How to Beat the Heat This Summer

So...it's summer and it's HOT HOT HOT...and muggy!

How can you have a fun summer and still stay safe and cool? Here are a few of our favorite tips...

1. CHECK YOUR AC: Clean or replace the filter in room and central air conditioners once a month during the summer. If you have central air-conditioning, have the ducts checked for leaks, which can reduce a system's efficiency by as much as 15 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
2. SQUIRT YOURSELF: Keep a spray bottle in the refrigerator or in a cooler if you are out and about. Give yourself and kids a spritz when you feel hot. Begin with your wrists to quickly cool down the blood flowing through your veins.
3. GIVE YOUR OVEN A SUMMER VACATION: Using the oven heats up the house. Try using the grill, microwave or stovetop. Or even better, eat salads or smoothies that will keep you and your house cool.
4. EAT COLD TREATS: Bring down your core temperature with shaved ice, ice cream, popsicles and smoothies. Your kids will love you for it.
5. DRINK LOTS OF COLD WATER: During summer, you sweat more, and you have to replenish the water in your body. Drink a nice cold glass of water and keep a bottle with you always.
   

CHECK OUT OUR SUMMERTIME PINTEREST BOARD FOR MORE GREAT TIPS TO BEAT THE HEAT...PLUS SUMMER RECIPES, KID FUN, AND OTHER INSPIRATION.

"Imagine" a Kid's Safety Video from SafeKids.org

Imagine a world where all kids have a chance to grow up healthy and safe, no matter where they live. Where kids can reach their potential and become whatever they dream to be - http://www.safekids.org/why-it-matters

Rain, Rain...Go AWAY!

CHECK OUT THIS GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT GEORGIA FLOODING FROM READYGA:

The past few weeks of seemingly non-stop rain have made for a soggy Georgia. Parts of the state have been issued flash flood warnings throughout June and into July. Georgia is no stranger in floods, in 2009 north Georgia experienced what scientists call one of the worst floods in the country in the last 100 years. Almost half of the state's annual rainfall fell in some areas in just 24 hours. Ten people lost their lives, and the state insurance commissioner estimated the resulting damage to cost $250 million.

There are things you can do now to prepare yourself for floods. Check out the Ready Georgia floods and flash floods page for more information on flood preparedness and safety.

• Know your area's flood risk – if unsure, call your local emergency management agency.
• Property insurance does not typically cover flood damage, so talk to your insurance provider about your policy and consider if you need additional coverage.

READ MORE TIPS FROM READYGA

Happy Small Business Week!

To all of the dream-chasers and do-it-yourselfers, the mom and pops and the tech startups: this week is about you. Happy Small Business Week from Google!

Champion is SCRT Member of the Day!

SCRT Member of the day, Champion Construction Systems - Sharpsburg GA. www.championcsi.com/

SEE US ON SCRT'S FACEBOOK PAGE!

ABOUT SCRT: "The Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians is a nonprofit trade association for companies of all sizes and sectors in the inspection, cleaning, restoration, and related industries. The SCRT's mission is to be the leading worldwide resource that provides members with up-to-date technical, management, and marketing information. The SCRT will help companies be successful in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, industry coworkers, allied vendors, consumers, communities, and the environment."

MAY IS NATIONAL ELECTRICAL SAFETY MONTH

May is National Electrical Safety Month. According to ESFI (Electrical Safety Foundation International) the theme for this year is "Electrical Safety for All Ages". Here is what they had to say about this year's campaign...

Each year, electrical failures are the cause of 43,900 home fires, resulting in 438 deaths, 1,430 injuries and $1.47 billion in property damage. While electrical hazards threaten the public at large, certain populations experience risks that are significantly higher than that of the general population. Our youngest and oldest populations are exceptionally vulnerable. Since 1999, an average of 496 children ages 14 and under have died each year due to unintentional fire or burn-related injury. As for the older population, the risk for individuals aged 65 and older dying in a fire is 2.6 times greater than that of the general population, and this risk increases with age. With that in mind, ESFI has developed a multifaceted campaign with valuable safety resources targeting our youngest and oldest populations, as well as up-to-date safety resources for the general public.

Check out these great resources from ESFI...

Resources for the Workplace

Electrical Safety Advocate Guide

Resources for Older Adults

Resources for Children

Resources for Homeowners and Consumers

Zach and Icela Reets on the Today Show!

Check out Zach and Icela Reets on the Today Show this morning! Look closely that's them peeking out between Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie. Icela is wearing a red jacket and Zach is right behind her. All of us stuck back here at Champion are glad to see they are having fun and that their New York trip is off to a great start!

Eat Out and Help the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia

Have Dinner Out and Help the Alzheimers Association!

Click here to learn about the Alzheimer's Association.

If you would like to help this great cause, all you have to do is print the flyer and go eat! Everyone who brings in the flyer they will donate 20% back to the Alzheimer's Association of Georgia.

Here are the dates and participating locations:

Ruby Tuesday in Newnan, GA

May 28, 13

June 11, 2013

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Chili's in Peachtree City, GA

May 23, 2013

DOWNLOAD THE FLYER

Oh no my carpet looks dirty!!!

What should you do when this is your situation? Well you have a number of options. You could rent a portable carpet cleaner. But those type of machines are not easy to use and don't really do that great of a job. You could try some type of carpet spotter, while Its true spotters when used properly do work well, often times you need to rinse the soil out of the carpet fibers to make them look good again. So you could get a really cheap cleaning by someone who may or may not care how it turns out, though you may find out the old saying "you get what you pay for" to be true. The best option would be to turn to a reputable carpet cleaning company that's IICRC certified to come and professionally care for your carpets. Check out how we helped a customer with that same scenario.

Upholstery cleaning

The other day I was asked to do a bright white chair. The chair itself was in great overall condition but being as white as it was it doesn't take much to make it look a little dingy or dull. Check out the results in the photo above I think it turned out well.