SERVE Letter January 2021

One of our core values at Brookstone Restoration is to “Be the Example.” Great companies set the standard for their competitors. They are “the Example” that others should emulate. At Brookstone, we strive to set the bar higher by our performance. We want to “Be the Example.” We want our competitors to perform at the high level that we have set. Our industry is full of mediocrity. We must perform at a high level in order to grow and be the best. That means we set the standard on quality, time of completion, response times and our communication with the client. There are no excuses when we make a mistake. We make it right and correct it. Today we are recognized in the local market by our competitors. They have seen us grow to be the largest independently-owned insurance restoration company in Central Alabama. That has not been achieved by accident. Continual capital investment in Brookstone each year along with hiring great people who care about our customers and the company have made us who we are today.

—Mike Whitcomb 

Stay Safe in Cold Weather

More house fires happen in the winter months than any other time of the year. During the cold months, we spend more time indoors and use different methods to heat our homes. It is important to keep fire safety in mind when you are heating your home.

Here are the leading causes of winter house fires:

  • Unattended cooking and cooking equipment
  • Dryer lint fires
  • Space heaters and chimneys
  • Cigarettes and smoking
  • Electrical and lighting equipment
  • Candles

Tips to prevent winter fires:

  • If using a heater, make sure it has an automatic shut-off so if it tips over, it shuts off.
  • Never leave a candle or cooking appliance unattended when in use.
  • Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
  • If using a fireplace, keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out and starting a fire.
  • Turn all heat sources heat off when you go to bed or leave the room.
  • If using a wood stove, have your chimney inspected and cleaned each year by a professional.
  • Put ashes in a metal container with a lid. Store the container outside at least thee feet away from your home.
  • Clean the lint trap in your dryer before and after each load of laundry.
  • Keep anything that can burn such as bedding, clothing and curtains at least three feet from the heat source.
  • Have all sources of heat inspected and cleaned regularly.

Create a take-along bag in case of emergency, which should include:

  • Important documents: Insurance policies, birth certificates, passports, driver’s license, etc.
  • Items for temporary location: Clothing, toys, toiletries, medications, pet food, etc.
  • Valuables: Cash, jewelry, furs, irreplaceable items, firearms, collectable items, etc.

In addition, make sure you have smoke and carbon dioxide alarms on every level of your home, inside bedrooms and outside sleeping areas. Test your alarms every month. Have a home fire escape plan and practice your plan at least twice a year. Make sure all family members know how to escape your home if there is a fire. Make Brookstone Restoration a part of your emergency fire plan and remember to call us as soon as you and your family are safely out of the home. We pray that you don’t ever need our services, but during such an unexpected and often traumatic time, we are here to serve you 24/7, so please give us a call at 1-800-699-1970.

January is normally the time of year we partner with one of our amazing non-profit organizations, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC). Every year, millions of children die from preventable causes such as pneumonia, diarrhea, malaria and undernutrition. Hunger is still causing nearly half of deaths in children under five years old. From this data, FMSC estimates at least 6,200 children die each day from causes related to undernutrition—a heartbreaking statistic. FMSC believes hope starts with food. As a Christian nonprofit, FMSC is dedicated to seeing every child whole in body and spirit. FMSC works with food distribution partners that stay with communities for the long haul, empowering them to move from relief to development.

This time last year we helped FMSC pack more than 29,000 meal bags to be sent to children who need them. Due to COVID-19, we are unfortunately unable to volunteer in our usual way, but we are asking if you feel led to join us in donating to this amazing organization. Funds given by donors just like you help purchase the meal ingredients while volunteers hand-pack the meals. Meals are donated to FMSC food partners around the world, where kids are fed and lives are saved!