LOCKS AND HINGES
MONEY REPLACEMENT
Locks, especially iron locks, should be taken apart, wiped with
kerosene and oiled. If locks cannot be removed, squirt machine
oil through a bolt opening or keyhole and work the key to
distribute the oil. Hinges should be thoroughly cleaned and oiled
to prevent rusting.
Damaged paper money or coins may be redeemable. Contact the
Federal Reserve Bank at:
DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS
You may need to replace these documents if they are destroyed
or missing:
Birth certificates
Stocks and bonds
Driver’s licenses
Wills
Military identification cards
Medical records
Bank books
School records
Insurance policies
Payment books
Military discharge papers
Automobile titles
Warranties
Passports
Income tax records
Social Security cards
Citizenship records
Marriage and divorce papers
Prepaid burial contracts
Credit cards
Animal registration papers
Title to deeds
Checkbooks and statements
Medical insurance cards
Social services and welfare clients should notify their caseworkers
if identification cards for check cashing, medical care or food
stamps have been destroyed.
For assistance with replacing birth, death, marriage and divorce
records, visit www.cdphe.state.co.us/hs/certs.asp or contact:
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Vital Records Office
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
303-692-2200
1-800-886-7689
For passport replacement assistance, call the U.S. Post Office at
1-800-275-8777.
For Social Security card information, call the Social Security
Administration at 1-800-772-1213.
Department of the Treasury
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Office of Currency Standards
P.O. Box 37048
Washington, D.C. 20013
Toll Free: 1-866-575-2361
Money must be mailed via registered mail, return receipt
requested.
If your U.S. Savings Bonds have been destroyed or damaged,
send names and addresses on bonds; approximate date or time
purchased; denominations; and approximate number each to:
U.S. Treasury Department
Bureau of Public Debt
Division of Loans and Currency
537 South Clark Street
Chicago, IL 60605
Attn: Bond Consultant
If your house is uninhabitable and
you have no place to go, contact:
American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter
444 Sherman Street, Denver, CO 80203
303-722-7474
www.denver-redcross.org/
What to do after a fire
The State of Colorado sincerely regrets
the terrible tragedy and loss you have
experienced due to the fire.
Fires are very traumatic incidents. Most people have little experience dealing with the aftermath of significant fire. This brochure
includes information that may be helpful in this time of crisis.
Remember that you are not alone when disaster strikes. Your
neighbors, your community, your county, local fire departments
and the agencies of the State of Colorado are available to give
you aid and comfort to the best of their abilities.
Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment
4300 Cherry Creek Drive South
Denver, Colorado 80246-1530
303-692-2035
1-800-886-7689
http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/
The content of this brochure originally was prepared by Jefferson
County and is used with permission.
What to do after a fire
There are several professional fire damage restoration companies
listed in the Yellow Pages under fire and water damage
restoration. When severe damages have occurred in either
residential or commercial buildings, it may be worthwhile to have
one or more of these professionals provide estimates to assist
with problems associated with cleaning up after a disaster. You
should check with your insurance company to determine
whether this type of service is covered by your policy. Check to
be sure that the insurer will accept billing from the restoration
company or will reimburse you.
INSURANCE
Call your insurance agent or carrier as soon as possible. Confirm
that your insurance company will take care of boarding up your
property and other security matters. If you rent, call your
landlord, who can contact insurance carriers for the property.
Do not settle claims or sign releases too quickly. Make sure that
your insurance agent or adjuster knows all of your losses. Even if
your home has sustained only minor damage, you may discover
that much more laundry and cleaning are necessary, due to
smoky odors and fine smoke particles found in draperies,
bedding, pillows, carpets, furniture and wall coverings. It may
take some time before you discover all items that are missing or
destroyed. It may be difficult to recall all of your accumulated
items in the short space of time following a fire.
If your insurance agent requires a copy of the fire report, stop by
your local fire department to obtain a copy.
