Emergency Tips

The following are emergency tips that will help reduce property damage and insurance claims when disaster damage occurs.

Fire and Smoke Damage

DO:

• Clean and protect chrome trim on kitchen appliances with a light coating of vaseline or other oil.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, drapery and carpet.
• Open windows for ventilation
• Change furnace filter if the blower is operating.
• Empty freezer and refrigerator completely if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper.
• Clean and protect smoked bathroom faucets, tub fittings and towel bars with a light coating of oil.
• Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, sinks, and tubs to prevent freezing if heat is off in winter.
• Wash plants with water on both sides of leaves (water softener helps).
• Call plumber to drain heating system if heat is off in winter.
• Remove pets (especially birds) to clean environments.

DO NOT:

• Wipe or attempt to wash walls, ceilings or other absorbent surfaces.
• Use upholstered furniture if it can be avoided.
• Use exposed food items or canned goods which have been subjected to excessive heat .
• Use TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until cleaned and checked.
• Send smoked garments to an ordinary dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set smoke and odor.

Water Damage

DO:

• Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Wipe 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.
• Turn on air conditioning for maximum drying in summer; open windows to speed drying in winter.
• Open drawers and cabinet doors for complete drying (do not force, however).
• Remove valuable oil paintings and art objects to a safe place.
• Blot wet carpeting with clean white towels.
• Open suitcases and luggage to dry in sunlight, if possible. Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water (don't forget to place pans beneath!)

DO NOT:

• Leave wet fabrics in place; dry as soon as possible. Hang furs and leather goods to dry separately at room temperature.
• Leave books, magazines or other colored items on wet carpets or floors.
• Use your household vacuum to remove water.
• Use TVs or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors, especially not on wet concrete floors.
• Turn on ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet, and keep out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.

Soot(Furnace) Damage

DO:

• Change furnace filter.
• Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.
• Tape doubled pieces of cheesecloth over air registers with masking tape.
• Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, drapes and carpeting.

DO NOT:

• Attempt to clean walls or ceilings.
• Use do-it-yourself, home carpet or upholstery cleaners.

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 which will reveal the composition of spilled inks, cosmetics and paints.

DO NOT:

• Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains.
• Operate damaged lamps or appliances.
• Throw out wood chips, broken pieces of furniture, porcelain or other art objects.