Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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What To Do First After a Fire

Fires are alarming and stressful. The first step is to keep your family free of the dangers of this combustion and contact your insurance provider about what to do next.

Contacting SERVPRO to Help

Once you have gotten your family to a safe place and spoken with the insurance company, you will need to secure experienced restoration professionals. As a preferred insurance work vendor, we are a trusted name to begin estimations and pre-job scoping of restoration work to come and proceed with this recovery.

What Can You Clean Yourself? 

While it is often not advisable for occupants of the home to be around the property experiencing the volatile post-fire conditions, there are some small actions you can take that could help to limit the work areas for restoration professionals, such as turning off the HVAC system to prevent soot and smoke solids from being pulled through the ducts. Often the needs of your home are too advanced for homeowners to help, as SERVPRO must address major concerns like:

  • Soot removal
  • Bulk material cleanup
  • Water extraction
  • Air filtration

Is DIY Restoration Possible?

Restoring a home on your own can be nearly impossible after fire damage. This has much to do with the insurance company providing coverage for your residence, as the work performed must be completed by experienced and certified professionals, including the build-back services possible with our general contractor license. 

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (716) 268-1006

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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