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NOW THAT THE FIRE IS
OUT...........WHAT?
We realize that the trauma of the fire is
rapidly surpassed by the shock of realization that comes afterwards. Tasks
such as clean up, repairs, and replacement.
We would like to take this time to help
provide some answers to questions that may arise during your clean up.
The Fire Department does some basic clean
up after the fire to assist in determining the cause of the fire and to
insure that the fire has been completely extinguished. Openings may have
been made in windows, the roof or walls. The openings to the outside were
made in an effect to minimize smoke and fire damage to the interior. This
in turn allows a minimum amount of water to be utilized for
extinguishments. The openings in the walls were made to check for fire
extension in concealed spaces. This minimizes the chances of fire
smoldering for hours and then re-igniting several hours later.
If you discover smoking materials, or feel
what seems to be excessive heat in concealed spaces after the fire
department leaves, feel free to call and we will return to check the area
for you.
You are responsible to see that holes are
covered against rain and entry and that outside doors to your home can be
locked and secured.
Contact your local law enforcement
department to keep an eye on the property during your absence.
INSURANCE
If you own your own property, you should
contact your insurance carrier as soon as possible. If you rent the
property, contact your landlord. If the property is not insured, or if the
insurance does not cover all losses, contact a lawyer or the Internal
Revenue Service for information on tax deduction status.
Keep all receipts for any money you spend.
Do not throw away any damaged goods until an inventory is made. All
damages are taken into consideration in developing your insurance claim.
Before repairs
are made you need to check with
building inspection department to see if permits are needed to do work.
ELECTRICITY
Wiring may have been damaged by water or
fire and should be checked by an electrician before turning on power. If
power has been pulled it will need to be inspected by inspection
department before power can be turned back on.
MONEY REPLACEMENT
Mutilated money or melted coins are
returnable at the nearest Federal Reserve Bank. Contact your local bank
and they will assist you in coordinating the activities with the Federal
Reserve Bank.
Any mutilated or destroyed bonds are
handled by: the U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Public Debt, Division
of Loans and Currency, 537 S. Clark Street, Chicago, Ill. 60605, ATT: Bond
Consultant. Include name (s) and address on bonds, approximate date or
time purchased, denominations and approximate numbers of each, and
location purchased.
DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
Armed Forces dependent children and welfare
clients should notify their case workers if their ID cards have been
destroyed. Copies of birth, death and marriage records can be obtained
from the District Court Clerk in the County of birth, death, or marriage.
FOOD
Food in cans or jars should be washed in
detergent and water. If labels came off during this process mark cans or
jars with greases pencil. Do not use bulged, dented, or rusted cans.
Some freezer foods can be saved:
1) Keep the door or lid closed.
Insulation keeps the food
frozen for one day and possibly up to three days.
2) Wrap frozen foods in newspapers,
blankets or use insulated
boxes when moving food to another freezer.
3) Do not refreeze vegetables that
have completely thawed.
Refreeze only if there are ice crystals in the vegetables.
Freezer and refrigerator odor is removable
by washing the inside with a solution of baking soda and water, or by
using one cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of water. Open
containers of baking soda or a piece of charcoal placed in the appliance
often eliminates odors by absorption.
CLOTHING
What seems to be an ever-lingering odor can
be washed from most clothing. A tested recipe for clothing that can be
bleached is as follows:
** 4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-sodium phosphate
1-cup Lysol or household chlorine
bleach
1 gallon of water
Mix well, add clothes, rinse with
clean water and dry
** 2 tbsp. Sodium hypochlorite can
be used as a substitute
Test colored garments before
treatment. Mildew is removable by washing the stain with soap
and water, rinsing and drying in the sun. If the stain is difficult to
erase, try lemon juice and salt; 1 tablespoon pastorate bleach to one pint
of lukewarm water; or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach.
FLOORING
Linoleum must be handled delicately. When
water gets underneath, it can cause odors and warp the floors. A flooring
dealer should be consulted.
SOOT AND SMOKE ODOR
Soot and smoke odor can be removed from
most walls, furniture and floors with the following solution:
4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-sodium phosphate
1 cup Lysol or any chlorine bleach
1 gallon water
Wear rubber gloves while applying the
solution to the walls, or affected furniture. After washing the articles,
rinse with clear water and dry.
WALLS
Wash walls with the above solution or soap
detergent while wet. Work from floor up. Ceilings should be left till
last. Do not repaint walls until completely dry. Commercial products are
available from wallpaper dealers to repair wallpaper.
Washable paper can be washed like any wall,
but do not soak the paper. To prevent
streaking, wash from the bottom to the top.
WOOD
Specific steps are necessary to repair wood
furniture or fixtures:
1) Clear off mud or dirt
2) Remove drawers and let dry thoroughly
3) Scrub with a stiff brush and cleaning
solution
Wet wood decays and molds easily. Ventilate
the room or turn on furnace or air conditioner to dry thoroughly.
Moldy furniture should be wiped with a
cloth soaked in a mixture of water and kerosene or Borax dissolved in hot
water.
**** USE CAUTION
WITH MOST OF THESE CLEANING AGENTS ****
MOST ARE FLAMMABLE
NEVER DRY FURNITURE IN
SUN
To remove white spots or film, rub the wood
surface with a 410 steel polishing wood pad dipped in liquid wax. Wipe
with soft cloth and buff.
NOTIFY PARTIES OF
RELOCATION
Contact your mortgage company, your
employer, friends and family, your children’s school, your post office to
hold or forward your mail, fire or police if the fire is under
investigation, your utility companies to let them know where you can be
located.
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