What to do after a fire

12/29/2021 (Permalink)

Fire damage in apartment

Bring in SERVPRO of Oldsmar/Westchase to Clean and Restore Your Home After a Fire Loss

Even if the damage got contained to a single area in your home, seeing it for the first time after a fire has occurred can feel overwhelming for what to do first. The longer the mitigation efforts get delayed has the potential to increase the loss. That is why it is vital to engage a professional restoration services company as soon as possible. 

Can I Stay in My House After Fire Damage?

Before we talk about what you should do, let's cover what you should not do after fire damage in your home. Deciding whether or not to remain within the property is something you should talk over with the firefighters at the scene. They can tell you if the structure or nature of the fire loss is okay to be around or not. In many cases, it is not safe to remain around charred items as soot has to potential to be a skin and respiratory irritant. Other considerations include:

The utilities in your home should not get turned on unless deemed safe by a certified professional

Do not clean any smoke residues yourself as it can result in greater damages

If electrical equipment received damage, do not turn it on to test it

Do not attempt to enter a property deemed structurally unsafe to retrieve valuables or important documents 

Actions You Should Take Post-House Fire 

There are many proactive things that homeowners can do after a fire before SERVPRO technicians arrive on-site to begin the cleanup and restoration process.

Contact family members or friends if you need a place to stay after the fire. Then contact your insurance agent to start the claims process and SERVPRO to begin the mitigation efforts for the property and contents

If your pets cannot stay with you, see if they can stay with a trusted family member or friend until your property gets restored.

Within 24 hours of the occurrence of the fire, contact your utility companies to turn off the services to your home

Have the post office hold or forward your mail