What Are Some Do’s And Don’ts If You Experience Fire Damage In Your Home?

2/28/2023 (Permalink)

A fire in your Hermitage/Donelson home can leave you feeling helpless. House fires are scary and devastating, affecting you emotionally - you may have a hard time making decisions. You'll be faced with a lot of considerations. 

As soon as you can, call SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson at (615) 885 3906! We'll be at your location immediately to begin your restoration process.

While you wait for us to arrive, you can do a few things, and we've compiled a list for you to use. Keep reading for some do's and don'ts if you experience damage from fire.

What Comes First? 

After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first:

• Is it safe to stay in the house?
• Electrical and "slip and fall" hazards are some of the most prevalent concerns.
• Only do activities that are safe for you to perform.
• Wet materials can be VERY heavy. Be careful!

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 the electricity is off, empty your freezer and refrigerator and open the doors.
• Clean and protect chrome with a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
• Wash houseplants on both sides of the leaves.
• Change the HVAC filter.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

• Don't attempt to wash any walls, painted surfaces, shampoo the carpet, or upholstery without contacting us.
• Only attempt to clean electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water after 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 they are wet; the wiring may be damaged.
• Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

If your home or business has suffered damage from fire, water, bad odors, or mold, you can count on SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson to get you back to normal immediately! We maintain the training and equipment necessary to help our customers recover from disasters and emergencies. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.