WHAT HAPPENED TO MY BREAD?

            Keeping bread in the refrigerator, particularly in the summer, seems like a good idea (although I’ve been told it doesn’t help).  We go grocery shopping and try to make our food supply last as long as possible.  Grocery prices keep moving upward, so if you’re like I am, you try to consume every ounce of food in some form or another.  Ground beef, for example, is great for hamburgers, meatloaf, pasta dishes, chili, meatballs, tacos, and the list goes on.  Then comes the time to clean out the refrigerator.  By now we’re sick of all the hamburger, right?  Oh, I can still make a meatloaf sandwich, one of my favorites.  But when I go to get the bread, it has turned blue/green.  While I like lots of colors, not on my bread please.  It has mold, and of course I dispose of it rather quickly at that point. 

            Just what is mold?  Can it be good or bad?  We know penicillin is a type of mold, which has saved billions of lives.  Blue cheese for example has some type of mold added, which also helps in the aging process.  So there definitely is good mold.  Now let’s look at the bad mold.  While not all mold is a reason for worry, too many mold spores in the air can produce a problem.  Typically the goal is to make sure that indoor air has about the same number of mold spores as naturally occur in the outside air.  Some types of mold, like the black mold Stachybotrys, produce deadly toxins and are not safe even in small amounts.

            Growing undetected in your basement or inside walls for years can trigger subtle physical systems and long-term health problems.  With  chronic mold exposure one can experience sinus congestion and runny nose, cough, throat irritation, skin irritation, headache and sneezing. 

            If you believe there is a problem with mold, call the certified mold remediation experts at Crisis Cleaning and take the fear and frustration out of dealing with potentially deadly mold.

Crisis Cleaning has a 24-hour emergency hotline at (877) 260-4828.  Leave your worries with the professionals.       

By Joan Mason

EXPERIENCE IS THE BEST TEACHER

             Have you ever sat in a classroom and been taught “how to” use a certain software program or how to work a machine or work a problem or whatever the case may be?  Well, I have.  I remember several years ago attending a class on using a particular software.  Of course we all had computers in the classroom, and I took notes after notes, while noticing everyone else seemed to be doing the same.  As the instructor continued and time moved on, my head seemed to be spinning and the instructions got a little more complicated, or was it my focus?  I thought wow; everyone seems to understand this class but me.  I thought the instructor was moving a little too fast, but I realized much information had to be instilled in our minds to fully understand the software.

            After class everyone was talking, and I realized we all had the same problem, not really thoroughly understanding everything that was communicated about the software.  As I went to my desk, with notes in hand, I decided I was going to learn through experience with some help from my scribbles.  Anytime I had a free moment, I went into the program and worked with it, day after day, week after week.  And it worked.  I learned more from first-hand experience than from the classroom.  Many of us are visual learners and while studying helps, nothing in my opinion works as well as hands on experience.

            I have been writing for Crisis Cleaning’s blog, after reading their information and becoming better informed.  However, I recently had the opportunity to go with a certified inspector to a home for a meth test inspection.  What an experience. No one was permitted to live in the house until resolution of any possible meth contamination.  After meeting the owner of the house and briefly discussing the current situation, we proceeded with the testing.  With supervision, I even participated in the testing process, but before we could begin, we placed disposable covers on our shoes.  I noticed the house was very warm and contained what my nose sensed as an unpleasant odor.  We tested all rooms and areas in the three-level house (main level, upstairs, and basement). It was difficult to reach the ceiling in some of the rooms on the first floor, as they appeared to be ten feet tall.   While testing in the basement, my nose felt some kind of sensation and wanted to keep running.  I don’t know if it was the heat or something else.   

 With this visual lesson, I now realize how much work and care it takes to do a good, professional job.  Every room was tested carefully and thoroughly.  And I can tell you first hand, it’s not an easy job.  I saw how much work was put into every step.  Crisis Cleaning is a professional company that focuses on meth decontamination, mold, asbestos, death/crime scene cleanup, and lead remediation.  If you have concerns in any of these areas, give Crisis Cleaning a call toll free at (877) 260-4828.  They are certified, insured and licensed and will make sure the job is done right.

By Joan Mason

BUT I DON'T LIKE TESTS!!

             How many tests would you guess you have taken so far in your life?   This number would include school exams, medical, dental, eye exams, and household tests for whatever reason – termites, gas leaks etc.  I remember being very anxious and nervous when it came to school tests, and in particular if they were timed.  I was usually the last one to finish because I kept looking over my paper to make sure I had made the right choices.  When I go to see the doctor and he says more tests are needed, I get a sickening feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Why must we take so many tests?  Well, one reason, at least for school exams, is to make sure we have comprehended what was taught, and if not, that we find out the reason we are having any problems with a class.  Other tests, such as medical and household, may be to go straight to the problem and find a possible solution or deterrent to prevent further issues.  There are times I think I would rather not know test results and just stick my head in the sand and pretend everything is fine; maybe what I don’t know won’t hurt me – but, what if it will? 

