Do's & Don't
Fire/Smoke Responses
Do
- Call your insurance company and/or agent.
- Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes, and carpets.
- Place clean towels or old linens on rugs and carpets to prevent more soiling.
- If electricity is off empty freezer & refrigerator completely and block doors open. (For safety reasons, make sure they cannot close).
- Clean & protect chrome on kitchen & bathroom faucets, trim, & appliances with a light coating of Vaseline or light oil.
- Turn off main water supply. Pour RV Anti-freeze in sinks, toilet bowls, and tubs — if heat is off during freezing season. (Make sure that children and pets do not have access to the anti-freeze).
- Wash off house plants on both sides of leaves. (Water softener helps.)
- Change furnace filter.
- Tape double layers of cheese cloth over air registers.
Don't
- Do not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting a professional restoration service.
- Do not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first contacting a professional restoration service.
- Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances, TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
- Do not use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water. (They may be contaminated).
- Do not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged.
- Do not send garments to ordinary dry cleaning. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
Water Damage Control
Do
- Call your insurance company and/or agent.
- Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
- Wipe excess water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and table-top items.
- Remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying (check for possible bleeding).
- Place aluminum foil, china saucers or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpeting
- Remove Orientals or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpeting.
- Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying. (Do not force, however.)
- Remove valuable paintings and art objects to a safe place.
- Open suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight, if possible.
- Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water. (Don’t forget to place pans underneath.)
- Open windows to speed drying in winter {in moderate temperatures}; Turn air conditioning on for maximum drying in summer.
- Call your water damage restoration expert, East Coast Cleaning and Restoration.
Don't
- Leave wet fabrics in place; (dry as soon as possible). Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
- Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
- Use your household vacuum to remove water.
- Use TV's or other appliances while standing on wet carpets or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
- Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
