How to Stay Healthy During Flu Season

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It is inevitable that during the colder months, sicknesses and germs are more prevalent. There is a multitude of actions that can be taken to prevent and reduce your risk of catching a cold, COVID-19, or the flu. Here are a few simple tips you can employ that may help you stay healthy this season.

Distance

Keep your distance from people who are experiencing symptoms. If you yourself are experiencing symptoms, it is important also to keep your distance from others. Another important prevention method to keep in mind, however simple it may be, is to cover your nose and mouth when sneezing.

Wash Hands to Remove Germs

One of the oldest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of germs is washing your hands frequently. Washing for at least 20 seconds is the most effective way to remove germs and prevent potential viruses from spreading.

The primary means of transmitting colds, COVID-19, and the flu is through contact with the droplets of infected people who talk, sneeze, or cough. If droplets of an infected person come in contact with your hands, this is an easy way for you to get sick as well. This is also why it is important to keep your hands away from your eyes, nose, and mouth as much as possible.

Vaccines & Anti-Viral Drugs

Even some of the best preventative measures are not 100%. With that said, it is helpful to consider the following:

  • Getting vaccinated 
  • Using anti-viral drugs
  • Vitamins & Zinc
  • Getting plenty of sleep 
  • Eating a healthy diet 
  • Drinking plenty of fluids 

Clean and Disinfect Germs From Your Home, School, and Work

The cleaner you keep your home, the more difficult it is for viruses to survive outside of a human host. While cleaning is important to keep viruses from attaching to organisms or organic matter where they live longer, disinfecting destroy these viruses on contact. It is important to implement the below on a consistent basis.

  • Routine cleaning & disinfecting of all surfaces and frequently used objects
  • Providing disposable towels, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, and soap 
  • Staying home when sick 

Why Call Brickley Environmental?

If you need remediation services, Brickley Environmental is here to help. Our knowledgeable, experienced staff will answer your call, listen to your needs, and provide you with the following services to address any problem you may be experiencing. 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Hazardous Waste Removal
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Remediation
  • Demolition & More 

Call today and find out more about our services. We hope that you stay safe during the cold and flu season.

For more information on staying safe during this cold and flu season, click here to visit the CDC website.

Cleaning Up the Mold in Your Home

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In your home, you may notice distinctive signs of mold infestation. The bad news is that what you see may only be the tip of the iceberg. This is because mold itself is everywhere, but it only becomes a danger to your home when it is combined with humidity. The presence of water causes the mold to replicate quickly and consume the organic materials in your home. 

Suppose your home has experienced any flooding, whether, from natural sources or interior ones such as a leaky pipe or water heater, there is a good probability that mold may be present and growing. You will need to conduct an inspection to see if there is any that may require hiring a professional if the area is difficult to reach or may be quite extensive in nature. 

Proven Steps to Clean Up Mold

The first step is to stop the source of the water leak or infiltration. That means fixing the pipe or waiting until the flooding stops before you take the next step. 

  • Dry Everything Out: By opening windows and turning on fans you can dry out the area rather quickly. This will slow down growth considerably and make it much easier to clean away. Dry out the area first before you clean. 
  • Scrub Thoroughly: Once the area is dry, you can use a simple detergent or bleach mixed with water to kill and remove it from the surface. Bleach is quite effective but can also damage the materials you scrub. 
  • Dry & Inspect: Once you have thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned any away, be sure to re-dry the area using fans. Once complete, inspect the area again to catch any mold that might have remained and is prone to growing again. 

Additional Tips for Cleaning Up Mold

Keep in mind that some materials may be so infested with mold that they will need to be removed, such as carpet or ceilings tiles. Porous materials may be next to impossible to clean, so tossing them out properly is the only answer. 

Do not paint or otherwise try to cover up surfaces with mold still present. Paint will likely just peel away, leaving you with an even bigger mess to clean. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

If you suspect that your home is infested with mold, call the experts at Brickley Environmental. Our staff will take your call, listen to your needs, and answer your questions so you can make the best-informed decision. 

Brickley Environmental, we have years of experience cleaning out homes just like yours. We also offer a wide range of other services that include asbestos abatement, removal of lead-based paint along with hazardous waste, and even providing demolition services. When you need mold removed from your home, call the professionals at Brickley Environmental today. 

For more information about mold, click here to visit the CDC website.

Safety Tips for Attending School During COVID-19

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As we ease into a new school year, it is important to keep in mind that there are still risks of exposure to COVID-19. In order to limit the risk, here are some common tips to ensure the safety of you and your family.

Safety Benefits of Wearing Face Masks

There are various school policies currently in place for face masks. Whether it is a requirement or not, students can voluntarily wear a mask if they would prefer to. 

Face masks are most effective for those who have caught COVID and wish to limit its spread. It is recommended that teachers and children who have been exposed to COVID wear a face mask for at least 10 days. 

When planning for your child to wear a face mask to school, it’s important to ensure that it properly fits and is comfortable to wear. Be sure their mask is clean and they have a backup mask in case it gets misplaced or dirty throughout the day. Another tip we suggest is to label your child’s mask to ensure it doesn’t get traded or used by another child.

