Storm season is here, which means millions of Americans are taking steps from now through November to prevent their homes from flooding and wind damage. Are you ready?

All it takes is a few inches of water to cause major damage to a home and its contents. And the subsequent growth of mold and mildew can wreak even more havoc, leading to structural damage as well as an unhealthy environment, particularly for children, seniors, and individuals with respiratory problems or allergies.

In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency warns that exposure to mold can cause symptoms such as nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, or skin irritation. Severe reactions can include asthma episodes, fever, shortness of breath and mold infection in the lungs.

“After a flood mold spores can begin to grow and reproduce within 24 to 48 hours,” says Dennis Shireman, a moisture control specialist with DampRid, which makes a line of moisture control products that absorb moisture and reduce humidity to eliminate dampness. “But a few preventative measures can help you protect your home and family.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) suggests homeowners fortify doors, windows and the roof against strong winds and water damage. That may mean installing plywood shutters or getting a professional to install necessary add-ons, like dead bolts and metal roofing connectors.

It’s also a good idea to create an emergency preparedness kit that includes a flashlight, first aid kit and blankets. And keep some bottled water and canned food supplies on hand, preferably in a place you know will remain dry.

To get a head-start on mold and mildew prevention before a storm, consider placing a moisture absorber like DampRid, which works naturally to suck moisture out of the air, in such key areas as bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, basements and garages. By placing the absorbent crystals — which come in hanging bags, refillable buckets and disposable pouches — in discreet locations, DampRid works with no extra effort from you. Just open and dispose after it has done its job. You can also use it after a storm to rid the air of musty odors and help dry out your home.

If water does get into your home, ventilate it as soon as possible. Then wash surface areas, including walls, staircases and items that came in contact with flood- or rainwater. Disinfect and wipe surfaces dry with paper towels to minimize bacterial contamination.

Throw away any items that do not dry completely because they can harbor germs and produce mold, which can irritate allergies and other respiratory illnesses. And don’t be a hero when it comes to clearing fallen trees or electrical lines — call a specialist.

To learn more about moisture, humidity and mold control, visit www.damprid.com.

Proper preparedness takes some foresight and planning, but a little goes a long way in protecting your home and family.

As sweltering heat blankets the country, humidity levels are also on the rise. During the hot summer months, the air inside your home can carry humidity levels of 80% or higher. This causes you to feel uncomfortably hot and sticky. Along with discomfort, excessive indoor humidity can cause damage in the form of mold and mildew, peeling wallpaper or paint, warped hardwood floors, unwanted condensation, allergies and unpleasant thick, musty air. The key to controlling humidity levels in the home is to maintain a moisture balance.

“Proactively reducing the humidity in your home is a lot more costeffective than repairing the damage caused by high humidity levels. However, running air-conditioning units 24/7 can be expensive given the high cost of energy,” said Dennis Shireman, a moisture control specialist with DampRid. “For those looking to save, an economical choice may be energy efficient, non-electric dehumidifiers such as DampRid’s moisture absorbing products. DampRid works by removing excess moisture from the air naturally and automatically brings humidity down to a comfortable level.”

To lower indoor humidity and help save on energy costs, DampRid recommends:

• Take your houseplants outside during the summer to decrease the humidity in your home. Plants give off moisture through their leaves.
• See to it that your clothes dryer vent is directed towards the outside so that any moisture coming from the dryer doesn’t raise the humidity level inside.
• Check all the plumbing inside your house for any drips or leaks. If you find them, repair them at once. The water from the leaks eventually evaporates and can increase indoor moisture levels.
• Cook according to the weather. On hot days, don’t raise the temperature inside your home further by boiling water in the kitchen. Stove top cooking generates steam which raises humidity levels.
• Take colder and shorter showers. Steam from a hot shower can raise the humidity in the air.
• Use non-electric moisture absorbing products such as DampRid wherever humidity is a problem. By reducing excess humidity in the home, DampRid helps create more comfortable and fresher indoor air quality. Visit damprid.com for more information.

About DampRid

First introduced in 1948, DampRid is the worldwide market leader for effective, safe and affordable nonelectric dehumidifiers. Through the years, DampRid has introduced a number of products designed to absorb moisture, eliminate odors and is continually expanding and improving its line. Today’s line of DampRid products controls moisture in all areas of the home, vacation home, cars, boats, and RVs. DampRid is owned by W.M. Barr and based in Memphis, Tennessee. DampRid products are available for purchase at home centers, mass merchants and grocery stores, online http://www.damprid.com/products or by calling 1-800 -238-2672.

Goof Off® Stain and Spot Remover Offers Miracle Removing Tips on How to Tackle Back to School Messes

MEMPHIS, TN – August 17, 2011 – It’s back to school time again and as kids make their annual trip back to the classroom, parents have begun to make their annual trip back to the drawing board. Faced with an array of new and mysterious back to school messes; parents are discovering stain and spot removal to be a real battle. From melted crayons all over the car seats to arts and crafts messes covering the carpet and walls, Goof-Off® is pleased to offer a few Miracle Removing tips to help parents wage war against a whole slew of goofs. And, for the month of September, a special back to school discount of 10% will be applied toward all products ordered through goof-off.com, plus free shipping on all order over $25, the promo code is SEPG.

Miracle Remover Tip #1 – Removing glue

1. If the glue hasn’t dried, wipe off as much of it as possible, carefully, so as not to spread it over a bigger area.

2. Spray Goof Off® Heavy Duty directly on the problem. 2. Wait for it to penetrate.

3. Wipe that glue right off the surface.

Miracle Remover Tip #2 – Removing Decal and Stickers Adhesive

The easiest, quickest and safest method to remove adhesive residue from a decal or sticker from just about any surface is to spray on Goof Off® Heavy Duty, let it dissolve the decal and residue and then wipe it away. It’s safe, effective and works in one step, with no harsh fumes and no damage to the surface.

(MEMPHIS, TN) Studies by Harvard University show between 40 and 50% of homes in North America have moisture and mold problems serious enough to significantly increase respiratory symptoms among occupants. Mold Armor, America’s leader in mold detection, cleaning and prevention, and DampRid, the original non-electric, non-toxic, maintenance-free dehumidifier support Mold Awareness Month and encourage homeowners to safeguard their families and homes against mold, mildew and moisture problems.

In a recent poll by Reader’s Digest, mold was ranked the 2nd greatest concern for homeowners, more threatening than lead paint and pesticides. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American home can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside. They estimate Americans spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

“For better indoor air quality, the most important thing homeowners can do is control indoor moisture and humidity,” said Dennis Shireman, a home care expert with W.M. Barr. “The trick is to find the right balance. 50% or lower relative humidity is the magic number for optimal comfort. Products such as DampRid Moisture Absorbers remove excess moisture from the air and automatically bring relative humidity to just the right level.”

If mold has already invaded the home, there are several solutions available to help eradicate the problem. Mold Armor products are guaranteed to clean mold stains indoors and outdoors, prevent mold stains for up to 3 months and offers a Do-It-Yourself kit that tests for the presence of mold. To help combat mold, mildew, and moisture issues in the home, Mold Armor and DampRid recommend:

• Control moisture levels and monitor humidity indoors
• Dry wet areas immediately
• Identify problem areas in the home and correct them
• Use mold-resistant products
• Improve airflow
• Test for mold with a Do-It-Yourself test kit

About Mold Armor:

Founded in 2008, Mold Armor is the first line of products 100% dedicated to fighting mold and preventing it from coming back. It has stronger products to clean mold stains indoors and out, products that prevent mold stains for 3 months and a test kit to detect mold. Mold Armor has stronger products for powerful mold stain control. For more information, visit http://www.moldarmor.com.

About DampRid:

Founded in 1948, DampRid is the worldwide market leader for effective, safe and affordable nonelectric dehumidifiers. Through the years, DampRid has introduced a number of products designed to absorb moisture, eliminate odors and is continually expanding and improving its line. Today’s line of DampRid products control moisture in all areas of the home, vacation home, cars, boats, and RVs. DampRid products are available for purchase at major retailers, grocery stores and online at http://www.damprid.com/products, or by calling 1-888-326-7743. For more information, visit www.damprid.com.

Both Mold Armor and DampRid are owned by W.M. Barr and based in Memphis, Tennessee.

Odor Genie’s special charcoal formula destroys odors at the molecular level.

West Texas Tribune

Household chores are nobody’s idea of a good time. But the more time your family spends enjoying your home, the dirtier it seems to get — with all those muddy footprints, spilled drinks and stains clinging to your carpets, wood floors, upholstery and even your garage floor.

Here are some shortcuts to make tough household chores easier:

Do Double Duty

Time is precious, so start multitasking! Do the laundry while simultaneously cleaning the bathroom and vacuuming your living room.

Start by tossing a load into the washing machine.While it cleans, spray your bathroom tub, sink,tiles and toilet with a multipurpose cleaner. Don’tstart scrubbing, yet. Instead, let the cleaner startworking on the dirt while you vacuum the livingroom. Then wipe down your bathroom surfacesand move your laundry from the washer to thedryer.

Another way to save time and money is by using a cleaning product that also can multitask. Instead of having different cleaners, use one powerful mess remover, such as Goof Off Heavy Duty Spot Remover & Degreaser, which works both inside and outside your house on many surfaces. This way you can use the same cleaner to remove spots, stains, spills and greasy messes on wood, tile floors, linoleum, walls, upholstery and even clothing.

Dust Smarter

Dusting shouldn’t be about pushing debris from one surface to another and wasting time in the process. Move faster by trying a favorite trick of many time-pressed homemakers: use a lint roller to remove dust on drapes and cloth lampshades.

And to quickly keep drapes and upholstery fabrics fresh, try using your iron’s steam setting and gently hover over the fabric.

Attack the Garage

Lawn furniture, tools and sporting equipment are magnets for dust and grime. And it sometimes seems every greasy mess imaginable has taken over your garage floor. The trick to attacking your garage is to get things off the floor and use powerful cleaners that minimize scrubbing time.

Start by using hooks to hang ladders, tools and bicycles. Once you can see the floor, it’s time to hit the floor. Car oil is one of the most difficult stains, owing to its makeup. Use a heavy duty cleaner and degreaser with a micro-emulsion formula that penetrates deep into grease. Just apply, agitate it a bit with a stiff brush and wipe away those stains without using too much of your own elbow grease.

“A comfortable, lived-in home is going to get dirty, but you can attack tough household messes with the right cleaner that will clean mistakes both inside and outside your home” says Tim Whelan, Sr. Brand Manager at W.M. Barr, the only national manufacturer of specialty solvents, removers, cleaning and surface prep products.

For more tips on cleaning, visit www.goof-off.com.

Cleaning your home may not be fun, but it needn’t be the most time-consuming chore.