Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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Facing a fire in your home or business can be overwhelming, to say the least. It’s crucial, though, to start your fire damage cleanup and restoration process as soon as possible, to get your life back to normal.

Rather than running to the store to buy cleaning products, mops, and buckets yourself, you need to rely SERVPRO of Kendall County to handle the situation. There are specific steps SERVPRO of Kendall County will follow to restore your property and contents to their preloss condition.

Here are some tips tips follow:

  • Make safety a priority. Even if everything looks safe and clear to you, don’t enter your property after a fire until a professional has told you it’s safe to do so. 
  • Take photographic evidence of the fire damage, take notes of conversations or keep email correspondence, and save receipts and documents – this will help when it comes to dealing with your insurance company.
  • Call your insurance agent, in order to get the ball rolling on fire damage assessment.
  • Call your local restoration company, to help with fire damage cleanup and repair.
  • Limit movement inside the building, this will stop soot particles from spreading.
  • Change furnace filters.If the weather allows, open windows and doors for ventilation.
  • Remove all clothing from the property and have it cleaned by professional fire damage restoration cleaners, not just a dry cleaner.
  • Throw away all food and drink left after the fire.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (630) 554-2280

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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