"Do not touch anything. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage."

Do not touch anything. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls and woodwork, causing additional damage.

Don't use computers, appliances, TVs, VCRs or stereos until they have been cleaned and tested by a ServiceMaster Advantage restoration specialist.

Don't launder clothes or dry clean garments that have a strong smoke odor. Improper cleaning may set smoke or odors.

Do not use electrical appliances that have been close to fire or water before having them checked. They could malfunction.

Do not wash walls. Incorrect cleaning could compound the soot residue problem.

Even when the fire is out, the damage continues. Much of the material found in furniture and flooring is synthetic and when burned, it can create a variety of complex chemical reactions. After only a few days, these items go from cleanable to unsalvageable. ServiceMaster Advantage restoration technicians are experts in understanding the chemical combinations that can effectively clean and salvage belongings. We can even remove soot from at-risk items such as brass, aluminum, chrome, marble, tile, and porcelain as well as fabrics in upholstery and carpets, thus helping to avoid additional expenses.

If the electricity is off, clean out the refrigerator and leave doors propped open.