While you might think that the best course of action to take after a fire is to start by picking up the pieces by yourself and taking the items that can still be salvaged, you just might end up doing more harm than good. In truth, it is best to get professional assistance when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration, Denverrestorationmasters.com are a reputable company that can help you with this, nevertheless, there are some things that you can do in order to keep yourself from feeling restless after the last embers have died. Listed below are some things that you can do while you wait for the professionals to arrive:
People to Call
Similar to any other emergency situations, you should ensure that you immediately contact your insurance agent to report the incident. Request for the possible steps that you can take regarding the replacement or possible restoration of your belongings.
Likewise, your insurance agent can recommend a reputable fire and smoke restorer if you have not found one yet. Unless you have had all of your properties insured, you might need to request their services with regards to appraising which items can still be refurbished and the possible costs you might incur.
Another person that you should inform of the fire and resulting damages if you live in an apartment or condominium is your landlord. He should be notified of the extent of the damage so that you can decide on how the costs or compensation will be handled.
Things to Do
Once you have received permission from the fire marshal to re-enter the premises, place some old linens on the floor as well as on the still intact upholstery. This will prevent soot particles from spreading and clinging onto these items once people start entering the room. You should also wear gloves if possible in order to avoid getting your hands dirty as well as to prevent spreading the soot anywhere else.
If the electricity has been shut off beforehand, you can proceed to empty your refrigerator and transfer the contents to another one. This will prevent the items from spoiling for the duration of the restoration process.
Bring in some dehumidifiers or fans in order to get the air moving inside the rooms. Drying up the moisture can also help you save some of your items that are simply waterlogged. It is particularly important that you dry your carpets and rugs as soon as possible in order to prevent mold from growing and destroying your wooden floors.
Bring out any copper or brass furnishings immediately. Smoke can quickly tarnish these items so you must clean and polish them using the prescribed solutions.
Things to Avoid
In order to avoid increasing the extent of the damage, do not immediately soap or wash your carpets, walls, or upholstery. Simply let them dry and allow the professional restorers to assess the next steps that you can take.
Similarly, do not touch any electrical appliances that have been damaged by either the fire or the water. The same rule goes for other electrical items that are still connected to their respective sockets. Only a professional restorer or repairman should handle the appliances since their wiring could have been compromised.
Lastly, any food or beverage items that have been damaged by the fire or by the water should immediately be discarded. Bacteria or mold might have started to form even in the sealed or canned food items due the exposure. It is best to simple salvage the items that were safely stored away from the heat and moisture.
