Fire & Rescue - Homeowner Information Booklet

AFTER THE FIRE

H O M E O W N E R I N F O R M AT I O N B O O K L E T

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TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S WHAT TO EXPECT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS . . . . . . . . . . 4 FINANCES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 HOW TO HANDLE THE DAMAGE . . . . . . . . . . 6 REPLACING VALUABLE DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SECURING YOUR HOME SITE . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 CAUTIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ITEMS TO TAKE WITH YOU . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 RETURNING TO NORMAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 HEALTH & SAFETY NOTICE . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 VITAL INFORMATION FORM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

The fire has been extinguished, and you’re left with a damaged home and a lot of work to be done. It is our sincere hope that this booklet will give you tips for your next immediate actions, as well as advise you how you can return to normal. This booklet has been prepared for your convenience by Mooresville Fire-Rescue with information provided by the Office of the State Fire Marshal.

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What to Expect A fire will change your life in many ways. Knowing where to begin and who can help you is important. A fire in a home can cause serious damage, and the building, as well as many of the things in your home, may have been badly damaged by flames, heat, smoke and water. You will find that things the fire did not burn up may be ruined by smoke, or be soggy with the water that was used to put out the flames. Anything that you want to save or reuse will need to be carefully cleaned. Cleanup will take time and patience.

Use Caution It is very important to understand the risk to your safety and health even after the fire is out. The soot and dirty water left behind may contain things that could make you sick. Be very careful if you go into your home and if you touch any fire-damaged items.

Ask the advice of the fire department, local building officials, your insurance agent, and restoration specialists before starting to clean or make repairs.

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Frequently Asked Questions Q: W hy did firefighters break windows and cut holes in the roof?

A: As a fire burns, it moves up, down, and across, growing very fast. Breaking windows and cutting holes in the roof is called ventilation. This slows the fire’s growth. It helps get rid of dark smoke that makes it hard for firefighters to see. It also assists to fight the fire more quickly. In the end, ventilation can help save lives and property.

Q: W hy do firefighters cut holes in walls?

A: Firefighters may cut holes in the walls to make sure that the fire is completely out and not hidden in the walls.

Q: H ow can I get a copy of the fire report?

A: A fire report is a public document. A copy of the report may be requested at: townofmooresvillenc.nextrequest.com/requests/new

Finances Get in touch with your landlord or mortgage lender as soon as possible. Contact your credit card company to report any credit cards that were lost in the fire and request replacements. Save all your receipts for any money you spend, as the receipts may be needed later by the insurance company. You will also need these receipts to prove any losses claimed on your tax return.

tip:

Save all your receipts for any money you spend to share with your insurance company.

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Take Care of Yourself, Family, and Pets After the fire, contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army. They will help you find both a place to stay as well as food, clothing, and medicine. To find out more, speak with the fire department that responded and they will be able to give you the contact information you need. Make sure you have a safe place to live temporarily. You have a big job ahead of you. Get plenty of rest and ask for help. Do not try and do it alone.

Find and comfort your pets. Scared animals often react by biting and scratching. Handle them carefully, calmly, and gently.

Try to leave pets with a family member, friend, or veterinarian if you are visiting or cleaning your damaged home. Keep your pets out of the house until the cleanup is complete to keep them safe.

If you do not have insurance, your family and community could help you get back on your feet. Organizations that offer assistance include:

American Red Cross

Salvation Army

Mooresville Christian Mission

Religious organizations

Public agencies, such as the Iredell County Health Department

Community groups

State or municipal emergency services office

Nonprofit crisis-counseling centers

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How to Handle the Damage There are companies that are experts in cleaning and restoring your personal items. Whether you or your insurer buys this type of service, be clear on who will pay for it. Be sure to ask for an estimate of the cost for the work and agree to it in writing. You will find the names and phone numbers for companies that do this work in the phone book and on the internet.

Many times, these types of companies will prematurely show up to an incident and try to get your business. Do not agree to their services until you have spoken with your insurance provider. Ask the insurance company for the names of companies that you can trust to be sure you are working with a reputable business. tip:

Ask the insurance company for the names of companies that you can trust.

These companies may provide services to:

Secure your home against more damage

Estimate damage

Repair damage

Estimate the cost to repair items of personal property

Store household items

Hire cleaning or repair subcontractors

Store repaired items until needed

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Replacing Valuable Documents and Records You will want to replace the following documents if they were destroyed or damaged in the fire:

Driver’s license and auto registration Bankbooks (checking, savings, etc.)

Insurance policies Military discharge papers Birth, death, and marriage certificates

Divorce papers

Medical records

Passports

Warranties

Income tax records

Citizenship papers

Prepaid burial contract

Social Security or Medicare cards Credit cards Titles to deeds

Stocks and bonds

Wills

Animal registration papers Mortgage papers

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Securing Your Home Site You will need to notify your insurance agent immediately of the fire and request assistance.

