Preparing for some of the worst things in life can throw at you is always a good idea, and little can be more frightening or devastating than a house fire. Beyond the initial incident, trying to get back to normal after the fact is a daunting experience all its own. Here we’ll discuss some fundamental things to do in order to save yourself as much headache as possible (under the circumstances). Here’s how to recover from a house fire:
Emergency Steps
It sounds like common sense, but even the most obvious things can go missed when we’re under pressure. Obviously get the fire under control, contact emergency help and make sure everyone gets out of the house. Things can be repaired and replaced, people not so much!
Once the immediate risks are resolved, it’s time for acknowledgement and acceptance. It’s okay to grieve, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and lost. This is an incredibly disruptive event, and the aftermath is no short process. Much like making sure everyone is okay physically, make sure you’re okay mentally before worrying about what furnished your living room.
Secure Living Arrangements
Depending on the severity of the fire, it may not be possible to go back home for some time. It may be at least a few days and even small fires must be inspected and cleaned before the property is suitable for living in once again. It may be as simple as staying with family or friends, if that isn’t possible seeking out local disaster relief can assist in temporary housing, and finally it may be something your insurance company offers you, depending on your coverage.
Call Your Insurance Company
Speaking of insurance, once you’ve had a chance to catch your breath and take stock, it’s time to take that step forward on restoring what was lost. Give the claims department of your insurance company a call and set up a claim with them. The fire itself, the resulting smoke, the water used to extinguish it, and the damage caused by firefighters all create potential opportunities for further damage, either by the natural or criminal elements. Alleviating security concerns and mitigating water damage can drastically improve the turnaround time on fire restoration and help you get as much covered under insurance as possible.
Where RestoPros Comes In
After your insurance company authorizes you to contact a restoration company a call. Preventing and mitigating further damage from water and elements is the single most important component of restoring your home. A response team will prevent mold, mildew, secure openings, pump or dry water out of the property and help ventilate the home. All this will help remove and prevent toxic fumes and dangerous conditions along with negating further damage to your residence. If the unthinkable has happened, trust emergency responders to handle the fire, then call the experts at RestoPros to get started on restoring your home today!