A house fire is one of the most frightening and disastrous things a homeowner can have to deal with. However, after the fire is put out and immediate safety concerns are dealt with, you may not know what to do next. Here are some steps to take after a house fire.
Find a Safe Place to Stay
House fires are terrifying, especially for the children in the family. So, even if you will only be staying there for the night, a safe place to rest and recuperate can work wonders and give you time to plan what you will be doing next.
Often times a hotel or friends will be the go-to option. However, if this isn’t an option, the American Red Cross and Salvation Army often will provide temporary housing for free.
Notify Your Insurance Provider
It is important to notify your insurance provider as quickly as possible. The sooner you inform your insurance company, the sooner you can begin repairs or look for a new house. Oftentimes insurance carriers will help with daily expenses in the form of loss of user funds. This can be extremely important to get by if you lost access to your accounts temporarily due to the fire.
Notify the Police
Any empty home can attract looters and squatters regardless of fire damage. By letting the police know about the fire and that it will be empty, they can help pay attention to it while you are gone. You can also board up windows and doors to provide additional security. This can be done by many companies that also provide fire damage restoration. The price of doing so will vary based on the amount and size of the windows.
Develop a Plan for Finances
Unfortunately, your financial responsibilities will not stop with the fire. Your insurance policy will often take care of your mortgage. However, other regular payments, such as auto payments, will still need to be paid.
You may want to cancel your internet and cable plans if you will not be using those for months. For items that were lost in the fire that you will need to replace right away, such as clothing and cooking equipment, you will want to save the receipts to ensure you are reimbursed by your insurance for these down the line.
Create a List of Damaged Items
A list of items lost or even just damaged by the house fire can help ensure you are reimbursed for them. Often insurance carriers require specific information such as the make and model of items as well as serial numbers and sometimes even receipts. Acquiring these after a house fire can often be difficult. However, you may be able to use a smartphone or computer to access your bank statements and demonstrate proof of purchase.
Also, create a list of your personal documents that were destroyed, such as a driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, and deeds. Your insurance provider may require some documents in order to make your claim, so replace these first and then continue with others.
Determine the Safety of Your Home
Even if your home is still standing, oftentimes, fires will leave the structural integrity so weakened that it may be unsafe to enter. It also leaves behind soot which can create dangerous fumes, and either of these issues can leave your home unsafe to enter. So, wait until a fire marshal determines it is safe.
Also, entering your home after a fire can violate the terms of your insurance policy and prevent you from getting reimbursed. Therefore, wait and call your insurance company and the fire department before entering your home after the fire.
Remove Unaffected Items
If the fire only damaged part of your home and your insurance carrier and the fire department say it is okay to go back in, then begin removing items that were unaffected by the fire. These items should still be cleaned to remove any dangerous soot. It is best to have all fire-affected possessions cleaned by a professional fire cleaning service.
Until your home is cleaned and ready, it can be a good idea to store items that can still be saved elsewhere. Renting a storage unit to house these items can be a good idea until your home is ready to move back in.
Ensure It’s Safe Before Restoring Utilities
Commonly firefighters will turn off utilities to avoid causing more damage. If they are disconnected, do not turn them on until you contact the fire department and your utility company to ensure it is safe to do so. If the utilities are unsafe, it could lead to gas leaks, flooding, or even another fire. A professional inspection is necessary before restoring utilities.
Final Thoughts
A house fire is terrifying, and planning for the future at this time may seem hard. But, there are a number of important steps you will need to take now to ensure that you are properly reimbursed, and you can safely get back on your feet. Try to remain calm and work your way through these steps one at a time.
Contact Us
When you need a fire damage restoration provider you can trust, contact ABH Services Inc. With more than 20 years of experience helping homeowners, you can trust our professional staff to clean and restore your home so that you can return to it safely. Call (781) 941-2422 and connect with us on Facebook.