A Fresh Start: School Cleaning Tips from Restoration Experts

7/8/2024 (Permalink)

By following these school cleaning tips, you can help create a clean and healthy environment that promotes learning and well-being for students.

Schools are bustling hubs of activity, with hundreds of students and staff passing through their doors every day.

With so many people in close proximity, maintaining a clean and healthy environment is crucial. As a restoration company, we understand the importance of cleanliness, especially in high-traffic areas like schools in Framingham MA. Here are some school cleaning tips to help ensure a safe and healthy learning environment:

1. Develop a Cleaning Plan: Create a comprehensive cleaning plan that outlines daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning tasks. Assign responsibilities to staff members or cleaning crews to ensure all areas are covered.
2. Use the Right Products: Choose cleaning products that are effective against a wide range of germs and viruses. Look for products that are approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use against COVID-19 and other pathogens.
3. Focus on High-Touch Areas: Pay special attention to high-touch areas such as door handles, light switches, desks, and cafeteria tables. These areas should be cleaned and disinfected frequently throughout the day.
4. Promote Hand Hygiene: Place hand sanitizer stations in key locations throughout the school, such as near entrances, in classrooms, and in the cafeteria. Encourage students and staff to practice regular hand hygiene.
5. Provide Training: Ensure that cleaning staff are properly trained on the use of cleaning products and equipment. Provide refresher training as needed to ensure they are following best practices.
6. Use Appropriate PPE: Provide cleaning staff with the necessary personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and masks, to protect them from exposure to germs and cleaning chemicals.
7. Implement Green Cleaning Practices: Consider using environmentally friendly cleaning products and practices to reduce the school's impact on the environment.
8. Monitor and Evaluate: Regularly monitor the cleanliness of the school and evaluate the effectiveness of your cleaning plan. Make adjustments as needed to ensure the school remains clean and safe.
9. Communicate with Parents and Staff: Keep parents and staff informed about the school's cleaning practices and any changes or updates to the cleaning plan. Encourage open communication and address any concerns promptly.

By following these school cleaning tips, you can help create a clean and healthy environment that promotes learning and well-being for students and staff alike.

Choose the #1 Experts in Cleanup and Restoration for Residential and Commercial Fire, Mold, Water, and Storm Damage. Contact us today! We can assist with your damage and restoration needs in Framingham MA

How To Get Rid Of Odor

2/15/2023 (Permalink)

Removing odors can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible.

Odors can be unpleasant and difficult to remove, especially if they are deeply embedded in fabrics or other materials. Fortunately, there are several effective methods for odor removal that can help you get rid of unwanted smells in your home. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most effective ways to remove odors from various surfaces.

1. Ventilate the area: One of the easiest and most effective ways to remove odors is to ventilate the area. This can be done by opening windows and doors to let in fresh air, using a fan to circulate the air, or simply turning on your air conditioning or heating system to help remove any stagnant or stale air.
2. Baking soda: Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that can help remove odors from a variety of surfaces. Simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda onto the affected area and let it sit for several hours or overnight. Then, vacuum or sweep up the baking soda and any residual odor.
3. White vinegar: White vinegar is another effective natural deodorizer that can help remove stubborn odors. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and apply to the affected area. Let it sit for several hours, then wipe clean with a damp cloth.
4. Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is a powerful odor absorber that can help eliminate even the strongest of smells. Simply place a few pieces of activated charcoal in a container and leave it in the affected area for several hours or overnight. The charcoal will absorb the odor and leave the air smelling fresh and clean.
5. Enzyme cleaners: Enzyme cleaners are specially designed to break down organic matter and eliminate odors. They can be used on a variety of surfaces, including carpets, upholstery, and clothing. Simply apply the enzyme cleaner to the affected area, let it sit for several hours, then wash or rinse as directed.
6. Professional cleaning: If all else fails, it may be time to call in the professionals. Professional cleaning services have the tools and expertise to remove even the toughest odors, whether they are in your carpets, furniture, or air ducts. They can also help identify the source of the odor and provide advice on how to prevent it from returning in the future.

