Do You Know What to Do After a Home Fire?

12/15/2017 (Permalink)

Do You Know What to Do After a Home Fire?

A home fire in South Oceanside, California is a life-changing event, and it’s important to know what to do after the initial shock. Fire restoration is only one of the aspects to be addressed and is best left to a local restoration company. Here’s what you should do after you made it out of your home safely and the fire authorities say it’s safe to return to your property.

1. Contact Your Insurance Company

If you have fire insurance, the first step is to contact your insurance company and inform them about the fire. They will tell you what to do next, which is most likely taking photos of all damaged belongings, making a list and noting how much you paid for these items. Be sure to get a copy of the fire report from the fire department or marshal’s office. Your insurance agency might even pay for professional fire restoration and inform you to not touch any damaged items until after assessment of the damage.

2. Deal With Finances and Documents

Contact your mortgage lender and let them know what happened. If credit cards got damaged, contact your financial institution and request replacements. Locate important records and documents, such as your driver’s license, passports and social security cards, to see if they need to be replaced. Be sure to keep track of all expenses related to the damage and fire restoration to be able to provide them to your insurance company and the IRS.

3. Get Assistance

Depending on how widespread the damage is, you might not be able to stay in your home, or it might be advisable to not to. Contact organizations that can help you get back on your feet, such as The American Red Cross, Salvation Army, religious organizations and public agencies, just to name a few. Furthermore, it’s recommended to reach out to a local restoration company to start the process of smoke cleaning and restoration.

The most important aspect after a home fire in South Oceanside, California is to take care of yourself and get back on your feet. Restoration after a fire and smoke cleaning can be handled by professionals so you are able to focus on yourself.
Visit http://www.SERVPROfallbrooksouthoceanside.com for more information on fire damage.