Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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What To Do Before Help Arrives

After a fire has broken out in your home or business, it can be very traumatic. However, it's important to remain calm and clear thinking during this moment. Follow these simple steps to make sure that this tragic event can be as smooth as possible:

  1. Is it safe to stay at home? Your safety, and your families, is the number one priority. If your house has any dangers (i.e. weak beams or holes in walls), we advise that you stay at a friends or family members house until restoration is complete.
  2. Electrical and 'slip' hazards: These are the most common overlooked hazards. Be very diligent with checking your home or business for these. If possible, remove them immediately. If not possible to remove them, mark them with something obvious such as bright tape or a sign.
  3. Only Perform Activities that are Safe to do so: It's not worth putting your health at risk when SERVPRO professionals are on their way. Let our trained team do this for you.
  4. Be Careful of Wet Materials: These materials can be very heavy. Again, your health is important and we do not want you to get injured trying to move something that our professional team can.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (304) 428-7378

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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