Archived Community Blog Posts
Summer Safety and Enrichment for Kids: Tips for Parents
5/3/2024 (Permalink)
A DIY science project is always fun on a rainy day!
With school out for the summer, many of us look forward to fun-filled days and memorable adventures with our children. However, amidst the excitement, ensuring that our kids stay safe and engaged in enriching activities is crucial. Here are some tips and suggestions to help you navigate the summer months while keeping safety a top priority:
1. Outdoor Safety: Encourage outdoor play, but make sure children wear sunscreen, stay hydrated, and take breaks in the shade. Remind them about road safety when biking or playing near roads.
2. Water Safety: Supervise children closely around water, whether it's a pool, lake, or beach. Ensure they wear appropriate floatation devices if needed and know basic water safety rules.
3. Home Safety: Conduct a thorough safety check of your home. Ensure that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly. Teach kids about fire safety, including how to exit the house safely in case of emergency.
4. Summer Enrichment: Keep children engaged with educational and enriching activities. Visit the local library for summer reading programs, explore nature trails, or enroll them in educational camps or workshops.
5. Creative Activities: Encourage creativity through art projects, DIY science experiments, or cooking together. These activities not only entertain but also promote learning and development.
6. Limit Screen Time: Set boundaries on screen time and encourage outdoor play, physical activities, and face-to-face interactions with friends and family.
7. Chores and Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate chores to teach responsibility and encourage participation in the household. These can include gardening, pet care, or helping with meal preparation.
8. Community Engagement: Get involved in community events or volunteer opportunities. It's a great way for children to learn about giving back and making a positive impact.
9. Family Time: Schedule regular family outings or game nights to strengthen bonds and create lasting memories together.
10. Emergency Preparedness: Review emergency procedures with your children, including who to call in case of emergencies and how to respond to different situations.
Safety should always come first, but summer is also a time for fun and exploration. Following these tips and staying vigilant can ensure our children have a safe and fulfilling summer vacation.
Wishing you a wonderful and safe summer!
Clean up at Casino Night with Angelina Beautiful/Clean in Lufkin Texas
11/9/2021 (Permalink)
What a fantastic 3rd Annual Casino Night Fundraiser! I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!
Our very own SMR Candice Stott chaired this even for the last three years for the Angelina Beautiful/Clean’s 3rd Annual Casino Night fundraiser. This type of community event is made possible by all the local support from businesses who take it upon themselves to give and help support the community. Clean up at Casino Night with Angelina Beautiful/Clean! Go all-in to help keep our county a beautiful place at this fun event which will offer blackjack, poker, roulette, and craps for casino-type games. Not a gambler? Not a problem! We also have Plinko, a parachute drop, a DJ for dancing, a casino-style buffet, and several photo booths to enjoy. Candice and the entire Angelina Beautiful Clean Board and staff were overjoyed by the turnout! We are so grateful for the continued support of our community!
Volunteering for the Lufkin Police Department's Blue Santa 2020
1/11/2021 (Permalink)
Blue Santa always pulls the community together and shows just how much Angelina County cares.
Each and every year the Lufkin Police Department's nonprofit, LPD cares, donates to children in need in the Angelina County community. SERVPRO’s own Candice Stott and Dakota Marks had the wonderful opportunity to volunteer and be Blue Santa’s helpers for the day. From local businesses donating money and supplies, to people who give their afternoon to spread the joy, Blue Santa always pulls the community together and shows just how much Angelina County cares. This year’s event was a wonderful success, and many boxes of gifts, food, and supplies were delivered to our friends in the Angelina County community.
Blue Santa always pulls the community together and shows just how much Angelina County cares, from businesses donating money and supplies, to people who give their afternoon to spread the joy. We here at SERVPRO of Lufkin were happy to be a part the wonderful event!
Leadership Nacogdoches Monthly Meeting
12/2/2020 (Permalink)
Here is the Leadership Nacogdoches team learning more about some of the City of Nacogdoches' most vital workers.
