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In the Aftermath: Picking Up the Pieces of Your Life Following a Fire
A house fire is a disaster that no one is truly prepared for. Hopefully, you have discussed escape routes and meetup points with your family just in case, but do you really know what to do in the event of a fire?
There’s not just fire damage to deal with afterward. There will be smoke and water damage as well, and a laundry list of things that you need to deal with as soon as possible. Should the unfortunate happen to you or someone you know, here are a few of the most important things to remember after a house fire.
Just After the Fire
First, call the emergency number in your area and make sure all of your family members are accounted for. If everyone is safe, then move as far away from the fire as you can. This will keep you safe from not only burns, but smoke inhalation as well. You will also be out of the way of the firefighters, so they can do their job quickly and efficiently.
Never enter a burning house to save your possessions. Sure, you will be sad to see those keepsakes go, but it’s not worth the risk to your personal safety to save material things.
When it’s safe to do so, take as many pictures as you can of the resulting damage for insurance purposes. Oftentimes, fire-damaged structures are torn down if they are beyond repair, so the pictures you take will supplement the ones that your insurance company does.
The Insurance Company
Besides taking pictures, you should write a list of everything that you lost in the fire. This includes books, televisions and computers, dishes, furniture — anything that you will need to replace. Along with the money for the house, you should receive compensation for your belongings.
Sometimes, you can ask your insurance company for an advance on the insurance so you can purchase essential items like food and toiletries. If you do this, only use the money for important things. Your insurance will not reimburse you for spending money on frivolous things, so stick to the essentials and you’ll be fine.
Also, file your claim as soon as you can, and make it clear that you want it settled quickly. Some companies will drag their feet for claims, so you need to stay on them to get it finished.
Cleaning Up
If the fire didn’t destroy your home, you will eventually have to clean up so you can live there once again. Besides the fire damage, there will be smoke-stained furniture and walls and water-damaged floors and ceilings.
You can choose to have professionals clean your house for you. Sites like restorationeze.com offer solutions to water damage and other resulting problems after a fire. Professionals know what they are doing, so the task of cleaning up will be quicker than if you do it yourself.
If you do want to tackle cleanup yourself, then there are a few things to remember.
Try not to touch objects that are burned more than you need to. These things will be covered in soot, fine particles that can float in the air and get into your lungs. Do not use cleaning solutions before you vacuum, because they will drive the soot deeper into the material, making it impossible to remove. Rather, vacuum all salvageable items first and then use cleaning solutions. Most importantly, cover you mouth and nose with a handkerchief when you clean to avoid inhaling dangerous substances.
Moving On
Eventually, you will need to move on with your life, whether it’s in a new home or your refurbished old one. Some communities have fire support groups that help victims cope with the loss as well as providing financial support if needed. Check to see if there is one in your area.
There are also national groups such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army that offer assistance to victims of house fires. Reaching out to any of these groups can be the first step in dealing with the loss of your home and moving on. They not only provide advice, but they can also give you blankets, pillows, food and clothing to help. Oftentimes, the littlest creature comforts can go a long way in helping you heal.
Hopefully, you will never have to deal with a house fire. If you do find yourself with questions after a fire, remember these tips and start rebuilding your life.
Anthony Baldwin works for a home insurance company and is often advising on flood, fire or other heartbreaking house catastrophe. As well as practical matters he tries to offer people support and some hope in the aftermath.
