A house fire’s aftermath can be tremendously emotionally and physically destructive. People can be killed, lives lost, and your home and valuables can be severely damaged or destroyed.
House fires are something we should all work hard to avoid. Therefore, we’re giving a few ways to reduce your chances of being a victim of fire damage. And, if you ever have a house fire, we’ve highlighted the first actions you should take.
How to Avoid House Fires
You can prevent a house fire by assessing heating sources, cleaning your dryer vent, and carefully storing any flammable household or beauty goods. To prevent fire damage, however, every homeowner and renter should take three crucial steps.
Here’s what you should do right away:
– Check Smoke Alarms Regularly: Your smoke alarms include a button you can press to confirm they’re working properly, which the fire administration suggests you do periodically. Make a monthly phone reminder. If the smoke alarm starts to beep, it warns that new batteries are needed immediately.
– Never Ignore Potential Hazards Unattended: A fire can start in seconds, so you should be cautious of potential fire hazards. Leave food cooking on the stove alone, and leave candles burning when you are not home.
– Keep Fire Extinguishers on Hand: If a fire starts, it’s wise to keep a fire extinguisher nearby and easily accessible. Please place it in your kitchen and take a moment to learn how to use it, so you’re ready in an emergency.
Every level of your home, including the attic, basement, and garage, should contain at least one fire extinguisher. Your home’s size will also determine the number of fire extinguishers you need. The guidelines, for example, say that there should be no more than 75 feet between fire extinguishers.
How to Respond to a Fire
If you are in an unfortunate house fire situation, you probably feel overwhelmed and bewildered about what to do next. Following communication with the fire department and a reliable restoration business such as Reztor Restoration, here are a few things you can do following a fire:
Consider Checking up on Your Family
House fires can cause you, and everyone affected to experience post-traumatic stress disorder for some time. That is why you should contact any friends or family members who were present during the fire. It is critical to assess their physical and emotional well-being. Not to mention checking in with yourself.
Also, keep an eye on anyone suffering from smoke inhalation. These are common symptoms of smoke inhalation: hoarse voice, trouble breathing, long coughing episodes, and mental confusion.
Ensure that everyone who has been exposed to the fire is checked out by emergency medical personnel or transferred to a nearby hospital.
After you’ve checked on people directly affected by the fire, contact any friends or family members who can offer you support. You’ll need someone you can talk to and rely on to help you overcome a difficult period.
Contact Your Insurance Provider
The next step is to contact your insurance carrier. Please give them a copy of the fire report, which you may obtain from the fire department that responded to the incident.
Your homeowner’s insurance company will have lots of expertise in property restoration following fire and smoke damage. We will guide you through the insurance procedure. If you need assistance locating a temporary place to stay or with living expenses, your insurance provider can help.
Determine the Amount of Damage
After you’ve arranged temporary housing and settled in, consult with your restoration business regarding the damage. Fire and smoke damage may wreak havoc on your home, generating problems that are only sometimes obvious. Fires can also cause significant structural damage, making it dangerous to re-enter your property. Smoke and soot from the fire might ruin your belongings.
Both durable and soft furnishings collect smoke and harmful substances, necessitating professional cleaning. Deodorising products can remove leftover smoke odours after a thorough cleaning. Certain Reztor Restoration offices can perform this cleaning in-house or outsource it to reputable vendors.
Homeowners can often save their homes, and fire damage restoration can begin. Often, the only option is to demolish and rebuild the house. Reztor Restoration will be able to assess what needs to be done, provide an accurate timeline for repairs and restoration, and walk you through the entire process – from beginning to end.
Reztor Restoration is a name you can trust.
Reztor Restoration is always available to assist you in restoring your home and belongings after a fire. We will safely remove and clean any damaged components from your home, restoring it to its pre-damaged condition. Above all, our goal is to get you and your family back on your feet as soon as possible.
