A fire can swallow up life as you know it. Learn more what you can do in case one happens to your home.
A house fire can be a totally devastating experience, even when the fire damage is minor and there are no injuries. It can be hard to move past the event and figure out what needs to be done. For many people, simply figuring out the next steps after a house fire can seem daunting, let alone actually completing those steps. Read on for some key things you will need to do after a fire so that you can be prepared in case it ever happens.
Get Away
After a fire, it is important to find a safe and comfortable place to stay, at least for one night. Depending on the extent of damage, it may be unsafe to be inside the house. Even if the fire was small, the smoke could linger and cause health issues. Finding a place to spend at least one night also allows you to step back and try to plan how you will restore, repair, or replace damaged items and move on from there.
Call Your Insurance
One of the very first calls you should make is to your insurance company. They will be able to help you through the steps of the claim process, and they may even be able to recommend some professionals to go to for restoration and remediation.
Find Restoration Services
Finding a company that can clean up the soot and deal with smoke damage is very important after a fire. It is actually more important after a small fire than a catastrophic fire, since the rest of the house could suffer damage if the soot and smoke are left too long. Companies such as ours offer fire and smoke damage restoration, water damage restoration, and even document and artwork recovery. We can even secure your home for you so that you don’t have to worry about additional damage from individuals entering it while you’re away.
Inventory and Sort Property
You will eventually need to sort through to see what of your stuff is damaged beyond salvation, what can be cleaned and salvaged, and what came through without damage. We can help with this sorting and inventorying process as well. Once you finish sorting, you will need to make a list of the damaged items for your insurance claim.
Cooperate With Professionals
The professionals you work with know much more about how to deal with the aftermath of a fire than you do. If the fire department turned off your utilities, contact them for the OK before you turn them back on. If your insurance adjuster has questions, answer them honestly and to the best of your ability.
QUESTIONS? NORTH ARUNDEL CONTRACTING IS HERE TO HELP!
If you have more questions about preventing fires in your home, North Arundel Contracting is here to help you out. Our trained professionals can teach you everything there is to know about house fires. Call us any time at 410-766-2855 or reach us by fax at 410-553-2367. Feel free to send us an email at [email protected] and for after-hours emergencies, call us at 410-541-0328. For tips, tricks, and to see what we have been up to, be sure to follow us on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.