Fire Damage Resources
Experiencing a fire and seeing how it affects your home, community, or place of business can be extremely shocking, frightening, and unsettling. After facing a fire, it is very important to know what to do to protect yourself, others, and your property from possible further damage.
Do:
Large Loss Fires
- Let friends and family know you’re safe
- Call your insurance company—Familiarize yourself with your policy to know what to expect
- Call Jim Black Construction—To secure your property and prevent further damage
- Seek alternative living arrangements. In most cases, you will not be able to stay in your home after a serious fire
- Contact your local disaster relief agency, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army
- Turn off the electrical, gas, and water supplies if possible, but if not, alert the local fire department
- Ventilate smoke to reduce odor, providing the property is safe to enter.
Minimal Fire Damage
- Immediately empty the freezer and refrigerator if fire has disrupted the electricity
- Have smoke-damaged clothing and linens cleaned by a restoration cleaner
- Remove plants from smoke-damaged areas and wash leaves and branches
- Change furnace filter if the system was operational during the fire
- Protect decorative metals and water faucets with WD40 or petroleum jelly
- Clean sinks, showers, tubs, and countertops with a soft scrub
- Consult with a professional about deodorization and content restoration.
Do Not:
- Allow children or pets access to damaged areas
- Turn on electrical appliances or electronic equipment prior to professional inspection
- Perform demolition or remove any building materials without consulting a professional
- Consume any food items that were affected by the fire
- Clean smoke damage prior to getting professional advice
- Walk on heat- or smoke-damaged carpets or rugs.
Additional Resources:
