Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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When a fire strikes your property (commercial or residential), it's not easy to compose yourself before deciding what to do next.

Outside the obvious calls to emergency services and ensuring everyone in the building is safe, what are you supposed to do afterwards?

During what may be one of the most stressful experiences many people will ever encounter, it will be easy for you to feel overwhelmed.

However, it is essential to know that there are trained professionals in Inglewood that can take most of the burden off your shoulders.

SERVPRO of Inglewood has dealt with dozens of fire damaged buildings and been able to effectively deal with your insurance company in order to get your property back to the way it was before the fire.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (424) 223-4153

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.