After a Fire – What to do Fire and smoke cause a lot of damage to one’s property. The building and your possessions may have been badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water. Furthermore, things that the fire did not consume are now ruined by smoke and drenched with water used for extinguishing. Anything you want to save or re-use will need to be carefully cleaned.
Although there are a number of companies who specialize in giving professional help in fire damage cleaning, there are some essential dos and don’ts that the property owner ought to follow, to minimize loss.
At the outset, ask professionals whether it is safe to enter the affected building or property, only after the authorities have checked out the site and established it as a safety zone. Make sure that the fire is extinguished. Contact family members that weren’t with you and let them know what happened, only the necessary details which are to be told. If you are a tenant, contact your real estate agent or landlord and inform them. It is imperative that you should take the responsibility of contacting your insurance company. Don’t assume that someone else is going to contact your insurance. It is essential to secure the affected building or property to prevent theft or vandalism. Cover all carpets with old rags and towels. In this way, the suspended particles in the air like soot will not cause further damage. Open the windows of the building, which will drive out the smoke and alleviate odour problems.
Do not clean any furniture or upholstery without the aid of specialist equipment or help. Do not touch anything that has been affected, as contact with other objects will make the cleanup process lengthy. Do not use any electrical appliances before they are tested by professional helpers. Ignoring this rule would increase the probability of further fire damage. Damage to a property goes beyond what meets the naked eye. It is a tough job to get rid of the smoke, as cool air traps the carbon particles in cracks and floorboards. These unnoticed deposits increase the risk of serious respiratory problems. Therefore a specialist cleanup after fire is mandatory. Start removing the soot as soon as possible. As harmless as it may appear, sooty surfaces, if untreated thoroughly, can destroy wiring and electrical components. If water was used to extinguish fire, use only professional help to clean up the soggy residues, as it can lead to more damage and mould, if not dried properly. Keep an accurate inventory of any personal property removed by the cleanup company. Discard food, drink and medicaments which are affected in the appropriate manner of waste disposal. Collect your receipts for any liquidity you spend on repairs in the aftermath of the fire, so that you can show them to your insurance company.
Looking for a fire damage restoration specialist in Brisbane, Goulburn, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne or surrounding NSW?? Bio-Cleanse is the company you need! For more information or to schedule an appointment, call – 042 741 1789. You may also email us at - norrisbryan@hotmail.com
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