Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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After a Fire: Prioritizing Your Safety

Experiencing a fire can be deeply distressing, and your safety is our utmost concern. Here are essential steps to take after a fire:

What to Do After a Fire:

  • Limit movement to prevent soot from further damaging upholstery and carpets.
  • Keep hands clean to avoid soiling surfaces like walls and woodwork.
  • Place clean towels on rugs, upholstery, and carpets in high-traffic areas.
  • If the power's off, empty and prop open the freezer and refrigerator.
  • Protect and clean chrome surfaces with petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Give houseplants attention by thoroughly washing their leaves.
  • Change the HVAC filter and cover air registers with cheesecloth.

What to Avoid After a Fire:

  • Don't wash walls, painted surfaces, or clean carpets without professional guidance.
  • Consult authorized repair services before cleaning electrical appliances exposed to fire, heat, or water.
  • Avoid consuming canned or packaged items near fire, heat, or water.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, as wiring may be damaged.
  • Choose specialized cleaners for garments to prevent setting smoke odor.

Remember, safety comes first. Reach out to professionals like SERVPRO® for expert fire damage restoration assistance during this challenging time. We're here to help you through it.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (253) 838-8999

What To Do After A Fire

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
  • Keep hands clean so as not to further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
  • Place clean towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
  • If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open.
  • Clean and protect chrome with light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
  • Change HVAC filter.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

  • Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
  • Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
  • Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
  • Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

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