Fires are traumatic and stressful events, and those who are unfortunate to suffer from one, may have little experience of dealing with the aftermath. Recovering from a domestic fire may take a long time and some of the things you will have to do will be new to you. The following information should help you organise what you need to do;
Electricity, Water and Gas
If your electricity, gas or water supply was damaged in the fire, or was disconnected following it, you should contact your supplier to arrange reconnection. You shouldn’t attempt to reconnect or turn on the supply yourself.
When the fire has been extinguished
After the fire has been extinguished, the fire officers will thoroughly examine the building, and will advise you of any apparent structural or other defects. If the building is considered unsafe by the emergency services:
When the fire crews leave
When the emergency services leave, you are responsible for the security of your property. Your insurers will expect you to make sure your home is secure. Remove all valuables from the property if it is safe to do so, and close all doors and windows. If windows and doors need boarding up, contact your local council if you are a council tenant. Or, if out of hours, the fire brigade or police may contact them for you.
Owners or private tenants should contact a 24-hour glazier, which you can find in the Yellow Pages under ‘glaziers’. Inform the police if you leave the property before it is secure, explaining any arrangements you have made with contractors.
You will probably be charged for most of the above services, but you may be able to claim some costs back through your home insurance.
Fire and Rescue Service Equipment
If the fire crews have left any items of equipment at your property ie; to cover open areas of roofs etc it is only a temporary measure and it will be reclaimed later. You will therefore have to make alternative arrangements for the protection of your property.
Replacement of valuable documents and records
If important personal documents are lost or damaged in your house fire, you will need to contact a range of organisations to get replacements. Use the list below to find out who you should contact about your:
Online help links; all will open in a new window
Cleaning up after a fire
Cookware
Pots, pans and utensils should be washed in soapy water, rinsed and then (if necessary) polished.
Electrical appliances
Any appliances that may have been in contact with water or steam should not be used until an electrician has checked them and told you that they are safe to use.
Food
Cans and jars of food can be washed in soapy water, but throw away any cans that have bulged or are dented or rusted. Freezers usually have enough insulation to keep food frozen for at least a day. If you are in time, you could move your food to a neighbour’s or relative’s freezer or a rented locker. Never re-freeze food that has thawed or partially thawed.
To remove the smell of smoke from your fridge or freezer, wash the inside with a solution of baking soda and water. Placing some baking soda in an open container, or a piece of charcoal in the fridge or freezer will also help to absorb smells.
Flooring and rugs
Water underneath lino can create smells and also warp the floorboards beneath. If this happens, you should remove the lino – if it’s brittle a heat-lamp can be used to soften if up so that it can be rolled without breaking up. It can be re-laid once the floor has completely dried. Any small blisters in lino can be punctured (with a nail, for example) and then re-cemented using diluted lino paste squirted through the hole.
Rugs and carpets should be allowed to dry completely, then cleaned by beating, sweeping or vacuuming before shampooing. For information on cleaning and preserving carpets, call your carpet dealer or installer, or a carpet-cleaning professional.
Mattresses and pillows
It is almost impossible to get smoke out of pillows as feathers and foam retain the smell. If they are only slightly soiled, you could try dry-cleaning them, but it is likely they will need to be replaced.
Re-conditioning mattresses is also very difficult. You may be able to get a damaged mattress renovated by a specialist company, but if you need to use it temporarily, you should put it out into the open air to dry and then cover it with rubber or plastic sheeting.
Leather and books
Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth. Newspaper stuffed into purses, shoes and bags should help them to retain their shape as they dry. Leather goods should always be dried away from heat and sun, which can cause them to curl and crack. When your belongings are dry, you can clean them with saddle soap (use steel wool or a suede brush on suede items).
Wet books should be taken care of as quickly as possible. The best way is to freeze them in a vacuum freezer – which removes the moisture without damaging the pages. They can be kept in a normal freezer until you can find a vacuum freezer.
Locks and hinges
Locks (especially iron locks) should be taken apart, wiped with kerosene and oiled. If they can’t be removed, squirt machine oil through a bolt opening or keyhole, and work the knob to distribute the oil. Hinges also should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled.
Walls and furniture
To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, mix together:
or use a mild soap or detergent. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning and, after washing each item, rinse with clear warm water and dry thoroughly.
Walls can be washed down while they’re still wet. Wash a small area at a time and rinse the wall with clear water immediately. Ceilings should be washed last. Do not repaint until the walls and ceilings are completely dry.
Wallpaper also can be repaired. Use a commercial paste to re-paste any loose edges or sections. ‘Washable’ wallpaper can be washed like an ordinary wall, but care must be taken not to over-soak the paper.
