After a fire: Picking up the pieces (Part II)

In Part I of this blog, I addressed the necessary steps for picking up the pieces after a fire. Today I will conclude that -- including some helpful link to the Red Cross and other agencies. I left off in Part I discussing how to clean leather after a fire, today I will pick up with cleaning walls and/or wallpaper.

Walls and/or wallpaper

Washable wallpaper can be cleaned like a painted wall, just use caution and do not let the water soak through the paper. Work from the bottom to the top to prevent streaking and then use a commercial paste to repaste any loose edges or sections. To reduce the chance of mold or mildew growth, wipe down all surfaces that got wet with a solution of one (1) cup liquid household bleach per gallon of water.

Where to find help

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) -

FEMA's "Recover & Rebuild" website provides a wealth of information related to recovery from a disaster such as a fire. Included is information about steps to take immediately after a disaster, rebuiding resources, and much more.

http://www.fema.gov/rebuild/index.shtm

American Red Cross (ARC) -

The ARC's website provides information on rcovery from a number of disasters including fire, flood, earthquake, and hurricane just to name a few. It also includes tips on generator safety, food safety, and being prepared for a fire or other disaster.

http://www.redcross.org/portal/site/en/menuitem.d8aaecf214c576bf971e4cfe43181aa0/?vgnextoid=74e51a53f1c37110VgnVCM1000003481a10aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default

Until next time . . .