What to Do After a House Fire?

Home fires are terrifying, and property damage is a huge burden. Unfortunately, over 358,500 U.S. homes experience a house fire yearly, leading to an estimated 2000 injuries and 4000 deaths, and thousands of dollars in property damage. Homeowners must know what they should do after a house fire.

No one can guard against all tragedies, but you can prepare. Disaster preparedness will help you to identify the proper insurance protection for your needs, then provide tips for minimizing the potential long-term adverse effects by using fire restoration services in Seattle area. Read to learn what to do after a house fire.

Call for Help

Call 911 and alert them of your house fire. You must try to evacuate a burning building or residence and summon emergency services. When emergency personnel arrives, they’ll prioritize the well-being of the household’s occupants above all else. After that, they’ll focus on rescuing the house itself.

Contact Your Insurance Company

Contact your insurance company and let them know about the fire. They will provide information about what your policy covers, how much it will cost to repair or replace your home, and other details.

In addition, ask if there are any steps you need to take—that way, you can get back on track quickly. You may need to file a claim or provide receipts for losses sustained in the fire.

Stay Calm

It’s easy to get overwhelmed by house fire damage, but it’s important not to let that overwhelm take over. Stay focused on getting through the immediate crisis so that you can focus on what comes next.

Stay Somewhere Else

If you’ve had a fire, smoke and toxic gases in your home may cause serious health problems. It is dangerous if you have breathing problems like asthma or allergies. Some people also have an increased risk of a heart attack after a fire because of stress or anxiety.

Even if you don’t have these problems, staying home can cause stress and anxiety, leading to health problems later. Find somewhere else to stay until a professional inspector clears the house. He will direct if the place is safe for habitation or if any structural damage issues need addressing before moving back.

Secure the Property

After they extinguish the fire, secure your property:

  • Ensure all entry points are locked, and all windows are closed. 
  • Hire a professional security company on-site to watch over your property while you are away. Ensure that they have been vetted and have references. 
  • Install an alarm system with a monitoring service. It will alert you if there is suspicious activity within your home.
  • Install surveillance cameras around the perimeter of your property, which may deter intruders from entering in the first place.
  • Consult your insurance company, and they will advise.
  • Inquire if the police can protect your property.

Call Restoration Company

Restoration can help with everything from cleaning up debris and salvaging belongings to replacing damaged walls and ceilings, repairing smoke damage, and more. 

Take Inventory of Damaged Items

Take pictures; these photos should show everything that has been damaged and taken from different angles. This way, you can review how extensive the damage to your house is later on when you’ve had time to think about it.

It’s also helpful to list all the things damaged by smoke or fire (or both). Don’t throw damaged items until you’ve spoken with an insurance company representative. They may tell you it’s okay to dispose of certain items immediately, but others might require further evaluation before they are disposed of safely. 

Leave Fire Damage Cleanup to Experts

If you’ve experienced a house fire, it’s essential to understand that cleaning up the damage will take more than a simple mop and bucket. Sure, you can make a dent by scrubbing walls yourself and tossing out your burnt belongings, but there are other areas of concern that require the help of professionals.

For example, if your home smells like smoke or soot after a fire in your chimney or kitchen—or any other part of your home —you should call an expert to remove all traces before attempting cleanup on your own. 

Proper planning and preparation may reduce damage and ease the recovery process in the event of a fire in your home. In addition to calling your insurance company, start by making an inventory of everything in the house. Include all personal items, appliances, building materials, and any expensive or irreplaceable items. Nothing may be left, but you can limit the damage and start rebuilding your life.




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