When a house fire strikes, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and unsure of how to proceed. Once you’ve ensured the well-being of your family above all else, your mind will turn to fire damage restoration. The following guide will help you sort through what remains and recoup what was lost. 

What to Do After Experiencing a Home Fire

1. Contact the Fire Department

The flames may be out, but it’s not safe to reenter the home until you have the go-ahead from your fire department. The fire may have caused structural damage, and remaining soot and dirty water could pose health risks. Go over the fire report with officials so you have a full understanding of what to expect on the inside and how to proceed. Also, make sure to get a copy of the report for your own records and to show to your insurance provider.

2. Call Your Insurance Company

As soon as possible, call your insurance agent so they can visit the property soon after the damage is done. They'll most likely need to perform an inspection and take pictures for your claim for fire damage restoration and cleaning.

3. Find Temporary Housing

Even if the fire didn’t extend across the entirety of the house, you'll still need to relocate until the cleaning has finished. Breathing in soot and smoke is dangerous for your health, and it's possible the water used to put out the fire could quickly foster mold growth. Staying somewhere else will protect you from these dangers and any unseen structural or electrical hazards. 

4. Start an Inventory List

Once you've been given the go-ahead to enter the home, try to find all valuable documents and records. If these were destroyed, they'll be the first items that need replacing. Next, make an inventory of everything that was lost, as this will be needed for your insurance claim. After you've figured out what can be salvaged and what is gone, you can then have a fire damage restoration service begin work. 

For fast action following a house fire, contact the professionals at PuroClean® of Northwest Fort Worth in Texas. With over 20 years of disaster recovery experience, they are a leader in the restoration industry. Their technicians arrive within one to two hours of being called and use state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to maximize the likelihood of saving your property. They also work directly with your insurance agent every step of the way so everyone knows what to expect. Call them at (817) 953-5151 for emergency water or fire damage restoration, and visit their website to learn more about their services.