Winter Fire Safety Quiz

1. Where do most fires start in the home?

A. The bedroom
B. The living room
C. The kitchen
D. The bathroom

The answer is C: 30% of house fires start in the kitchen.

2. In the United States, a home fire claims a life every _________.

A. 2 hours
B. 3 hours
C. 6 hours
D. 8 hours

The answer is B: In the United States, a home fire claims a life every 3 hours.

3. TRUE OR FALSE: Use a fire extinguisher if you have a grease fire on your stove.

The answer is FALSE: Never pour water or use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire.

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Water Damaged Furniture?

With the recent catastrophe that has hit the Greater Atlanta Area, it has undoubtedly left some with furniture that they just could not bring themselves to throw away. Any item in question would need to be dried as soon as possible assessing items that are upholstered to see if they could be stripped down to the items skeleton to accommodate the drying process. Once dried the extent of damage will be evident. If there are areas of splitting or cracking it would be recommended to have the item professionally evaluated.  The following link is for a company that I would recommend to anyone: www.furniture-clinic.com. The item should be cleaned with a mild detergent and warm water and dried immediately with a clean towel. Evaluate to verify the presence of any water staining or clouding. There are many manufacturers who have products for water staining, i.e. Gaurdsman, Murphy's Oil Soap, or Old English. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous area to observe the effect on the finish and color. Any item in need of reupholstering could also be assessed by The Furniture Clinic. www.furniture-clinic.com

Peter Kanavas - Contents Supervisor

Keeping Healthy: 10 Tips for Businesses

I came across these at www.flu.gov and wanted to pass it on.

Keeping Healthy: 10 Tips for Businesses

Employees are a crucial resource at any business, and especially small businesses. There are steps you can take now, and during the flu season, to help protect the health of your employees.

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Office Email Etiquette

Within the last couple of years Champion has grown to a significantly large construction company.  This calls for more office personnel to handle all the task involved with insurance company adjusters, vendors, sub-contractors, and homeowners. With that being said, a certain amount of office etiquette should be displayed by all. Below are a few tips.

Ninety two percent of Internet users in the United States use email. That's a huge number since 73% of those living in the U.S. use the Internet (Information Please® Database, Pearson Education, Inc., 2008). Many people use email for business communications, which stresses the importance of knowing proper email etiquette. While a lot of people understand the importance of following certain rules when writing a business letter, they often forget these rules when composing an email message. Here's a refresher.

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Wee'r knot nown fur hour speling

Ok, here's the deal.  Champion is well known as one of the premier construction/restoration companies in the south Atlanta area.  But we're not the greatest spellers.  You see, I'm the Construction Manager here, but I have also been given the designation of "Job Processing Program Administrator".  Little did I know what that would involve. 

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SECRETARY NAPOLITANO AND ADMINISTRATOR FUGATE MARK THE BEGINNING OF NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH

WASHINGTON—Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Craig Fugate today marked the beginning of the sixth annual National Preparedness Month—focusing on becoming better prepared for and more resilient in the face of emergencies of all kinds.

“National Preparedness Month is about building a culture of personal preparedness and shared responsibility across our country,” said Secretary Napolitano. “This month, we ask all Americans to visit Ready.gov to learn what they can do to help their families, businesses and communities stay safe during an emergency—whether it be hurricanes like Katrina, the fires we are fighting in California or pandemic influenza.”

“Every American is a critical member of our nation’s emergency response team,” said FEMA Administrator Fugate. “By taking a few simple steps now, each of us can make sure we are better prepared for the next emergency or disaster.”

For more information on the Ready Campaign and National Preparedness Month, visit www.ready.gov or www.listo.gov—or call 1-800-BE-READY or 1-888-SE-LISTO for more emergency preparedness information.

Pack-Out? Huh?

When a customer is told that their house is going to be packed out, sometimes what they envision is not an accurate depiction of what actually takes place. So, just to offer a bit of clarity, here is a general explanation of what to expect:

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Be a Safe Driver

It has been estimated that over 1,200,000 people lose their lives in traffic accidents worldwide each year!  By taking some practical steps to drive safely, lives could very well be saved.  According to the Australian Journal of Social Issues, 'a driver improving ones behavior at the wheel will reduce the risk of fatalities, such as fatigue, which can dull one's mind and slow responses.'  Other emotional behaviors that affect driving safety, and can lead to unwise decisions, include the following: anger, anxiety and excitement.  Let's not forget one's physical condition too, certain illnesses or injuries can cause a person's ability to drive safely.  By respecting the lives of others we would not want to be behind the wheel if our driving ability has been impaired by medication, or alcohol abuse.  Try and avoid distractions such as multitasking: cell phones, texting and other operating devices.  Always drive defensively by staying alert and assume the other drive does not see you.  Maintaining a safe distance between vehicles will prevent most collisions, which is the main cause for high insurance premiums to  increase  according to the Insurance Safety Institute.  Driving is a necessity and a privilege for millions of people today.  By respecting and showing consideration to others can save lives!

Pam Brown - Marketing Representative

What's Your Emergency Response Plan?

During these distressing economic times, many of us have found ourselves going back to the basics. Some have done this as a precaution while it has been downright necessary for others. We find ourselves asking, is this a necessary expense? And, what changes can I make today, to make my business stronger tomorrow? The result is that we cut back and are left with the core basics that really matter.

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Photography: You can do it, but here are a few tips to remember....

I was recently contacted by an online travel guide company.  They had found a photo that I had taken that I posted online and they wanted to use it in there newest travel guide. Of course I did not get paid for it but I was honored that they chose it and gave me credit for it. I by no means consider myself a "professional" photographer. I have never owned a fancy camera with all the accessories or taken any course on photography. I try to the best with what hardware I have  but I let my passion for the art do the rest.  I have learned many things about photography on my own and sadly there are many thing that I have learned the hard way. I would like to share them and some other tips with you that may help you wether you are take it up as a hobby or to use in your business. (Again, I am not a professional)

1. Take advantage of opportunities -Photography is 24/7, it really is all about timing. I can't count the times that I have said or my wife has said " I/You should have had the camera" No matter what field of work you are in or what recreational activities you enjoy when a opportunity for a good photos presents itself have a camera and start shooting. Look for opportunities that might repeat themselves the next day or at a certain time of the year if you missed it the first time , like a sunset or a winter shot. Keep it in your mind or write it down and catch it the next go round.

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