Every month Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce Leadership Nacogdoches Program has a meeting in which all the members get to serve, learn, and become stronger leaders. While at this month's meeting, SERVPRO's own Dakota Marks had the amazing opportunity to speak with some of the City's sanitation workers, airport, police force, and firefighters. They were also able to learn more about the various tools and vehicles they use to help the residents of Nacogdoches. At the end of the day, they all had a better understanding of what exactly goes into keeping the City running smoothly, especially in these trying times.
Angelina County Harold's House Drive-in Bingo
11/13/2020 (Permalink)
The chilly November night was perfect for some bingo fun!
As communities begin to open back up and things start to look familiar again, it is still important to keep safety at the top of all of our priorities. That is why many community events are now featuring alternative ways to celebrate, post COVID-19. Candice Stott, with SERVPRO of Lufkin and Nacogdoches, was able to enjoy a wonderful night of charity bingo, but with a twist. For the first time ever, the bingo night benefitting the Harold's House - East Texas Alliance for Children, was held in a drive-in fashion. The whole event was held outside at the Angelina County Exposition Center, using projectors to display the called bingo numbers. This creative new way to keep things fun and safe helps all those in the community to feel a sense of normality again. Not only does it provide fun for the community, but it helps to support the wonderful organization, Harold's House.
Neighbors in Need
8/14/2020 (Permalink)
24/7, 365 is our promise!
When you choose SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County, you are not only choosing the nationally recognized leader in the industry. You are choosing hometown help from your locally owned franchise. We not only work in the area, we live here. We aren’t just taking care of a customer, we are taking care of our family, friends and neighbors. It’s about more than a professional image.
For us, it is a very personal reputation on the line. We truly care about every customer and making them feel like a priority is always our number one goal. We are active members in the community both as a business and as an organization that participates in civic and charitable causes. To us, reputation is everything and we can’t build that if we accept anything less than the best.
Our goal is to be the hometown helpers that you can rely on when the unexpected occurs!
Call SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County today at 936-559-0404.
Like SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches on Facebook!
8/14/2020 (Permalink)
Follow us on Facebook to stay up to date!
Have you visited our Facebook page? If not, you should drop a follow at our SERVPRO page!
SERVPRO of Lufkin/S.Nacogdoches’ Facebook is a great and easy way to keep up to date with all of our events, reviews of our service from real customers, and is a great way to reach out to us.
If you're still deciding on if we're the best choice for your situation put your mind at ease by checking out our reviews. All of the reviews on the SERVPRO page are by actual customers just like yourself!
We are also heavily involved with our community so by liking and following our page you can see which events we will attend! We have give-a-ways, games and prizes quite frequently and it's always a great time.
Feel free to get in touch with on Facebook by messaging us and by leaving a comment or review!
An Unprecedented Time For Us All
3/24/2020 (Permalink)
We are in an unprecedented time right now. New terms like "social distancing" have become our new normal. Trying to keep areas clean that people frequent can be overwhelming. SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County can help. In addition to frequent hand washing and hand sanitizing, the CDC recommends usage of a labeled hospital-grade disinfectant with claims against similar pathogens to the coronavirus. Multiple products in the SERVPRO product line carry the EPA-approved emerging pathogens claims. While there is currently no product tested against this particular strain of the coronavirus, we are following all guidelines as provided by the CDC and local authorities.
Help stop the spread of germs with a professional cleaning from SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County. Contact us at (936)936-0404.
Natural Catastrophes: Before and After
1/16/2020 (Permalink)
Mother Nature can be unpredictable. When it comes to natural disasters, ensuring proper coverage beforehand, and knowing whom to deal with to handle repairs in the aftermath can help protect your property and your finances from predatory and unscrupulous contractors looking to make a quick buck.
Unexpected events such as the hailstorms in Deep East Texas this past spring serve as reminders of the value of catastrophe insurance. When making storm repairs, be diligent and always be sure to do business with a local, licensed contractor.
