What To Do and What Not To Do After a Fire

7/8/2019 (Permalink)

After a fire, call us SERVPRO of Kernersville at 336-379-1772

Fires can happen in an instant and often without warning. With the ability to spread and double in size every 60 seconds, fires often ravish a property before being extinguished. After fire has taken over your home, the fear, uncertainty, stress and doubt about the future of your property and your belongings can be overwhelming. Once the fire has been extinguished and the fire department has given you the clear, it’s hard to know what to do next.

Keep these Dos and Don'ts in mind if fire affects your home.

DO:

• Limit movement in the home. This helps prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets throughout your home.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• Place towels on carpet traffic areas. Use dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas to limit damage.
• Empty freezer and refrigerator. If electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and prop doors open to help prevent odors.
• Wipe soot from chrome. Clean soot from chrome kitchen and bathroom faucets, trim and appliances, then apply a light coating of petroleum jelly to protect surfaces.
• Wash houseplants. Wipe down both sides of leaves on your houseplants.
• Change HVAC filters. Change your filters but leave the system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Cover HVAC intakes. Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of your HVAC system.
• Contact SERVPRO of Kernersville 336-379-1772

DON'T:

• Wash any walls or painted surfaces. This can be dangerous to your health and is best left to the professionals like us at SERVPRO of Burlington
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture. This too can be dangerous to your health and is best left to professionals
• Clean any electrical appliances. TV sets, computers and other electronics that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water need to be looked at by an authorized repair service.
• Consume food and beverages. Food and beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water, may be contaminated.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures. If the ceiling is wet, wiring may be wet or damaged and can cause electrical shock.
• Dry clean clothing. Improper cleaning may set smoke odors. Make sure you use a service that knows how to remove soot and smoke from clothing.

Fires are stressful, and you shouldn't have to clean up the mess yourself. At SERVPRO of Kernersville, we are here to help you restore your home. Just call us 24/7 and 365 at 336-379-1772. At SERVPRO we make it “Like it never even happened.”

*Tips provided by SERVPRO® Industries, Inc.