24/7 Emergency Service
Fire Damage Emergency Tips
What you can do until help arrives
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After any fire damage situation, your primary focus should be safety first. Be aware if it safe to stay in the house or not and only do activities that are safe for you to perform. Soot left behind from a fire or from smoke damage like puff-back from a furnace may decrease air quality and increase health risks. It can contain carcinogens and travel throughout your home just by walking from one room to another, so use caution. We highly recommend limiting your exposure to soot and having your home properly cleaned after a fire to remove anything that may be harmful to you, your family, your home, and your belongings.
Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (507) 200-3700
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.
