What to do After a House Fire

Experiencing a house fire can be devastating. Even if it isn’t burnt to the ground and a total loss, it still involves discomfort, heartache, and effort. If you do ever go through a fire, follow these steps to get back to normalcy as quickly and easily as possible.

1. Find a place to stay

No matter how much damage is caused by fire, most likely you won’t be able to stay in your home. Friends and family are often most people’s first choice, as they can lend support and encouragement; however, this may not be a possibility. Most areas actually have relief agencies that could help you find a suitable place to stay. For example, the Salvation Army or the Red Cross could help. If you are involved in a local church, they can be a great source of help as well.

2. Talk to your insurance agent

As soon as you get out of the house and find a place to stay, contact your insurance agent. You want to get the claim process started as quickly as possible. Many insurance policies will cover the loss of use. This means that you would get an amount of money to cover living expenses and other necessities. Keep receipts and keep a record of any purchases you make that would be covered by these funds. Your insurance agent will help you determine what to do when it comes to the claim, and they will have the damage assessed.

3. Talk to a fire damage restoration company

In some home fires, the entire house isn’t ruined. This is actually the majority of house fires. Whether your home is mostly damaged or not, contact a local fire damage restoration company. Your insurance agent will often have some suggestions for companies to use. If the house suffers primarily from smoke damage, there are ways to remove the smell and effects of smoke. They can also remove walls, insulation, and other pieces of your home that are damaged and need repairing. This can take a huge load off of your shoulders since you won’t have to deal with the restoration yourself.

4. Possessions

Most items destroyed in a house fire are covered by insurance and usually, insurance will cover the replacement cost. This is something you will want to check into before something happens, just so you understand your policy. If any items are salvageable, remove them from the premises, so they aren’t further contaminated or damaged. If you have a fireproof safe, empty it and move the contents to a new safe location. Create an inventory, if you don’t already have one, of all the items you might need to replace.

Being prepared and educated before something bad happens is always a great idea. We hope you never have to experience this type of loss, but if you do we hope this helped you prepare.