There is nothing more alarming, disruptive, and inconvenient than having a fire outbreak in your residential property. The worst thing is to end up with severe property damage and the loss of lives. It’s good if the whole household has managed to immediately sneak out of the house, and the firefighter has quickly come to the rescue to subside the flare.
Should you get yourself in this situation, there are a few crucial steps to take to ensure your utmost safety and deal with its ravaging aftermath. That said, here’s what you need to do in the event of a fire emergency:
1) Leave the Affected Area as Soon as Possible
Some people tend to stop the flame from spreading by all means. Chances are, they try to get a pail of water and toss it in the impacted area. They get suffocated by the smoke, lose their consciousness, and end up with a sad fate. That’s why prioritizing to put out the fire instead of evacuating is the leading cause of death among many household members. The rule of thumb is to leave the area as soon as possible; call the expert firefighters and let them do their job!
2) Stay Away Until the Fire Subsides and Stops
It’s inevitable to have the urge to go back in order to save some valuables inside, but you don’t know how this will also compromise your life and safety. The best thing to do is to stay away from your home until the flare subsides. Even when it has already settled but hasn’t completely stopped, you might get exposed to smoke toxicity, hit by structural damages, or electrocuted by displaced wirings. The best course of action is to wait until the whole flare and smoke have been entirely extinguished.
3) Get in Touch with Your Insurance
It’s imperative to take this first call, aside from calling your family and friends to let them know you’re safe. Letting your insurance carrier know will lead to prompt action as your claim process will kick off right away. Know that an adjuster will visit your property to evaluate the damages. While you’re at it, be sure to ask about your specific insurance policy and what its coverage for fire damage entails. You may not know that you are possibly covered for emergency lodging and other necessities such as food, clothes, and medication.
4) Look for a Reputable Restoration Company
When you are no longer disoriented, immediately start your search for a restoration service. When it comes to this, you have the option to search online for prospective companies in your locality or get some recommendations from friends and colleagues. Be sure to give them a call, ask the scope of their service, check their credentials, and make an appointment. In Canada, it’s best to hire a service provider specialized in residential fire cleanup and restoration with an accreditation from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Conclusion
At this point, you now know what to do in case of a sudden fire outbreak. As discussed above, be sure to immediately leave the affected area, stay away until the flare stops, contact your insurance carrier, and find a damage restoration company. All these will ensure your utmost safety, help you deal with its aftermath, and ultimately help you get back on your feet!
Do you have to deal with the ravaging aftermath of a fire outbreak? We’ve got you covered with our commercial and residential restoration services in Edmonton. We also provide various services such as weather damage restoration, water damage repair, mould removal, asbestos abatement, biohazard cleanup, and a whole lot more. If you’re looking for fire damage restoration in Edmonton, get in touch with us today!