What Do I Do After a House Fire? | SERVPRO® of Clatsop, Columbia Counties

1/25/2021 (Permalink)

If you have fire damage due to a heating malfunction or other issue, count on SERVPRO of Clatsop, Columbia Counties to fully restore your home.

The unthinkable has happened - and you and your family have survived a fire. Maybe flames scorched your kitchen or perhaps your house burned completely.

However it happened, you may be feeling traumatized and at a loss for what to do next. Let’s talk about the steps to take after a fire to help you get back on your feet again.

1. Get to Safety

After a fire, do not re-enter your home until your local fire services have given permission. Instead, find a place to stay. If you don’t have friends or relatives who can take you in, your local Red Cross or Salvation Army may be able to assist you.

2. Make Contacts Promptly

After a fire, you have plenty of calls to make and emails to send. You’ll need to get the ball moving with insurance, as well as with restoration or rebuilding. Contacts to make include:

1. Your insurance agent
2. Your landlord or mortgager
3. Your local fire department (for a copy of the fire report)
4. Essential contractors, such as a cleaning and restoration professional
5. Any accounts or agencies you need documentation reissued for (bank, driver’s license etc.)

Of course, you may not have all these email addresses or phone numbers at hand—they might have been in the fire!

To make your life easier, plan ahead by creating a disaster contact list and placing it in an online location, such as a Google drive. That way, you can get to it from any location that has internet.

Perform other documentation, too, such as taking photos and saving all receipts related to the fire.

3. Keep Caring for Your People

Emotional and physical needs won’t disappear after a day or two. Fires can be traumatic for children and adults.

If needed, check with your doctor for any lingering problems—smoke inhalation can make some chronic illnesses worse, for instance. Have your veterinarian check your pet’s health, too. And take time to attend to your own mental health, such as by visiting a counselor or looking for online resources.

If you’re concerned about planning ahead for a fire or other disaster, consult with SERVPRO. We can help with disaster planning, as well as advise you about how best to file insurance claims.

From emergency cleaning and restoration to routine disinfection, we’re there for you. Contact us at any hour for a consultation or immediate assistance.