Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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Each year there are approximately 500,000 structure fires reported in the U.S. That's homes in residential neighborhoods just like your own and it is businesses providing much needed services to the community. When fires ravage homes and when they wreak havoc on businesses, it puts people out, it disrupts lives and leaves many feeling lost.

If you're in the midst of a fire damage emergency it is important to know what's next. First, your primary focus is safety. It's making sure that the fire is fully extinguished and other active dangers are mitigated. And second, it is taking good active next steps. See our tip page below, we list important things to do, and we also list things that should be avoided.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (954) 384-6653

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.