Change and save the old furnace filter. Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery draperies and carpets. Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use. Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance. It is one of the most difficult forms of damage to restore.
Prompt action can often minimize the effect of vandalism or make restoration more successful.
Hose down or wash egg damage from building exteriors as soon as possible. Save containers and spray cans which can reveal the composition of inks and pigments. Save all wood chips and fragments from furniture, porcelain or art objects. The National Institute of Disaster Restoration is a division of the Association of Specialists in Cleaning and Restoration and is composed of professional damage repair contractors and service firms specializing in the restoration of homes, schools and businesses damaged by fire, smoke, water, vandalism and other perils. Member firms provide emergency services as well as preservation of buildings and personal property.