House fires are a common occurrence in the United States. It can result from faulty electrical systems, kitchen fires, appliances, and outdoor fires. The list of possible causes of house fires is endless.
House fires can be a destabilizing moment for anyone. Several valuables are lost in the fire, and you may be too shocked about what to do next. Because of this, most victims of house fires take actions that can cause more damage to them. AIM Real Estate Management advises to remember to take these specific steps that can be beneficial.
What to Do After a House Fire
1. Contact your family or close friends
Check with your family members who are not with you. Inform them about the current status of things. They may visit to support you through this phase if they are close. Contact your landlord or property manager at this stage for those staying on a rental property. They also need to get involved in the remediation or recovery.
2. Find a safe place to stay
Even when the house fire was minimal, it was not advisable to stay in the home. We recommend finding a safer place to stay until you recover your home. Contact the Salvation Army, American Red Cross, or your local relief agency if you need help getting a good place.
3. Get a fire report
Your insurance company may need a fire report during the claims process. Ensure you obtain a fire report from your local fire department. This report is essential as it will help provide valuable information to your insurance company.
4. Contact your insurance company
The next most important thing to do after a house fire is to contact your insurance company. This is necessary to start the claim process to address your immediate needs. The insurance company will provide funds to cover your living and daily expenses.
Keep all the receipts if you have incurred some expenses before contacting them. Some insurance companies will assist you in getting companies that can take care of fire damage clean-up/restoration services.
5. Secure your property
After a house fire, you wouldn’t want to allow your home to stay unsecured. Your property will need protection from unlawful entry and harmful weather conditions. We advise that you put up measures to protect your home.
6. Recover your properties
Your insurance policy will replace items you lost to the house fire. To make this easier, keep an inventory of all your possessions, including the description of items, price, date of purchase, and any other detail that will be useful.
7. Check if the home is salvageable
Your insurance company will send an adjuster to assess the level of damage the fire did to your home. They will decide if your home is salvageable, requires a clean-up, or needs to be demolished and rebuilt. After this assessment, they will provide funds for restoration or rebuilding.
What not to do after a house fire
1. Do not enter the house until it is declared safe
Your home becomes unsafe and uninhabitable after a house fire. The fire can reignite, or you may acquire health issues following soot or smoke inhalation. You will need clearance before you re-enter your home to retrieve valuable documents, prescription drugs, and other items not destroyed by the fire.
2. Do not attempt to turn on the utilities or appliances
Checking if your appliances are still functional after the house fire may be tempting. Turning on your appliances is risky as it can expose you to more problems. Also, turning on your gas, electricity, or water after a house fire is not advisable. Instead, you should inform your service providers.
3. Do not retrieve properties from the house without informing your insurance company
It is okay to remove personal property that may get stolen or damaged. However, we recommend you take photographs and video recordings of those items before you move them. Let the insurance claim adjuster know about things you removed (damaged or intact).
4. Do not dispose of things from the house
Only when the adjuster assesses the property it is advisable to dispose of items from the site, even if they are damaged, wait for the insurance adjuster to inspect everything first, and take notes to help them compare their findings with your Schedule of Loss.
5. Never attempt to do the clean-up by yourself
Cleaning the home yourself after a house fire is unsafe and can expose you to numerous hazards. Hire professionals to handle this.
The burden becomes easier when you take the necessary actions after a house fire. It is advisable to work with professionals throughout this journey and heed expert advice.