Safety Benefits of Washing Hands

Frequently washing your hands is still an effective measure against spreading germs and bacteria. This means using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. When combined with keeping hands away from the face, this also helps to slow the spread of the virus. 

Safety Benefits of Staying Home When Sick

If your child tests positive for COVID, they should stay at home. The symptoms of COVID can mimic symptoms of a common cold or flu depending on its severity so it is important to get tested as soon as your child feels sick. 

How Brickley Environmental Can Help

Whether you are running a business, school, organization, or household, Brickley Environmental offers the waste disposal and hazardous material removal that benefits you. We provide the following services: 

  • Asbestos Abatement
  • Lead-Based Paint Removal
  • Mold Removal 
  • Hazardous Waste Removal
  • Demolition & More 

At Brickley Environmental, we offer the services you need to free your property of unwanted materials. Call today and talk to our experts who will explain our services, answer your questions, and provide the right guidance so you can make the best-informed decision.  

For more information about COVID-19, click here to visit the CDC website.

Household Hazardous Waste

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While most household waste can be safely stored and disposed of by simply taking out the garbage, hazardous waste must be treated differently. Certain products cannot simply be poured down the drain, into sewer systems, or on the ground. Proper disposal not only protects the environment, but it also protects you, your family, and anyone coming into contact with this waste. 

How to Handle Household Hazardous Waste Properly

The first essential tip starts with following the instructions on the product label. By meeting the requirements listed, you can help prevent any accidents from occurring. This includes reading the instructions as to the disposal of the product itself. 

Many chemicals that are improperly handled may become dangerous when mixed with other chemicals, exposed to the skin, or inhaled into the lungs. Chemicals that are flammable not only may catch on fire but explode and cause considerable damage and injury. The product label should inform you what to do with hazardous materials once you no longer have need of them. 

It is recommended that you store chemicals in their original containers whenever possible. If the container is corroding, then you may want to call the local fire department or hazardous materials official in your area. You also never want to mix hazardous waste with other chemicals. If you have leftover chemicals, it may be tempting to mix them with other unwanted chemicals or products so they can be disposed of together. However, the mixture may cause additional issues such as explosions, fire, or other serious problems. 

Most communities have designated sites for the proper disposal of household hazardous waste. Check to see where your local designated site is located and what materials they accept. 

Reducing Household Hazardous Waste in Your Home

Instead of purchasing potentially dangerous products, you can instead use alternatives where available. Here’s a short list of alternatives that are safe to use, store, and dispose of when no longer needed: 

  • Drain Cleaner: Plumber’s snake or plunger 
  • Furniture Polish: Mix one teaspoon of lemon juice with one pint of vegetable oil 
  • Glass Cleaner: Mix one tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice with one quart of water
  • Mothballs: Cedar chips, rosemary, or white peppercorns
  • Rug Deodorizer: Sprinkle baking soda and vacuum after 15 minutes

Why Choose Brickley Environmental? 

If you have questions about the proper use, storage, and disposal of household hazardous waste, call the experts at Brickley Environmental. Your call will be answered by friendly, courteous staff who will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and provide the proper guidance so you can make the best-informed decision.

At Brickley Environmental, we work with people who have the same issues that you are facing with hazardous household waste including its proper disposal. We also provide expert services in asbestos abatement, lead-based paint removal, mold remediation, demolition, and more. Call today and find out more about how Brickley Environmental can help you. 

For more information about properly disposing of hazardous waste, click here to visit the EPA website.

Identifying Greener Cleaning Products

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Cleaning products are an absolute necessity for keeping spaces free from contaminants. The same products that clean may also use toxic or harmful chemicals that cause their own issues. 

The chemicals used may linger in the air and cause physical irritation. Those with health issues such as asthma or other respiratory illnesses may suffer a reaction to the presence of chemicals in the air.

Green Products

Cleaning products that only use non-toxic, natural properties have been on the rise for years. They are normally identified by a green label which indicates that they are green, eco-safe, or environmentally friendly. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has a Safer Choice program that provides official labels to identify products that meet green standards. 

Such labels from the FDA make it easier to identify green products. Keep in mind that not all green labels are from the FDA nor do they meet the same requirements. This means that if you are concerned about the cleaning products you use, it pays to know how to identify what is officially a “green” product.

Issues with Chemical Cleaning Products

The risk of being exposed to cleaning products that use chemicals as opposed to natural ingredients will depend in large part on the sensitivity of the person and the type of environment where it is being used. A low concentration of cleaning products used in a well-ventilated area reduces the risk of being exposed and causing an unwanted reaction. 

A poorly ventilated area that uses a high concentration of cleaning chemicals raises the risk of exposure. Such hazards must include the following considerations. 

Housekeeping Staff: Those employed in janitorial services are directly exposed daily. Proper handling using gloves and protective gear is recommended. 

Waste Water: Chemicals may be exposed to populations outside the building in which they were used when washed down the drain. They are still present despite the dilution. 

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): VOCs present a real danger when exposed on a regular basis. This is especially true for older cleaning products that have been stored for quite some time. 

Why Choose Brickley Environmental? 

The experts at Brickley Environmental have considerable familiarity with cleaning products of all types when it comes to their ingredients.

Brickley Environmental is here for you when you are not sure about the substances you have stored on your property.

For more information on safe cleaning products visit the EPA’s website here.