Fire Damage Emergency Tips

What you can do until help arrives

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What is a Kansas City Property Owner to Do After a Fire?

Not only is fire damage disastrous to property and contents in any given Kansas City home, but it causes considerable amounts of stress in a short time. Property owners now have to consider cleanup and restoration logistics and costs, how to deal with their insurer and get the information they need for their claims, and much more. SERVPRO is here to assist you every step of the way.

We Help Homeowners With the Claims Filing Process

SERVPRO's inventory systems, project documentation, mitigation techniques, and invoicing processes are all highly detailed and assist you in bolstering your insurance claim in a variety of ways:

? Comprehensive documentation from a trusted mitigation team adds additional credibility to your Kansas City home's Proof of Loss.
? Contacting an emergency-response team shortly after a disaster for rapid mitigation shows that the situation required urgent, professional-grade care.
? Knowledgeable technicians and managers can help you procure the services of licensed experts for specialized restoration needs.

Why Rapid Mitigation Matters

Without fast mitigation, fire, and water damage from extinguishing efforts can cause extensive damage to your home that consumer-grade products do not usually have the means to clean. Charred fixtures and soot-covered appliances degrade over time and impart strong odors. Water damage may make electronics usage risky. Even if you dry visible damage yourself, water damage often hides behind surfaces and can create a thriving environment for mold and microbes.

Have Smoke or Fire Damage? Call (913) 782-4693

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.