DOS AND DON’TS FOR FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE

8/13/2019 (Permalink)

DOS AND DON’TS FOR FIRE AND SMOKE DAMAGE

Fire damage can be a devastating experience for home and business. Fire damage is difficult to overcome. When you’re wondering what to do after a fire, here are things to do and things not to do during the fire restoration process.

DOS FOR FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

1. Do contact a certified restoration specialist

 Make sure you immediately contact a certified fire and smoke restoration professional for remediation services

2. Do turn off utilities

 Turn of water, electricity, gas, and any other utilities until a professional can evaluate if any of these systems were damaged during the fire.

3. DO break out the vacuum

Use a vacuum with a brush attachment and go over your upholstered furniture. Your furniture will look better as soon as the soot is removed

4. Do address your carpets, floors, and countertops

Give similar treatment to your carpets. Vacuum them for an immediate and superficial improvement over the damaged state. It will help prevent soot from grinding deeper into the carpet’s roots

5. Do check your appliances

Your utilities should be off. Make sure empty your freezer and refrigerator, and leave the doors open to prevent mold and mildew. Absence of heat during the fire damage restoration process, fluids can freeze and cause burst pipes and other damage.

6. DO take care of pets

Remove pets from your fire-damaged home. Lingering soot and smoke can be harmful to their health.

DON’TS FOR FIRE DAMAGE RESTORATION

1. Don’t use your AC, heater or electronics

 Wait until a professional arrives.  Turning on electronics can create greater damage.

2. Don’t clean walls or clothing

A professional should examine them first and provide advice before you clean the walls, ceiling, and other similar surface.

3. Don’t eat leftover food

 Never eat anything that was in the home during the fire. It is most likely not safe to consume due to contamination from smoke, soot, or contaminants.

4. Don’t wipe away powder from extinguishers

Don’t try to clean up any staining from the powder discharged by a fire extinguisher. Best let professional to the cleanup.

These are basic guidelines for preventing further damage and get a start on cleanup, but they are not a substitute for professional restoration services. If you’re wondering what to do after a fire, the best course of action is to hire a certified professional to provide expert knowledge and service. The situation requires specialized tools and knowledge that only a professional can provide.

Here at SERVPRO of Ventura we are proud to serve. When serious disaster hits, we stand ready to mobilize our team to help out during any kind of crisis. Trusting SERVPRO of Ventura to do the job is having your family safe at home again. Call us at (805) 656-3911 for assistance.