For many people, the thought of a fire ravaging a home is one of the most catastrophic and tragic things that can be imagined. The sound of smoke alarms not only tells you to immediately take your family outside your home but also indicates that things might be different for a while. This is a phase of your life where unforeseen challenges might come at you, but we’re here to help you weather this challenging stage of your life.
Let’s discuss the first steps you should take after dealing with a home fire.
Steps to Take After a Home Fire
It’s normal to be overwhelmed by worry, uncertainty, stress, and sadness upon seeing your house burn down. However, many things are waiting to be done, and you can’t let these emotions get the best of you. So we have gathered five first things you should do after a house fire to help you know how to restore your property and get things back to normal in the soonest possible time.
1. Make necessary phone calls
First, contact your family, relatives, or close friends who might be concerned about your safety and let them know if you’re safe or unharmed. Next, call your insurance agent. Start a claim and address all your immediate needs. The “loss of use funds” from the insurance policy can cover your daily and living expenses. They might also offer you to connect with property damage restoration services in Ormond Beach to address any fire and smoke damage to make your place habitable again.
2. Call a professional restoration company
Once the fire gets extinguished and you’re done talking to your insurance agent, they’ll authorize you to contact a local property restoration company. They will inspect your area, secure your home from break-ins or weather, and address immediate concerns like water damage. This is a crucial step you must never delay doing.
The sooner you call a restoration company to come over upon your insurance agent’s permission, the sooner the damage will be assessed and addressed. Fire restoration companies in Palm Coast will dry and pump water to reduce mold infestations and water damage. Moreover, they’ll help improve your home’s ventilation and eliminate toxins and VOCs in the air.
You may browse websites like www.puroclean.com to learn more about their professional services.
3. Have a copy of the fire report
Fire reports are obtainable from the local fire department. Getting your own copy can be helpful in relaying information to your insurance company.
4. Find a temporary place to stay
No matter the severity of the fire damage, you likely can’t stay in your home in the meantime. Contact the nearest local disaster relief agency if staying over with family, relatives, or friends isn’t an option. They can help you find a place where you can stay temporarily.
5. Check with your family
This might seem obvious, but people quickly forget the most basic things when faced with an overwhelming situation. If you were with your family or friends when the fire happened, ensure they’re okay and unharmed. Depending on the severity of the fire and the age of the people involved, it can be a traumatic experience, so remember to check in with the people with you.
