What to Do Following a House Fire

5/9/2016 (Permalink)

House Fire

House fires are a disaster that no one wants to experience. Here are some steps to help limit further damage to your home after a fire.

• Ask when it is safe to enter a house or building after a fire. Do not enter a house or other building that has been affected by a fire until you have listened to the professionals telling you that it is okay to do so.
• Know who to contact after a fire. Contact family members that may not have been with you and let them know what happened as well as that you're okay. Contact a professional fire restoration expert such as SERVPRO to assist with the cleanup and restoration of fire damage.
• Secure the property. If you have not already done so it is important to secure your property to prevent possible looting. Talk to emergency services on how to best go about this.
• Consider the clean-up requirements. If your house has been damaged rather than destroyed, interior clean up will be required. Keep in mind that damage to the property often goes beyond what the eye can see. (Removal of a destroyed house should only be done by professionals.) Call SERVPRO to assess the damage.
• If water hoses were used to put out your fire, drying your home is VERY important. It is best to hire professionals to do fire/ water damage restoration and clean-up. Water damage can lead to more damage or even mold if not dried properly.