Hail can quickly wreck havoc on your home and car. For autos, comprehensive coverage will safeguard your vehicle; however, a basic liability policy will not. When it comes to your home, hail damage is covered by a standard homeowner's policy, but coverage can be affected by factors such as where you live and the type of policy you have purchased.
We recommend the following tips to avoid becoming a victim of insurance fraud:
- Be wary of door-to-door solicitors
- Make sure contractors are licensed
- Read all documents before signing anything
- Keep copies of all documents signed
- Be leery of contractors trying to provide "advice" about insurance coverage
Insurance industry statistics estimate hail damage to exceed $1 billion annually in the U.S., mostly to roofs and cars. Understand the risks of where you reside and the types of catastrophe coverage available.
Fall Into Winter With SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County
12/11/2019 (Permalink)
Fall will soon turn into winter here in the Deep East Texas area, which means the ups and downs of Texas winter weather conditions. Follow this checklist to prepare your home for the winter season:
Winter Weather Checklist for Your Home:
Put weather strips on doors & windows to prevent heat from escaping.
Insulate water lines that run along outer walls of home - to prevent frozen pipes.
Chimney & flue inspection.
Purchase a fire extinguisher.
Check roof for any possible leaks - repair them if necessary.
Purchase salt & sand for the entryway of your home.
Purchase bottled water, batteries, a first-aid kit, and canned food in case of an emergency.
Keep your home temperature above freezing (even if you are not home) - to prevent frozen pipes.
Make sure to keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from any flammable items & always turn them off before leaving the house or going to sleep.
Help others - check to see that your elderly neighbors are prepared for winter weather as well!
Power Outage Safety Checklist:
Have a flashlight in your home.
Leave water taps slightly open to drip continuously.
Conserve heat by keeping doors and windows closed unless absolutely necessary to open them.
Dress warm & stay dry.
As temperatures fluctuate, SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County wants to remind everyone to be prepared for any size disaster. Pipes can burst when temperatures drop. To prevent your home from further damage call for 24/7 Emergency Service call SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County today at 936-559-0404! We are here to help!
Thanksgiving Cautions in Deep East Texas
11/26/2019 (Permalink)
Serving a deep fried turkey on Thanksgiving has grown in popularity over the years as people experiment more in their kitchens. While it may be a mouth-watering option is the risk truly worth it? Many of you may have seen the numerous videos of turkey fryer explosions and fires publicized online. Don’t run the risk of property damage or injury – make sure you take the proper precautions when menu planning this season; especially if you are taking on a deep fried turkey.
- Turkey Fryers can easily tip over, spilling hot cooking oil over a large area. Consider placement of the fryer, is it flat, sturdy, out of reach from children?
- An overfilled cooking pot will cause oil to spill when the turkey is put in and a frozen or partially frozen turkey will cause cooking oil to splatter (sometimes with great force) when put in the pot
- Even a small amount of cooking oil spilt on a hot burner can cause a considerable flame or fire
- Without thermostat controls some turkey fryers can overheat oil to the point of starting a fire. Make sure it’s not too hot.
- The sides of the cooking pot, lid and handles can get dangerously hot. Protect you hands when maneuvering to prevent injury or spillage
Your friends at SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County wish you a Happy Thanksgiving and remind you to stay safe. Remember, our team is on call 24/7 365 days a year, no matter what holiday or time of night. If you experience a fire SERVPRO of Lufkin/ S. Nacogdoches County will come to your rescue, don’t hesitate to call 936-559-0404.
Halloween Safety Tips
10/28/2019 (Permalink)
Halloween is right around the bend and it is important to take every safety precaution. Here are a few tips and tricks to practice to keep yourself and your children safe.
- Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks.
- Look left, right and left again when crossing and keep looking as you cross.
- Put electronic devices down and keep heads up and walk, don’t run, across the street.
- Teach children to make eye contact with drivers before crossing in front of them.
- Always walk on sidewalks or paths. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible. Children should walk on direct routes with the fewest street crossings.
