Fire damage restoration can help save your home and your personal belongings. From smoke removal to fire damage clean up, here are 8 things to do after a fire damages your home or business.
what is the 8 steps you follow for fire damage at your home?
Call friends or family Reach out to your support network during this challenging time. Experiencing an unexpected loss is devastating. You may need a place to stay for a few days or even longer. Seeking comfort from friends and family will help steady you through this difficult process.
Call a fire damage restoration company Get them en route immediately. You may need to board up broken windows and doors and damaged exterior walls. Restoration 1 of Tulsa is available for free board up and tarping services 24/7. If you want to board up yourself, go to a local home improvement store to purchase plywood and/or tarps and nail them in place.
Call your insurance agent Let them know what happened and that you have a restoration company on the way. Calling your insurance agent right away works in your favor. It starts your claim process and shows that you are trying to remediate the situation as quickly as possible to prevent further damage. At Restoration 1 of Tulsa, we are happy to assist in communicating with your insurance company.
Ask firefighters when you can enter You may need to retrieve belongings, but the air can remain toxic in the aftermath of a fire. Do not enter your home or business too soon. Also, there may be unseen structural hazards that could cause floors or walls to collapse. The fire department will know when it’s safe for you to enter the premises.
Take photos, lots of them Once you can enter, take as many pictures as possible to help with your insurance claim. Be thorough and do not be afraid to get up close. Lift items and look under things. You can take couch cushions off and get pictures of the top and bottom to show all sides of the damage. Document color variations to emphasize the damage by showing areas unaffected by the smoke or fire.
Gather and remove your belongings After taking detailed pictures, gather and prepare the affected items to be stored somewhere that will not impact your living area with their odor or soot damage. This could be in the garage or a storage unit.
Protect undamaged property Some areas may not have visible fire damage. Prevent potential damage from odor or moisture by removing items from the home or business, or sheltering them in place. For example, cover couches with sheets and place wood blocks or aluminum foil under the couch.
Look for alternative housing Often your insurance company will do this for you. Ask your agent if they are going to handle this or if you can choose a place yourself. Keep in mind that you may be displaced for several months. Stay close to home to prevent stress and long drives, but also find somewhere large enough to properly house your family and its belongings.
For more detailed steps about checking your home and helping pets, read this guide from the American Red Cross about picking up the pieces after a fire.
A house fire is absolutely devastating. Each year tens of thousands of Americans lose their homes to a fire. At Restoration 1 of Tulsa, our experts are here to help.
The aftermath of a fire is tricky. Often, smoke and soot pose a significant health hazard in the form of toxic residue. Smoke residue is potent and terrible for your respiratory health. Our restoration specialists are well-equipped with innovative techniques and state-of-the art equipment to handle the mess safely, ensuring life quickly returns to normal once more!
