What to Do in the Event of a House Fire

House fires are stressful events that can plague your home at any time. Due to the urgency of responding to a fire, it’s essential to know what to do in advance. By planning, you can be sure that you are taking the necessary steps to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your belongings.

The Common Cause of House Fires

The number one cause of house fires is unattended cooking. While preparing food in the kitchen, never leave your stove or oven unsupervised while in use. If you must leave the kitchen for any reason, always remember to turn off the appliance first.

Grease buildup can also lead to kitchen blunders. Grease can accumulate and catch fire at high temperatures. Fondue burners, for example, can seem relatively harmless, but the heat they produce can quickly escalate. Never add fuel to a fondue burner when it’s hot.

Other common causes of house fires include:

• Electrical wiring
• Flammable objects
• Candles

What To Do Before and During a House Fire

You can do a few things to prepare for a house fire emergency if one occurs. We discuss them in detail below.

Design an Escape Plan Beforehand

Before a house fire emergency, you can devise an escape plan consisting of two ways out of every room, ensuring that everyone in your household knows how to exit safely during a fire. Go over necessary details with children, so they understand the importance of getting out quickly. 

Do not reenter your home for any reason in an actual fire emergency. The structure can become unstable and collapse, and smoke fumes can cause bodily harm. 

Call the Fire Department

Once you have evacuated the house, call the fire department immediately. Do not attempt to extinguish the fire yourself. Please let the professionals handle the blaze.

What Do I Do After a House Fire?

A house fire is a traumatic event that can be overwhelming and difficult to process in the immediate aftermath. After you have extinguished the flames and ensured that everyone in your household is safe, you will need to take some time to assess the damage.

Conduct a Safety Check

The first thing you should do is check for safety. The fire department will determine whether the property is safe to enter and that there is no further fire danger. If you do so before the all-clear is given, you may be at risk since the home’s structural integrity may be compromised.

Notify Your Insurance Agent

After you have received permission to reenter the property, it is time to inform your insurance agent about the fire. They will be able to help you assess the damage and begin the process of filing a claim.

Hire a Property Restoration Company

With your insurance agent informed, the next step is to hire a property restoration company. Your insurance agent may advise you about finding a company if you’re unsure about this step. Hiring a reputable disaster restoration company is essential, as the damage may be extensive and require skilled professionals to repair it. Property damage experts have the experience and equipment necessary to remediate the damage caused by the fire efficiently.

Clean and Salvage Items

When the property restoration company has concluded its work, it will be time to begin cleaning and salvaging personal items. Although a daunting task, it’s important to remember to take your time and to be thorough during this process.

You may need to replace or discard items that the fire or smoke has damaged. A thorough cleaning can restore salvageable items to their pre-fire condition. For example, you may use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove stubborn soot from carpets and upholstery.

You can begin rebuilding your home after cleaning and salvaging personal belongings. It will be a long and challenging process, but with the help of a professional restoration company, it is possible to restore your home to its original condition.

We understand that the days, weeks, and even months after a house fire can be a difficult time, but with the right help and know-how, you can overcome the challenges. With support, you can begin rebuilding your life and your home. 

Is It Safe to Live in a Fire-Damaged Home?

No, living in a home affected by fire or smoke is not safe. The smoke and soot from the fire that may still linger in the air can cause serious health problems, including respiratory ailments such as asthma, bronchitis, and lung cancer. 

Additionally, the chemicals used to extinguish the flames can be dangerous. It is essential to have a professional restoration company clean and repair the damage caused by the fire before you resume living as usual in your home again. 

When Can I Move Back Into My Home?

For the safety of everyone in your household, moving back into your home is recommended after the fire damage restoration is done and the house has passed a safety inspection. The fire’s size will likely affect your home’s repair time, which can take weeks or even months. 

Always follow the advice of your insurance agent and professional restoration company to ensure your home is safe to inhabit before moving back in.

For Professional Fire Damage Restoration Services, Contact PuroClean

For professional and immediate fire damage repair or smoke remediation services, do not hesitate to contact PuroClean. As “The Paramedics of Property Damage®,” we are the first responders to your commercial property emergency. Our experienced and highly-trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To schedule an appointment with your local PuroClean office, please visit our website or call us at (877) 261-7876.