How To Minimize Loss After the Fire
When the building is not safe for habitation, have entries secured
and contact the Hurst Police so they can monitor the area during
routine patrols.
Extreme care should be exercised while performing salvage work
after serious structural fire damage. Contact your insurance company
as soon as possible. The owner of the property should be contacted
too. If homeowner's insurance does not cover temporary housing,
contact the American Red Cross or Salvation Army. These organizations
will assess your needs and provide services
If you can safely locate these items, take them with you
- Driver license/Identification
- Medication you must take
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids, other personal aids
- Money, insurance policies, credit cards, jewelry, pictures,
checkbook, and other valuables (inventory all property removed)
If you expect to be away for an extended period, you may want to
have your mail forwarded and notify the utility companies.
Permits for repair or replacement of burned structures and other
repair work can be obtained at Hurst Building Inspections, 1505
Precinct line Road. Copies of applicable codes may be seen at the
Hurst Public Library, 901 Precinct Line Road. The Fire Administration
Office is at 2100 Precinct Line Road. The City of Hurst will attempt
to accommodate any individual requesting assistance.
How to Salvage Your Belongings
After your insurance company representative has assessed the damage,
you may want to contact a professional restoration company. If you
decide to do the work yourself, the following tips may be useful.
Read, understand, and follow all safety precautions with chemicals,
tools, and appliances you work with. Be sure to have electrical
power turned off and exposed wires secured by a qualified electrician
before working around appliances or wet surfaces.
Be careful to protect your skin and respiratory tract from harmful
fire residue. During a fire, many chemicals are released from
the items that burned. Common and uncommon compounds are created
due to the chemicals released and mixed in the heat and smoke.
The black or brown residue may be soft, gummy, or hard baked.
Some fire damaged articles are not salvageable. You may be surprised
at the number of items that can be restored.
Always work from top to bottom in each room. Vacuum all surfaces
and change the HVAC air filter. A NIOSH approved filter mask is
a good investment in keeping your lungs healthy. They are available
at hardware, home improvement, and paint stores. Sealing the cleaned
rooms with tape and plastic film will help eliminate spread of
soot as you clean.
To clean painted walls and ceilings, wear rubber gloves
and eye protection. Mix 4-6 tablespoons tri-sodium phosphate (TSP)
in a gallon of water. TSP is a strong cleaner and is caustic.
Use with care and store it out of reach of pets and children.
TSP is available at hardware, home improvement, and paint stores.
Wash small areas, rinsing as you finish each area. Allow surface
to dry completely. Apply a suitable stain sealer. After completely
cured, spray any area where stain has come to the surface with
flat aerosol paint. A good quality paint will cover better, last
longer, and applies faster. Wall paper will probably have to be
replaced. Consult with a dealer.
To clean wood furniture and cabinets use flax soap available
at hardware and paint stores. Do not use chemicals. An alternative
method is to wipe wood with borax dissolved in hot water to remove
mildew. To remove white spots or film, rub the surface with a
cloth soaked in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. Wipe
dry and polish with wax. Some finishes respond well to buffing
using a plastic scrub pad and liquid polishing wax.
To clean wood and vinyl floors, use 4-5 applications of
flax soap before stripping and re-waxing. If water is trapped under
floor covering the flooring will need to be removed. Allow several
days with ventilation for drying before installing a new covering.
No wax vinyl responds well to thorough cleaning and recommended
finish applications as long as there is no water underneath.
Before cleaning carpets and rugs be sure they are completely
dry. If carpet is to be removed, it is extremely heavy when wet.
Rugs should be dried thoroughly by laying them on a flat surface
and ventilating with warm, dry air. Moisture left in will cause
rot and odor. Consult with a dealer for help.
Mattresses can be reconditioned by professionals. If they
must be used temporarily, dry them thoroughly in the sun and cover
completely with plastic film. Damaged pillows should be
discarded.
Steam and chemicals remove lubricants and corrode mechanical
parts. Dismantling, cleaning, and lubricating them is necessary.
Always allow any electrical appliance to thoroughly dry before
plugging into a power source.
Pots, pans, and flatware should be washed with a fine-
powdered cleanser. Polish copper, brass, silver and gold with
special polish. Copper and brass may be cleaned with salt sprinkled
on a vinegar-saturated cloth.
Refrigerator and freezer odors can be removed by washing
with a solution or baking soda and water, or a solution of one
cup vinegar or ammonia to one gallon of water. Do not mix ammonia
with bleach or cleanser that contains chlorine! Leave open
baking soda or charcoal inside to absorb odor.
