No matter the magnitude, your experience of seeing a fire in your home is terrifying. Of course, in the case of a house fire, your first and most important priority will be safety. Some small fires can be put out with a fire extinguisher or smothered before spreading, but once a large fire breaks out all you can do is make sure you get everyone out of the house.
Once you are clear of danger and the fire department has extinguished the fire, you will likely be asking yourself, well now what?
After a House Fire…
Whether your house is salvageable or not after a fire, the most important priority is the well-being of your family and yourself. Ensure anyone in the house during the fire is checked out by a medical professional for burns, smoke inhalation, etc.
Once everyone is cleared, it’s time to find a place to rest. Even if your home is still standing, if you needed to call the fire department, you probably won’t be able to stay there. A friend, family member, or neighbor may be willing to take you in.
Otherwise, you can contact a local disaster relief service such as the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.
Connect with Your Insurance Company
With everyone safe and a place of rest secured, the next thing you should do is file a claim with your insurance company. Your exact coverage will depend on the policy you have. You’ll need to talk to a representative to get the specifics.
Most likely, your insurance has a “loss of use” policy to cover your day-to-day expenses while everything gets sorted. Make sure to save receipts on all purchases during this time. You can collect reimbursement when it’s over.
Surveying the Damage
Next, you’ll want to survey the damage and consider what is lost. Even rooms that weren’t touched by the fire may be heavily damaged by smoke. Your insurance company will ultimately determine if the house should be salvaged, gutted, or torn down completely.
This will obviously have a big impact on what happens next.
Fire Restoration Begins
If the house can be saved, you’ll need to find a company that specializes in fire restoration services. Unlike a traditional carpenter or handyman, emergency repair companies are trained in repairing fire damage and eradicating smoke smell.
For emergency fire restoration in Springfield, Ohio, contact Reliant Restoration. Our 24/7 service is ready in your hour of need. It’s our goal to get your home back in proper condition as quickly and efficiently as possible so that you can get back to living your life.