This is the third of a three-part blog series on fire damage cleanup. We hope this list has helped you think through this before it ever happens to you. If you already suffered a loss and need help, don’t hesitate to contact us. We can walk you through every step.
6. Secure Your Property
As we have already discussed, it is important to secure your property. This is one of the very first steps in the cleanup of a fire. Only if the fire department says it is safe, before you leave the home to stay somewhere else, you need to put security measures into place.
Your homeowner’s policy may not cover the damage after the fire is out so any loss of property due to a lack of security or emergency weatherproofing could come out of your pocket.
At Paradise Cleaning, we have helped countless customers to handle the discussion with insurance companies. Experienced restoration companies can help anticipate all needs ahead of time so nothing is left out from the start.
7. Real Fire Dangers After the Blaze
Reentering a property after a fire can be dangerous due to the number of toxic chemicals that can be present in the air. The fire department may tell you there is no serious structural damage, but the air in that structure may be full of contaminants.
This is another reason a professional restoration company should be called to clean the air before you return.
8. Soot and Smoke are Corrosive
If soot and smoke are not removed immediately, permanent staining, etching and discoloration can occur on some items. Smoke damages electronics as well, so you may need to replace them even if they look untouched by the flames.
9. Items to Discard After the Fire
There are many items you may want to salvage after a fire, but it can be wise to throw away anything that is “iffy.”
The following things should be discarded for your safety:
- Non-perishable and Perishable Food items, even if they were sealed and stored inside the refrigerator or freezer
- Medicines and Cosmetics – airborne chemicals could seep into these items so it’s best to toss them
- Burned Clothing – it’s better to throw it away than try to clean it
10. Handle Debris with Caution
Homeowner insurance policies will often pay for debris removal after a fire. Check with your insurance agency, and work with a reputable restoration company to handle this. If you are planning to remove debris yourself, wear protective clothing: gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, fitted face mask rated N-95 or P-100.
We have more than 40 years of experience in deep cleaning and restoration services, call us 24/7 at (401) 849-6644 or request a proposal.
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