PuroClean's George Cruz Named 2010 Cleveland Hispanic Businessman of the Year

George Cruz - Managing Partner

Since launching Cleveland’s PuroClean Professional Services, part of the nation’s fastest growing property emergency franchise, three years ago, co-owner George Cruz has seen business increase by more than 300 percent. Recognizing his impressive start, along with his dedication to the community, the Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce honored Cruz as the 2010 Cleveland Hispanic Businessman of the Year.

Each year, the Ohio Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (through the local chambers in Ohio) recognizes area professionals who exemplify leadership, dedication and commitment to the Hispanic community. This is the second consecutive year Cruz has been honored by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Last year Cruz and his business partner Emilio Soli, were named Male Entrepreneurs of the Year by the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NEOHCC).

“Having grown up in Northeast Ohio, this award is meaningful on both a personal and professional level,” Cruz said. “It is especially gratifying considering we have only been in business for just under 3 years.”
The mission of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, part of the Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, is to educate and provide opportunities to local Hispanic entrepreneurs so their businesses are equipped for growth and success. Services they offer include business plan writing assistance, financial analysis, business start-up counseling and information on contract and bid opportunities.

Cruz and Soli, former colleagues in the corporate world, decided to open the PuroClean franchise together after losing their jobs in the economic downturn. PuroClean, known as the nation’s “Paramedics of Property Damage,” shows up on the scene of property disasters to take the necessary steps to bring the situation under control and prevent it from becoming worse. PuroClean certified technicians provide emergency services to restore properties damaged by water, fire, smoke, mold, and biohazard events.
“We had one employee when we started and now we have 10,” Cruz said. “We started out in a small storage unit and now we work out of a 4,000-square-foot facility. “There is still so much more room for growth, but this recognition further shows us we’re on the right track.”
PuroClean Professional Services has been a member of the Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce since early 2008. Since then, Cruz and Soli have made a tremendous impact on the community, working to provide jobs and services to the large Hispanic population in Northeast Ohio. For more information about PuroClean Professional Services, please call 440-748-7876 or visit www.PuroCleanProServices.com

About The Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (NEOHCC)

The Northeast Ohio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce has been in existence for over 27 years. The organization’s mission is to promote and support the domestic and international economic development of Hispanic businesses and individuals, and to serve as a link between non-Hispanic entities and the Hispanic market.

 
 
 

www.PuroCleanProServices.com

866-944-7876

NE Ohio's "Paramedics of Property Damage"

Fire Safety For Ohio Property Owners

The National Fire Prevention Association has designated October as Fire Prevention Month. In many parts of the country, October begins the "heating season" - when fires are more common than during the rest of the year. October is also the month ushering in the holiday season (counting Halloween), and the holidays themselves are a season of increased fire risk. For instance, more residential fires occur on Thanksgiving Day, than on any other single day of the year - more than double the daily average!
Candles are always beautiful, and they are especially abundant during the holiday season. The top five days for home candle fires are: Christmas, Christmas Eve, New Year's Day, Halloween and December 23rd. During 2003-2007, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 15,260 home fires started by candles per year. These fires caused an annual average of 166 deaths, 1,289 injuries, and $450 million in direct property damage. Candles caused 4% of reported home fires, 6% of home fire deaths, 10% of home fire injuries, and 7% of direct property damage during this period. We all love the beauty of candles, but it is important to be careful!
So, as we get ready to enter this season, it is very important to keep safety in mind.
The National Fire Prevention Association recommends:

Cooking/Kitchen Safety:

• Always stay in the kitchen when cooking. If you must leave the kitchen for any reason, turn off the stovetop.
• No matter how you are cooking, check the food regularly. Use a timer to remind you to check the food.
• Wear short, close-fitting sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can easily catch fire.
• Never use water to extinguish a cooking fire.
• If oil starts to boil, remove it from the heat source. Simply lowering the heat will not reduce the temperature fast enough.
• Be careful not to overfill pots with oil. You need room in the pan to add food. Overflowing oil can easily catch fire. If oil catches fire, use an oven mitt to carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the fire.
• If oil has overflowed and is burning, get everyone out of the house and call the fire department from outside.
• Keep towels, bags, plastic, and food packaging away from flame and heat.
• Never cook when under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication.
Candle Safety:

• Always keep a burning candle within sight - never leave it unattended.
• Never burn a candle near anything that can catch fire.
• Always use a candleholder specifically designed for candles and place on a stable, heat-resistant surface.
• Make sure a candle is completely extinguished and is no longer glowing before leaving it.
• Never use a candle as a night light.