Removing odors can be a challenging task, but it is not impossible. Whether you opt for natural remedies or professional cleaning services, it is important to take action as soon as possible to prevent the odor from getting worse and spreading to other areas of your home.

SERVPRO of Framingham is your premier choice for fire damage and restoration. Our teams are ready to respond 24 hours a week, any day of the year. When you bring us on the job our team of licensed contractors and certified technicians will work collaboratively with you throughout the duration of the project. They will keep you updated on the project's status and ensure that your expectations are met. We will help you to move forward and make it “Like it never even happened” for all of your fire damage. 

Planning To Reopen - Our Schools, DESE FAQ Special Education Qs 5-8

9/8/2020 (Permalink)

The way in which our children learn and our educators teach to begin this school year will be will challenging for both to say the least. Regardless of the reopening model chosen by your school district, all schools will be providing remote learning to some extent. Parents whose children require special education in the COVID-19 environment may be struggling with how these necessary changes may impact the ability of school districts to meet their children's needs.  The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has put together a FAQ to help parents navigate these uncharted waters. 

Please note supplemental information can be found on the Department's website at DESE COVID-19 Information and Resources.

NOTE: COVID-19 is highly transmissible. Individuals should follow these universal precautions regardless of the extent of mitigation needed:

1. Follow healthy hygiene practices
2. Stay at home when sick
3. Practice social distancing 
4. Use a cloth face covering (with some exceptions) in community settings when physical distancing cannot be maintained.

The current state of the COVID-19 pandemic is continually evolving. What is true today may not be tomorrow. At this time, the evidence suggests schools have not played a significant role in COVID-19 transmission and that children, particularly younger children, are less likely than adults to be infected with COVID-19.

As always, work with your local health officials to determine a set of strategies appropriate for your community’s situation.

(See our Planning to Reopen series of blogs for more information regarding CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA, Mass DESE, and OSHA safety requirements). To review the administration's reopening guidance from the state click here. To view Governor Baker's full report click here).

The Massachusetts DESE recommends that districts and schools select high quality, and subject areas.

Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Special Education Related Services, and Models of Learning

5) How can schools and districts notify and document the implementation of a student’s IEP if the delivery of services is different than described in the student’s IEP(i.e.,in circumstances where the school or district is providing services through an in-person, remote, or hybrid learning model that may look different than traditionally delivered due to COVID-19)?

Teachers or IEP liaisons should contact students’ parents/guardians as soon as possible to discuss how a given student’s IEP service will be delivered if different than described in the student’s IEP, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using input from that discussion, teachers or liaisons must provide parents/guardians with written documentation containing specific information about how IEP services will be delivered promptly at the start of the 2020-2021 school year. Examples of written documentation include the use of an N1,DESE’s sample “COVID-19 Special Education Learning Plan”, letter,or other means of written communication. Translations of this resource will be made available to schools and districts on DESE’s website.

This documentation should include how and where specialized services are being provided. If the remote model or remote portion of the hybrid model are being employed, this documentation should also include when the specialized services are being provided in remote. This documentation should be dated to reflect when services began. If plans change, revision dates should be added to the plan. This written documentation does not constitute an IEP amendment, and students retain stay-put rights through their IEP. Though parental consent is not required to implement the modified in-person, hybrid, or remote special education services plan, it is recommended for schools and districts to keep families informed of any changes in service delivery. Schools and districts can deliver written notification to families in multiple ways, e.g., U.S. mail, email, student information systems, or online communication platforms. Each communication should be in the primary language of the home, using interpreters and translating documents, when appropriate.

6) What types of services can be provided remotely? 

