The Maids of NH

2011-06-02T09:32:00.000-07:00

The mercury will soon be hitting the high marks here in New England and that means it is time to start preparing your home for summer temperatures. Check out these tips we found at FrugalDad.com.

Tips For Preparing Your Home For Summer

Change your ceiling fan’s direction — Ceiling fans require some maintenance after winter usage. I know, it seems counterintuitive to use a ceiling fan during the winter, but by running fans on low and changing the blade direction to blow air up you will create a slight updraft and constantly recycle warm air back into the room. The opposite is true in the summer, when airflow should be sent down to produce a wind-chill effect (make the room occupants feel cooler). Most fan models have a switch above the light fixture to change blade directions. A good rule of thumb is to run your ceiling fan counter-clockwise in the summer and clockwise in the winter.
Curtains and blinds — In warmer temperatures, close the curtains and blinds in the heat of the day. Room-darkening curtains may be hung in bedrooms not used during the day to block out sunlight. This is especially important for rooms facing West and exposed to the heat of the afternoon sun.
Consider installing an attic fan or vent — If you have ever been in an attic in the hottest part of summer you already know what a hot box they become. I remember laying some plywood in our attic early one summer to make some storage space and I just about passed out. Consider installing a vent to pull that hot air off your ceiling.
Plant a shade tree next to your outside air condition unit — Providing some shade over your air conditioner’s outside unit can help it run more efficiently.
Inspect dryer vents — Clogged dryer vents cause warm air to blow back in to the room where your dryer is located, eventually raising the temperature in the whole house.
Check the insulation around doors and windows — Our dog has a habit of scratching at our back door when she wants to be let in. Sounds harmless enough, but considering she weighs nearly 100 pounds it tends to take a toll on the insulating strip next to the door. I make it a point to replace this strip each summer and winter before extreme temperatures cause air to sneak in around the door.
Switch to compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs — This is a standard tip on any energy saving list, but it is important for reasons other than direct kilowatt savings. Compact fluorescent bulbs give off less heat than regular incandescent bulbs. CFL bulbs will cause less impact on the temperature of the room.
Run the bathroom exhaust fan during showers —. During the summer, an air conditioner’s primary purpose is to replace warm, moist air with cool, dry air. A long, steamy shower can create muggy conditions in your bathroom that spills out into adjacent rooms and hallways when you open the bathroom door.
Replace air conditioner filters regularly — Most filters suggest a 90 day useful life. If you live in a dusty area, or your family suffers from allergies you may want to replace filters more frequently – like maybe every 60 days. Blocked air filters create a drag on the efficiency of your air conditioning system’s ability to push and pull air through air registers.
Consider baking dishes in the morning when outside temperatures are low — You can always reheat them in the evening using a microwave, which gives off very little heat compared to a traditional over. If your power company charges an hourly rate for kilowatt use you may also enjoy some savings by not using appliances during peak times (traditionally mid to late afternoon).
Use a drying rack for heavy clothes such as jeans and towels — My wife and I bought a drying rack to hang jeans and towels right out of the washing machine. We let them air dry for a while, and then throw them in the dryer for a few minutes with a Bounce sheet to soften them up and remove wrinkles.

2011-03-24T07:29:00.000-07:00

10 Benefits of Hiring The Maids

The only way to have and maintain a healthy home is to clean it regularly. For a lot of people, the demands of daily life, hectic work schedules and commutes, and family obligations may make it difficult to keep up with this necessary task.
Before hiring a Maid Service, a lot of people have questions as to where to begin the process. The question becomes: “Should I hire an individual to clean my home or should I go with a professional cleaning company?”
Here are ten reasons why it is more beneficial for you to hire a professional cleaning service such as The Maids for your house cleaning needs:

1. Reliability — The Maids are dependable and reliable; we arrive when we say we will and if there is a schedule change we call our customers right away to let them know. Unlike a single cleaning person, we will never cancel your cleaning appointment for any reason other than inclement weather. We are flexible with our schedule – we strive to meet your needs if you need to change your day or time of appointment.