- Watch for cars that are turning or backing up. Teach children to never dart out into the street or cross between parked cars.
Trick or Treat With an Adult
- Children under the age of 12 should not be alone at night without adult supervision. If kids are mature enough to be out without supervision, they should stick to familiar areas that are well lit and trick-or-treat in groups.
Keep Costumes Both Creative and Safe
- Decorate costumes and bags with reflective tape or stickers and, if possible, choose light colors.
- Choose face paint and makeup whenever possible instead of masks, which can obstruct a child’s vision.
- Have kids carry glow sticks or flashlights to help them see and be seen by drivers.
- When selecting a costume, make sure it is the right size to prevent trips and falls.
Drive Extra Safely on Halloween
- Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods. Children are excited on Halloween and may move in unpredictable ways.
- Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians and on curbs.
- Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully.
- Eliminate any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings.
- Drive slowly, anticipate heavy pedestrian traffic and turn your headlights on earlier in the day to spot children from greater distances.
- Popular trick-or-treating hours are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. so be especially alert for kids during those hours.
Construction Safety Tips for Nacogdoches, Texas
10/18/2019 (Permalink)
Busy construction worksites are often very dangerous places to be. Many things can go wrong throughout the process of a project, so it is in one's best interest to take the proper preventative safety measures. These three basic tips will help minimize any risk.
1. Find the correct Personal Protective Equipment to Wear on the Job.
Wearing the proper gear for a job proves to be very helpful in preventing injury. When lifting heavy objects, be sure to wear a secure back brace to limit damage to your body and the surrounding areas. Wearing proper construction footwear such as non-slip rubber soled shoes will prove to be very helpful in avoiding slipping and falling.
It is also extremely important to protect your lungs and wear breathing masks to avoid inhaling dangerous toxins around you.
2. Limit Crowding Within the Work Area
It is not uncommon for those working on a construction site to crowd around large and powerful machinery. Although it may often be unintentional, staying away from this powerful machinery is your best bet in limiting damage to other workers and even pedestrians. This rule should be strictly enforced on a construction site, and it is the responsibility of the foreman to ensure his surroundings are clear before engaging in his work.
3. Loading and Unloading Equipment Safety
Make sure there is ample room around you when loading and unloading heavy equipment off of machinery. Proper clearance of all obstacles and people around you is key in avoiding damaging any people or structures that are around you. Make sure that all objects are secured using the correct tie-down procedures.
By following these tips, you can make your construction site as safe and efficient as possible for you and your team. Although these tips may seem basic is should always be your first priority to practice the correct safety measures in the workplace.
A Clean, Professional Space
6/1/2019 (Permalink)
Keeping your space clean is a must!
Some Tips and tricks to help declutter your office in Time for the Summer!
Divide Your Workplace Into Zones: Determine how you want and need to use the space and set up zones for your daily functions. You may require a workspace for your computer, a library area for your research, a storage area for supplies and a filing area for your archives. This will provide a foundation for a more efficient use of space.
Keep Only What You Need At Arm's Length: Boxes of pens, stacks of papers and old coffee cups need to go. Rid your desk of visual clutter by paring down the items on top to the essentials only. Supplies, paperwork and personal items should be kept in the zones you've established for them.
Create A Daily Paper System: Consider creating hanging files or baskets labeled "To Read", "To Do", and "To File". Establish set days for each, so that you don't get behind or feel the overwhelming need to do everything at once.
Sort Your Catch-All Drawer: Use drawer dividers to give everything a place, like compartments for paperclips and rubber bands. Go through the drawer every six weeks and clear out anything that is out of place or isn't being used.
Eliminate Digital Clutter: Digital clutter can be just as stressful as physical clutter. Organize digital files and your e-mail inbox just as you would paper files - with a system of logical and clearly labeled folders. Also, keep the icons on your desktop to a bare minimum, and trade in sticky notes on your monitor for calendar reminders.
