Fire Recovery Tips

2/15/2021 (Permalink)

It is all too easy to think that it can't happen to you, there is no way you could be the victim of a devastating fire.

The National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) reports that there were 365,500 home fires in the United States in 2015.

That's an average of over 30,000 fires per month. These fires resulted in over 2,000 deaths, 11,000 injuries, and over $7 billion in damage.

If you have suffered the unthinkable, here are some tips to help you put the pieces back together.

Get Medical Treatment - Getting everyone out of the house during a fire or other emergency can be a harrowing experience. During your evacuation, you may suffer injuries.

No matter how minor your injuries may seem, be sure to have them checked.  This will help reduce any chances of infection.

Get Emotional Help - This is something that is equally as important as the physical healing you may need. A disaster such as a fire can affect people differently.

Some of the emotions you and your family may experience include fear, shock, disbelief, grief, anger, guilt, anxiety, and/or depression.

Remember, children also process traumatic events differently than adults, so be prepared to provide them with additional support if necessary. Your local Red Cross can help find you the help you need.

Rebuilding Your Home - It is extremely important to never enter your home after a disaster until inspectors have determined that it is safe to do so.

Get in touch with your insurance agent to help determine the extent of the damage and get a claim open immediately so you can begin to put the wheels in motion for rebuilding or replacing your home.

Finding Professional Contractors - No matter what repairs are needed for your home, always be sure to use reputable contractors to complete the work. Any contractors you choose should have extensive experience repairing homes after a fire or disaster.

Your local chamber of commerce is a good place to start locating the professionals best suited for your needs.

If you have suffered a fire in your home, the professionals at SERVPRO of Suffolk/Smithfield/Franklin are only a phone call away. We will jump into action immediately to help you and your family back on track. 757-934-8404