Helpful Tips After the Fire Department Leaves
This information is provided to help after a fire or water damage.  Keep in mind that even though the flames are out or the leak is fixed, the damage continues to spread.

Moisture, combined with smoke residue, creates acids which can continue to damage surfaces that are contaminated. Quick action can effectively minimize damages.  However, you must remember that proper techniques should be followed to avoid causing additional damage.  Some of these techniques are discussed in this blog post.

The fire department may have broken windows, doors, or walls or made holes in the roof.  Many wonder why this additional damage was done to their home.  Fires can produce temperatures well over 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, along with smoke and hot gases.  At times, it is necessary to eliminate heat, smoke and hot gasses before fire fighters can enter to extinguish the fire.  Ventilation must be done quickly to help reduce damage.  Often, walls must be forcibly opened to find the “hidden” fires.  After the fire is out, some damage may appear unnecessary.  However, without the use of these firefighting techniques, the structure could suffer total destruction by fire.

PROPERTY PROTECTION
First Step:
After the Fire Department personnel leave, the structure becomes your responsibility.  Remove all valuables if you cannot live in the house.  You are responsible for securing doors and windows and other areas against unauthorized entry.  Some professional disaster restoration companies will secure the doors and windows and other areas for you, but do not leave the structure until they arrive.

Property Insurance:
If you own or are purchasing the property, contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible.  If you are renting or leasing the property, you should contact the owner or management company A.S.A.P.  Your insurance adjuster will know what parts of the damage are insured.  If you need help, a professional restoration company can be of great assistance.  Normal insurance policies mandate protection of property, both personal and real, from further damage.  Do not neglect taking care of your property or the insurance company may deny a portion of your claim.

If You Cannot Live in the House:
Those individuals in need, who have experienced a disaster, may obtain assistance from the local American Red Cross.  Upon application to the Red Cross, you can obtain food, clothing, lodging and other services.  Consult the reference directory for the office nearest your location.

Reminders: If You Have Moved
Notify your utility companies
Notify the Social Security Administration
Notify credit card companies
Notify the Post Office, banks, magazines and newspapers

Construction:
If the building is structurally damaged to the point that it is not habitable, a Building Inspector must be called.  After the building inspection is completed, a permit must be obtained prior to making repairs.  Contact your local City or County Building Inspectors Office.  You can call directory assistance is located in the Reference Directory inside this brochure.

Utilities Information:
Often the Fire Department will have the utility services shut off or disconnected as a safety precaution and also to prevent further damage to the structure and its contents.  The procedures for re-establishing utility services are as follows:
Electricity - An Electrical Contractor should check the wiring to be sure it is safe before the power can be turned on.  You may need a permit and have an inspection before the power company can reconnect your service.  Remember, do not operate wet or damp appliances.  CAUTION: Electricity and water do not mix.
Water  - This utility may be turned back on by the resident.  Use caution because the fire may have damaged the plumbing, which may cause water damage when normal pressure returns to the system.
Gas - DO NOT turn the gas back on.  A Gas Company serviceman is available 24 hours a day to turn on the gas and re-light appliances for you.  Call your gas company for service.
Telephone - Contact the Telephone Company Business Office.

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS
Documents are very important to you well being and can be damaged or destroyed as a result of fire or water damage.  For this reason, we are providing a list of documents that should be located if possible.  Locating these documents will speed up the process of recovering from a disaster.  Keep in mind that documents can be restored even after a severe smoke or water damage.
1.     Birth Certificates
2.     Drivers License
3.     Bank Books
4.     Insurance Policies
5.     Military Discharge
6.     Passports
7.     Social Security Cards
8.     Marriage Papers
9.     Divorce Decree
10.   Credit Cards
11.   Title to Deeds
12.   Stocks and Bonds
13.   DSHS I.D. Card
14.   Wills
15.   Medical Records
16.   Payment Books
17.   Warranties
18.   Income Tax Records
19.   Automobile Registration
20.   Automobile Titles
21.   Citizenship Papers
22.   Burial Contracts
23.   Registration Papers for Animals
24.   Death Certificates
25.   Senior Citizen I.D. Card

MONEY
To reclaim paper money and coins – Check with any local commercial bank or contact:
Paper Money
Currency Redemption Division
Treasury Department
Washington D.C. 20220
202-622-000

Coins
Superintendent,
U.S. Assay Office
32 Old Slip
New York, NY 10005

U.S. Savings Bonds
U.S. Treasury Dept.
Bureau of Public Debt Divisions of Loans and Currency
537 S. Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60600
Attn: Bond Consultant
(Include the name and address on bonds, appropriate date or time period when purchased, denominations and appropriate number of each.)

