Fire and Smoke

3/20/2019 (Permalink)

 Finally the days are getting longer and temperatures are starting to rise. Before you know it kitchen ranges and bar-bq`s will be cooking up savory and tasty grilled appetizers and dinners. Friends and family will be flowing freely in and out of our homes as we socialize and catch up on lives,current events and future endeavors. Your home will be the center of your social interactions this spring and all its guests will be unaware of the fireplace or candle issue you had over the winter. Whether it was the absent minded relative who forgot to open the flue over the holiday seasons that created a cloud of smoke and  filled your home or one of your holiday candles falling over and setting the drapes on fire and subsequently burning the wall and surrounding areas.

  After the fire and smoke incident in your home, you called us here at SERVPRO of White Plains to help you clean up your fire and smoke incident. Here are the instructions we gave you on what not to do and what to do:

  First , what you do NOT do is:

• Attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces .
• Attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture
• Attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire,heat,or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
• Consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire,heat or water.    ( they may be contaminated)
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

What you CAN do is:

• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery,walls,and woodwork.
• Place dry, colorfast towels or old linens on rugs, upholstery and carpet traffic areas.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Wipe soot from from chrome on kitchen and bathroom faucets,trim and appliances, then protect these surfaces with a light lubricant.
• If the heat is off during winter, pour RV antifreeze in sinks,toilet bowls,holding tanks and tubs to avoid freezing pipes and fixtures.
• Wash both sides of leaves on houseplants
• Change HVAC filter, but leave system off until a trained professional can check the system.
• Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers to stop particles of soot from getting in or out of the HVAC system.

  SERVPRO of White plains is available 24/7/365 for all your fire and water damage needs. Call us at 914-684-1560 or toll free at 800-967-6663.