Your next steps after a fire in your home.

6/13/2022 (Permalink)

So you’ve just experienced every homeowner's greatest nightmare: a fire broke out in your home. From financial repercussions to emotional hardship, a fire is a lot for a family to handle. If this is your situation, use these tips to guide you through the steps to recover. 

Pressing Concerns

Above all else, your immediate safety needs to be secured. Don’t do anything which could put you in danger. If remaining in your home compromises your safety, find the nearest exit and leave. As you leave, be aware that electrical appliances may pose a threat, and do your best to avoid them. Be cautious of where you walk to avoid a dangerous fall. After a major event like a fire, wet materials should also be treated carefully, as they can be very heavy.

Have A Fire Damage Emergency? Call (941) 792-7715.

What to do after a fire?

Apart from immediately seeking help, there are some steps you yourself can take to limit the extent of damage your home will sustain after a fire breaks out. Fires spread soot around a home, dirtying furniture and walls. To prevent this from worsening, move slowly and carefully around your home to avoid picking up and further spreading the soot to other areas. You can also wash your hands and use linens to cover carpets or furniture. In addition to these actions, try to maintain a clean space by cleaning houseplants and chrome surfaces. Finally, your home isn’t the only thing impacted by the fire. These events can be stressful and traumatic, so your emotional recovery is just as important as your property recovering. 

What not to do after a fire?

Unfortunately, some actions can cause more harm than good after a fire. If you see a wet ceiling, don’t run on the ceiling fixtures. Don’t eat packaged foods which have been stored close to fire, heat, or water. Don’t re-enter your home until you’ve been told by professionals that it is safe to do so. You should be sure that you’re contacting the right professionals to assist you. A restoration service is ideal if you’re looking to have furniture and walls cleaned, while repair services are better suited to cleaning electrical appliances which have sustained fire or water damage. Clothing should not be sent to ordinary dry cleaners, as methods employed by these cleaners may lead to the smoke smell remaining in your clothing. 

Have A Fire Damage Emergency? Call (941) 792-7715.