FOOD
If your home has lost power, you can save frozen foods by
keeping the freezer closed. It has enough insulation to keep food
frozen for at least one full day, and possibly up to two or three
days. Refrigerated foods that have been held above 41°F for
more than four hours should be discarded. As soon as possible,
move frozen food to a locker or a friend’s freezer. Wrap the
items in newspapers or blankets and pack in boxes during
transport.
UTILITIES AND APPLIANCES
RUGS AND CARPETS
In actual fire situations, firefighters immediately shut off gas and
electricity. If severe damage occurs, utilities will have to remain
off until determined to be safe by the utility company. Only the
utility company will restore gas service. Do not attempt to turn
on the gas yourself. In addition, electrical service must be
inspected. Don’t run wet appliances until you have had a
professional check them. If damaged, improper grounding or
short-circuiting may result in property damage or safety hazards.
Rugs and carpets should be allowed to dry thoroughly, as quickly
as possible. Lay them flat; expose them to warm, dry, circulating
air. A fan can help speed drying. Even though the surface of the
rug or carpet may appear dry, any moisture remaining at the base
of the tufts can quickly rot a rug. Clean dried throw rugs by
beating, sweeping or vacuuming, and then shampooing. For
more information, call your carpet dealer or installer.
COOKING UTENSILS
Pots, pans and flatware should be washed with strong, soapy
water, then rinsed with water and polished with a fine powder
cleaner. Clean copper and brass with salt sprinkled on a vinegarsaturated cloth.
CLOTHING
Smoke odor and soot often can be washed from clothing. This
formula is safe for clothing that can be bleached:
4-6 tsp. laundry detergent
1 cup Lysol or household chlorine bleach
1 gallon water
Mix well; add clothes; rinse with clear water; dry well.
NEVER mix chlorine bleach with anything other than water and
laundry detergent. Chlorine bleach mixed with ammonia or any
number of other chemicals can result in toxic fumes with serious,
potentially fatal results.
To remove mildew, wash the fresh stain with soap and water.
Then rinse and dry in the sun. If the stain isn’t removed, use
lemon juice and salt; or try one tbsp. bleach to one pint
lukewarm water. Test colored garments before using any
treatment.
FLOORING
When water gets underneath vinyl flooring, it can cause odors,
warp the wood underneath and eventually cause the floor to lift.
If water has penetrated, call your flooring dealer for suggestions
on removing or loosening the remaining adhesive without
damage to the covering. If you remove the covering, let the
wood dry thoroughly before replacing the flooring.
WOOD
Damaged wood furniture or fixtures may be salvageable. First,
clean off mud or dirt. Remove drawers and dry them thoroughly
to prevent warping. Scrub with a soft brush and mild cleaning
solution; use a soft cloth to wipe dry. Dry thoroughly to help
prevent decay and mold. Open doors and windows, and use a
fan to circulate air. If mold forms, wipe the wood with a soft
cloth soaked in a mixture of water and kerosene or try borax
dissolved in hot water. Avoid drying wood furniture in the sun to
prevent warping or twisting. To remove white spots or film, rub
the wood surface with a cloth soaked in a half-cup of household
ammonia per half-cup water solution, then wipe dry and polish
with wax, or rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of a
half-cup turpentine and a half-cup linseed oil. USE CAUTION –
these materials are flammable. An alternative is to rub the wood
surface with a 4/0 steel wool pad dipped in liquid polishing wax.
Wipe with a soft cloth and then buff.
LEATHER
Wipe your leather goods with a damp cloth, then with a dry
cloth. Stuff your purses and shoes with newspapers to retain
shape. Leave your suitcases open. Leather goods should be dried
away from heat and sun. When dry, clean with saddle soap. For
suede, try steel wool or a suede brush. Rinse leather and suede
jackets in cold water and dry away from heat and sun.
BOOKS
Dry books by placing them on end with pages separated, then
pile and press them to prevent mildew until the books are
thoroughly dry. A fan may help speed drying. If books are still
damp, sprinkle cornstarch or talcum powder between the pages,
leave for several hours, then brush off.