Fire Damage and Sensitive Electronics
6/5/2020 (Permalink)
Fire Cleanup in Bradenton and Lakewood Ranch
After a fire in your home, the damage from smoke, ash, soot, flames, heat and water can be overwhelming. Fires can be devastating and leave you feeling helpless. Our professionals are experts at guiding you through the process to restore your home or business. SERVPRO of East Bradenton /Lakewood Ranch (941) 747-2333. As you start your fire cleanup, you might discover damaged electronics. Whether your devices and equipment can be recovered depends on the situation. Some electronics fare better than others. Factors to Consider Many different factors come into play. Here are some things to consider when assessing the damage: • How exposed was any circuitry or wiring?• Where were the devices located in relation to the fire?
• Were they subjected to high heat?
• Did they suffer water damage?
• If they were exposed to water, were they plugged in at the time? Suggestions Unplug all of your electronics. Even if they are turned off, a small amount of power is being used while they are inactive. By unplugging them from the wall, you stop the flow of electricity completely. After a disaster, resist the urge of trying to turn on any of your electronics. Turning them on could cause further damage. If they are recoverable, they may need to dry or be cleaned properly first. Fire cleanup should include your electronics, large and small. Smoke damage can leave an oily residue that can disrupt functions or cause an electrical short. It is important to be able to quickly access your warranty information. There is a chance that your electronics are gone for good, but they may still be covered by a warranty. Types Smaller electronics tend to have a higher rate of recovery. These include personal items like tablets, cell phones, personal computers, small appliances, flash drives and external hard drives. They still need to be handled properly to increase the likelihood of a full recovery. Fire cleanup professionals may need to handle bigger electronics. These include servers, printers, copiers and large appliances. For devices that contain valuable information, like hard drives, you might want to prioritize data recovery.