WHAT TO DO AFTER A HOUSE FIRE: YOUR FIRST 6 STEPS

The trauma of watching your house go up in flames can leave you feeling helpless and alone. It’s an enormous, stressful burden, and it can be difficult to know how to begin getting your home and your life back. Fire restoration is possible in many situations, but you’ll need to navigate the system carefully to get things underway. Not sure where to begin? Follow these steps after a fire to stay safe and get your fire restoration started quickly.

WHAT TO DO AFTER A HOUSE FIRE

1. Safety First: Your first step is to make sure your family and pets are healthy and uninjured. Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention if the fire department or ambulance crew suggests it, as smoke inhalation can be serious.
2. Seek Shelter: Make sure you have temporary shelter, food and any medications you may need. If you don’t have family or friends nearby, contact the Red Cross for emergency assistance.
3. Call Your Insurance Company: Your homeowners insurance agent will let you know what you need to do to file a claim. Don’t forget that your policy may include funds for temporary housing, so be sure to follow all of their directions to get the money you need to find a place to live.
4. Contact the Police: Let the police know that your home is now unoccupied and vulnerable to the elements. They may add extra surveillance if needed to discourage looters.
5. Protect Your Valuables: Get permission from the fire department to re-enter your home if possible to remove valuables and gather important paperwork. If the structure is unsafe, seek their advice for how to proceed. You may also need to board up holes in the roof or walls to protect items from the elements.
6. Contact a Professional for Fire Restoration: Once you have instructions from your insurance company, call a pro to clean up your home and make repairs. They know how to deal with unsafe structures, smoke damage, water damage and more — this is not a DIY job! They’re also experts at working with insurance companies and will talk you through the process.

If you’ve had a fire and need help with repairs, contact A & A Property Restoration in Minneapolis, MN for professional advice and over 30 years of experience helping MInnesotans get their lives back after a fire.