Emergency Services
(888) 979-7969
(888) 979-7969
(888) 979-7969
Most Americans do not realize that a small house fire is the most familiar catastrophe in American homes. The aftermath of a fire at your residence is significant damage inside and outside your home. Varied risk factors within your home lead to potential fires. The damages fires are often so extensive that they impact rooms and items never brushed by flames. After a fire in your home, you are overwhelmed and don't know what to do next. Our public claims adjuster in Central Florida offers these steps to take after a fire in your house to stay on track for recovery.
This may seem an obvious step, but it is challenging not to get overwhelmed and disoriented during the chaos. If others were home when the fire occurred, check in with everyone and ensure they are okay. A fire is a traumatic experience, depending on an individual's age and the scope of the fire.
Contacting family members that weren't home when the fire occurred is critical. Letting them know that you and the other individuals and pets in your home are okay will relieve them. In addition, if you lack other local family, it can help to contact close friends to offer you needed support as you start restoring your life to a new standard after a fire.
It helps to contact your landlord or rental company after the fire to make meaningful conclusions about the circumstances and start their recovery process.
If you are a homeowner or carry rental insurance, do not assume that somebody else will contact the insurance company for you. This is the next step to take after reaching your family. Most insurance companies require you to contact them immediately to start documentation and claims processing. Once you inform your insurer of the circumstances, they can help you with living expenses and emergency housing. In addition, they can recommend damage restoration services to handle smoke damage and fire damage restoration.
A house fire becomes incredibly hot. This massive heat causes severe structural damage and other issues. Your insurer sends a claims adjuster to assess the damage and determine whether it is salvageable or a complete loss.
If they can save it, it will still demand massive clean-up. Things damaged directly by the fire require replacement and repair, as do items indirectly damaged by soot and smoke. In addition, you might require water mitigation services to decrease or eradicate water damage from having the fire extinguished. Fire damage is much more extensive than people expect.
Do not enter a building or house with damage from a fire until the fire department decides whether it is safe. Even when fires seem extinguished, they can quickly begin again, and damage is often hidden from the view of the naked eye. For instance, your property might have hazardous structural damage. In addition, other health risks are involved with inhaling soot or smoke for extended times. When you can re-enter the property, focus on recovering critical documents like passports, medical records, social security cards, and valuables. Never use cosmetics or food items because exposure to smoke or intense temperatures makes these items hazardous to consume or use.
