TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE WHEN FIRE DAMAGE OCCURS

How much damage a fire does is dependent on the situation and environment. Sometimes fire damage can simply scorch a wall or an appliance, while in other catastrophic conditions it can consume the entire house. When your home or business is damaged by fire, time is of the essence. Excessive heat and contamination from smoke can adversely affect the entire building and everything in it, including your clothing, furniture, appliances and electronics. Materials fade and discolor, and bad odors can emanate from crevices that seem impossible to clean.

HIRE A PROFESSIONAL FOR RESTORATION
Materials in your home react differently to fire, heat and smoke and it’s important to know what steps to take to minimize the damage. Call on a professional to perform the necessary services to preserve, protect and secure your property from further damage.

DO’S AND DONT’S AFTER A FIRE
After a fire, it is natural for a person to want to “do something.” While timely action can be a great help, improper or delayed action can make restoration more difficult and even cause further damage. To minimize damage, do: open windows for ventilation; limit walking on affected carpeting; change furnace filter if blower was in operation; empty refrigerator and freezer completely if electricity is off; remove pets (especially birds) and secure the property against theft and weather. To avoid further damage, don’t: wipe or wash walls, ceilings or other surfaces; sit on upholstered furniture; attempt to clean upholstered furniture, as it can be ruined by improper cleaning; use exposed food items, or canned goods which have been subjected to excessive heat; use any electrical appliances until cleaned and checked; or touch smoke damaged surfaces with fingers.

PROTECT YOUR FAMILY FROM WATER EMERGENCIES
In the event of a water emergency, you should first take steps to protect the health and safety of all occupants of your home, and then protect the structure and contents from further damage. The most important thing is to call professionals immediately, find the water or moisture source and stop it. As with a fire, a water emergency is very traumatic. It produces sudden harm to your home and all of its contents. Damage from water is progressive, so acting quickly reduces the extent of the damage.

WITH WATER DAMAGE, THE FIRST 24 HOURS ARE CRITICAL
During the first 24 hours after a water emergency occurs there are do’s and don’ts that are important to remember. Do shut off the source of running water if possible or contact a qualified party to stop the running water source; turn off electric circuit breakers for wet areas of the building, when access to the power distribution panel is safe from electrical shock; and remove as much excess water as possible by blotting and mopping. Don’t enter rooms with standing water where electrical shock hazards may exist; enter affected areas if electrical switches, outlets, circuit breakers or electrical equipment are exposed to water as this can lead to shock hazards; or leave newspapers, books, magazine or other colored items on wet carpets, floors or upholstery that can cause staining.

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