Throughout the House: Keep movement to a minimum and keep your hands clean as you work. Both these measures will help prevent soot particles from penetrating upholstery, carpets, walls, and woodwork, thereby causing more damage.

Upholstery: Brush off or brush vacuum loose soot particles. Then cover upholstered furniture with sheets.

Drapes and Carpets: Brush off or brush vacuum loose soot particles. Place clean, dry towels or linens over carpets in heavy traffic areas to prevent further soiling.

House Plants: Wash off both sides of leaves. Softened water helps.

Ventilation Systems: Change furnace and air-conditioning filters. Tape double layers of cheesecloth over air grilles.

Food and Drinks: Take inventory and then discard any canned or packaged foods or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. They could be contaminated.

Refrigerator and Freezer: If the electricity is off, empty freezer and refrigerator completely and prop open the doors.

Kitchens and Bathrooms: If the heat is off and it's freezing weather, pour anti-freeze down sinks, toilet bowls, and tubs. Clean and protect chrome on faucets and appliances with a light coating of WD-40®.

Walls: To prevent soot from setting permanently, don't try to wash or paint without first contacting your Puroclean representative.

Carpets and Upholstery: To prevent odor from setting permanently, don't attempt cleaning without first contacting your Puroclean representative.

Electrical Appliances: Don't try to clean or repair TVs, radios, computers, or any other electrical appliances that may have been close to fire, heat, or water. Consult an authorized repair technician.

Clothing: Do not attempt to dry clean or launder smoke damaged items. Contact your Puroclean representative for special instructions.

Ceiling Fixtures: Do not switch on any ceiling fixture or fan if the ceiling is wet. The wiring may be wet or damaged.

Throughout the House: Remove as much excess water as possible by mopping and blotting. Open windows in cool weather to speed the drying process. In hot weather, switch on air-conditioning if it's safe to do so. Call your Puroclean representative for special instructions on how to prevent further damage.

Upholstery: Remove all loose cushions and prop up on a clean sheet so that they'll dry more evenly. Check for possible "bleeding."

Carpets: Remove area rugs from wet wall-to-wall carpets. Pick up any books, magazines, or other items that may be sitting on a wet rug or floor.

Storage Receptacles: Open suitcases and other storage boxes and dry them in sunlight if possible.

Furniture: Place aluminum foil, wood blocks, or saucers between furniture legs and wet carpeting. Open, but do not force drawers and cabinet doors to dry out interiors.

Ceilings: Punch small holes in sagging ceilings to relieve trapped water. Be sure to place drip pans underneath and move any nearby furniture or household items.

Artwork: Remove paintings and other artwork to a safe, dry place.

Clothing: Dry all garments as soon as possible. Hang fur and leather goods to dry at room temperature.

Vacuums: Do not use your regular household vacuum cleaner to remove water.

Electrical Appliances: Do not use TVs, radios, computers, or any other electrical appliance while standing on wet carpets or floors, particularly concrete or tile floors.

Ceiling Fixtures: Do not switch on any ceiling fixture or fan if the ceiling is wet. Avoid rooms where ceilings sag due to a buildup of water.

Throughout the House: Begin emergency measures after the police investigation.

Carpets and Upholstery: Vacuum up glass particles. Blot food spills with a wet cloth or sponge (wring out any excess water first). Be careful not to rub the spill, as this may damage fibers.

Electrical Appliances: Do not use any damaged appliances or lamps.

Stains: Do not try to remove ink, paint, or cosmetic stains.