House fires leave behind massive devastation and loss, even for the smallest of fires. As a house fire victim, you look around at the aftermath and just don’t even know what to do next, right? It’s not unusual to feel overwhelmed or unsure, and many victims have overwhelming feelings and stress to contend with. Locating expert restoration services near me will be one of the first things you do to get much-needed help. You have emotional trauma, sometimes physical trauma, and the financial strain that a fire can cause. Even with an insured property, there is so much to figure out. 

That’s why we created this simple step-by-step guide to help you navigate those moments. After a house fire, you can follow these simple steps to keep you and your family on the path to recovery. With the right information and support, the process of healing and restoration will be so much easier. Take a look at these 6 steps to follow. 

Safety as a Priority

In that moment during the escape from the fire and immediately following the fire, safety is going to be your most important thing. This is the time to account for everyone and make sure the family and any other members of the household made it all safely. If there are any injuries or exposure to smoke from the fire, it is very important to be checked by medical professionals. They will need to assess any injuries, whether it is minor or major. Smoke inhalation and burns are the most common injuries from a house fire. 

Once you are all out of the property and health is accounted for, there is another aspect of safety to consider. After the fire is out, you should never go back into the property until it has been cleared by the fire department. They will assess structural damage and potential lingering hotspots before they allow anyone back in. This is for your protection, so follow their advice. 

Make Contact with Utility Providers and Expert Services

You don’t have to face the aftermath of a fire alone, although many homeowners certainly try. There are so many wonderful resources out there. From community resources to professionals and expert services that will work through the restoration process with you. Emergency services are contacted immediately when a fire occurs, but many others are brought in after the fact. 

You will need to contact all of your utility providers, including gas, electric, and water services. They can turn off services for safety while repairs are made. Not all services have to be turned off, but the professionals will assess and determine the right steps. You also need support as you clean up and rebuild from the fire, which is where restoration services can be beneficial. 

The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone in this. 

Contact the Insurance Company

There are more than 1.5 million house fires every year in the United States. This is why homes have insurance. These disasters happen, and they typically have costly requirements for cleanup and repair. The insurance company premiums you pay are for this very reason. Report the fire promptly to your homeowner’s insurance company. If you are a renter, your landlord will need to report the fire for the structure to their company. You should be able to report to your renter’s insurance for personal belongings. 

Professional restoration companies will typically work directly with your insurance company, but you should be prepared for the process as well. These are some things you might ask about: 

• Get a copy of the policy and know what provisions you are eligible for
• Ask about temporary housing or somewhere to stay (often covered by the policy)
• Document all damages and damaged items with photos, notes, and even videos

You will need to provide documentation to your insurance provider, and they will likely send an assessor to the property as well. 

Secure the Property

Fires don’t just affect the interior of a property. They might leave your structure uninhabitable or exposed. When you bring in a restoration service, they may offer services to tarp or board your home while cleanup and repairs are made. If not, you need to prioritize these steps to protect what is left of the home and anything inside. Boarding and tarping help to protect the structure from the elements, but also from intruders. 

You can set up temporary fencing around the perimeter, board up windows or doors, and tarp any roof openings. Your insurance company may require this step as it secures the home and prevents damage and theft. 

Restoration and Cleanup

It’s time to start cleaning up and restoring your property. Those expert restoration services will handle most of the details, but you should be aware of what to expect. These companies are highly trained in safety and the steps to take. They also have industrial equipment to get it done right. Here is what restoration and cleanup include: 

• Remove debris and damaged materials
• Clean soot, smoke, and water damage
• Dry the property to prevent mold growth
• Repair and rebuild as needed

There are multiple steps to the cleanup process, from cleaning up soot to removing smoke odors. Your restoration company will know exactly what to do to restore your home to its pre-fire condition. 

Take Care of You

The aftermath of a fire doesn’t just leave behind structural damage. It often leaves behind mental and emotional trauma as well. This will include you and the family that was affected. That emotional toll can linger long after things return to normal. If you feel grief, anxiety, or helplessness, you are not alone. Take the time to take care of yourself and seek counseling or treatment when needed. 

There are many ways to find support, it’s not always seeing a therapist. You can join a support group, keep in touch with your friends and family, and give yourself permission to work on recovery. Healing comes from taking care of these needs. 

Final Thoughts

A house fire might leave a person feeling completely lost, but the important thing to remember is that you are not alone. You have emergency services professionals, insurance providers, expert restoration, and compassionate people in the community all there to support you and help you through it. These six steps are a great way to help set you on the path to recovery. Take the time you need to manage, rebuild, and restore so you can get back to normal and move forward.