in our homes and/or offices. But, according to one local property damage restoration expert, letting things pile up could lead to more than just not having a clear space from which to live or work. It can actually cause injuries and emergency hazards.

"Many may not realize that clutter can actually lead to a number of problematic situations, including falls and other bodily injuries, as well as blocking areas that can prevent one from exiting or entering a building in an emergency" said Scott Majeski of PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists. "The inability to leave a building in an emergency quickly because of cluttered hallways and door entries, or the inability to locate important items like a fire extinguisher, is dangerous. As spring cleaning becomes top of mind for those in the community, we want to offer some tips on how they can de-clutter and make their homes and offices safe"

To prevent injuries and emergency hazards, Majeski suggests the following ways local residents and business professionals can start de-cluttering their homes and offices:

• Start in small increments. When de-cluttering your home or office, it’s best to start with closets or other storage areas first. Once you’ve freed up space in those areas for storage, you can then clear rooms, corners and other open spaces and put leftover items in your now spacious closets. It is better to have items in your closets than in trafficked areas.

• Cut clutter in the kitchen. The kitchen is probably the most common place where fires start. Your kitchen should always be clear of clutter. And, you should make sure you never have flammable objects near the oven and stove area, such as billing statements, grocery lists and other paper items, as well as dish rags, sponges or other flammable kitchen items.

• Trash junk mail. Some of us have an area in our home or office where junk mail and other unnecessary papers seem to pile up. To avoid the collection of unwanted papers, and the potential of a fire hazard, discard of unwanted mail as soon as you get it. Don’t let it pile up. If you receive a lot of bills and bank statements in the mail, consider paying bills and reviewing statements online only.

• Donate, donate, donate. If you find that you have clothes in your closet that you haven’t worn in six months or longer, it’s best to get rid of them. One way to do that is by donating them. Find a homeless shelter in your neighborhood where you can drop them off. Or, consider having a garage sale to sell clothing and other unwanted items at a low cost.

• Got books? Don’t let them collect dust. Some individuals may find that they purchase many books, but end up reading them only once. Instead of letting them collect dust and use up space, have a book exchange party where you can get rid of them, or donate them to your local library. For future reads, consider borrowing books from friends or simply getting your books at your local library instead of purchasing new ones.

PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists specializes in property emergency services. PuroClean certified technicians help families and businesses overcome the devastating setbacks caused by water, fire, mold and other conditions resulting in property damage, according to Majeski.

"Our concern is the safety of the members of our community" Majeski said. "If homes and offices are clear of clutter, individuals can walk around in them safely. And, in emergency situations, they can get out of those places in a quick fashion, while also allowing emergency workers like us to enter the home without having to navigate through clutter. We hope that the tips that we have provided are helpful"

For more information about PuroClean Property Restoration Specialists, please contact Scott Majeski at 312-453-1500.

About PuroClean®
PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a national training and support center, PuroClean responds promptly to property emergencies, demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of Continuing Education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide.

What To Do When You Need to File a Homeowners Claim.

Fire or Homeowners Claims:
1. If there is damage to the building, make any necessary temporary repairs to the building to protect the property from further damage. Save ALL bills as they are a property part of the loss.
2.If there is damage to personal property, list all items that are damaged and, if possible, obtain an estimate for repairs.
3. If a theft occurs, call your local law enforcement agency immediately.
4. Do not sign ANY paper or statements unless requested to do so by a representative of your insurance company.
5. If anyone is injured, do not admit liability or fault. Discuss the accident only with a known representative of your insurance company.

Automobile:
1. Notify the police immediately.
2. Do not admit liability or fault. Discuss the accident only with a representative of your insurance company.
3. Write down names, addresses and telephone numbers of persons involved and all witnesses to the accident.
4. Write down license numbers, make and model numbers of car(s) involved.
5. Promptly notify your insurance agent.

Regardless of the type of policy you have, call your insurance agent after you have a loss. Your agent will help you make appropriate decisions and can direct you to reputable remediation experts.

PuroClean Breaks Ground on State-of-the-Art Training and Demonstration Facility.

Ft. Lauderdale, FL (March 1, 2010) - PuroClean Academy, the training school of the nation's fastest growing property emergency services franchise company, has earned Approved School status from The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).

More than 300 PuroClean franchise owners across the country now have access to a variety of IICRC approved courses at the company’s headquarters in Tamarac, FL, where technicians can turn for IICRC approved training and certification in the categories of Water Damage Restoration, Fire and Smoke Restoration, Odor Control, Carpet Cleaning, and Color Repair.

“The IICRC S500 certification is the Cadillac of designations in the cleaning and restoration industry,” said John Capponi, CR, PuroClean’s Vice President of Operations. “Our training processes for franchise owners and technicians have always been in accordance with the industry’s highest standards, but now we're able to proudly display the official IICRC Certification Mark to represent our level of commitment to service excellence.”

PuroClean franchise owners and technicians who attain IICRC certification will be in alliance with the highest industry standards in all areas of the restoration business, from documenting and monitoring services and performance to maintaining proper invoicing procedures.

“IICRC certified professionals are highly respected by their customers and industry peers,” said Mike Reed, IICRC Instructors and Schools Committee Chairman.

In conjunction with securing IICRC approval for its training school, PuroClean will break ground in late February on a new Applied Structural Drying (ASD) Demonstration Facility. The new facility will include a classroom, as well as a state-of-the-science flood house, where all franchise owners and their employees will receive practical application of IICRC guidelines in applied structural drying and smoke and soot remediation, within a controlled environment.

The ASD facility will also be used for the research and development of new equipment and demonstrations to insurance industry professionals interested in increasing their competency and capabilities in property restoration. Construction on the facility is set to be completed later this summer.