Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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Making your home safer from fire hazards isn’t as difficult as you may think. You can add simple steps to your daily routine and simple home maintenance items to your checklist to lower your risk for common causes of structure fires.

Grease fire? 

Grease fires are well known. Part of their danger is because water cannot extinguish grease fires; it makes these events worse! When grilling, keep a fire extinguisher handy. Metal pan lids and baking soda can also work for smaller grease fires.

Keep Your Burn Areas Free of Debris

One of the popular activities to do in the summertime is to host bonfires or burn yard debris. Ensure all fire areas are at least 15-20 feet clear of flammable objects. Keeping a water hose nearby is also a good idea to prevent rogue flames from spreading. 

Fully Extinguish Cigarettes in Safe Containers

Such a small thing as flicking a cigarette on the ground can cost thousands of dollars in damage. With this heat, it takes seconds for flames to spread throughout a building. Encourage others to fully extinguish their cigarettes and place them inside a cigarette receptacle.



Keep your smoke detectors working. 

Everyone should test smoke detectors year-round to ensure they are operating correctly. Fires can start within seconds, and you need a way to be alerted to danger. Testing your smoke detectors, changing their batteries twice each year, and replacing them every ten years will ensure they continue to help protect your family. 

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (541) 530-7044

What To Do After A Fire

  • Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpets.
  • 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 light coating of petroleum jelly or oil.
  • Wash houseplants on both sides of leaves.
  • Change HVAC filter.
  • Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air registers.

What NOT To Do After A Fire

  • Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces or shampoo carpet or upholstery without contacting us.
  • Don't attempt to clean any electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat or water without consulting an authorized repair service.
  • Don't use any canned or packaged food or beverages that may have been stored near the fire, heat or water.
  • Don't turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet. The wiring may be damaged.
  • Don't send garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke odor.

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