A Guide for People Returning to Fire-damaged Homes

The American Red Cross website lists a few important things to remember when initially re-entering the home. First off, USE CAUTION. There is always the possibility of flareups much after the fire is gone. Also, stay away from electrical wires and outlets of any kind, particularly if water was used to put out the fire. Be especially wary of burned trees and power/telephone poles, for they may have lost stability and could potentially fall.

If a power line should fall within your proximity, hop away from the area, as you are less likely to be shocked if you are hopping as opposed to walking.

Make sure that you check for structural damage. A wall, beam, or ceiling could appear to be in decent shape, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it will remain stable.

Obviously the best move is to call a professional cleaning service, such as ServPro, which hopefully your Homeowner's Insurance would cover the costs. If you rent, the first call should be to your Landlord so that you can assess the damages together. However, statistics show that in many cases, because of the current economic situation, many homeowners have lapsed home insurance and may not be able to afford a professional service. I have scoured the web and spoken to some individuals in this line of work, and although some damage may be unrepairable and uncleanable, there are some things you can do to get rid of soot and the smell of smoke after a fire.

As far as black surfaces, such as walls and countertops, a damp sponge with bleach should help get rid of (most) of the soot damage. Some say other helpful solvents are denatured alcohol and paint thinner for soot/smoke stains on surfaces. Obviously, these liquids would cause damage to wood, formica, and painted surfaces. If an item is mildly scorched, most surfaces can benefit from a light sandpaper scrubbing.