Most people have no idea what to do during a crisis like a fire at your home or business. It’s uncharted territory. Here are some tips for property owners when facing the aftermath of a large or small fire at their property.
Safety First
Your local fire marshal will let you know when it is safe to re-enter the property. Wait until they tell you the structure is safe.
Hands Off
Do not handle fire-damaged or smoke-damaged materials with your bare hands. The residue may contain biohazard contaminants, and your hands’ natural oils may worsen the damage caused by soot.
Secondary Expenses
Your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover secondary expenses like hotel rooms if you don’t have a functioning kitchen or bathroom in your home due to a fire. Keep your receipts!
Important Items to Salvage if Possible
Important items to salvage if possible are the following:
- Insurance documents
- Tax documents
- Jewelry
- Precious heirlooms
- Etc.
Your restoration team can pack other items out for storage off-site during the cleaning and reconstruction process.
Be Prepared for Water Damage
The water from fire hoses will have flooded certain areas of your home, leaving behind a soggy mess. That will need to be mitigated along with the fire damage itself.
Ask Before You Launder
Standard laundry detergents will not remove the lingering odors caused by smoke or soot. Ask your restoration company about how your textiles can be laundered and restored.