Are you unsure of what steps to take right after experiencing a house fire in your home?
For the majority of us, witnessing a house fire in our home is one of the most stressful situations we ever experience in our lives. House fires don’t only temporarily damage your home and make it unsuitable for living for many days to come, but they also disturb you emotionally.
The thought of your family members being in harm’s way or possibly getting injured due to the fire can be terrifying. This is why it’s not always easy for everyone to stay calm and think practically about what to do next in such a high-pressure moment. Continue reading this article to find out what steps to take right after experiencing a house fire in your home. Following these steps will help you protect your home and restore it quickly so that you can go back to living in it comfortably.
Leave the Premises and Tell Others to do the Same
The first thing to do after your home catches fire is to always leave the premises. We understand that your first instinct will be to put out the fire and you should definitely try to do so if you have access to a fire extinguisher. However, you must remember that house fires are highly dangerous and spread quickly throughout a home.
This is why you shouldn’t waste too much time in trying to put out a fire and leave the house before the fire gets worse. Make sure you inform all your family members about the fire as you’re making your way out so they can exit the premises safely too.
Call the Fire Department
The next thing to do if your home ever catches fire is to call the fire department once you are at a safe distance from the house. Immediately call 911 to get in touch with the fire department and ask them emergency help. They will quickly reach your house with the equipment and team of fire fighters to put out the fire and protect your home from further damage.
Even if it was a small fire and you have been able to put it out yourself, you must call the fire department so that they can do a detailed assessment of your property and tell you if it’s safe to re-enter your house.
Contact Your Insurance Company
After the fire has been safely put out, you should call your insurance company right away if your house is covered by insurance. Your insurance agent will come to your house to assess the damage to the property and then authorize you to call a restoration company.
Call a Fire Damage Restoration Company
After this, you can finally call a fire damage restoration company to handle the mess. The fire damage restoration company will send an emergency team to your house. This team will help to minimize the damage to your home by pumping standing water out and making your home secure against break-ins. They will also assess the damage to your property and give you an estimate for the number of days the restoration process will take.