2. Resources — The Maids are constantly researching new and better ways of getting the job done. We know how to treat specialized areas of your home, including granite, marble, stainless steel and various types of wood flooring. If there is a specific area of your home that you’re not quite sure how to keep clean, The Maids will go the extra mile to help you find a solution. We can provide move-in/move-out, post construction cleaning. We can even tailor our service to your needs by working from a priority list.

3. Peace of Mind — The Maids make it easy for you to have a clean home and peace of mind. We do all the hiring for you and we carry the necessary insurance so you are free from liability from injuries. All of our employees are extensively screened before being interviewed. They are then bonded and insured, and we complete full multi-state background checks at hire. We are a licensed cleaning company compliant with all state and federal laws and are fully committed to ensuring that your home, pets and belongings are well taken care of.

4. Trained and Qualified Professionals —All of our employees are properly trained in the usage of our house cleaning products and equipment to make sure your home gets precisely the best quality clean possible. Our method of training does not end after hiring. All of our employees receive focused, extensive and detailed training throughout their careers at The Maids — strengthening their leadership skills and ability to focus on each of their customer's needs.

5. State-of-the-Art Equipment and Products — Our back pack vacuums are Hepa certified and multi-filtered for a deep, healthy cleaning that actually allows us to trap dirt, germ and dust particles and take them with us when we leave. We use micro-fiber cloths for cleaning and dusting. Mostly all of our cleaning supplies are environmentally preferred and use bio-based ingredients for a natural and safe cleaning experience. We consider the effects of our products on human health and safety and also environmental impact. Rest assured that the products we use to clean your home are safe to use around children and pets.

6. 22 Step Healthy Touch Deep Cleaning System — This system was created by The Maids to ensure a healthy, thorough cleaning process and provide our customers with the healthiest living environment possible. Healthy Touch is based on a 22 step plan of action that combines healthy cleaning supplies with a strict attention to detail. Our breakthrough cleaning solutions, together with our environmentally preferable cleaning products, state-of-the-art back pack vacuum with HEPA filtration and methodic cleaning practices are guaranteed to make your home cleaner and healthier.

7. Company Philosophy — At The Maids, we make sure every one of our employees is totally focused on meeting or exceeding the needs of our customers. We ensure that everyone is trained to treat our customers (and fellow employees) the way we would like to be treated. We have empathy for our clients; understanding their needs and feelings; being reliable, efficient, friendly and courteous; treating every customer fairly and with respect; and being open and honest in all our communications. Furthermore, we are 100 % committed to providing our customers with the most thorough house cleaning of any company in the industry.

8. Our Team Approach to Cleaning — Our 4-person team approach to cleaning is the quickest, most efficient way to clean your home. Each professional team member has a special function to perform each time the team cleans your home. One person cleans the kitchen, one person cleans the bathroom areas, one person vacuums throughout and one person completes the dusting throughout. The Team Leader works to keep the team members on task and to double check their work for quality assurance.

9. Our Employees — Here at The Maids, we believe in taking great care of our employees. We start each day by sharing a healthy breakfast with our teams, and we celebrate their birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions with them. We believe in fostering healthy, happy and upbeat individuals who take pride in delivering exceptional service to all of our valued customers.

10. Community Involvement — We are constantly looking for new ways to give back to our community and meet new people. From hosting blood drives to sponsoring local sports teams and working with Cleaning for a Reason, we truly love being able to make a difference. For four out of five years we have been the top corporate sponsor in our area for the Multiple Sclerosis MS Walk. We will have another group walking again this year and one of our employees is running the Boston Marathon this year in support of the MS Society.

The Maids backs our house cleaning and maid service work with a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you’re unhappy with any area we’ve cleaned, just call us within 24 hours and we will come back and re-clean it free of charge. Our guarantee is part of our commitment to our customers, who have helped us grow as a premier maid and cleaning service provider and to become the most trusted cleaning service in the industry.. We make hiring a maid service company easy!

