After your house or place of work has been damaged by fire, there are certain aspects you need to know and follow-up with:

  1. Firstly, secure the property and lock all the doors and windows. Leaving your house unlocked may tempt any intruder to steal valuables or expensive personal items. Leaving the house open to rain or inclement weather will also raise issues with potential electrical circuits being tampered with or short-circuits that may give rise to another fire.

  2. Inform the fire department right away about the fire. After the fire is put out, and if your renting, inform the landlord or real estate agent of the house about the fire.

  3. Contact your insurance agent to report the loss.

  4. Electrical could be charred beyond recognition and this could pose problems that need to be resolved by contacting a licensed electrical contractor. Power will be turned on only after getting the approval from the contractor.

  5. Check for structural damage to the house. Check if beams and walls are sturdy enough to live in. The local council’s building inspector will also be of help.

  6. Food, drinks, and medications left in the open and exposed to soot, smoke and heat can be discarded in the appropriate manner.

  7. The fire department should call the gas, fuel and electrical suppliers to disconnect services before they leave.

  8. Any bills, receipts that you collected during the fire can be sent to your insurance company.

  9. Do not waste time in contacting your insurance agent for a claim related inspection of the premises. If you need to leave the premises or stay at a hotel, contact your insurance company relating to any clause in the policy that provides you with a temporary stay.

  10. Take these important documents and medications with you assuming it is safe to do so.

    • Carry vital medications such as blood pressure regulating drugs or insulin.

    • Hearing aids, prosthetics or personal aids.

    • Valuables such as Check Books, Credit Cards, insurance policies, savings account documents and jewelry.

    Inform the ones closest to you and people of importance such as

    • Your employer

    • Family and Friends

    • Children’s Schools

In Summary, a fire is one of the worst incidents you can experience for the toll it takes and the devastation of the premises that occur.

If you have a fire, big or small, contact fire restorations experts in Minnesota – Arko Companies for fire restoration services.