If the fire is not under investigation and you plan to leave the site, remove all valuables that are remaining. Do not leave the site until it has been properly secured and your valuables have been collected.

Your home or building needs to be protected from both weather elements and intruders once everyone leaves the scene. If you own the property, it is your responsibility to ensure all holes are covered against rain and entry. Also, all doors to the exterior should be secured and locked.

Fire personnel will assist you as much as possible with this process.

tip:

Insurance companies typically can assist in securing your property to prevent unwanted access and further damage.

If the property is under investigation, a firefighter or police officer may accompany you while you remove belongings. If you rent your place of residence, you need to contact resident management, the owner of the property, or the insurance agent for the property.

It is the owner’s responsibility to secure the site and prevent further damage.

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Cautions

Fires can rekindle from hidden or smoldering remains, so be watchful for signs of heat or smoke.

Household wiring may have been damaged by water and should be checked by an electrician before restoring power to the residence.

Be watchful of structural damage caused by the fire, and enter at your own risk.

Food, beverages, and medicines exposed to heat and smoke should be discarded.

Refrigerators may hold their temperatures for a brief time. However, food should not be re-frozen.

If your power was disconnected due to the fire, have an electrical inspector and certified electrician evaluate the system to ensure that everything is normal before contacting the utility company to restore the power. A letter may be required from both the electrical inspector and electrician stating that everything has been fixed or is operating normally.

Keep any receipts associated with your actions after the fire, as they will be important for your insurance company, as well as for verifying losses claimed on your federal income taxes.

You may want to contact the Police Department to keep a watch on your property while you are away.

Do not immediately attempt to open a safe that has been involved in fire, as a rapid induction of oxygen into a heated space may cause contents to catch fire.

Do not throw damaged goods or items away, as they will be taken into consideration when developing your insurance claim.

Do not contract for estimations, inventory, or repair services without first consulting your insurance agent or adjuster.

Once the fire department is complete with their initial fire investigation, do not remove items from the area where the fire occurred.

Insurance companies may also send one of their fire investigators out to examine the fire scene to validate the cause of the fire. Removal of items from within the fire area may result in a claim denial. Always contact the insurance company directly to receive permission before removing items from specific areas.

Immediate Needs If the fire was so large and damaging that you cannot live in your home, notify the Fire Chief or the investigating officer as soon as possible. If they have not already done so, they will contact the American Red Cross for you. The American Red Cross is prepared to offer immediate, temporary assistance which can include housing, food, eyeglasses, medicine, and clothing.

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Items to Take with You

Medicine bottles should be taken from the home to use as a guide when refilling them.

Notifications to Make You will need to notify the following parties of any relocation:

Insurance Agent

Mortgage Company

Employer

Family & Friends

Schools

Attorney

Post Office

Newspaper delivery services

Utility companies such as power, phone, gas, internet, water, sanitation, cable or satellite.

Eyeglasses, hearing aids, personal aids, money, valuables, credit cards, jewelry, checkbooks, and insurance policies should be collected.

Identification such as Drivers License, Social Security Card, or Identification Card.

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Returning to Normal Below is information and recommendations you may find helpful when trying to return your home and personal belongings to normal.

Food Salvage Wash your canned goods and jarred foods in detergent and water. Do not use canned goods that have bulged or become dented, burnt, or rusted.

If your freezer has stopped running, you may be able to save the food inside. Keep the freezer door closed. Your freezer has insulation that should keep the food for at least a day. If the food in your freezer is still frozen and the power will not be restored promptly, try to arrange to store it at a neighbor or family member’s home. If your food has thawed, do not refreeze it.

Clothing Smoke odor and soot can often be washed from your clothing. A formula of 4-6 tablespoons of tri-sodium phosphate (commonly known as TSP, a heavy-duty cleaner that can be purchased at most hardware or grocery stores) mixed with one cup of Clorox may be helpful to remove odors from clothes that can be bleached. Mix the solution together, add clothes, and rinse with water. Afterwards, dry well. To remove mildew, wash the fresh stain with soap and water. Afterwards, rinse and dry in the sun. If you are taking wool, silk, or rayon garments to the cleaners, remove trimmings and shoulder pads. If the garment is damp or wet, dry it in a well-ventilated area. Take the garment to the cleaners as soon as possible.

Cooking Utensils Your pots, pans, and flatware should be washed with soapy water, rinsed, and then polished with a fine powered cleaner.

Electrical Appliances Do not run wet appliances until you have a service person check them thoroughly. If utilities have been turned off, do not restore their functions until you have a qualified electrician check every circuit.To remove odor from your refrigerator, wash the inside with a solution of baking soda. If that does not work, you may use a solution of one cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of water.

