Emergency Tips

• Fire and Smoke Damage

Taking appropriate action immediately following disaster can be a critical factor in determining how much of the affected areas and/or items can be successfully restored to pre-damage conditions. Home and business owners and tenants can help to minimize the long-term effects of the damage by following some basic emergency procedures

BASIC “DO’S AND DON’T’S” IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE:


• DO keep movement throughout the location to a minimum to help prevent soot particles from spreading or becoming impregnated into upholstery and carpets
• DO clean/protect chrome trim on appliances with a light coating of Vaseline or other oil
• DO blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpet; protect with old sheets or towels
• DO open windows for ventilation (depending on weather conditions)
• DO change furnace filter if blower is operating
• DO empty freezer/refrigerator if electricity is off; prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper
• DO clean/protect bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of oil
• DO pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, sinks, and tubs to prevent freezing if heat is off in winter
• DO wash plants with water on both sides of leaves
• DO remove pets to a clean, safe environment


• DON'T remain in the building if it has not yet been determined to be safe
• DON'T wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces
• DON'T use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided
• DON'T use food items or canned goods which have been exposed to excessive heat
• DON'T use televisions, stereos, or other electrical items until they are checked and cleaned
• DON'T attempt to turn on your computer, as it may be subject to additional damage
• DON'T send smoke-affected garments to an ordinary dry cleaner; improper cleaning may set in smoke and/or odor


• Water Damage
  

On average, households are three times as likely to suffer damage from water as they are to experience a fire or any other type of unfortunate disaster. There are many things that can cause a water damage. Some happen due to interior problems, such as broken or frozen pipes, a malfunctioning dishwasher or washing machine, toilet, tub or sink overflows, or a broken water heater, to name a few. In other instances, a natural occurrence can be the contributing factor, such as a hurricane or excessive rainfall. In any event, you should always be extremely careful as to where you step or walk if the electricity has not been shut off.

BASIC “DO’S AND DON’T’S” IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE:

• DO remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting
• DO wipe water from wood furniture after removal of lamps and tabletop items
• DO remove and prop up wet upholstery cushions for even drying (check for possible bleeding)
• DO place aluminum foil, china saucers or wood blocks between furniture legs and wet carpet
• DO turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in summer; open windows in winter
• DO open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying (do not force, however)
• DO remove valuable oil paintings and art objects to a safe place
• DO blot wet carpet with clean, white towels
• DO remove wet area rugs off hardwood floors
• DO open suitcases and luggage to dry
• DO remove wet books and spread out to dry
• DO lift draperies off carpet; loop through coat hanger and place hanger on drapery rod
• DO punch holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water; place pots or bowls underneath


• DON'T turn the heat to a high temperature; this could facilitate mold growth
• DON'T go into a flooded basement without wearing rubber boots
• DON'T leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible (hang furs/leather goods to dry separately at room temperature)
• DON'T leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets, floors or upholstery
• DON'T use your household vacuum to remove water
• DON'T use televisions, stereos, or other electrical items while standing on wet carpets or floors
• DON'T turn on ceiling fixtures if ceiling is wet (and do keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging)


• Soot Damage (Furnace “Puffback”)
  

  Description of a Puffback:

  Most people have never heard of a puffback. A puffback, or delayed ignition, occurs when your furnace or oil burner malfunctions. Atomized oil is delivered to the combustion chamber but is not immediately ignited. In the more severe cases, when the oil finally does ignite, it causes an “explosion” in the firebox, which rapidly fills up your basement with smoke. The color of the smoke can range from dark gray to black, depending on how much soot has been shaken loose from the burner. If it is not attended to quickly, the smoke and soot can spread throughout your entire home or building. More often than not, however, a puffback occurs gradually, over time, before you ever realize your furnace or burner is malfunctioning.

  Determining if a puffback has occurred:

  A puffback can display itself in various ways – some are easier to detect than others. In the more serious cases, soot will cover a majority or all of your home or business and may range from light to very heavy. If the soot is light and fine, you may at first think it is just ordinary dust. However, this "dust" reappears hours after being cleaned. Or you may notice “soot webs” - these look a lot like cobwebs, but are darker in color. And there may be a strong odor of oil present. In other instances, the contamination may be very subtle and occur over an extended period of time. These types of puffbacks are not immediately detectable. You may start to notice soot on your hands after touching walls or flat surfaces, or see streaking after cleaning an area. Either way, the longer the soot is left on surfaces or furnishings, the greater the damage, resulting in a more expensive insurance claim and more extensive clean-up procedures.

  BASIC “DO’S AND DON’T’S” IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE:

  
  • DO call your furnace/boiler repair service to check that your heating unit is operating correctly
  • DO change the furnace filter
  • DO cover upholstered items with clean sheets before use
  • DO tape doubled pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape; be careful not to adhere tape to walls as it may peel paint
  • DO blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpet
  
  
  • DON'T attempt to clean or wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces
  • DON'T use “do-it-yourself” home carpet or upholstery cleaners