Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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A property fire is devastating. Nationwide, there is about 500,000 structural fires reported across the country each year, according to the National Fire Protection Agency. 

And so, if the question is, "is a fire likely?" Well, that depends on how you define likely. For each of those homes represented in the statistics above, the answer's yes. And so, on streets in middle America homes are catching fire and leaving immense amounts of damage.

Multiple Layers of Damage

The damage caused by fire has multiple layers: damage from the fire and damage from the fire fighting efforts. 

Fire of course burns material in a property, belongings and the structure of the home. There is also the smoke damage and the soot left smeared across the home. All these things need to be addressed, either replaced, repaired or remediated. 

And then there's the water damage. Imagine that, you have a fire and you're trying to figure out what to do with the water damage; somewhat counter-intuitive but because of the fire fighting efforts, expected. 

In these ways fire damage is doubly offensive, a burned home and drowned home. 

But there's good news in the midst of all the gloom. Restoration work is possible. Our SERVPRO team of pros take your damage and undo it; we make it, "Like it never even happened." That's our commitment to our customers. 

As property owners look to next steps, see our tip section below.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (401) 885-6200

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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