Homeowners who experience fires go through a variety of emotions. Even small house fires confined to specific areas can lead to stress and worry.
Though you never want to face this type of problem, having a house fire recovery checklist on hand helps reduce the intense levels of anxiety and confusion that come afterward.
Take Safety Precautions Immediately After the House Fire
Until the house fire has been treated by the fire department and the premises have been cleared for you to enter safely, avoid going into your home. Even if the risk of a secondary flare-up has passed, you do not want to breathe in toxic fumes. Wait until you get the go-ahead by professionals to come back.
As a side note, remain cautious about turning on electrical or gas-powered utilities until you confirm their safety. Avoid driving vehicles damaged in the fire.
Understand that in some cases, you may not be able to go back into your house. If you must pay to spend the night somewhere else, save your receipts for later because your stay may be reimbursable.
Call Your Insurance Company and Other Entities
After you have caught your breath, give your insurance provider a call. This action kickstarts the insurance claim process.
Over the coming days, your insurance provider will collect more information about the fire, including the fire department’s report. You will also be asked to itemize what you lost during the house fire, so begin a list of everything destroyed by the flames, heat, water or smoke.
Make sure to get in touch with your mortgage lender, too. Some mortgage holders will allow you to skip a payment after a devastating house fire, though you will still be responsible for paying your mortgage.
Finally, look for a credentialed fire damage restoration company in your area. A restoration business can sufficiently clean up your home.
Protect Undamaged Personal Items
Worried about leaving your home vacant for a few days or longer as you clean up the mess left after a house fire? Save yourself some concern by retrieving all the valuable items you can. These could include anything from jewelry and collectibles to electronics and official documents.
Instead of carrying these items around with you, you might want to store them temporarily at a trusted friend or family member’s place.
Recover Lost IDs and Other Valuables
House fires can damage everything from social security cards to passports. If you find yourself without identification and important documents, contact the issuing government departments to begin the replacement process.
Found partially burnt money in your home after the fire? You can take paper money to a Federal Reserve Bank to replace it.
Avail Yourself of Disaster Relief Services
From the Salvation Army to the American Red Cross, plenty of organizations offer assistance to individuals and families displaced by a house fire. Their staff and volunteers want to get you back on your feet and can provide shelter, food, clothing, financial help and pet advice.
Getting back on your feet after a house fire can take days or months depending on the size of the fire. Be patient, stay in touch with your insurance company and work through your house fire recovery checklist one item at a time.
