5 Things Oct. 31: Halloween and Hurricane

Five Things You Need to Know Today is a Patch column that provides readers with essential, daily information at a glance. Check back later for more, and let us know what you think of the feature in the comments section.

1. Halloween Happenings
EPOCH Assisted Living of Norton will welcome back longtime historical presenter Pat Perry for a Halloween show at 2:30 p.m. Perry is a historical interpreter and re-enactor from Sneak Peek Productions. This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 508-285-3355.

Halloween is the theme of today’s second-chance story time at Norton Public Library 10:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. Stories, songs and fun for all ages!

2. Junior Volunteers awarded
Sturdy Memorial Hospital recently honored 143 of its junior volunteers for their contributions to the Hospital during fiscal year 2012.  The juniors, who range in age from 13 to 17, gave a total of 5,090 hours of service over the year in various patient and non-patient areas of the Hospital, as well as off-site facilities. Out of these junior volunteers, 102 received awards.
Jillian Allard and Heather Bowdith received certificates for 20 hours earned within one year. Mandy Funari was awarded for 20 hours. Danielle Driscoll and Kassandra Geribo earned 50 hour pins within one year. Lastly, Natalie Connors received the 500 hour numeral.

3. MBTA maintenance
The MBTA has announced that there will be routine maintenance performed on the commuter rail platform elevator that services tracks 1 and 3 at Back Bay Station, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Any passengers that require the use of this elevator at Back Bay Station are advised to exit the train at Ruggles and take the Orange Line to Back Bay Station during that time. Please notify your conductor if you need any further assistance.

4. Post-Hurricane home tips
ServiceMaster Clean recommend doing the following immediately after a hurricane hits:

• Check to see if your home is safe: When returning home, make sure the home is structurally safe before going inside. Debris may be hazardous, and the potential for collapse may exist.
• Be careful with power: Have a professional check the property for leaks to ensure it is safe before turning on electricity or lighting any matches.
• Store important items: Keep identification, insurance policies, financial information, wills, checkbook, keys and cash in a waterproof container.
• Report property damage: Immediately report property damage to an insurance agent.
• Document the damage: Videotape or take photos of the damaged areas and prepare a detailed inventory of all damaged or destroyed personal property. Be sure to keep a copy of everything.
• Make repairs: Make whatever repairs are possible to protect from a home from further damage. Save all receipts to be reimbursed by the insurance company.
• Watch out for scam artists: Hire properly-licensed workers for repairs.
• Negotiate with creditors: If a home is unlivable, inform local utilities so the resident will not be billed. Work out a payment plan with credit card companies and creditors to fund repairs.
• Assist the claims adjuster: Be prepared to respond as timely as possible to the assigned adjuster to speed along the claims process.
• Look for tax breaks: Enlist a trusted tax expert to help identify applicable breaks.

Water Damage Tips:

• Use a dehumidifier if the outside temperature is about 60 degrees.
• Use fans to circulate the air and assist with drying.
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe furniture dry.
• Lift draperies off carpet, loop through a coat hanger, and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place small wood blocks or aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings and open furniture drawers, closet doors and luggage to enhance drying.
• Move photos, paintings and art objects to a safe, dry location.
• Remove wet fabrics and dry them as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Remove damp books from shelves and spread out to dry.
• If damage occurs during a cool season, leave heat on; if in summer, use an air conditioner if available.
• Remove damp items from the home within 24 to 48 hours and throw away any wet items not considered valuable. Furniture Medic, part of the ServiceMaster family, may be able to restore treasured wood furnishings and antiques.
• Avoid direct contact with areas affected by mold. Wear protective clothing while sifting through items that were beneath the flood waters or where mold has begun to spread.

• Use an ordinary household vacuum to remove water.
• Use electrical appliances while on wet carpets or floors.
• Go into rooms with standing water if the electricity is still on.
• Lift tacked down carpet without professional help.
• Wait to call for professional help. Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within hours.

• Mix bleach with other cleaning products. The combination of chemicals may create toxic fumes.

5. High near 63, low around 45
Today there is a 30 percent chance of showers, mainly before 1 p.m. There will be patchy fog before 9 a.m. Otherwise, it will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 63. South wind will be 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tonight there is a 20 percent chance of showers. It will be mostly cloudy, with a low around 42. South wind will be around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.