Fire Damage Prevention and Tips

Well it's Friday and the long weekend is here! I'm sure everyone out there has some great plans, with a majority of it taking place around a bbq or some sort of cooking device to sear large portions of meat! Be sure to have fun but also make sure yourself and your home are protected from any risk of fire damage. As is the case with any situation involving fire be sure to follow proper safety precautions to prevent fire or smoke damage to your home and property. If you find yourself in the unfortunate incident of experiencing fire related damage, here are some helpful tips to follow:

1. If the temperature (after the fire) is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
2. Clean Formica, chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
3. Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
4. Tape a damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
5. Discard any open food packages.
6. If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open.
7. Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner
8. If barbecuing outdoors, keep one full bucket of water on hand for emergency

What NOT to do:
1. Do NOT touch anything with your bare hands! Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.
2. Do NOT use electrical appliance until having them checked.
3. Do NOT attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.


We hope that these tips will prove to be useful, should you find yourself in any of these situations. As always, it is best to call a restoration company to provide fire damage services. We are just such a company and are available throughout the Bay Area on a 24/7 basis, and YES that includes holidays! Call us anytime to have our technicans assist you in getting back on track: 1-800-439-8833 or 1-415-584-6100 or 1-650-965-1003. Have a great Memorial Day weekend!