Disinfect Regularly: Prevent the buildup of dust, dirt, food stains and fingerprints. Wipe down your desk, phone, keyboard and monitor once a week with disinfecting wipes.
Belonging to the Community
4/1/2019 (Permalink)
The beauty of our community never ceases to amaze!
On March 30th and 31st, SERVPRO of Lufkin/S. Nacogdoches County had the privilege of being a part of two incredible community events in our local area.
First, Raguet Elementary School's Color Run, benefitting the school's ability to fund literacy initiatives, learning excursions, and family fun nights throughout the year. Young runners and their families gathered at Pecan Acres Park for the event and SERVPRO of Lufkin/S. Nacogdoches County had a hand in the fun. Prior to the run, students got to Slime some of their teachers with SERVPRO color Slime. Our own Patrick Castillo even got to be a part of the sliming.
Next was The Helping House Family Kite Fest at the Nacogdoches County airport. The festival benefitted The Helping House, whose goal is to provide networking and support for all families in the Deep East Texas area who are affected by autism and other sensory and developmental delays, whether your child is a full-time student at The Helping House or not. The event was a blast and the turnout was amazing.
Both events are hugely important and beneficial aspects of our local communities. SERVPRO of Lufkin/S. Nacogdoches County recognizes that for our area to be strong, we must be there for each other. Supporting and spreading the message of what our wonderful community has to offer is an easy and effective way of building each other up. We belong to the Deep East Texas area and wouldn't have it any other way!
Voted Best Of Lufkin 3 Years Running
8/2/2018 (Permalink)
Thank You Lufkin For Voting Us Best Of Lufkin 2018!
Because of YOU, we’ve done it again! SERVPRO® of Lufkin / S. Nacogdoches County “Best Of The Best” in the category of “Best Carpet Cleaning” by the Lufkin Daily News for 2018.
Each year, readers of the Lufkin Daily News nominate the top businesses or individuals in several key categories from all across the County. Not only did our customers nominate us for the category, they took the time to specifically vote for us on our category. Because of you, our customers, we are honored to again accept this designation for a third year in a row!
SERVPRO® of Lufkin / S. Nacogdoches County proudly services all of Deep East Texas. Life happens. Kids spill drinks, pets have accidents and homes get dirty. We have the expertise to provide a deeper clean than your basic house cleaning service. Our residential cleaning services will ease the burden of the constant maintenance cleaning of your home, but will also create a safe, clean and comfortable living environment for you and your family.
You know SERVPRO as a leader in Fire and Water Cleanup and Restoration, but our professional residential cleaning services can also make a dirty carpet "Like it never even happened."
Need Cleaning Services?
Call Us Today – (936) 559-0404
Live United
5/4/2018 (Permalink)
The SERVPRO BBQ fed many on this perfect Saturday!
The Do Dat BBQ came back to Nacogdoches this year with the proceeds going to a great cause, The United Way!
Every year the Nacogdoches Area United Way Partner Agencies touch the lives of thousands of local families. Our network collectively impacts the areas of Health, Education, Income and more. When a child needs an advocate in court we are there. When a family needs emergency shelter or food, we are there. When our older neighbors need a warm meal and activities, when children need empowerment to develop leadership and social skills and break the chains of poverty, we are there!
What they do:
Imagine a community that fosters hope and opportunity for everyone, where all children enter the school system ready to learn, where the cycle of poverty and financial dependence ends, where everyone receives effective healthcare. NAUW is the local non-profit leader in funding measurable solutions to improve our community through better access to healthcare, increased educational opportunities and financial stability.
Our Vision:To lead in meeting the needs of education, health, and financial stability in our community.
Our Mission: To match resources with needs in order to empower people in the Nacogdoches area to make a difference.
The Nacogdoches Area United Way partners with local non-profit agencies and organizations to improve our community.
??In addition to the local agencies and organizations that NAUW funds , NAUW works with local, state and national programs and organizations to meet needs in the areas of health, education, financial stability and crisis management.
24/7 Emergency Service
