Winter season comes with a high risk of fire damage, and fire damage comes with a lot of problems. After the fire service department makes all efforts to quench the fire, the water could quickly become a source of mold and mildew growth. Damaged roofs cave in, and soot and ash affect air quality. 

We know that this disaster can lead to both financial and emotional stress. What do you do after fire damage? How do you gain normalcy after terrible fires have disrupted everything in your life?

Here are 8 steps to take after experiencing a fire:

1. Notify the police: Let the police know that your home will be temporarily vacant. You don’t want people to take things in your house because they think it’s empty. You also don’t want unwanted guests (rodents, cockroaches, insects), thinking your home is suitable for them to thrive.
2. Take care of yourself and your family. Take care of your physical and emotional needs first. If any family member sustains an injury, ensure that they receive medical attention. Notify your local disaster relief (Salvation Army) if there is a need to. Ensure that you and your family are safe. Remember, safety first.
3. Notify utility providers: Call all utility providers (water, gas, electricity) and tell them about the fire.
4. Examine your home: Get permission from fire department officials before you re-enter your home. It is important to ask the firefighters/ fire service companies if it is safe to enter your home. You don’t want to inhale toxic gases or smoldering smoke. If they give the go-ahead, check around the space for relevant documents such as social security card, birth certificate, death certificate, medical cards, driver’s license, heirlooms, and other valuable items. Start the process of replacing items that were lost in the fire.
5. Keep records: Keep a record of items that may have been damaged during the fire. This record may include pieces of written and verbal communication, receipts, photographs, documents, and anything that would be relevant to the police or your insurance company. 
6. Call home insurance company: Get a copy of the fire report for insurance purposes. Also, see a record of all the things that were damaged. Find out your policy coverage and your needs.
7. Alert family: Call loved ones and let them know of your current situation. Inform family and friends if anything goes wrong. It is good to have a support system that can help you process through the entire situation. If you have children, let their teachers know and any other individual that may need to know.
8. Accept professional help: We help remove items that were totally destroyed during the fire. Don’t try to clean smoke or soot damage all by yourself. Please, leave it to us. It may be hard to lose control of the structure and state of your house, but don’t fret, we would be there to help every step of the way.