The U.S. Department of Education (USED) has stated that the IDEA does not mandate specific methodologies. Where technology itself imposes a barrier to access or where educational materials simply are not available in an accessible format, educators may still meet their legal obligations by providing children with IEPs equally effective alternate access to the curriculum or services provided to other students. For example, if a teacher who has a blind student in her class is working from home and cannot distribute a document accessible to that student, she can distribute to the rest of the class an inaccessible document and, if appropriate for the student, read the document over the phone to the blind student or provide the blind student with an audio recording of a reading of the document aloud. The Department encourages parents/guardians, educators, and administrators to collaborate creatively to continue to meet the needs of students with IEPs. Consider practices such as distance instruction, tele-therapy and tele-intervention, meetings held on digital platforms, online options for data tracking, and documentation. 

7) How can related services be provided during the suspension of in-person education? 

Related services can be provided remotely to students in accordance with the guidelines of their respective professional boards. Schools and districts should document the provision of related services in their written notification to parents.This communication should be in the primary language of the home, using interpreters and translating documents, when appropriate.

8) If a school or district chooses a hybrid or remote model, how does this impact special education students who receive services in community-based settings and students who participate in inclusive concurrent enrollment programs at institutions of higher education?

Although in-person participation in community-based programs and inclusive concurrent enrollment programs at institutions of higher education may be limited at this time, schools and districts should make best efforts to develop plans collaboratively with community-based providers, colleges, parents/guardians, and students in order to allow students access to as much programming as possible during COVID-19. Current health and safety requirements must remain a priority when making decisions about the extent to which transition services may be provided in the community. However, it is highly recommended that in-person transition services resume as soon as it is safe to do so with the proper health and safety measures in place.

NOTE: According to Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education areas of the school visited by the COVID-19 positive individual must be closed off and/or cleaned and disinfected. The area can be used 12 hours after cleaning/disinfecting has occurred.

While the administration continues to work with communities to implement best practices and protocols for reopening our schools we will continue to share with you guidance from the CDC, EPA, FDA, Mass EEA, Mass EEC, Mass DESE, and OSHA and the Governor's office to follow as we prepare for the new school year.

Also, we at SERVPRO of Framingham know that not every community has access to the resources necessary to meet the strict cleaning guidelines to ensure a safe environment for our children. For those communities, we are here to help!

Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned

The Disaster Remediation Teams at SERVPRO of Framingham are specialists in cleaning services and we adhere to the highest cleaning and sanitation standards. We are prepared to clean and disinfect your schools, according to protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. We have years of experience in dealing with biological contaminants, and we will go beyond the scope of work of "normal daily cleaning". Call SERVPRO of Framingham today for a free consultation - (508) 370-4400.

All of us here at SERVPRO of Framingham want you and your loved ones to stay safe and know that we will make it through this together! Rest assured, we will continue to do our best to keep you up-to-date and informed!

SERVPRO of Framingham Can Even Handle Hoarding

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

We can all relate to the difficulty of deciding whether or not to keep items, however 'Hoarding' is an actual condition when a person has persistent difficulty discarding personal possessions.  A significant amount of possessions overwhelm the home preventing normal use of the space or even making it unusable.  Hoarding brings distress and emotional health concerns.

Hoarding can increase fire risk in many ways:

• Electrical wiring may be old, worn, or exposed from the weight of piles.  Rodents could chew on wiring.  Damage wires poses a fire threat.
• Cooking is unsafe if flammable items are close to the stove or oven.
• Heating units may be too close to items or on unstable surfaces that could cause the unit to tip onto a pile which could cause a fire. 
• Open flames from smoking or candles with excess clutter are very dangerous.
• Obstructed pathways and exits may prevent escape from a fire.

Also, hoarding could not only impact the homeowner, but, also the first responders to a house fire.

• A cluttered home would obstruct firefighters movement throughout the home.
• Firefighters could injure themselves from falling piles or even be trapped by blocked exits.
• The weight of the stored items, especially if water is added to extinguish the fire, could cause collapse.
• Clutter could impede the search and rescue of people and pets and make it difficult to provide medical care.

When talking to a person who hoards, focus on safety not the clutter.  Be empathetic, stress the importance of clear pathways and exits for a safer home.

SERVPRO of Framingham has experience with cleaning hoarding homes.  Hoarding is a specialty situation and in some cases involves some sort of biohazard situation.  Personal protection equipment is a must in these situations and should not be completed by a family member or friend.  If a family member is struggling and you need assistance, please call our office at (508) 370-4400.  We will be happy to assist you in making your home a safe place.