Christmas Decoration Safety:

• When decorating, be sure to use only lights rated for indoor use.
• Replace any lights that have worn, frayed, or broken cords.
• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
• Keep live trees moist by watering daily. Do not purchase a tree that is dry.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles - dried out trees are highly flammable.
• Make sure artificial trees are fire retardant.
• Place the tree near an outlet to avoid running long extension cords.
• Do not burn a Christmas tree in a fireplace. They are practically explosive.

General Fire Safety:

• Install smoke alarms and test them once a month (pick a day, such as the first of each month).
• Change the batteries regularly - many experts recommend changing your smoke alarm batteries twice a year - when you change your clocks for Daylight Saving Time, and back.
• Have a dry or foam fire extinguisher in your kitchen. Check the expiration date to be sure it is current.
• Have an evacuation plan in case of a fire. Practice the plan.
By knowing and using good safety practices, we can help to ensure that everyone has a joyous and safety holiday season. In the event a fire should occur, it is important for property owners to know what to do, what not to do, and who to contact once it is extinguished. PuroClean, known as The Paramedics of Property DamageTM, is a professional mitigation company specializing in property remediation after a home or commercial structure is damaged by fire and smoke. Fire, along with the resulting smoke and soot, can rapidly harm household items - even after the fire has been extinguished. It is imperative to seek help immediately from a professional restoration company such as PuroClean to prevent further damage.
Regardless of the circumstances - dealing with fire/smoke damage, water damage, or mold remediation - call your local PuroClean Professional Services.
866-944-7876

                                                   Emilio Soli, George Cruz - Managing Partners

PuroClean: Holiday Fire Prevention Tips for Ohio

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, holiday fires claim the lives of over 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more and cause over $990 million in damage each year. In Canada, holiday fires are reported to contribute significantly to the 50,000 total residential fires that the Canadian Safety Association reports are fought annually.

"The number of home fires rises noticeably around the holiday season, largely due to such things as increased use of candles and light strands," said George Cruz, Managing Partner for PuroClean Professional Services.

Cruz says that by adhering to the following Dos and Don'ts, individuals can be on their way to having a safe holiday season:

When caring for your tree:

DO: Select a fresh tree with green needles that are hard to pull back from the branches. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.

DON'T: Place your tree near a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. Doing so will quickly dry out your tree and make it a fire hazard. Do not put up your tree too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

When using holiday lights:

DO: Inspect your holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots and broken or cracked sockets before putting them up. Be sure to only use lights that have been certified by an approved testing laboratory.

DON'T: Overload electrical outlets by connecting too many strands of lights. Unless the directions indicate it is safe, do not link more than three strands. Never leave holiday lights unattended.

When using candles:

DO: Use stable candle holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Also be sure that the holders themselves are non-flammable.

DON'T: Place hanging candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Also, keep burning candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper. When leaving the house, make sure that all candles have been extinguished.

For any additional questions regarding property damage contributed by water, fire, smoke, or mold, contact PuroClean Professional Services at 866-944-PURO (7876).

www.PuroCleanProServices.com

What to Do ... and Not to Do in a Water Emergency

Nation’s Experts Advise Property Owners How to Reduce Damage from Water-Related Emergencies

According to the Insurance Information Institute, water damage related incidents resulting from leaks and other “wet” mishaps are the No. 1 reason homeowners file claims with their insurance companies. Property owners can actually minimize damage and significantly reduce safety risks by following expert advice from PuroClean, part of a leading national franchise that specializes in mitigation and restoration services for water, mold, fire, trauma events and other types of losses.

As the “Paramedics of Property Damage,” PuroClean arrives at the scene of a loss and takes the necessary steps to bring the situation under control, preventing it from becoming worse, and finally providing restoration services to help put the property back to pre-loss condition.

