A fire can be a traumatizing experience for any person. Not only will there be a harrowing experience but the loss of property can also be a great blow. Most home owners in Austin, have fire insurance to help them cope with this kind of tragedy. The insurance will surely help but there are some instances when it takes some time to organize the inspection and paperwork. The property owner will have to take the initiative in fire restoration in order to have some semblance of normalcy in their life. The following are some tips on what to do after a fire has hit you.
1. Make sure the fire is thoroughly put out before entering the scene. Get an ok from the fire fighters or the marshal for you to enter. It will not do you any good if you get injured in your haste to clean up things or gather your valuables. While waiting for the green light, it is advisable to contact your insurance agency. If a go signal is given, remove any valuables which may not have been damaged during the fire. Many people in Texas have firearms which will need to be removed carefully from the fire affected area and inspected by experts for cleaning and assessment. Be extra careful touching metal and other items because these might still retain the heat from the fire and injure you.
2. Consult damage restoration experts regarding boarding up the area and inspecting it as soon as possible. Boarding and putting up tarpaulin around the damaged part of your home will prevent theft and stop the rain or snow from inflicting more damage. Preventing access to the scene will also help preserve evidence in case the authorities suspect arson. Once an agreement has been reached with the experts at restoration, keep in close contact with them regarding when they might want to start with an inspection and assessment.
3. Check if the house is livable. The fire marshal as well as damage services should be able to assess if you and your family can still occupy most of the house and just avoid the damaged area. If the house has been damaged extensively, you should look around for a place to stay. Nearby hotels, neighbors or relatives living close by are good options. If the damage is minimal and the domicile is livable, it is a good idea to ventilate the area, as well as the entire house to let out the lingering stench of smoke and other floating elements which are unseen to us.
Damage might be extensive enough that even during the restoration project, you and your family might need to stay somewhere else and not be able to access your house.
4. Arrange for power to be restored in your building if the fire has been put out and you wish to still occupy the house. The power company usually cuts of the power in or around the area of a fire to prevent electrocution of the firefighters. Having power will also be a great help for your sump pump if the water from the fire trucks have pooled in some areas of the house and the basement.
These tips will give you something productive to do in the midst of such a devastating time. It is important to know what to organize so that you can go back to your normal, daily life as soon as possible. More information can be found: MoldRemovalDoctor.com
