Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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A fire in your home is traumatic! Once your house fire is out, you may be in shock, and also trying to make lots of important decisions on the fly. There’s so much that needs to be done to begin cleaning up the fire damage and getting your life back to normal. Tempted as you may be to get back inside your home to survey the damage and perhaps to grab some essential personal items, don’t. The scene of a fire is a dangerous place and you should not re-enter your home until your local safety authorities determine that it is safe. Learn more about preventing, escaping and recovering from a house fire in our blog.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (860) 206-6141

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.