Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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Taking the Right Steps to Protect Your Fire-Damaged Chicago Residence

With thousands of homes and businesses in our immediate region of Chicago alone, there are never any shortages of loss incidents that keep our technicians working around the clock. Between overloaded electrical outlets to the would-be chefs of the city that cannot prevent kitchen flare-ups, we stay prepared for the possibility of fires. These emergencies are among the most destructive disasters that impact area homes, so our professionals need to do all we can to reduce property loss. In many ways, owners can be a help to this approach.

Before Helping In Any Capacity, Consider:

• Your physical limitations in mitigation
• The risks of cleaning surfaces inappropriately
• The presence of airborne contaminants like microscopic soot
• The extent of direct damage that might lead to structural failures
• The severity of the situation

The Fine Line of Pre-Restoration Actions for Your Chicago Home

Not every Chicago property owner can make substantial strides to help their home to more efficiently manage the immediate fire effects. In some situations, the damages are too significant to allow the occupants to remain in the residence, making it also too dangerous for you to linger in the household to begin this pre-mitigation steps. Even preventative tasks like steps to contain the soot and smoke effects can be dangerous in properties where unstable fire loss conditions must get addressed with full personal protective equipment and respirators.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (773) 434-9100

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.

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