After A Fire Home Tips

Recovering from a fire can be a physically and mentally draining process. When fire strikes, lives are suddenly turned upside down. If you haven’t had a fire in your home, apartment or business before it is very likely you don’t know where to begin. The chaos after a fire can lead many homeowners to do incorrect things and actually make the fire damage worse in the home. First Restoration Services has combined some simple and quick after the fire damage tips and checklist for you, the homeowner, as a guide on what you should and shouldn’t do after the fire.

After A Fire Checklist

What To Do After A Fire:

• Secure the property and retain a contractor to board up windows, roofs, and additional damages.
• If you need emergency housing, food, clothing, basic furniture, counseling for you or your children, you may contact the Red Cross, Salvation Army or your church.
• Contact your insurance agent.
• If weather permits, open your windows for ventilation.
• If electricity is off, empty your refrigerators and freezers.
• Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in the winter (also known as winterizing).
• Retain receipts for any money you spend. These receipts may be necessary for possible insurance reimbursements.
• Nothing should be thrown away until the items are listed on an inventory of damaged belongings (for the insurance company to reimburse).

What Not To Do After A Fire:

• Do not enter the structure without the proper Personal Protective Equipment.
• Do not enter the structure until you meet with the Fire Official in charge.
• Do not wipe or attempt to wash fire residue from walls, ceilings, contents, or other absorbent surfaces without professional assistance.
• Do not use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residue or debris.
• Do not use food items or canned goods exposed to heat.
• Do not turn on computers, televisions, stereos or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.
• Do not touch anything. Oil from your hands can permeate upholstery, walls, and woodwork, causing additional damage.
• Do not use any electrical fixtures, switches, or outlets.

Choosing the Right Restoration Contractor

When you have a fire to your home or business the rebuilding process can be long and very specialized, for these reasons and much more it is important you make sure you choose the right restoration contractor. Many times homeowners want to choose a friend, builder, construction company or others who don’t have the fire damage restoration experience. Dealing with the fire damage to the structure, smoke odor, charring of wood are all areas that a restoration contractor, like First Restoration Services, specializes in. Read more here Choosing the right restoration contractor.