TAX TIPS
Property and Income Tax Adjustments
Property which is extensively damaged may qualify for re-evaluation and a reduction in the property tax assessment.  Information and applications are available from the local tax office.  Applications must be made within 75 days after the date of destruction or within the year in which the destruction occurs.  Ask for Taxpayer’s Claim for Reduction of Assessments on DESTROYED PROPERTY.  Fill it out and return the form to the Assessors Office.  Uninsured loss of property, both real and personal, may entitle you to deductions on your income tax.  Information is available from the area office of Internal Revenue Service.  Call toll free 1-800-829-1040

REFERENCE DIRECTORY
American Red Cross – Lane County 541-344-5244
Salvation Army – Lane County 541-747-6229
Social Security Administration – 1-800-772-1213
Directory Assistance – 1-800-FREE411 or 1-800-CALL-DEX

At ServiceMaster Clean, we understand that any home emergency is stressful. From our technical expertise to our communication with you, we are dedicated to restoring peace of mind the same way we are dedicated to restoring homes.  

When fire, smoke or water unexpectedly damage your home, the first steps you take could mean the difference between a small cleanup and a more costly and time-consuming restoration.

Knowing when to call in a professional can also save you time in getting your life back to normal and money by preventing further damage to your home. ServiceMaster Clean restoration professionals help return your home to normal, as quickly as possible, while restoring your peace of mind that the job was done right.

What to do when there is vandalism:

• Fast action is required to prevent further damage. Call a restoration professional to remove damage caused by vandals.
• Make a list of all damage.
• Use a shop vacuum to remove glass particles from carpet and upholstery.
• Remove any debris from carpet or interior walls. Scrape or blot carpets and furniture - do not rub.
• Wash any egg or other residues from the building exterior using water.

What not to do when there is vandalism:

• Do not use household cleaning products on fabrics, upholstery or carpets.
• Do not attempt to remove chemical stains, including ink or paint.
• Do not operate damaged electrical appliances.

Follow these steps to help keep the damage to a minimum and call in the professionals at ServiceMaster by McKenzie Taylor.

At ServiceMaster Clean, we understand that any home emergency is stressful. From our technical expertise to our communication with you, we are dedicated to restoring peace of mind the same way we are dedicated to restoring homes.  

When fire, smoke or water unexpectedly damage your home, the first steps you take could mean the difference between a small cleanup and a more costly and time-consuming restoration.

Knowing when to call in a professional can also save you time in getting your life back to normal and money by preventing further damage to your home. ServiceMaster Clean restoration professionals help return your home to normal, as quickly as possible, while restoring your peace of mind that the job was done right.

What to do when there is smoke/fire damage:

• Corrosive byproducts can cause irreversible etching in as few as 72 hours. Call for professional help.
• If the temperature is above 60 degrees, air out the house to reduce smoke odor.
• Clean Formica, chrome, porcelain and aluminum fixtures to prevent permanent tarnishing or etching.
• Change the air filter on your furnace if it uses forced hot air.
• Tape damp cheesecloth over returns and supply registers to capture loose soot in the air.
• Discard any open food packages.
• If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open.
• Send clothing with heavy smoke damage to a qualified restoration dry cleaner.

What not to do when there is smoke/fire damage:

• Do not touch anything with your bare hands. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.
• Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue.
• Do not attempt to clean carpets or upholstered furniture.
• Do not use electrical appliances until having them checked.
• Do not use ceiling fixtures if the ceiling is wet.

Follow these steps to help keep the damage to a minimum and call in the professionals at ServiceMaster by McKenzie Taylor.

At ServiceMaster Clean, we understand that any home emergency is stressful. From our technical expertise to our communication with you, we are dedicated to restoring peace of mind the same way we are dedicated to restoring homes.  

When fire, smoke or water unexpectedly damage your home, the first steps you take could mean the difference between a small cleanup and a more costly and time-consuming restoration.

Knowing when to call in a professional can also save you time in getting your life back to normal and money by preventing further damage to your home. ServiceMaster Clean restoration professionals help return your home to normal, as quickly as possible, while restoring your peace of mind that the job was done right.

What to do when there is water damage:

• Damage from water and bacteria growth can begin within hours. Call for professional help.
  
• Remove as much water as possible by mopping and blotting.
• Remove wet area rugs or other floor coverings not permanently attached. Do not attempt to start removing your wall-to-wall carpet.
• Lift draperies off the floor, loop through a coat hanger and place the hanger on the drapery rod.
• Wipe furniture, prop up wet furniture cushions for even drying and place aluminum foil under furniture legs.
• Do not remove books from shelves. Rather pack them tightly to prevent warping of pages until a restoration professional can begin this specialized drying.
• Open drawers, closet and cabinet doors to enhance drying.

What not to do when there is water damage:

• Do not enter a room with standing water until electricity has been turned off.
• Do not use a regular household vacuum to remove water.
• Do not lift tacked-down carpet without professional help.
• Do not use electrical appliances while on wet carpet or flooring.
• Do not disturb visible mold.

Follow these steps to help keep the damage to a minimum and call in the professionals at ServiceMaster by McKenzie Taylor.

There was a post about ServiceMaster's response to the devastating flooding in Thailand in 2010.  While the response to a major disaster that affected so many lives and businesses locally and globally was exceptional, it's another example of how ServiceMaster as a company is committed to all communities it serves.  ServiceMaster by McKenzie Taylor is proud to carry this commitment of a sense of urgency, quality, and excellent customer service to the businesses and residents of the Eugene/Springfield area.