These tips
will assist you in taking the proper action until
professional assistance arrives and will increase the
chances for a successful restoration.
Fire and Smoke Damage - DO:
- Limit
the movement in the home to prevent soot
particles from being impregnated into upholstery
and carpets. Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can
impregnate upholstery, walls, and woodwork,
causing more damage.
- Blow
off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from
upholstery, drapes, and carpet.
- Place
clean towels or old linens on rugs and carpet
traffic areas to prevent more soiling.
- If
electricity is off, empty freezer and
refrigerator completely and prop the doors open.
- Clean
and protect chrome on kitchen and bathroom
faucets, trim and, appliances with a light
coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
- Pour
anti-freeze in sinks, toilet bowls and tubs if
the heat is off during the freezing season.
- Wash
off houseplants on both sides of leaves. (Water
softener helps.)
- Cover
upholstery with sheets before use.
- Tape
double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.
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Fire and Smoke Damage - DON'T:
- Do
not attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces
without first contacting a professional
restoration service.
- Do
not attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered
furniture without first consulting a professional
restoration service.
- Do
not attempt to clean any electrical appliances,
TV sets, radios, etc. that may have been close to
fire, heat, or water, without consulting an
authorized repair service.
- Do
not use any canned or packaged food or beverages
that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or
water. (They may be contaminated.)
- Do
not turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet.
Wiring may be wet or damaged.
- Do
not send garments to ordinary dry cleaner.
Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.
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Water Damage - DO:
- Remove
as much excess water as possible by mopping and
blotting.
- Wipe
as much excess water from wood furniture after
removal of lamps and tabletop items.
- Remove
and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even
drying (check for possible bleeding).
- Place
aluminum foil, china saucers, or wood blocks
between furniture legs and wet carpeting.
- Open
windows to speed drying and take advantage of El
Paso's low humidity. Turn off evaporative cooler.
In the winter, turn up the furnace heat.
- Remove
Orientals or other colored rugs from wet wall-to-wall
carpeting.
- Open
drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying. (Do
not force, however.)
- Remove
valuable paintings and art objects to a safe
place.
- Open
suitcases and luggage to dry, in sunlight, if
possible.
- Punch
small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve
trapped water. (Do not forget to place pans
underneath.)
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Water Damage - DON'T:
- Do
not leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as
possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry
separately at room temperature.
- Do
not leave books, magazines, or other colored
items on wet carpets or floors.
- Do
not use your household vacuum to remove water.
- Do
not use TVs or other appliances while standing on
wet carpets or floors, especially on wet concrete
floors.
- Turn
on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet, and keep
out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from
retained water.
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Vandalism Damage - DO:
- Hose
down or wash egg damage from building exterior as
soon as possible.
- Wipe
up freshly spilled food from carpets and fabrics
with a dampened cloth or sponge (but don't over
wet.) Do scrape and blot (don't rub, it may
cause fuzzing or damage fibers.)
- Vacuum
glass particles from carpets and upholstery.
- Save
containers that will reveal the composition of
spilled inks, cosmetics, and paints.
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Vandalism Damage - DON'T:
- Don't
attempt to remove inks, paint, or cosmetic stains.
- Operate
damaged lamps or appliances.
- Throw
out wood chips, broken pieces from furniture,
porcelain or other art objects.
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