A house fire, even a small one can cause significant damage to your home. A fire is a scary situation that you hopefully will never have to experience. But, if you do, you’ll need to know about the steps to take to start the recovery process.
Experiencing a fire is an emotional and hectic time. There is a lot going on. You have dozens of things running through your mind. It can be hard to know where to start. Follow these steps to start the recovery process:
Ensure Your Family Is Safe And Accounted For
The most important step after a fire on your property is to make sure everyone is safe. Make sure everyone in the household, including pets, are cared for. If someone is injured, make sure they get proper medical care. It is also a good idea to call other family members to tell them you are okay.
Call Your Insurance Company
As soon as you can do so, contact your insurance company. They will be able to help you start your insurance claim process. They can provide you with resources, such as a place to stay, food, and other living expenses. They can also help you get in touch with professional assistance to aid in the recovery process, such as a restoration company. Get a copy of the fire report from your local fire department.
Get Permission To Enter The Home And Assess The Damage
Once the area is safe to enter, you will need to assess the damage. Get clearance from your fire department before entering. There is often more damage than you realize because of the effects of the smoke and water used to put out the fire. So, damage can extend to other areas of your home outside of the areas affected by the fire. Take photos and video of the damage as evidence for your insurance company.
Salvage What You Can
Start going through your home and determine what you can salvage. There may be stuff that is completely unaffected. Other items may be damaged but salvageable. Then there will be stuff that is a complete loss. You can work with your restoration company to start working through the process.
Remove Anything That Is Too Damaged To Restore
All items that are not salvageable will need to be removed from the home and thrown away. Depending on the extent of the fire, you may want to rent a bin to dispose of damaged goods.
Make A List Of All Items Affected
As you are removing items you cannot keep, make sure you keep a list of the items you will claim on your insurance plan. Be as detailed as possible about the item type, model, and other distinguishable features.
Remove All Remaining Debris And Deep Clean
Remove all damaged or charred materials, including flooring, drywall, carpets, and wood. You may also need to remove any remaining water. You will then start planning how you will rebuild the space and planning reconstruction.
Always choose a reputable restoration company to assist you with recovering from fire damage. Call us at 416-639-1722 anytime, 24/7.
