5 Things Not to Do After a Fire Damages Your Akron, Ohio Home

5/28/2023 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of West Akron restored this home in Akron, Ohio that had fire, smoke and water damage.

After a house fire your home will suffer from extensive fire, smoke, and water damage. In the aftermath of a fire, no matter the size, it is important to know what not to do. After the fire department has gone, it is best to hire a professional restoration company to board up your structure and begin the cleanup process. As a homeowner you do not want to cause further damage or not properly restore your damaged contents or structure. SERVPRO of West Akron can assist with restoring all your damaged possessions and property back to preloss condition.

You or your restoration company should contact your insurance agent or insurance company immediately to report the fire loss and begin the claim process. A lot of this information is included in the fire report. You can obtain a copy from your local fire department. The information needed to file the claim:

• Date and time of fire
• Location
• Cause of fire (if known)
• Amount of damage done to the structure and/or its contents

Take pictures of the fire damage. A fire is overwhelming, but the sooner you can photograph everything before there is further damage or personal items are removed. As soon as the fire department allows you to enter, take as many pictures of the property as possible.

A house fire can be devastating and feel overwhelming. Below are 5 things NOT to do after a fire:

1. Depending on the extent of the fire damage it may not be safe to stay in your home. There are many factors to consider after a house fire that could make your home dangerous. The structure of the house may be unstable, exterior might be at risk of collapsing, asbestos contamination, or live electrical lines.
2. Do not throw away anything. A restoration company will examine clothing, bedding, carpets, or other household goods. Some of your personal items retain their value after they have been salvaged and restored. Do not throw anything away without consulting your insurance adjuster. You might be tossing away something that is needed to prove your claim, such as photos and receipts. The adjuster may take your word for certain items (furniture, appliances, etc.) but will probably want to see invoices or receipts for the cost of others.
3. Do not repair or replace anything until you have written permission from your homeowners’ insurance company. Your insurance company should already be familiar with the extent of damage to your home, but it is important that they authorize any repairs before you begin work. If it is not approved your insurance company could deny payment for restoration services
4. Do not cancel any of your utility services. Your restoration company will need to use them while repairs are being done, be sure you are current on all bills and that no deposits are required before service is restored.
5. Do not wash any clothes or other items made with fabric materials in a normal washing machine or take it to the dry cleaners without expert advice. These items are likely to need specialist smoke removal treatment to extract all the toxic smoke from them. Washing the items yourself may embed the odor more into the fabric or even ruin your washing machine.

After the Fire Department Leaves, Call SERVPRO of West Akron to Restore and Rebuild your Home from Fire and Smoke Damage

The SERVPRO of West Akron crews know just how devastating a fire can be. Fire and water damage can leave your house unsafe and unlivable. Our crews are trained to clean and restore your home with as little disruption as possible. We work with all major insurance companies documenting our process from beginning to end.

Every smoke and fire damage is different and requires a unique solution tailored for the specific conditions. SERVPRO have advanced drying equipment, expertise, and experience to restore your damaged property. Our team will treat your family with empathy and respect and your property with care.

Whether the job is big or small we will be there to help make “it never like it even happened,” so you can get back into your home. Call us at 330-867-5723 or visit our website: www.SERVPROwestakron.com.