            Our last article talked about meth decontamination professionals  who can work with you if you suspect meth residue may be contaminating your rental property or your residence due to previous meth exposure in the home.  After working with professionals as a first step, step two involves testing.  Even though some states do not require pre-testing before beginning meth lab decontamination, thorough specific pre-testing can be helpful.  Why pre-test?  You may save thousands of dollars, since 25% of Crisis Cleaning’s pre-tests reveal the home’s meth levels are within the safe zone and do not need any professional decontamination.  Wow, money is saved by not performing unnecessary cleanup.  Who wants to spend money unnecessarily?  It would be like taking medication for an illness you don’t have, and we all know some medications are very expensive.

            So we have covered steps 1 and 2 – begin by working with professionals and two, take the test if you suspect meth contamination.  We will continue with the next steps in our future articles.  In the meantime, be safe if you suspect any meth residue – call Crisis Cleaning toll free at 1-877-260-4828.  They are licensed and certified, and will make sure the job is done right.  Resolving any problem begins with knowing the facts.  Call Crisis Cleaning today!  

by Joan Mason

DO IT YOURSELF??

          Have you seen how easy these DIY television programs make things look?  They repair, replace, decorate, landscape; you name it.  Have you tried to do some to these tasks yourself?  Sometimes it looks good and it all works out, but sometimes it doesn’t.  I do some things myself, like changing light bulbs, batteries, curtain alterations, painting (that usually means painting me and the room), but there have been times I have tried to do things myself and ended up spending more, because after I spent money trying to do it myself, I had to spend money hiring someone to fix what I did!  If I have a meth contamination problem in my residence or rental property, should I just get some bleach or other cleaning solutions and try and fix it myself?  I used to think bleach could solve about any household problem and still keep it on hand, but some things require a professional.  It takes professionals with specialized solutions to remove meth residue, because it resists most normal cleaning products. 

            Let’s start with the first step in resolving meth contamination, and then we will talk about additional steps in our next few articles.  First step is to work with professionals.  Most of us go to our family doctor for help when we feel a little under the weather, but if we have a specific problem with our health, we may choose to see a specialist.  Crisis Cleaning is a meth contamination specialist who may save you money.  They will walk you through the process and their friendly and courteous staff will be happy to answer your questions.  Since many times property insurance covers the cost of professional decontamination, Crisis Cleaning will help with the hassles of claims and paperwork.  Since meth decontamination requires specialized solutions that are not available to the general public, Crisis Cleaning’s solutions are safe and biodegradable and developed specifically for removal of chemical contaminants, not just bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

            Take that first step and call Crisis Cleaning toll free at 877-260-4828 or email them at info@crisiscleaning.com.  The hardest part of any job is getting started.  Don’t delay; call or email today if you suspect you may need help with meth residue contamination in your home or rental property.  Give the worry to Crisis Cleaning because they know what to do to solve the problem.

By Joan Mason

LEFTOVERS ANYONE?

            Don’t know about you, but I do not like to throw away food, especially with today’s prices.  I try to buy just the right amount for one meal’s consumption, but I can’t always accurately predict my appetite for a particular food on a particular day.  So I may wind up with leftovers, which is fine for a short time. I believe some leftovers are even better the second day than the first, like chili, for instance.   Unfortunately when my body does not totally agree with certain foods, it lets me know with the first meal and any subsequent leftovers.  While leftovers can be good, after all there is little or no waste, they can also create discomfort.  If they cause discomfort the first time around, the leftovers will most likely re-create those same issues.

            Let’s look at some leftovers that may cause negative effects, with symptoms such as depression, breathing problems, confusion, and headaches, among others.   I am talking about long-term exposure to meth residue, symptoms of which may be the same as those of meth users, and which may take up to a year to appear.  If you are living in a house where meth was made or used, take precautions and work with professionals to alleviate this possible problem.  Don’t let unwanted leftovers affect your health and wellbeing.

Give Crisis Cleaning a call if you suspect possible meth contamination.  They are as easy as a phone call away, toll free at 877-260-4828, or email at info@crisiscleaning.com.  They may be able to save you money and work with you to file claims, as property insurance in many situations pays for professional decontamination.  Play it safe and enjoy peace of mind. 

Watch for our next article to learn more about meth residue and some steps you can take to deal with it in your home or rental property.

By Joan Mason

DID YOU LOCK YOUR DOORS?

