Fire Restoration Tips to Safely Deal with the Aftermath

A fire in your home can be a terrifying experience that can cause a great deal of damage. Each year there are more than 350,000 home fires in America. Cooking fires are the most common, accounting for nearly 50% of all fires each year. Small space heaters, candles, smoking, and electrical problems are also common causes of fires in the home. Although you may be inclined to clean up the mess left by a fire in your home, it’s best to get help from a fire restoration company. However, there are some things you can do to keep your home safe until your professional restoration team can get to your home.

What to Do After a Small Home Fire

1. Contact a Fire Restoration Company

Cleaning up after a fire isn’t the same as cleaning up a messy kitchen or bathroom.  There will be toxic elements in your home. There may also be structural damage. Your ducts may need to be cleaned, and you’ll likely need help to remove the smoke and odor left after a fire. So, you should contact an emergency fire restoration company as soon as possible.

2. Notify Your Insurance Company

Once the fire is safely out, you should notify your insurance company of the fire as soon as possible. This will get your claim started and can expedite your reimbursement.

3. Turn off HVAC System

If the fire in your home is serious, the fire department may turn off your HVAC system when they arrive. If you have extinguished a small kitchen fire, you should turn your air conditioner or heating system off as soon as possible. If you don’t turn them off, they are likely to spread soot and particles throughout your house.

4. Open Your Windows

After a fire in your home has been completely extinguished, you should open all windows as soon as you can. This will help to ventilate your home. Likewise, after the fire department says that it is safe, you may turn on fans or an air purifier if you have one. This can help ventilate and clean the indoor air.

5. Change HVAC Filters

You’ll need to change the filters of your HVAC system as soon as possible. You’ll need clean, effective filters to be able to handle the heavy smoke, particles, and debris in your indoor air.

6. Avoid Fire Damaged Areas

Try as you might, it will be difficult to prevent soot, ash, and stains from spreading throughout your house if you continue to walk into the area of the fire. Soot can easily become trapped in rugs, carpets, and towels. Dirty fingers can leave marks on furniture, walls, blankets, and clothing. Avoid the damaged area of your home as much as possible until after your fire restoration company has been out to clean up.

7. Do Your Best to Document Damage

Insurance companies will need proof of items damaged in a house fire, so it’s smart to begin photographing all damage you see as soon as it is safe to do so. This should be done before your restoration company repairs the damaged area.

8. Plan to Stay Somewhere Else for a Few Days

After a fire, your home is likely to be smoky or covered in soot. Arrange to stay with a family member, friends, or in a hotel for the first few days after a fire. This will give the emergency restoration company time to make necessary repairs and thoroughly clean your home so that it is safe for you and your family again.

Emergency Fire Restoration Services in Oregon

ProKleen provides Southern Oregon with award-winning fire restoration services, using safe, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly products. 100% Green Sealed Certified and Hypoallergenic organic cleaning solutions are available upon request. To schedule 24-hour emergency restoration service call 541-857-1818.