What To Do After a Fire
When a fire destroys your home, it not only brings physical devastation, it also brings a rush of emotions that disrupt your life and make you feel unsafe. At Fortified Homes, we know how painful and uncertain this time can be, and we want to equip you to deal with the aftermath and move forward so you can turn your house into a loving home again. Following are a few crucial steps in moving toward a brighter future.
1. Ensure Safety First: After a fire, prioritize your safety and that of your family. Ensure everyone is out of harm's way and seek medical attention if there have been any injuries. Even if there are no obvious injuries, it is best practice to have a medical professional do a check up. Contact emergency services immediately to report the incident and get further assistance.
2. Assess Damage and Contact Insurance: Once it's safe to do so, assess the extent of the damage to your home. Contact your insurance agent promptly to initiate the claims process. Document the damage by taking photos or videos to support your claim. Your insurance agent will be your #1 contact to help you through this process.
3. Communicate With Utility Providers: If needed, contact utility companies to suspend services to the damaged property. This prevents unnecessary expenses.
4. Secure Important Documents and Valuables: Retrieve essential documents like identification, insurance policies, and any valuable possessions that survived the fire. Keep these in a secure place to aid in the recovery process.
5. Seek Support and Counseling: Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be emotionally taxing. Seek support from family, friends, or professional counselors to navigate through the stress and emotional impact of the incident. You’ve likely heard the saying “no man is an island.” We aren’t meant to go through these types of situations alone. Finding community will be a huge aid in the recovery process.
6. Plan for Home Restoration: Work closely with restoration professionals to assess the scope of repairs needed for your home. Establish a timeline and plan for the restoration process, keeping in mind the companies will need necessary permits and approvals, so the process may take longer than expected.
7. Secure Temporary Housing: Finding temporary housing is crucial. Look for options like furnished rentals or accommodations suitable for your family's needs. This provides a stable living situation while your home is being restored. Utilize resources from local authorities, relief organizations or companies like Fortified Homes if needed.
If you are in the Greater Fort Wayne area, we would love to help in any way we can. We’ve faced insurance relocation and understand the longing to have a place you can call home during this challenging time. Get in touch today and we would be happy to help you look at temporary housing options in Northeast Indiana!