Spring is Almost Here!

2011-03-08T11:59:00.000-08:00

March has arrived and you know what this means…Spring is almost here!

This is the perfect time of year to start thinking about what projects you would like to conquer once the warmer weather is upon us.
Here are some of the ways that The Maids can help:

Steam Cleaning carpet or upholstery
Sweep-out of garage & unfinished areas of the basement
Window washing
Cleaning interior of kitchen & bathroom cabinetry
Cleaning interior of refrigerator and oven
Vacuuming interior of closets
Washing walls and doors

If you’re interested in adding any of these projects to your service, please call Jenn, Tara, or Kristina to schedule @ (603) 964-1633 or e-mail Jenn at custcare@maidsnh.com.
Here at The Maids, we are very excited about the opening of Philbrick’s Fresh Market here on Route One in our hometown of North Hampton! Whether you are planning a dinner party, searching for the perfect weeknight dinner, or in the market for some beautiful fresh flowers, Philbricks’ is the perfect place to find it all! www.philbricksfreshmarket.com
Do you like to get outside to exercise in the warmer weather? Here are some fun local runs to start training for:
Moms on the Run 5K, May 8th @ 8:30 a.m. Register at www.momsontherun.org
Market Square Day 10K, June 11th @ 9:00 a.m. Register at www.proportsmouth.org/MSDRoadRace.cfm
We hope you have a beautiful Spring!

Happy 2011!

2011-01-05T18:23:00.000-08:00

It's a brand new year, and here at The Maids we are more committed than ever to meeting the needs of our customers and their homes and providing the most trusted and reliable house cleaning service in NH.
Innovation is the name of the game for us this year! We will be focusing on more extensive and detailed training for all of our Team Leaders - strengthening their leadership skills and ability to focus on each of their customer's needs.
We look forward to meeting new customers this year and continuing to develop relationships with those who have questions or feedback regarding their service. Call our office and Jennifer, Tara or Kristina will be happy to speak with you! We will also be extending our office hours to some nights and weekends to assist customers with changes to their service or estimates for cleaning their homes.
We are looking forward to expanding our Bedford and Somersworth offices and we are excited about our growing customer base in those areas.
You may have noticed some of our newly detailed cars around town - visit our web site at www.maidsnh.com and check out our new look for 2011!

As usual, The Maids will continue to get involved with our community again this year. 2010 ended with 3rd prize for our Gingerbread Beach House, which was on display at Strawberry Banke Museum in Portsmouth. It was a record year for us at collecting toys for Toys for Tots! Because of the generosity of our customers, we donated boxes and boxes of toys and goodies to families in need this Christmas. From hosting blood drives and sponsoring local sports teams to working with Cleaning For a Reason, we truly love being able to meet new people and help make a difference. For four out of five years we have been the top corporate sponsor in our area for the Multiple Sclerosis MS Walk. We will have another enormous group walking again this year. In April, our very own Jennifer Hilton will run the Boston Marathon to raise funds for The MS Society! Call our office if you'd like to sponsor Jennifer and help her contribute to a great cause.
Happy New Year from The Maids! We look forward to speaking with you.

Tips for Hosting a Stress-Free Thanksgiving Dinner

2010-11-09T12:46:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that people hold dear to their hearts all year long. There’s nothing better than sharing a warm and cozy afternoon with friends and family and enjoying a delectable turkey dinner with all the fixings — unless of course you are the host who is running around like a turkey with your head cut off because you didn’t properly plan your holiday gathering!
Here are some tips for hosting Thanksgiving dinner designed to make it easier for you to sit back, take in the beauty of your efforts, and truly enjoy the holiday feast with your friends and family.