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H O M E O W N E R I N F O R M AT I O N B O O K L E T

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Flooring and Rugs

Locks and Hinges

When water runs under linoleum, it can cause odors and warp wooden floors. If water penetrated underneath the flooring, remove the linoleum, and call your flooring dealer for suggestions for a solvent to loosen the linoleum cement without damaging the underlayers. After you have removed the linoleum, let the floor dry thoroughly before replacing any coverings.

Locks, especially iron locks, should be taken apart, wiped with WD-40, and then oiled thoroughly.

If the locks cannot be removed, squirt machine oil through a bolt opening or keyhole and work the knob to distribute the oil. Hinges should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled also.

Rugs and carpet should be dried as soon as possible and allowed to dry thoroughly. Lay them flat and expose them to circulation of warm, dry air. Turning a fan on rugs will speed up the drying process. Make sure rugs are thoroughly dry, as even if the surface seems dry, any moisture remaining at the base of the rugs can quickly rot the material. Throw rugs can be cleaned by beating, sweeping, or vacuuming them and afterwards, properly shampooing them.

For more information on cleaning and preservation, contact a local carpet dealer or installer.

Wipe your leather goods with a damp cloth, then with a dry cloth. Stuff purses and shoes with newspaper to retain their shape while they dry. Leave wet suitcases open. Leather goods should be dried away from heat and sun. When your leather goods are dry, clean them with saddle soap. Rinse leather and suede jackets in cold water and dry away from heat and sun.

Mattresses Reconditioning an innerspring mattress at home is a very difficult, if not impossible, task. Your mattress can probably be renovated by a company that builds or repairs mattresses. If you must use your mattress temporarily, put it out in the sun to dry, then cover it with a rubber or plastic sheeting. It is almost impossible to remove smoke odor out of pillows, as the feathers and foam retain the odor. Replacements may be a better option.

Leather

Walls and Furniture Wood furniture or fixtures can be treated. First, clear off any mud and dirt. Remove drawers from furniture and allow them to dry, so they do not stick upon replacing them. Wet wood can decay and mold, so allow it to dry thoroughly. Open any doors and windows for good ventilation. If mold forms, wipe the wood with a cloth soaked in a mixture of water and kerosene or borax dissolved in hot water. Do not dry furniture in sun, as the wood will warp and twist.

Books Books can be dried by placing them on their end with the pages separated. They should be piled and pressed to prevent the pages from crinkling.

Alternating drying and pressing will help prevent mildew until books are thoroughly dry. A fan turned on the books will also help them dry. If your books are very damp, sprinkle cornstarch between the pages and leave them for several hours, then brush them off.

tip:

Do not dry furniture in the sun; the wood will warp and twist.

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Health & Safety Notice When fires occur, they leave behind toxic and hazardous materials that are harmful. Some of that material, such as soot and fire debris, may have cancer-causing agents. Therefore, when entering the fire area, it is important that you wear proper respiratory protection while moving or collecting your belongings and wash your clothing immediately after entering those areas. Do not wash contaminated clothing with regular laundry or in a washing machine that’s used for normal laundry, as it may contaminate those items. It’s recommended not to use laundromats, and instead, have them professionally cleaned. Also, make sure that you use gloves when touching items and wash your shoes once you leave the fire area. A good practice is to have a heavy-duty bag to place clothing and items in that need to be cleaned once you have exited the area.

tip:

Make sure you use gloves when touching burnt items and cleaning the fire area. Place clothing and items to be cleaned into a heavy-duty bag for transport.

Additional Information Typically, a day or so after the fire, your insurance provider may request that you provide a copy of the fire incident report. A copy of this report may be obtained at: townofmooresvillenc.nextrequest.com/ requests/new Please keep in mind it may take several days for incident reports to be completed.

At any point in this process, you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact the Mooresville Fire Marshal’s Office. They can be reached at 704-664-1338. Below is the assigned Fire Marshal over your incident: Fire Marshal: _________________________________ Phone: ______________________________________ Email: _______________________________________

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Vital Information Date of Fire:____________________________________ Time of Fire: ____________________________________ Location of Fire: _________________________________________________________________________________ Vehicle identification numbers for cars, trucks, and motorcycles destroyed: _____________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Name of responding fire department: ______________________________________________________________ Address of responding fire department: ____________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ Non-emergency telephone number of responding fire department: ___________________________________ Fire incident report number, issued by the responding fire department: ________________________________ Fire Marshal or investigator: ______________________________________________________________________ Insurance company name: ________________________________________________________________________ Insurance company telephone number: ____________________________________________________________ Insurance policy number: _________________________________________________________________________

Notes:__________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________

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Mooresville Fire-Rescue 457 North Main Street Mooresville, NC 28115

Curt Deaton, Fire Chief cdeaton@mooresvillenc.gov 704-664-1338 www.mooresvillefire.com