In the grand scheme of property-based disasters, fire and smoke damage can truly take a toll on a home. In fact, within just a few hours of a house fire, metal fixtures such as door handles and faucets can begin to tarnish. Since fire damage is often rather quick to set in, it is imperative that homeowners understand what to do – and what not to do – right after a smoke or fire-related disaster. Enrique Ramirez is the owner of PuroClean Property Paramedics, an emergency cleaning service that specializes in fire and smoke mitigation. Enrique recommends that homeowners familiarize themselves with the following guidelines in order to minimize damage in the home after a smoke or fire situation:
Proceed with caution
The most important thing to do after a fire or smoke situation is to protect yourself and your family members from bodily harm. When it comes to examining the damages, caution is crucial. Make sure to avoid loose or exposed electrical wires, and keep your eyes out for any potential trip hazards.
Call the professionals
When faced with the aftermath of a smoke or fire-based disaster, the best way to help yourself is to call upon a company that is experienced in dealing with similar situations. Companies like PuroClean Property Paramedics make it their business to be on the scene of an emergency as quickly as possible to assess the damages and come up with an immediate plan of action. The sooner you call in the professionals, the quicker and more effective the restoration process is likely to be.
Avoid additional damage
Wear gloves and do your best to keep your hands clean as you examine your property. The last thing you’ll want to do is actively spread the damage by dragging soot particles onto previously unharmed walls, carpet and upholstery.
Shut off ventilation systems
To prevent the mess from further spreading, shut off any central air conditioning or heating system within the home. Remember, you don’t want all that soot to circulate. You should make sure to avoid turning on ceiling fans or fixtures in rooms in which the ceiling is wet. Also, for safety purposes, steer clear of rooms in which the ceiling appears to suddenly sag.
Discard contaminated food and beverage items
Any open food or drink items in your house that were exposed to the fire should be tossed immediately. You should also get rid of sealed cans or containers that may have been contaminated.
Avoid the big freeze
In situations where the smoke or fire disaster has occurred during the cold weather months, you’ll want to avoid the additional repercussions of having the heating system turned off. To combat freezing temperatures, pour one tablespoon of antifreeze down bathtubs, toilets, and sinks. In order to protect chrome faucets and appliances, apply a light coating of WD-40 to all applicable surface areas.
Don’t start cleaning just yet
As a homeowner, you’re bound to be anxious to start the cleanup process as soon as you possibly can. However, in your overzealous attempt to make things better, you could actually make them a lot worse. For starters, unless you’ve gotten the go-ahead from an expert, avoid washing or painting affected walls, as this could cause any leftover soot to set in permanently. The same goes for carpet, rugs, and upholstery. You should also not attempt to repair or clean out any affected electrical appliances: This is a task that should be reserved for a trained repair technician only. Smoke-damaged clothing might have to be specially treated, so don’t start dumping dirty garments in the wash. Instead, wait for the professionals to arrive with cleaning instructions. Remember, when it comes to fire and smoke cleanup, there are specific rules for specific circumstances. Only a trained professional will be able to evaluate the situation to determine the best course of action for cleanup.
Of course, from an emotional and financial perspective, a fire or smoke-related emergency can take a toll on any homeowner who is unfortunate enough to find himself in such a situation. However, by adhering to these expert guidelines, you, as a homeowner, can do your part to make the property recovery process a whole lot easier.
