Having a house or apartment fire doesn't just involve dealing with items that were burned. Even if the fire was small and concentrated to one area, it can still damage the entire home. Items can be damaged not only by the fire or the water and chemicals used to quell the fire, but soot can also do a great deal of damage. Soot, combined with moisture and other chemicals, can damage and corrode quickly if not addressed. Soot also can cause electrical shorts and cause another fire.

Soot damage should be addressed as soon as possible to keep the corrosion from progressing any further. The amount of time passed before an item is cleaned can mean the difference from salvaging an item or discarding it. Here are some steps to take to make sure you don't lose your electronic equipment or appliances permanently after a fire.

Unplug and check out each item carefully:

It can be chaos during a fire and it is unlikely that you went around and unplugged everything at that time. Once you get the "all clear" from the fire department to re-enter the home, check to make sure that either your power is off or all electrical items are unplugged. Check each and every electrical item even if you don't think it could have gotten damaged. Things you want to look out for include:

• Melted plastic, cords or plugs
• Burn marks or scorching
• Soot on or around the item

Discard, repair, or clean promptly:

Items with extensive exterior damage may need to be discarded right away. Items with minor damage may be able to be repaired.  If the item appears alright, otherwise, or only has a soot issue, it may be able to be cleaned. Ask a fire damage restoration expert for help in deciding what can be repaired and what should be replaced. Repairing and cleaning can be substantially less costly and less time consuming than replacing an item, especially with large appliances or expensive electronics. Cleaning must be detailed with each item thoroughly disassembled and each part cleaned. Some electronics, such as computers, can be cleaned by removing the case and using compressed air to clean off soot and dust.

Have a technician check:

If you are unable to clean any of your electronics or appliances, have a technician check them over, especially if the items were particularly sooty. Even if you think you did a good job cleaning your electronics, have a professional do a final check before plugging them back in.