Dealing with a house fire can be one of the most devastating experiences a person faces in their lifetime.

The road to recovery can be difficult and it’s best to take the appropriate steps to make sure the fire damage restoration process goes as quickly and smoothly as possible.

So, what steps can you take to make sure that happens?

Get in Touch with a Fire Restoration Company

Once the fire is out, it’s important that you contact a fire damage restoration company like ServiceMaster Absolute in Lemon Grove as soon as possible.

The acidic properties within soot and smoke can easily cause irreversible damage if it’s not cleaned up in a timely fashion, not to mention that it’s only a matter of time before mold pops up as a result of all the water damage caused by the fire extinguishing efforts, so don’t hesitate in calling in the fire restoration professionals!

They will be able to assess the soot & smoke damage caused by the fire, pack out and restore your furniture and contents as necessary and repair your home to its previous condition.

Cleanup What You Can – If It’s Safe to Do So

Although it’s a good idea to lean on the expertise of the fire damage restoration crew to get your home cleaned up and restored, there are a few things you can do to help expedite the cleanup process.

Keep in mind that you should only participate in the fire damage cleanup process if it’s safe for you to do so – there are plenty of safety hazards lurking within a fire damaged structure. However, if your home has been cleared for a safe re-entry, here are a few things you can do to get the cleanup process started:

• If the temperature outside is above 60 degrees, open the doors and windows to air out your home and help reduce the smell of smoke.
• Cover carpeted high traffic areas with sheets or towels to prevent additional soiling.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced air.
• Tape cheese cloth over air ducts and supply registers to capture any loose soot in the air.
• Wipe soot and smoke residue off of houseplants and move them to an area that did not suffer fire damage.
• Wipe residue from porcelain and chrome fixtures to prevent etching or permanent damage.
• Gently dust off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles off upholstery, drapes and carpets.
• Throw out any food that you suspect may have been exposed to soot or smoke from the fire. This includes canned or packaged food goods along with any beverages that were stored closed to the fire.
• If your electricity is off, empty out your frig and freezer and leave the doors open to allow it to air out. If the electricity is on, then you can place charcoal inside instead.

Last but not least, if you decide to partake in the fire damage restoration process, make sure that you do not touch anything using your bare hands. The natural oils on your hands will inflict further damage to your belongings when combined with smoke residue, so make sure you wear gloves when cleaning up!