The aftermath of a household or business fire is overwhelming, and can leave you frozen in your tracks, wondering what to do next. Luckily there are professional fire damage restoration companies like 1st Choice Solutions that can help you return your life to normalcy and reduce the amount of stress you experience from this painful endeavor. Here are some tips on what you can do after experiencing an indoor fire to get the recovery process started.
Always Put Your Safety First
Both during and after a fire, it is important to always make safety your first priority. Just because the fire has been put out, does not mean your property is free of dangerous risks. Smoke can create a situation that can be harmful to your lungs and overall health. Your electronic devices can present a risk of electrical shock because of the damage they experienced or their exposure to water. These are just a few of the risks that may be presented to you upon entering your property after a fire. Make sure to take the advice of professionals into consideration and avoid putting yourself or those around you at risk.
Contact Your Insurance Company & Professional Fire Damage Restoration Company
After the fire it will be important to contact your insurance company right away. They will generally need information or documentation that you will need to collect before any of the restoration work begins, so it will be important to know right away. They also may choose to send over an adjuster to see the damage and create a report.
It is also important to contact your chosen fire damage restoration company right away. If you work with the right company like 1st Choice Solutions, they will be aware of insurance protocols and may even help you with the claims process by providing helpful advice and insight. When it comes to fire damage, there is often also water and mold damage from when the fire is put out. This creates a highly complex situation that should be assessed within 24 hours of an emergency in order to mitigate further damage.
Limit Your Movement
Fire and water damage can weaken the structure of your home, creating a potentially harmful situation from collapsing or weak materials. Until you have a professional come to secure the area, it is best to avoid the risk of entering your home or business. If you do need to enter the property, be sure to limit your movement in order to try and avoid a dangerous situation.
Avoid Cleaning Soot And Smoke Damage Without A Professional
You may think it would be helpful to start cleaning your home before your restoration company arrives. The truth is that soot and smoke are terribly difficult to remove, and can sometimes be made worse by conventional cleaning. They can also release contaminants, chemicals, and other particles into the air and cause irritation and health risks.
At 1st Choice Solutions, we understand that experiencing a fire can be traumatic, and one of the most difficult life experiences one might experience. That is why we make it a priority to offer 24/7 emergency services, providing the support you need in such a difficult time. Don’t waste any time when it comes to dealing with fire damage, contact 1st Choice Solutions to start on your fire damage restoration process today.