Don’t Procrastinate – Don’t wait until the last minute to get your turkey! You don’t want to end up with a still-frozen turkey come Thanksgiving morning. And remember: It is never a good idea to leave a turkey on the counter or in a sink full of hot water. It is not safe and could seriously harm your guests!
Let Family Help – When your guests ask if they can bring something then let them! Give them something specific to bring so you don’t end up with four salads and no desserts, and then make sure to check it off your list.
Make Your List, Check it Twice – List your guests, your complete menu, all the dishes you plan on serving and all the ingredients you need to prepare them. Don’t forget the beverages and the desserts!
Don’t be Afraid to Cut Corners – Use frozen green beans for that casserole, jarred gravy for the turkey, or consider buying a Sara Lee frozen pumpkin pie. These little things probably won’t be noticed by your guests and having a few less things to cook from scratch will be a blessing to you when the big day arrives.
Decorate Early – Set the table and put your decorations up two days or so before the big day. Press your napkins, iron your tablecloth, polish the silver, and rinse the china— when Thanksgiving morning rolls around you will be glad you did!
Serve Appetizers Buffet Style – Tell your guests to help themselves to the appetizers while you finish the final touches in the kitchen. Feel free to use paper plates for the appetizers…you can get some really nice and sturdy festive paper ware at Target or Wal-Mart.
Use Parchment Paper! – This makes clean up a breeze. Line your baking dishes with it…it prevents scorching and it makes clean-up a breeze!
Have a Plan for Clean-Up – Make sure your dishwasher is empty before serving the meal and then load it up after dinner. Fill your sink with hot soapy water just before you sit down to eat and throw in your pots and pans and things you don’t normally put in the dishwasher. Leave them in the sink to soak and take care of them after your guests leave, giving you more time to sit and spend with family after the meal.

Thanksgiving should be a time to celebrate all the blessings we have in our lives. Remember that the feast is not what’s important, but the family and friends who are gathered at your home to celebrate. Enjoy their company and have a spectacular holiday!

2010-04-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

How to Keep Odors From Invading Your Home

What is that smell? Have you ever arrived home after a day away, only to be assaulted by an unpleasant, unfamiliar odor?
Our sense of smell can be our best friend at times: the smell of freshly mowed grass in the summer, the rich aroma of food cooking on the grill, or the sweet smell of home-made cookies in the oven. Unfortunately, our sense of smell can also be our worst enemy: the smell of the family pet who has been sprayed by a skunk, the stink of the trash barrels out by the garage, or the stench of last night's swordfish kabobs.
The following is a list of some particularly pungent smells and how to stop them in their smelly tracks.

Garbage Disposal Odors - Make sure the stopper is sitting firmly in the disposal and fill up the sink with hot soapy water. Use twice as much soap as you would washing the dishes. Fill the sink with hot water (but not so hot that you can't stick your hand in) and add the soap. Now simply pull the plug and let it drain. For particularly offensive odors, try using a small amount of ammonia instead of soap. Another idea is to fill an ice cube tray with vinegar and let freeze. Chop up all twelve cubes in the disposal and rinse with water. Yet another trick is to cut up a lemon or orange into slices and grind into disposal once a week to keep it smelling fresh.

Dishwasher Odors - If your dishwasher has a foul smell that leaves you wondering just how clean those dishes are going to get, then try squeezing a fresh lemon into the detergent cup. Add a little baking soda and run through a complete cycle.

Refrigerator Odors - Have you ever rooted around in the back of the refrigerator trying to find a delicious snack you may have forgotten about only to discover the plastic container of leftover tuna fish, which you did indeed forget but is by no means delicious? Refrigerator odors can really make you run for cover but the good news is that they're quite easy to get rid of. First, toss any suspect items in the trash and use a solution of water and bleach to wipe it out, including the drawers and trays. An open container of baking soda can also fend off odors. Crumpled newspaper or slices of bread can also be used inside an empty refrigerator to absorb smells!