Don’t know about you, but anytime I leave the house, I have to make sure all is well inside before walking out the door.  The same is true for my car.  Before I had a garage, I made sure my car doors were locked prior to going inside the house.  I learned that lesson the hard way; once when a black cat was placed in my car on Halloween.  It is a little scary when you open your car door to a screaming cat jumping out at you, leaving evidence of the visit in your vehicle.  Another time, I discovered someone sleeping in the back seat of my car when I started to get in it the next morning.   Locking doors has been a good habit for me in the past several years, but not so much when I was younger and lived in the country.  We went to bed with unlocked house and car doors.  Not much happened back then.  No one tried to steal anything or harm anyone.  It does not seem so today.  I would not think of retiring (the old expression for going to bed) without making sure my house is locked, and I mean every door.  And of course we have security systems to help protect us in our homes.  What has changed so much in the past several years?   In my opinion, people have become more brazen or perhaps I am just more aware of what is going on around me because of the media blitz.  Perhaps there is more drug dependency now than in earlier days, or again maybe we are just more aware of drugs now than then.   Even today we have availability to lock and secure our homes remotely.  Wow, things sure are different nowadays.

Well, my house is locked and secure and no harm, hopefully, will invade my private domain.  Yet I must ask myself if all is safe since I locked my house?    Wow, what a question.  Why would my home harbor any potential danger or place me in harm’s way?  How could such a thing happen?   Perhaps we could say it is an “inside job.”  Maybe something microscopic and unnoticeable to the naked eye is putting me at risk.  Of course we can see any insects usually, except perhaps for termites and then we can see their damage, but what about Asbestos?  As most of us know Asbestos left alone may pose no health issues, but if you are like me, you like to re-arrange things from time to time.  Perhaps I go beyond just re-arranging and decide to remodel my kitchen; there should be no problem, right?  Perhaps there will be no problem, but do we want to make sure our house is safe when remodeling?  Could we say Asbestos may be a silent threat?  If you have an older home and want to remodel, you may not know where Asbestos is located and if it will be disturbed.  Should you be concerned?  Absolutely, but do not panic.  Fortunately, there is a company that will inspect your house for Asbestos to see if there is any hidden danger lurking.  Not only can they check for possible Asbestos contamination in the air but also for meth residue contamination and mold.  We will talk about meth and mold in future articles, so keep watching and be informed.  Give Crisis Cleaning a call toll free today at (877) 260-4828 or email them at info@crisiscleaning.com.  They serve Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, and North and South Carolina.  

And protect your health and your home!

By: Joan Mason, Blogger for Crisis Cleaning, Inc.

The Importance of a Checkup! 

Why do many of us call our physician to schedule our yearly check-up?  While we may not feel ill, we do want to catch or prevent any possible future health problems. 
We may take vitamins, all the way from A to Z, to build up our strength and keep us

healthy.  Many times I stop by a store, whether department or pharmacy, and view their aisles of vitamins and supplements.  And how many times has your doctor told you to exercise?  Why, to keep our muscles strong or perhaps lose a few pounds (or maybe to re-proportion the weight we already have) and to maintain a good balance.  We also may be told to drink more water and watch our caloric and sugar intakes, eat lots of vegetables and low-fat foods.  Oh, and some of us take our medications to keep ourselves in check and prevent physical problems such as a stroke or heart attack.  Certainly we work at keeping our bodies healthy so we may lead happy, productive and longer lives.

Now let’s ask ourselves how many of us who have older homes, say built before 1978, make an appointment for a house checkup to insure we have no issues with possible asbestos exposure?  Left alone, contained and intact, asbestos may pose no harm to one’s health or well-being.  Many times simply leaving it alone is all that is required.  However, if you are planning to remodel your older home, please be aware of your house’s asbestos locations.  Disturbed and airborne, asbestos may pose a health problem over time.  Certainly television has brought awareness to mesothelioma and the possibility that asbestos exposure may cause various lung issues.  Who doesn't want clean and healthy lungs?  If you suspect your home may need an asbestos inspection, especially if you are considering remodeling, what about a home health checkup?  As the saying goes “An ounce of prevention…” 

What can you do if you want a home health safety inspection?  One way is to call a company on whom you can rely to make sure all is well with your house.  Such a company is Crisis Cleaning, Inc. who is an environmental decontamination company servicing Indiana, Missouri, Illinois, Michigan, North and South Carolina.

Give them a call today toll free at 1-877-260-4828 if you have any questions or issues with asbestos, mold, or meth residue contamination in your home.  Hopefully, your house will get a clean bill of health and at the very least a company created to help people just like you solve home health and safety issues.  

By:  Joan Mason