What to do After a House Fire Occurs
10/25/2018 (Permalink)
After a fire there are a number of steps to consider. The to-do list can seem endless, especially if your Smith Village, OK, home is in need of fire restoration or smoke cleaning. Tackling things one step at a time can help things feel more manageable. Here are a few good first steps.
1. Make Sure Everyone is Safe
After a fire your first priority should be making sure that everyone is safe. This includes taking care of any medical needs, finding a safe place for pets, and informing close friends and family that everyone is okay. You may even want to locate an alternate place to stay depending on the amount of damage to your home. With everyone taken care of you can begin focusing on your home’s restoration.
2. Contact Your Insurance Company
It’s important to contact your insurance company as quickly as possible in order to get the fire restoration process underway. Most fire insurance coverage includes repairs and restoration, although it’s a good idea to know what’s in your policy beforehand. Your insurance agent may even recommend a fire damage professional who can take care of the cleanup and restoration of your home. Your agent should also be able to help your with the claim process.
3. Contact the Recommended Fire Damage Professionals
Your fire insurance should cover repairs and restoration for your home in most scenarios. This can include smoke cleaning as well. Contacting a professional for cleanup may be your best option. Many insurance companies may even take care of making these arrangements for you. These professionals are well versed in every step of the restoration process, and can take care of any cleaning, sanitation and restoration that may be needed.
The right fire restoration team can take care of your damage and repair needs allowing you to focus on your family. Many insurance companies have fire damage professionals they recommend, and your agent should be able to walk you through the steps of your claim.