Clothing that can be bleached may be cleaned with a solution
of 4-6 teaspoons of TSP and one cup Lysol or chlorine bleach mixed
in a gallon of warm water. After washing, rinse with clear water
and dry well. To remove mildew, wash the stain with soap and water,
rinse, and dry in the sun. Remaining stain may be treated with
lemon juice and salt, or a diluted solution of chlorine bleach.
Pre-test color fabrics before cleaning. Dry clean wool, silk or
rayon as soon as possible.
Wipe leather and books with a damp cloth, then with a dry cloth.
Rinse leather and suede jackets in cold water. Leather should
be dried away from heat and sun. When dry, clean with saddle soap.
Use steel wool or a suede brush for suede. Stuff shoes and purses
with dry newspaper. Leave suitcases open. Dry books by placing
them on end with pages separated and then pile and press books
to flatten pages. Corn starch or talc will absorb moisture. Brush
off after several hours. A fan can be used to speed the drying
process.
Phone Numbers
Emergency 9-1-1
Fire Administration (817) 788-7238
Fire Prevention (817) 788-7240
Building Inspections (817) 788-7088
Hurst Police Information (817) 788-7146
Frequently Asked Questions
| Question |
Answer |
| Is any of my fire loss deductible
when I file next year's Federal Income tax? |
Some fire losses are tax deductible. Keep receipts
of what you spend for repairs or replacements, as well as those
for living expenses, to help calculate your return. Contact
the local IRS office for publication 547 (Tax Information on
Disasters, Casualty Losses and Thefts). By filing Form 1045,
(Application for Tentative Refund), you may be able to receive
a quick refund. |
| What should I do about money
and savings bonds which were damaged by a fire? |
Wrap burned bills in plastic wrap, handling them
as little as possible. If bills are partially burned, you can
have them replaced by a bank or by mailing them to: US. Treasury
Department, Main Treasury Building, Room 1123, Washington, D.C.
20220. Damaged coins will be replaced by a bank or by mailing
them to: U.S. Mint, 5th and Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19015.
Burned or destroyed U.S. Savings Bonds can be replaced by writing
to: U.S. Treasury Department, Bureau of Loans and Currency,
537 W Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60605, Attn: Bond Consultant.
Include the name and address on the bonds, the approximate date
issued or time period, denominations and approximate number
of each. |
| Why do firefighters break windows
and cut holes in the roof and walls? |
When fire encounters ceilings and roofs as it
moves upward, it takes the path available and begins to move
horizontally through the structure. Movement is very fast while
extreme temperatures and large volumes of smoke are produced.
Ventilating reduces horizontal spread of damage, lowers the
temperature to a workable level, and clears visibility. This
allows firefighters to extinguish the fire quickly and safely.
Often it is necessary to cut holes in other areas to be sure
there is not a smoldering fire that could later cause more damage.
|
| Where can a copy of the fire
report be obtained? |
At the Fire Administration Office, 2100 Precinct
Line Rd. Phone (817) 788-7238 |
| How do I replace valuable records
which were destroyed in a fire? |
You will have to contact the issuers for
replacement Bank books, insurance policies, credit cards,
stocks, warranties, wills, medical records and prescriptions
can be replaced by contacting the issuing institution or professional.
Some local telephone numbers for replacing records are below.
Driver's License - (817) 595-0711
Military Discharge Papers - (817) 336-1641
Passports - (817) 625-3634
Local Birth Certificates/Marriage Licenses - (817) 884-1550
Local Divorce Papers - (817) 884-1880
Social Security Card - (817) 263-5861
Local Titles to Deeds - (817) 884-1195
Income Tax Records - 1 (800) 424-3673
Auto Registration/Title - (817) 884-1727 or 214-767-0514
Welfare Office/Food Stamp Card - (817) 335-5171
Voter Registration Card - (817) 884-1115
|
| If my freezer stopped during
the fire, can the food be eaten? |
Keeping the door closed may save frozen food
for at least one day. However, if your food has thawed, be cautious.
Fruits can be eaten or refrozen if they still smell and taste
good. Vegetables should only be refrozen if they have ice crystal
in them. Otherwise, if they cannot be eaten soon, throw them
out. Meats may be refrozen if ice crystals remain, but cook
them thoroughly before tasting. If the odor is poor or if you
question whether meat is good, throw it away. |
Helpful Phone Numbers
Emergencies 9-1-1
Fire Administration Office (817) 788-7238
Fire Prevention Office (817) 788-7240
Free Smoke Detectors and Batteries (817) 788-7240
American Red Cross (817) 335-9137
Salvation Army (817) 332-2495
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