Serving Greater Cincinnati: Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana
Menu
When dealing with fire damage in your home or business in Covington, safety should always come first. At ICON Property Rescue, we know how devastating fires are, and we know how overwhelming the aftermath is. It can be intimidating trying to know how to respond, and what you need to do in order to get your life back to normal as quick as possible. The following list will help you know what to do, and what not to do, in order to keep everyone safe and help the fire damage cleanup and restoration process be successful.
DO have a fire damage disaster plan in place. Designate an escape route from each room, and establish a safe meeting place outside the home or building. Preparation and planning are critical in getting everyone out of a burning building safely. Review and practice your plan periodically, and make sure everyone is familiar with it.
DON’T enter the building until a fire damage cleanup professional has told you it is safe to do so. Even if the fire appears to be out, the structure could be compromised or gas leaks can be present. Properly trained authorities will determine if and when it is safe to enter your home or building following a fire. Until it is safe to re-enter, stay out.
DO call the right people. After alerting emergency response teams, your first call should be to family members and loved ones to let them know you are safe. Then, your next call should be to a qualified restoration company. You will also need to call your insurance agent so that they can file a claim as soon as possible. Your fire damage cleanup team can then work with your insurance company to get the restoration process going.
DON’T turn on any electrical devices or utilities. In many cases, firefighters will turn off your utilities to decrease the risk of further damage. Before turning anything back on, have a professional inspect your home to be sure that there are no gas leaks, fire risks, water damage, etc.
Do take pictures of the damage, and any damaged belongings. Pictures will help show proof of damage when filing claims to your insurance. Make a list of any and all items that were damaged in the fire. You should also take notes and keep records of any correspondence you have with your insurance company and restoration team. This will help you feel more organized during a chaotic time.
DON’T try to clean, wipe, or remove any residue from your home on your own, or before it has been assessed by your insurance agent. You do not want to tamper with any damage before it has been documented. Cleaning up after fire damage is tricky and if done incorrectly, can have serious health risks. Let trained professionals who know how to clean up and repair your home and items after a fire deal with that.
DO take the necessary steps to keep your property safe while the restoration process is taking place. Contact your local police to inform them that your home will be empty, and make sure that it is as secure as possible. You should hire a fire restoration company that also offers to tarp and seal entrances and exits and areas that have become exposed due to fire damage. To minimize the damage to your property, you need a certified and insured fire damage restoration specialist that knows how to properly secure your property and keep it safe from extended damage.
ICON Property Rescue experts in Covington are certified in fire damage cleanup, and are ready and able to respond to your emergency and restore your home. Let us help take care of you during one of the worst disasters to your property you can face, and call us for all fire damage cleanup needs.