We Are Green & Clean with Benefect

6/12/2017 (Permalink)

The consumer today has increasingly been more aware of the chemicals in their products than ever before. Now SERVPRO of Framingham is offering safe alternatives.

Benefect, the world's first government registered hospital disinfectant using the essential oils from plants.  Today their technology can be found in many products including naturally based cleaners and alcohol-free hand sanitizer.

In nature, plants produce germ-killing essential oils to protect themselves from invading microbes, similar to how our bodies produce antibodies for our protection against disease.  Benefect is a revolutionary blend of these antimicrobial extracts, particularly from the herb Thyme.  Disinfectants typically use quaternary amines, bleach, or even synthetic thymol to kill germs.  Remarkably, Benefect kills over 99.99% of germs using only food-grade plant extracts.  Benefect is a 'plant immune system' in a bottle.

• Kills 99.99% of Germs.
• No Label Warnings or Signal Words.
• Made from Plant Extracts.
• No Synthetic Ingredients.
• No Rinse or Wipe Required

SERVPRO of Framingham Can Even Handle Hoarding

4/27/2016 (Permalink)

Hoarding can pose a fire risk. SERVPRO of Framingham can help make your home a safe place.

We can all relate to the difficulty of deciding whether or not to keep items, however 'Hoarding' is an actual condition when a person has persistent difficulty discarding personal possessions.  A significant amount of possessions overwhelm the home preventing normal use of the space or even making it unusable.  Hoarding brings distress and emotional health concerns.

Hoarding can increase fire risk in many ways:

• Electrical wiring may be old, worn, or exposed from the weight of piles.  Rodents could chew on wiring.  Damage wires poses a fire threat.
• Cooking is unsafe if flammable items are close to the stove or oven.
• Heating units may be too close to items or on unstable surfaces that could cause the unit to tip onto a pile which could cause a fire. 
• Open flames from smoking or candles with excess clutter are very dangerous.
• Obstructed pathways and exits may prevent escape from a fire.

Also, hoarding could not only impact the homeowner, but, also the first responders to a house fire.

• A cluttered home would obstruct firefighters movement throughout the home.
• Firefighters could injure themselves from falling piles or even be trapped by blocked exits.
• The weight of the stored items, especially if water is added to extinguish the fire, could cause collapse.
• Clutter could impede the search and rescue of people and pets and make it difficult to provide medical care.

When talking to a person who hoards, focus on safety not the clutter.  Be empathetic, stress the importance of clear pathways and exits for a safer home.

SERVPRO of Framingham has experience with cleaning hoarding homes.  Hoarding is a specialty situation and in some cases involves some sort of biohazard situation.  Personal protection equipment is a must in these situations and should not be completed by a family member or friend.  If a family member is struggling and you need assistance, please call our office at (508) 370-4400.  We will be happy to assist you in making your home a safe place.

We Are Green & Clean with Benefect

2/8/2016 (Permalink)

The consumer today has increasingly been more aware of the chemicals in their products than ever before. Now SERVPRO of Framingham is offering safe alternatives.

Benefect, the world's first government registered hospital disinfectant using the essential oils from plants.  Today their technology can be found in many products including naturally based cleaners and alcohol-free hand sanitizer.

In nature, plants produce germ-killing essential oils to protect themselves from invading microbes, similar to how our bodies produce antibodies for our protection against disease.  Benefect is a revolutionary blend of these antimicrobial extracts, particularly from the herb Thyme.  Disinfectants typically use quaternary amines, bleach, or even synthetic thymol to kill germs.  Remarkably, Benefect kills over 99.99% of germs using only food-grade plant extracts.  Benefect is a 'plant immune system' in a bottle.

• Kills 99.99% of Germs.
• No Label Warnings or Signal Words.
• Made from Plant Extracts.
• No Synthetic Ingredients.
• No Rinse or Wipe Required