Tips From the Santa Monica Fire Department

The Santa Monica Fire Department does basic cleanup work after fires. Please feel free to call us and ask questions about our procedures. This information is provided to help you return your home to normal after a fire. The following composite of information, for use at your discretion, has been compiled from a number of knowledgeable sources. Specific procedures are not necessarily recommended by the Santa Monica Fire Department. You may wish to research further to match procedures with your individual needs. If you have any questions, please contact the Fire Prevention and Education Division at 458-8669.

SECURING THE SITE

If your property needs boarding up, call your insurance company for assistance. On rental property, the responsibility is usually with the owner. Professional assistance in boarding up your home can be found in the yellow pages under Fire and Housing Damage Restoration or General Contractors. If you cannot live in the residence after the fire, try to take your valuable with you. Contact the police and request they keep an eye on the property during your absence. Notify the Fire Department of your temporary address so fire investigators may contact you if needed.

FIRE INVESTIGATI0N

The fire scene is under direct control of the Fire Department. In certain cases the Fire Department must keep all persons out of the area until an investigation is completed. Insurance covers accidental fires so your cooperation during the investigation in determining the cause will shorten the investigation time, benefit fire prevention programs and will not be detrimental to you.

UTILITIES

The Fire Department will see that utilities (water, electricity, gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT RECONNECT UTILITIES YOURSELF! You or your insurance agent can call these numbers for reconnect service:

CLEAN UP

Clean up should be started only after the property has been released from investigation. You are advised not to clean up until your insurance agent has witnessed the fire damage. If you do not have an agent, you may wish to take photos and a property inventory for use in filing a loss with the IRS.

ODOR REMOVAL

Freezer and refrigerator odor is removable by washing the inside with a solution of baking soda and water, or by using one cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of water. Open containers of baking soda or a piece of charcoal placed in the appliance often eliminates odors by absorption.

Soot and smoke odor can be removed from walls, furniture, floors and clothing with the following solution:

• 4 to 6 tbsp. tri-sodium phosphate or 2 tbsp sodium hypochlorite
   
  
• 1 cup Lysol or any chlorine bleach
   
  
• 1 gallon water
   
  

Wear rubber gloves. After washing the articles, rinse with clear water and dry. Test colored garments before using any treatment.

Mildew on clothing is removable by washing the stain with soap and water, rinsing, and drying in the sun. If the stain is difficult to erase, try lemon juice and salt, one tablespoon bleach to one pint lukewarm water, or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach.

FLOORING

Linoleum must be handled delicately. When water gets underneath, it can cause odors and harm wood floors. A flooring dealer should be consulted.

WALLS

Use solution listed under ODOR REMOVAL. Work from the floor up. Wash ceilings last. Do not repaint until walls are completely dry.

WOOD

Wet wood decays and molds very easily. Ventilate the room or turn on furnace or air conditioner to dry thoroughly. Remove drawers and let dry thoroughly. Never dry furniture in the sun.

TEMPORARY HOUSING

You can contact the American Red Cross, 394-3773, or the Salvation Army, 451-1358, for temporary housing. Your insurance policy may pay for a hotel and/or provide you with immediate funds. As your insurance agent about how soon you might get an advance on your eventual insurance claim settlement.

FOOD

Food in cans or jars should be washed in detergent and water. Do not use bulged, dented or rusted cans. Keep the freezer door or lid closed. Insulation keeps food frozen for one day and possibly up to three days. Do not refreeze vegetables that have completely thawed. Refreeze only if there are still ice crystals in the vegetables.

DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS

AFDC and welfare clients should notify case workers if their ID cards have been destroyed. Copies of birth, death and marriage records can be obtained from the District Court Clerk in the county of birth, death or marriage.

MONEY REPLACEMENT

Mutilated or melted coins are returnable at the nearest Federal Reserve Bank, or they may be mailed first class registered to: Superintendent, U.S. Assay Office, 32 Old Slip, New York, NY 10005.

Bills, half or more intact, should be taken to the Federal Reserve Bank or mailed as above to U.S. Treasury Dept., Main Treasury Building 1123, Washington, D.C. 20220.

Any mutilated or destroyed bonds are handled by: U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Public Debt, Division of Loans and Currency, 537 S. Clark St., Chicago, Ill., 60605, Attn: Bond Consultant. Include name(s) and address(es) on bonds, approximate date or time period purchased, denomination and approximate number of each.

SAFES

A safe involved in a fire may hold intense heat for several hours. If the door is open before the safe has cooled down, the entering air combined with the high inside temperature may cause the contents to burst into flames. Use caution when opening your safe. Make sure the safe is cool. Open only after you have allowed enough time for thorough cooling of the contents inside the safe.

CONCLUSIONS

• Notify your insurance agent as soon as possible after the fire.
   
  
• Clean up furniture, walls, floors and clothing after the property has been released from fire investigation.
   
  
• Review fire prevention with the entire family. Discuss and practice emergency exits and smoke detector maintenance. A member of the Fire Prevention and Education Division will be glad to meet with you and your family. Call 458-8669.

This page was last modified on 09/09/2009