In Case of a Fire
Fires will often happen quickly and without warning, though most homeowners rarely experience a fire. Your life and plans could suddenly change due to such a disaster. If a fire does occur, here are some helpful tips you may refer to immediately following a fire.
1. Call 911
The first thing you need to do is report the fire to your local fire station. They will ask you questions regarding your situation in order to dispatch the right people to help you.
1. Contact your insurance company
After contacting your local fire department, you will need to call your insurance agent. They will give you valuable information regarding your coverage, as well as where to stay if your home is uninhabitable. Your insurance company will usually dispatch an insurance adjuster to evaluate the damage either that day or on the next business day.
2. Contact a reputable restoration company
You will need to choose a restoration contractor (such as National Flood and Fire Network) you are comfortable with. Your insurance company may recommend contractors in your area, but the final decision is yours alone. Your insurance company will pay the reasonable repair costs for most reputable companies. A restoration company will be able to help with the following details regarding the process.
3. Secure the premises
Firemen often need to break doors or windows in order to enter the house or evacuate the smoke as quickly as possible. These damages, as well as those caused by the fire, need to be boarded up or covered as protection from weather or theft.
4. Restore the power
The power is usually shut off to the house as a precaution. The flames could have burned through and exposed live wires which would potentially short and start another fire. The power company will need to inspect the building before they allow the power to be restored. A qualified electrician is needed to separate the damaged circuits and restore power to the house.
5. Turn on the water
For major fires, the water is shut off by the fire department. This prevents additional water damage to the property, including the pipes. The water utilities will need to be checked and turned back on before the cleaning process can proceed.
6. Restore the gas
The gas is also shut off as a safety precaution. A plumber is needed to check the gas connections and to work with your property’s gas company to restore the service.