If you have a fire or water emergency, please call us now at (480) 503-2090

To have the optimal experience while using this site, you will need to update your browser. You may want to try one of the following alternatives:

Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

What to Do After a Fire in Your Phoenix Home

2/4/2020 (Permalink)

A home fire, no matter how extensive, can be a traumatic experience for homeowners. Once everyone is safe and the flames are out, it’s time to call in the pros to help with fire remediation. Even before SERVPRO’s highly trained team shows up, there are some steps you can take after a fire in your Phoenix home to keep damage at a minimum and stay safe.

Staying safe after a home fire

While you wait for help to arrive, it’s tempting to start doing some of the cleanup yourself and trying to bring your home back to normal, but extreme caution needs to be followed to keep you and everyone in your home safe. First and foremost, if there are any electrical or gas appliances that may have been damaged by the fire or the subsequent water and chemicals used to put the fire out, do not try to turn those appliances, including ceiling fans, back on, as there may be moisture or other damage that could worsen by igniting electricity or gas. Wait for fire remediation specialists like SERVPRO of Phoenix to let you know when it’s safe to do so. Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water, or may have been impacted by smoke as they may contain toxins unsuitable for consumption. Even practice caution with smaller appliances; Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service as you may cause further damage to the appliance or yourself!

Keep cleaning to a minimum

Fires can cause a huge mess, and some may seem easy enough to clean on your own but use caution. Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us as you may set in the stains or odor from smoke. This applies to clothing as well; improper laundering by a dry cleaner may set in the smoke smell. Try not to move around the home too much immediately after a fire until clean up specialists have arrived to limit soot and other particles being tracked throughout the house, making cleaning more challenging. Again, our specialists are trained in fire, smoke and soot remediation and know best how to handle the cleaning after a fire.

Steps you can take until help arrives

While you’re waiting for the SERVPRO team to show up, there are a few actions you can take. Here are a few of our top fire damage tips:

  • 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 a light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
  • Change the HVAC filter.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

In the United States, fire departments responded to an estimated 1,318,500 fires in 2018 (the most recent stats available). House fires happen for a variety of reasons, but the devastating impact is felt by anyone who has experienced a home fire. Knowing what to do after a fire in your Phoenix home can make the circumstance less traumatic. If you experience a house fire, contact SERVPRO of Phoenix immediately at 480-503-2090. We’ll help you through the process and help you get back to normal again.

Other News

View Recent Posts