A house fire can be among the most traumatic and devastating experiences. While taking care of your health and safety first is necessary, there are also many other steps you must take as soon as possible to protect your property and belongings. Otherwise, you may be at risk of experiencing a lot more financial losses.
Here are five things you should do instantly after a house fire:
1. Call Your Local Fire Department
The first step after a house fire is to call your local fire department. Ensure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your property, as smoldering embers can reignite and lead to more damage. You should also ask for a copy of the report generated by the firefighters. This usually includes essential details, such as what led to the blaze.
This report can be utilized to file insurance claims and receive compensation for any damages sustained. In many cases, firefighters use water to put out the fire. Because of this, you should be aware of potential damages, like water damage or mold. If you need more details about what to do next after the fire department has left the scene, don’t hesitate to phone a restoration service for help.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
Once the fire has been extinguished, the next step is contacting your insurance provider. Your insurance provider will send an adjuster to assess the damage and provide you with a settlement deal for any damages sustained in the fire. The adjuster can also aid you in identifying which materials are salvageable and what needs to be replaced.
Furthermore, they can help guide how to proceed with repair work and restoration after the fire. Some insurance providers can even recommend reliable property restoration experts. If you need such services, ask for recommendations from the people around you. Additionally, try also looking up “water damage restoration near me” online. This broadens your search to just within your area, making it much less time-consuming to find one.
3. Document Everything
When possible, take pictures or videos of the damaged areas in your home as soon as possible after the fire. But you have to wait until the firefighters have declared it is safe to do so. Photos and videos are necessary for documenting the damages and providing evidence for your insurance claim.
4. Secure Important Documents and Valuables
If it’s safe, try to secure any important documents and valuables that may have made it through the fire. This consists of passports, birth certificates, insurance policies, and other official documents. Any financial records should also be safeguarded or replaced as soon as possible. Additionally, you should take inventory of any items damaged or destroyed in the fire. Again, this is important for submitting insurance claims and receiving compensation.
5. Secure Your Home
You must also secure your home from more damage or theft. If the house is structurally sound and safe, close all windows, doors, and other openings. Think about deploying temporary fencing to provide protection to the property from vandals and looters if your house is severely damaged.
If you notice suspicious activities at or around your house, contact your local authorities department to report these. This way, they can check the situation until repair work can be done.
6. Engage Other Professionals to Assess the Damage
If the damage is serious, arrange for professionals, such as a structural engineer, electrician, plumber, or property damage restoration contractors, to assess the damage. They can accurately determine what needs to be repaired and replaced to restore your residence to its pre-fire condition.
7. Take Care of Yourself and Your Family
It’s easy to forget about yourself after a terrible event like this. But you must look after yourself and your loved ones during recovery. Reach out for assistance from family, friends, and community support groups. Get enough rest and seek professional help from restoration companies like PuroClean of Canton if you feel overwhelmed.
Final Thoughts
Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be overwhelming and stressful. But these ideas can help you prepare to face the recovery process. Reach out for help when needed and comply with your insurance provider’s directions to make sure you get full compensation for any type of damages incurred. Most importantly, take your time making decisions and obtain professional advice first. This will undoubtedly help ensure everything is done correctly, and your house is restored safely.