Cooking Odors - Never spray a scented air freshener to get rid of cooking odors unless you think you're going to enjoy the smell of Greasy Bacon Flower wafting through your home. Sprays and scented candles will usually just mask unpleasant cooking odors and make them worse. Turn on your exhaust fan before you begin cooking and this should make a big difference in left-over odor. Open windows on opposite sides of the house to circulate air. Cooking smells have been known to outstay their welcome, sometimes camping out in the family room for days. Make sure to wipe down oil and food splatter as you cook. Inevitably, no matter how careful the cook, there will be splatter and unless wiped clean, the odor will remain long after the main course is gone. Dip a sponge in some de-greasing detergent and wipe away. Don't forget the floor in front of the stove.

Trash Barrels - There's nothing that will make you wrinkle your nose in disgust like the smell of trash rotting in a barrel outside as you open the lid to toss in another bag. Try hosing out the barrels with hot soapy water, drying them and then adding a few dryer sheets to the bottom. Doubling up on the trash bags also helps to prevent nasty odors. Get a block of cedar and place it underneath the trash bag inside your trash can and replace it every few weeks. This trick is excellent at repelling odors indoor or out.

Pet Odors - We all love our four-legged friends, but anyone who lives with a pet can attest to the fact that these odors can be particularly unfriendly. When Spot takes his blanket and moves into the doghouse out in the yard, then you know you have a problem. One way to combat stinky pet smells is to empty one pound of fragrant un-brewed ground coffee in a flat pan or tray and leave it in the area of the smell. Leaving out small containers of vinegar has also been known to eliminate pet odors. If you suspect the smell is in the carpet, get yourself some enzymatic cleaners designed for removing pet stains. If you can not locate the source of the stink, try using a blacklight to illuminate the stain on the carpet. If Spot himself is smelly, try rubbing him down with a dryer sheet or two. These also work well for repelling insects and bees.

Lingering Tobacco/Cigar Odor - Did your team win the playoffs during the party you threw last Saturday night? Was there some celebratory cigar-smoking going on? The best defense at ridding a room of these kinds of odors is to leave little bowls of Pine-Sol throughout the room, leaving some windows open to ventilate.

Other Troublesome Odors - Place decorative baskets filled with scented pine cones in areas that tend to get smelly. Boil cinnamon sticks or other fragrant spices in a pot of water and let stand. Soak a few cotton balls in vanilla or almond extract, place in a bag or container with holes, and leave in the room with the offending odor. Place your favorite tea bags in a drawer or other confined place and let them fragrantly finish off the smell. Put a few drops of your favorite essential oil on the tops of light-bulbs. The scent will chase away any unwanted odors.

The Maids Are Cleaning For a Reason!

