Restore Your Electronics Post Fire With These Tips

5/8/2018 (Permalink)

Unplugging electronics can keep from catching fire

Whether your home was recently subject to a small kitchen fire or a large house fire, there is a good chance that some or all of your electronics have been affected. Your electronics are equipped with little fans that keep them cool while they’re operating. Unfortunately, they also tend to suck in little dust and dirt particles. While dust and dirt buildup is standard for electronics, soot and smoke is not. Furthermore, whereas small amounts of dust and dirt are harmless, small amounts of soot and smoke can wreak havoc. For this reason, it is essential that cleaning your electronics is part of your fire cleanup routine. Here are some smoke damage tips you can use to save your electronics post-fire:

• Shut down your equipment and disconnect all cables.
• Open your electronics and allow them to dry.
• Don appropriate safety gear, such as goggles and gloves, to prevent inhaling soot yourself.
• Ground yourself to the computer with professional grounding equipment.
• “Sweep out” all the dust with a can of compressed air. You may find it handy to have a toothbrush or small paintbrush on hand for this step.
• Clean delicate components with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol.
• Allow all components time to dry, then reassemble.

Reach Out to Your Fire Cleanup Team for Advice

You should not attempt to clean your electronics on your own if you do not feel confident in doing so. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you may end up damaging delicate components and ruining your equipment for good. A St. Michael, fire restoration team can refer you to an electronics specialist and/or advise you on the equipment you need to clean your equipment safely and effectively.

Dealing with fire and smoke damage can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be bank-breaking. Save your electronics with the fire cleanup tips above to reduce the overall cost of damage.

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