to Do After a House Fire

5 Things to Do & Not to Do After a House Fire (Guide)

Fire Restoration

What to Do After a House Fire

A house fire is an event no one ever hopes to experience. Its aftermath can be overwhelming, bringing feelings of devastation, sadness, and anxiety. The damage caused by a fire can range from partial to complete destruction of the home and its contents, with some losses being permanent if immediate action isn’t taken to contain the fire.

While the experience can be emotionally draining, it’s important to stay focused on recovery and planning the next steps. Knowing what actions to take—and what to avoid—after a house fire can help you navigate this challenging time more effectively and work toward rebuilding.

To avert any further disaster, it is important to call firefighters to help properly put out the fire from your house to avoid any further fire outbreak.

This is necessary because some particles might still have a bit of flames on them that are capable of igniting another fire again. Fire fighters will help conduct a proper quenching of the fire to avoid the above from happening.

What To Do After a House Fire

1) Call 911 | To Do After a House Fire

Put a call through to the official emergency line for aid where needed.

2) Confirm your safety to friends and family | To Do After a House Fire

Find every possible means to inform your families and friends about the house fire and let them know that you are safe.

3) Inform your insurance company | To Do After a House Fire

After the burning of a house, it is proper for you to conduct a personal check to know the extent of the damage because of the questions that will be asked by your insurance company.

After doing that, place a call or find any possible means to get across to your insurance company and give them the full details of what transpired, and its effects on your house.

Part of the information that might be needed at this stage includes:

Time and the day of the incident

Location of the house

Extent of the damage

Although you may request a fire report from the fire station that came to quench the fire, this might take a little longer than expected. That is why it is important for you to conduct a personal check which will give you every information needed while informing your insurance company.

4) Take pictures of the affected house | To Do After a House Fire

Another important step you must take after a house fire is to take proper pictures of the house and most importantly, every affected part of the house.

This is necessary for record keeping purposes but most importantly, it will be needed when giving your insurance company updates about the event. Backing your claims up with pictures would hasten steps to be taken by your insurance company.

5) Filling of your insurance claim paperwork | To Do After a House Fire

Before any financial compensation would be made by your insurance company, you have to fill your insurance claim form.

What is expected to be in the form is information about the house fire. It is advisable to pay attention to every information that you will supply when you are filling the claim form and make sure the information’s are well detailed and completed because it will be the basis for which your insurance company will award a certain amount of money to you.

6) Cross-check your insurance’s company estimation before signing it | To Do After a House Fire

After supplying necessary information and filling your insurance claim form, your insurance company will return to you with an estimation.

Before signing the estimation, make sure you go through it, making sure that you are satisfied with it, but if you have any complaint, it is advisable that you call their attention to it b4 signing it.

You may be at a loss if you did not make sure the estimation is satisfactory to you before you sign it. Signing it means you are okay with the estimation.

7) Find a place to stay | To Do After a House Fire

It is not advisable for you to return to a fire-damaged house immediately after the unpleasant incident. It is understandable how emotionally down you are and the extent to which you want to fix the damaged house, but it is advisable to wait for local fire authorities to declare it safe for you to return.

Pending that time, you have to find a place to stay, be it with family members, friends, hotel or a motel.

What Not To Do After A House Fire

1) Don’t stay in the house | What Not to Do After A House Fire

One of the things you should avoid doing after a house fire is never to remain in the house. You should leave immediately because it is very dangerous.

Vacating the house will give a chance for firefighters to conduct a thorough check to avoid any further fire outbreak. You have to wait until the fire fighters declare it safe for you to return to the house.

2) Don’t use any electrical appliances | What Not to Do After A House Fire

After a house fire, do not make an attempt to use any electrical appliances, it might ignite another fire and cause further damage.

Make sure you have the order of the professional electrical service providers before you make any attempt to put on or use any electrical appliances.

3) Do not dispose affected properties | What Not to Do After House Fire

Avoid disposing of any property affected during the fire outbreak. Wait for an expert to do a cross check of the properties and wait for their order before throwing any of the affected properties away.

4) Don’t conduct any washing or cleaning | What Not to Do After House Fire

You will definitely be eager to get things back in place after the house fire, but it is advisable you allow an expert to confirm that it is safe to do that.

Do not attempt to wash any property until it all underwent necessary treatment from a specialist smoke removal.

5) Don’t turn on water and gas | What Not to Do After House Fire

Turning on water and gas might be very dangerous. Truthfully, you need these things, but wait for a professional to satisfy it as okay for use before using any of them.

Conclusion


Experiencing a fire in your home is a devastating ordeal that no one wishes to face. However, if it happens, maintaining your composure is crucial. While the emotional impact and potential loss of property can be overwhelming, it’s essential not to let emotions or urgency cloud your judgment.

The best course of action is to contact professionals who can guide you through the necessary steps to ensure your safety and prevent further damage. Trust their expertise to help you navigate this challenging situation effectively and safely.

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When faced with water damage and potential mold growth, choosing the right restoration company is crucial. Here’s why Puroclean of Rockwall stands out as your trusted partner in the Dallas area including Rockwall, Richardson, Plano and  Environs: 

  • Local Expertise: We are a locally owned and operated company with extensive experience serving Rockwall  and surrounding areas. We understand the unique challenges associated with water damage in our region, from seasonal weather patterns to specific building materials commonly used in our communities.
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  • for convenient hours. We offer 24/7 emergency response to minimize further damage and get the restoration process started swiftly. Our prompt response time ensures your property suffers less and recovers faster. 
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  • Open Communication & Transparency: We believe in clear communication throughout the remediation process. Our team will keep you informed of every step, answer your questions promptly, and address any concerns you may have. 
  • Commitment to Customer Satisfaction: Your satisfaction is our top priority. We are dedicated to exceeding your expectations by providing exceptional service, high-quality workmanship, and a commitment to restoring your property to its pre-damage condition. 

Safeguard Your Property and Reclaim Your Peace of Mind

Don’t let water damage or mold take control of your space. Call PuroClean of Rockwall today at (972) 961-4333 for a free consultation. Let us help you navigate the restoration process and restore your property swiftly, safely, and effectively.

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