By Karen Dandurant
kdandurant@seacoastonline.com
April 22, 2008 2:00 AM
PORTSMOUTH — Cancer is a debilitating, exhausting disease that takes an emotional toll on entire families, and one local business has teamed with a national foundation to help in the best way it can — by offering free housecleaning services.
The Maids of New England Marketing Coop. has joined with the Cleaning for a Reason Foundation and will offer cancer patients four free house-cleanings.
The Maids already have their first client and wants to be sure other cancer patients are aware of the resource.
Carolyn Lilly, 54, is a resident of Hampton. She said she was diagnosed with colon cancer in February.
"I had to take a leave of absence from the Portsmouth School Department, where I am a secretary at the high school. It's important to me that this community service be known. If my son, Don, hadn't found (Cleaning for a Reason) on the Internet, I wouldn't have known it was available.
"He called and ... they asked for confirmation from my doctor, and within two weeks of learning of the resource, I had an appointment for a cleaning. It was an amazing turnaround," she said.
"It's not a small thing, but a tremendous resource that I'm proud to be passing along to any Seacoast woman going through what I am," Lilly said. "This is an emotional, physical and financial hard time for my family. The treatment compromises my immune system, so this is truly a health issue for me and a relief for my husband, Stephen, who is trying to keep all the other aspects of our life going."
Lilly just completed six weeks of daily radiation and chemotherapy at Massachusetts General Hospital, and her first monthly cleaning was in March, in the midst of her daily trips to Boston.
"They will come in April and in May before my scheduled surgery," she said. "They will come in June when I'm scheduled for chemo again. It's tremendous."
Lilly said her treatment is going well and her prognosis is good.
"I'm sure in part that's due to the tremendous support I am getting from strangers, from my family, the community and my co-workers at PHS who send daily cards and e-mails so I don't feel isolated. I hope to get back to school next fall."
In the meantime, Lilly said, The Maids have been friendly, professional and compassionate, making her life just a little easier.
Katherine Cook, general manager of the Portsmouth office for The Maids said, Cleaning for a Reason was a good fit for them.
"A lot of the women we employ have a connection with cancer," said Cook. "This is a way to give something back to the community. For the women, it's a way to help restore normalcy. It's the same detailed cleaning we offer everyone, including disinfecting to make the home a healthy place."
Cook said two of the company's team leaders battled breast cancer.
"We modified their schedules to accommodate their treatment," Cook said. "So, we so know first-hand what people are going through."
Lynn Olmstead, executive director of Cleaning for a Reason, said the nonprofit foundation was started a little more than a year ago by a Texas woman named Deborah Sardone, a 25-year veteran of the cleaning industry.
"We now have over 280 partners in the U.S. and Canada," said Olmstead. "Our clients say they are in awe that someone would clean their homes for free. It makes them feel better

The Maids Home Services 6th Annual MS Walk Gearing Up for Big Success

2010-04-07T14:11:00.001-07:00

We are gearing up for our 6th Annual MS Walk here at The Maids. This year, we have a record number of walkers joining us - over 50 people!

We are aiming to once again earn the title of Top Corporate Sponsor - which we received in 2009.

A few of our employees here at The Maids have loved family members and friends who are affected by this disease. We are proud to walk for a cure, and to potentially help the MS Society find a cure while making the disease more manageable. By joining the movement, we hope to break down the barriers to proper quality care, and to help shape the policies and programs that impact people living with MS.

We have a lot of fun on the walk, and we are very proud of being a part of it all. It brings us together as a work family for a great cause and it makes a big difference to a cause that is close to our hearts.

Want to get involved? Visit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society's website at: http://www.nationalmssociety.org/.

The Maids Sponsor a Blood Drive

2010-04-07T13:17:00.000-07:00

In March, The Maids Home Services sponsored a blood drive at the Middle Street Baptist Church in Portsmouth. The Red Cross was able to collect 54 pints of life saving blood for hospital patients throughout New England.

The American Red Cross is based on the principle of neighbor helping neighbor. The efforts of everyone involved went a long way toward helping our community.

The Maids Home Services will definitely consider hosting another successful blood drive soon!

The Clutter Down Under: Tips for Safely Storing Things in Your Basement

2010-04-02T09:53:00.001-07:00

Is your basement a catchall for clutter? Are you storing your sentimental items in a box next to your Christmas decorations? Are your wedding dress and winter wardrobe in a container by the water heater?

The last thing you want is for your stored items to be damaged beyond repair. But sometimes, despite best efforts, basements flood. Here are some tips to keep your personal belongings dry should your basement ever become moist or flooded.

Know What Not to Store - Things like baseball cards, old photographs, postcards, greeting cards and letters are not recommended for storing in the basement. Even if your basement is not prone to flooding, the moisture and humidity in the air can ruin them in just a short time, making them warped and moldy. Never store musical instruments or DVDs or CD's in the basement. Again, moisture and humidity slowly eat away at their composition, rendering them worthless when finally retrieved from storage.

Be Careful with Paper and Cloth - take care when storing these items in general. Most basements are prone to musty odors, mold and mildew. Also, rodents and other pests like crickets and silverfish love to use these kinds of items to make their home.

