Fire departments respond to an average of 354,000 house fires every year — with the leading cause, by far, being cooking. 

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, these fires cause an annual average of 2,620 deaths, 11,220 injuries, and $6.9 billion in property damage. 

Sometimes, house fires can be unpreventable. But with the right approach to fire damage cleanup, you can help alleviate some of the physical, mental, and emotional stress that immediately follow a disaster.

1. Tend to Family and Pets

Fires can be traumatic for all ages. The most important thing to do once the flames are extinguished is to take stock of everyone who was in the house when the fire happened. Did they make it out safely? Was anyone injured? 

Comfort any pets that were involved, and remember to take them to a vet to be checked for lung damage or burns under their fur. 

Then, begin notifying family members who weren’t there for the fire. Update them on the status of the home and the health of those who were present.

If your family isn’t local, calling a close friend can help ensure that you don’t have to go through the fire restoration process alone.

2. Find a Safe Place to Stay

You won’t be able to re-enter your property until the fire department deems it safe. Even then, hidden dangers could remain. Damaged roofs or floors could collapse, causing injury. Even fires that appear to be out could ignite again. 

And in addition to particulates, smoke, and soot residue, there’s another risk that’s virtually undetectable: volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. 

Released by burning materials, these toxic compounds can pose long-term threats to your health if ingested, inhaled, or absorbed by your skin. It may take months or even years for symptoms to arise. 

As such, it’s important to find a place to stay while you get your affairs sorted. If you can’t stay with friends or family, your local Red Cross or Salvation Army can help. 

3. Document the Losses

If you can’t re-enter your home to take photographs of the damage just yet, start by imagining each room in your house and what was in there at the time of the fire. Keep a running list of as many items as you can remember. 

If you have to replace some belongings immediately, make sure to keep every receipt as documentation for your insurance claim. 

Remember to replace any debit or credit cards that might’ve been damaged, and don’t forget to continue making your mortgage and car payments. Ask your lenders about late payment forgiveness if you find yourself struggling financially.

Lastly, notify your utility providers of the fire so they can shut off the water, gas, and electricity until it’s safe to continue use.

4. Request a Copy of the Fire Report

Obtaining the fire report from the responding fire department will help provide key documentation to your insurance company. 

Depending on the size of the fire and the evidence and witnesses involved, it should take 1-2 weeks for your report to be available, according to Firefighter Insider.

5. Begin an Insurance Claim 

You should begin your insurance claim as soon as you’ve notified your family and found a place to stay. This is because insurance claims can be a lengthy, confusing process that requires constant updates of documentation.

Find Law recommends having the following information readily available: 

• Date of loss
• Type of loss/damage
• Location of damage
• Any related injuries and medical expenses
• Others involved
• Condition of home
• Description of damaged contents
• Necessary temporary repairs
• A police report (in this case, the fire report) 

Remember to ask for an advance against your ultimate claim. This way, you don’t have to wait for your coverage before you can begin making necessary purchases.

In addition to documenting your expenses and securing your property against further damages, remember to press your insurance company for a timely response. 

And don’t forget to keep paying your premiums. If your home was a total loss, you could cut back on the section that covers your home’s structure, but you’ll need to adjust it after you move or your new home is built. 

6. Secure Your Property 

The last thing you need is more damage on top of the fire damage. While a burnt-out house may not seem appealing or inviting to thieves, you’d be surprised at how desperate some people can be. 

Ask your insurance or fire restoration company how you need to protect your property from further damage. 

This could include boarding up any windows, doors, and gaps to prevent entry — or using tarps to keep water and other elements out until the fire damage restoration process begins.

7. Recover or Replace Possessions

Once it’s safe to re-enter your home, begin separating your possessions into three categories: damaged beyond repair, salvageable, and undamaged. 

Photograph the damaged possessions that you need to replace, and remember to keep the receipts and estimates to document the cost of replacement. 

In the case of salvageable items, some may need to be professionally cleaned from smoke and soot damage. And for items that made it out unscathed, consider investing in storage or a fire-proof box to keep them safe in the future.

8. Hire a Professional

One of the most valuable fire restoration tips is to leave it to the pros. Fire damage restoration professionals have the equipment and training needed to begin rebuilding your home. 

Since they understand the nature of the situation, they’ll act fast to prevent any further damages.

Their main goal is to improve the ventilation of your home by removing toxins from the air. This also helps alleviate further damage caused by smoke that clings to your walls and furniture long after the fire is out.

Using industrial fans and scrubbers, they can also dry out your home after the fire has been extinguished — protecting against the formation of mold and mildew.

The right fire damage restoration company will be licensed, insured, bonded, and reputable. Your insurance company can help refer you to the right restoration business if you don’t know where to start.

Fire Damage Cleanup Done Right 

Fire damage cleanup doesn’t have to be costly or stressful. Take it one step at a time and remember that you’re not alone. Don’t neglect your mental and physical health in the process.

If you find that you need to move after a house fire, be sure to check out our home buyers section for more advice on your next steps.