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Three Tips Directly From FEMA About Fire Damage Restoration

fire damageFEMA, or the Federal Emergency Management Agency, publishes huge amounts of information and disaster response and preparedness. Their recommendations often provide the best practices for disaster response and preparedness. We at Restoration 1 of McDonough in Stockbridge recommend keeping up on these recommendations. Here are a few of the most important tips about fire damage restoration provided by FEMA. 

Fire Damage Cleanup In Stockbridge

What To Do Immediately After The Fire

What would you do in the immediate aftermath of a fire? It is an overwhelming experience watching the smoke rise above your home, and the flames alight inside. If this ever happens to you, we recommend taking a few moments to collect your thoughts and logically think through your next steps. 

Your first step should be making calls to a certified fire damage restoration company and your insurance agent. This will allow a team of fire damage restoration contractors to get out to your home as soon as possible and get the ball rolling on your insurance claim. You should not do anything until a fire damage restoration company arrives as it will be extremely unsafe to remain in your home. Even if it seems like the fire was isolated and it is safe to reenter, you should still wait until you are advised by a professional that you can re-enter. 

Once the fire damage restoration technicians arrive, they will be able to help you know what the next steps are and establish a timeline for getting your life back in order. 

General Handling Advice

Generally speaking, you should avoid handling anything that was damaged by the fire as much as possible. Handling items will spread the soot and ash around, grind it deeper into the surfaces of affected materials and scratch anything else it touches. As much as possible, the handling of your possessions should be handled by trained restoration professionals. This will minimize the amount of additional damage that will be caused by handling these items. 

Simple Cleaning Tips

Cleaning up after a fire is a major ordeal that is best left to the pros. Although, there are still some small things you can do to help. These include:

  • Do not use water or a cleaning solution as they will push the soot and ash deeper into the surface
  • Vacuum all ash and soot as soon as possible — but only if it is dry
  • Use the vacuum on the lowest setting to reduce suction
  • Soot sponges can be used, but make sure you know how to use them properly

Beware Of Other Increased Risks

At Restoration 1 of McDonough in Stockbridge, we make it a priority to inform our clients about any potential issues the fire may have created in the future. In all possible cases, however, we simply address the future problem on the spot before it has the chance to progress into anything major. Make sure you consult with your fire damage restoration company about what potential there may be for increased risks in the future.

“Our Restoration 1 Promise”

Our promise is that we will use the best materials and above code quality craftsmanship to restore your damaged property.

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