“No one thinks that a water damage crisis could ever happen to them, but the unfortunate truth is that every American is impacted by water damage at some point in their life,” said George Cruz, owner of PuroClean. “Most people don’t realize the magnitude of a water-related disaster, and that there are actually some measures they can take themselves before we arrive to protect themselves and their property from further loss.”

To help minimize loss, and prevent further damage while technicians from PuroClean are en route, Cruz suggests property owners follow these guidelines:

- Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting the saturated area.

- Wipe furniture to remove excess water

- Place Aluminum foil between furniture legs and wet carpet.

- Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying

- Lift drapes off flooring, loop through a coat hanger and hang on curtain rod

- Remove wet area rugs

- Turn on air conditioner if damage occurs in summer

- Move valuable paintings, art objects and photos to a safe, dry place

- Open closet doors, furniture drawers and luggage to aid in drying

- Remove any wet fabrics and dry immediately.

- Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature

- Stay out of any rooms where the ceiling is sagging from trapped water

- Turn off the breaker before unplugging appliances

Do Not

- Use your household vacuum to remove the excess water

- Use electrical appliances while standing on wet flooring or carpets

- Enter a room where electrical cords are in water

- Wait to call for professional help. The longer you wait, the more damage will occur

Services provided by PuroClean include water damage restoration, odor control, fire and smoke restoration, sewage clean-ups, debris removal, water extraction, sanitization, crawl space drying, trauma restoration, emergency board-ups, structural drying, wind damage, disinfecting, mold removal and basement drying.

PuroClean’s technology allows people to repair their homes and regain their lives after a disaster. Quickly providing the insurance community and property owners with disaster restoration and mitigation services, PuroClean minimizes loss and prevents additional damage from mold, soot, smoke and odors to structure and contents.

About PuroClean

PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 230 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact George Cruz at 866-944-PURO(7876) or visit http://www.purocleanproservices.com/

Cold Weather Can Lead to Frozen Pipes, Property Damage

PuroClean's Paramedics of Property Damage Provide Tips on How to Prevent Frozen Pipes

As winter weather sets in, and cold temperatures cause water to freeze and expand, homeowners are at a risk of damage from frozen pipes. Whether a pipe is plastic or metal, it cannot withstand the pressure caused by the expansion of freezing water.

According to the American Red Cross, pipes that freeze most frequently are those that are exposed to the severe cold, like outdoor hose bibs, swimming pool supply lines, water sprinkler lines, and water supply pipes in unheated interior areas like basements and crawl spaces, attics, garages, or kitchen cabinets. Also, pipes that run against exterior walls that have little or no insulation are also subject to freezing. Pipe freezing is a particular problem in warmer regions where pipes often run through uninsulated or underinsulated attics or crawl spaces.

PuroClean, known as “The Paramedics of Property Damage,” is a professional mitigation company specializing in property restoration and responding to water damage emergencies that can be caused by frozen pipes. George Cruz, owner of PuroClean serving Greater Cleveland and Akron, says, “This time of year, we experience an increased number of property emergencies due to frozen pipes.”

To help property owners reduce the risk of frozen pipes, Cruz provides property owners with the following tips:
- Make sure all pipes in unheated areas are insulated

- When it is extremely cold outside, let cold water drip from the faucet because running a small amount of water helps prevent pipes from freezing

- Keep the heat on if you are going away during cold weather

- Keep the thermostat set at the same temperature both during day and night

- Add insulation to basements, attics and garages to maintain higher temperatures

About PuroClean

PuroClean is a leader in property damage restoration and has earned the trust of property owners, insurance professionals and home service providers throughout the United States and Canada since 2001. Backed by a comprehensive network of over 230 franchise offices and a national training and business support center, each PuroClean office responds promptly to property emergencies demonstrating a high degree of professionalism and compassion. PuroClean technicians are thoroughly screened, insured and trained in utilizing the latest in mitigation technology and procedures throughout the remediation process while operating under a strict code of ethics. In addition to serving the needs of property owners, PuroClean offers hundreds of continuing education classes each year to insurance professionals and property service providers nationwide. In 2007, PuroClean trained over 3,500 insurance professionals nationwide helping them earn their continuing education credits. For more information on PuroClean, please contact George at 866-944-PURO(7876) or visit

www.PuroCleanProServices.com