Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

Water Tips  |  Fire Tips   |  Biohazard Tips   |  Mold Tips

After a fire occurs in your home or business, it is very important to know what is safe and what is not. With the damages of a fire, as well as the other hazards that come with it, ones primary focus should be on safety. With dangers such as debris, particle inhalation, electrical dangers, and slip and fall hazards, one should be cautious when entering an establishment affected by a fire. Once it is determined safe to enter an affected building, it is smart to limit movement and touching affected areas, as contact with these areas can embed smoke particles into them. In addition, after a fire, do not attempt to clean walls, ceilings, furniture, clothes, etc. without consulting a technician, as cleaning items improperly can set smoke odor. Also, turn off the electricity and make sure to stay away from electrical appliances and switches, as wires may be tampered with by the fire. Lastly, empty any fridge or freezer of any food or beverages as soon as possible. Letting food sit in an off fridge causes the food to rot. Make sure to empty the fridges and leave them open to air out. Overall, with a fire, be safe and let SERVPRO take care of the damages. If you ever are struck by a home fire, make sure you call us at 586-336-7373 to make the damage seem "Like it never even happened."

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (586) 336-7373

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.

Visit our updated page