Safe Boating Tips for Summer Fun!

8/3/2016 (Permalink)

All of us here at SERVPRO of Danbury/Ridgefield want to wish you a happy summer vacation. Our technicians enjoy boating on local lakes including Candlewood Lake. We always strive for safe boating practices and encourage you to join us! No matter how much experience you have, it’s always a good idea for everyone to review boating safety rules before departures. Below you will find 10 basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:

Be Weather-Wise

Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, volatile and rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.

Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist

Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.

Use Common Sense

One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.

Designate an Assistant Skipper

Make sure more than one person on board is familiar with all aspects of your boat’s handling, operations, and general boating safety. If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it’s important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.

Make Proper Use of Lifejackets

Did you know that the majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren’t part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Wear it!

Avoid Alcohol

Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.

Learn to Swim

If you’re going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim. Local organizations, such as the American Red Cross and others, offer training for all ages and abilities. Check to see what classes are offered in your area.

Take a Boating Course

Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. Regardless of your individual state's requirements, it's always important to be educated and prepared for every circumstance that might arise. You can learn boating safety rules by taking a local community course or online course to help educate yourself.

Consider a Free Vessel Safety Check

Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they’ll provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations. They also offer virtual online safety checks as well.

Summer Grilling Tips!

8/3/2016 (Permalink)

Summer is in full swing, and that means most of us are firing up that backyard grill. If you are shying away from grilling, or just want a refresher course on the basics of grilling, then keep reading.  Here are my top 10 tips for excellent summer grilling.

1. Start with a clean grill. Don’t let last night’s salmon skin impart a fishy-char flavor to tonight’s chicken breasts. Use a sturdy metal brush to clean off the grates in between uses. (This is easiest when the grill is hot.)

2. Don’t move the food around. In general, the fewer times you flip something, the better (once is ideal for most meats). If the meat is stuck to the grill, let it cook more — it will unstick itself when it’s ready for flipping.

3. Don’t squeeze or flatten meats. Yes, I know that burst of sizzling flame that comes from squishing a burger with spatula is tempting. But you know what is creating that flame burst? Fat. And you know what fat is? Juicy flavor. Don’t squish meat, because you will squeeze out the taste and moisture.

4. Keep a spray bottle handy for flare-ups. Flames are not your food’s friends — they will char it unpleasantly. Keep a spray bottle filled with water handy; this will allow you to dampen flare-ups without interfering with heat.

5. Buy a meat thermometer. Unless you are a very experienced cook, it is hard to tell meat’s temperature merely by touching it. (Although if you are interested, here’s how to do it: Touch the meat. If it’s soft like the flesh between your index finger and thumb, it’s rare. If it’s soft like your cheek, it’s medium-rare, and if it’s firm like your forehead it’s well-done.) More accurate for most of us: A quick check of temp from a thermometer. Your confidence in grilling will skyrocket with this one $10 purchase.

6. Avoid putting cold foods straight on the grill. Letting meat come to temperature on the counter for 30 minutes before grilling will help it cook more evenly. (If you are looking for a rare sear, however — like if you’re grilling tuna, for example — then chilled is the way the go!)

7. Undercook foods, just slightly. Carryover cooking is a real thing — food continues to cook after it leaves the grill. You can expect food temperature to go up about 5 degrees after leaving the grill, so plan accordingly.

8. Rest all meat! Allow the meat to sit undisturbed (and unsliced!) for five to 15 minutes after cooking, as this will allow the juices to redistribute. The bigger the piece of meat, the longer the rest time. Resting meat is an important key to juicy results.

9. Don’t over-char to cook through meat with bones. No one wants to eat meat covered in thick, black char. If you have thicker meats with bones, such as chicken thighs or legs, cook them on high heat to get a nice crust, and then move to lower, indirect heat on the grill. This will allow the meat to cook through more slowly without overcooking the outside. Or, consider par-cooking the chicken in an oven for 15 to 20 minutes before grilling. Also great to precook: ribs!

10. Keep it simple when serving a crowd. Managing numerous cook times for different proteins and veggies can easily become stressful, and it can result in errors and overcooking. Keep the protein options down as much as possible, and offer variety in some interesting side dishes, sauces or condiments.

May 4th- International Firefighters Day

5/5/2016 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of Danbury/Ridgefield celebrates International Firefighter's Day

May 4th is the International Firefighters Day in which all around the world people are celebrating their local firefighters bravery, commitment, dedication and sacrifices on International FireFighters' Day. Together we share their celebrations but we also remember those working and fighting right now amidst a massive battle to protect lives & property, particularly our brethren fighting a raging wildfire in Alberta, Canada.

Let's send them strength in their battle, let them know you're thinking of them and share images created for IFFD this year. Firefighters dedicate their lives to the protection of life and property, Sometimes that dedication is in the form of countless volunteer hours over many years, or even decades. In others it is many selfless years working in the industry, helping those in need. In all cases, it risks the ultimate sacrifice of a firefighter's life.

Stay safe brave firefighters, we wish we were fighting by your side.

Red Cross Ready Rating

5/4/2016 (Permalink)

Are you a member of the Red Cross Ready Program? If not, now is the time to join the free ready program which helps rate your business and its preparation for an emergency or disaster. "Organizations understand the need for being prepared and ready for disasters, but often consider the process for getting better prepared as cumbersome and complicated. Since its inception in 2008, the Ready Rating program has been recognized by preparedness experts as the much needed, easy to understand and not intimidating solution for helping an organization take the steps to become prepared to respond to and successfully withstand a disaster and other emergencies" 

At SERVPRO of Danbury/Ridgefield we are dedicated to being prepared for the next disaster, and we recommend that you join in the training and preparation! SERVPRO of Danbury/Ridgefield has an emergency ready plan that helps business owners respond in the event of an emergency. If you would like more information on the free SERVPRO ERP please feel free to contact our office at 203-791-0920.

Danbury Fire Prevention Day 2014

10/7/2014 (Permalink)

Live Fire Demonstration

SERVPRO of Danbury/Ridgefield was honored to be asked to participate in the 2014 Danbury Fire Prevention Day on 10/4/2104 held at the Home Depot in Danbury. This event highlighted the importance of fire prevention and even featured a live burn demonstration. Thank you to the Danbury Fire Department, Home Depot and the other sponsors for a wonderful event.