Don't Store Items Directly on the Floor - A flood in the basement doesn't have to be massive to cause severe damage to your belongings. Use pallets to store plastic containers and large items at least four inches off the floor. Also, consider getting some shelving that will keep things high and out of reach of water.

Use Plastic Storage Containers to Store Items - Use plastic containers with tight-fitting lids - Never store anything in paper bags or in cardboard boxes - these can absorb moisture and expose items to water. If you have items that are too large for storage containers (portable fans, Christmas trees, decorations, picture frames, etc.) store them in a double plastic garbage bag. Tie bags tightly and the plastic should act as a repellent against water, pests and dust.

Store all Chemicals on Shelves or Tables Above Flood Levels - This will prevent heavy rains and flooding from turning your basement into a floating safety hazard. The last thing you want is to go down to your basement and find your young child or pet knee deep in toxic water!

Clear out Space Around Furnace, Water Heater and Other Appliances - Don't store items in this space - avoid storing near pipes and drains as well. Be very careful of flammable and heat sensitive items as well as any valuables that may be damaged by a burst pipe.

Take Special Care of Valuables or Sentimental Items - Wedding dresses and heirloom antiques should be stored on a higher level of the house. If this is not possible, pack vulnerable items in air tight plastic or vacuum-sealed space bags and store as high in the basement as possible.

Install a Basement Dehumidifier - A dehumidifier will help keep moisture and mold from building up on walls, furniture, carpeting and anything else you may have in the basement. They are relatively inexpensive and most local hardware stores carry them.

Keeping Your Basement Dry this Summer

2010-04-02T06:20:00.000-07:00

If you're like most people living in New England these days, the words heavy winds and rain are enough to start you packing and heading for higher, dryer climates.

In the past few months, we have been hit with severe storms powerful enough to cause massive power outages, downed trees and heavy flooding - not to mention thousands of flooded basements and the numerous problems that come with them.

Flooded basements and leaks are huge headaches for homeowners, but there are things you can do to minimize damage and cost when storms hit.

The following steps (taken from WikiHow.com) can help you prepare for summer's worst storms and keep your basement from turning into a swampy four-walled sponge.

PREVENTION - Look around your property for ways to divert rain water away from your home. Make sure your rain gutter downspouts are extended away from your home as well as the sloping grade of your yard.

CLEAN AND EXTEND RAIN GUTTER DOWNSPOUTS AWAY FROM THE HOME - Make sure your rain gutters are clean and free from debris, and do not connect downspouts to foundation footer drain tiles or underground dry wells - this will allow the ground around the basement to become even more saturated.

WALK AROUND OUTSIDE DURING A RAIN STORM - Grab an umbrella and head outside to check for ponding water and to see if surface water is being directed toward your house. Your yard may need to be re-graded.

PROVIDE EMERGENCY POWER - Purchase a generator for essential units like your furnace or electric heat, well pump, refrigerator, septic tank pump and sump pump. This will eliminate chances of finding your basement flooded.

INSTALL A SUMP PUMP AS WELL AS A BACK-UP SUMP PUMP - This is your first line of defense against basement flooding. These are still mechanical devices, however, and can still fail. Purchase a battery-operated pump as well and install a smart switch that will enable it to begin working if the other one is out of comission.

ADD FLOOD INSURANCE ONTO YOUR EXISTING HOMEOWNER'S POLICY - Flood insurance is provided by the government and is usually fairly low-priced. If your home insurance agent does not provide flood insurance, contact FEMA for local agencies that do.

Don't ever underestimate the chance of your basement flooding. This can happen in any home, regardless of how well you try and protect it. It is advisable to have a Warning System...even if you have back-up power, your basement can still flood. Home alarm and security companies can provide you with an alert to your cell phone or pager when your power goes out, or if your basement starts to flood. Be sure to carry emergency contact numbers for your plumber or electrician in the event of receiving an alert.

Have a happy and safe summer...and stay dry!