Returning to your Lexington home after a Fire
4/29/2022 (Permalink)
Home structure fires pose a significant, potentially deadly threat. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 358,300 home structure fires per year between 2010 and 2014. A host of factors can contribute to home fires. Cooking equipment, heating equipment and electrical distribution and lighting equipment can spark home structure fires. In such instances, homeowners may soon pick up the pieces after their homes and many of their possessions have burned to the ground. Here are some tips to help recover after your home has fallen victim to a structure fire.
- Recognize the need to be patient. When a home is on fire, firefighters may take specific actions to ensure the fire is completely extinguished. For example, holes might be drilled in the walls of homes to make sure there are no hidden flames. In addition, holes may be cut in the roof to let out heat and smoke. Such actions can save lives and even homes, but the resulting cleanup can be time-consuming. When returning home for the first time after a fire, men and women must recognize the need to remain patient as they formulate and execute a plan to clean up their homes. In addition, the property may need to be boarded up and tarped to prevent additional damage from weather and vandalism. At SERVPRO of Lexington/Thomasville we offer emergency boarding and tarping to help homeowners figure out their next steps.
- Contact a disaster relief service. The local branch of a disaster relief service like the Salvation Army or American red Cross can help victims of home structure fires find lodging, food, clothing, and medicine. Don’t hesitate to reach out to such organizations for assistance.
- Do not enter the home until the fire department deems it safe to do so. Even fires that appear to be out can start again. In addition, the USFA advises that roofs and floors, even those that appear sturdy to the naked eye, can still fall down after the blaze has been extinguished. Avoid entering a home until you have been given the go-ahead by the local fire department.
- Contact the police, your insurance agent. and SERVPRO of Lexington/Thomasville. Victims of home structure fires whose homes are uninhabitable should contact their local police departments and their insurance agents to inform them about the fire and that they will not be living there. Renters should contact their landlords immediately as well. SERVPRO can begin working with your adjusters to create a plan of action to restore your home.
- Be careful with items that were not burned. The USFA notes that even items that were not burned may still have been ruined by smoke or been soaked with water. At SERVPRO of Lexington/Thomasville our goal is to restore versus replace. This saves you both time and money. In the event an item is unsalvageable our team will document and catalog each items for your insurance company.
- Save all receipts spent on repairs. Insurance companies may require receipts to confirm spending on repairs, and such receipts may also be required for people who want to claim any losses on their tax returns.
Home structure fires can turn lives upside down. But by calling the experts at SERVPRO of Lexington/Thomasville we can make the recovery process go as smoothly as possible.