Tag: fire

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Fire Damage Restoration-Who can help me?

What are my options and how do I know who to trust-You are free to choose a restoration company of your choice, we have resources that can help you make this decision to find a company that will help you every step of the way. The restoration process can be difficult to estimate but it is best to choose a company that will take care of your home and restore it back to it’s previous condition.We suggest that you find someone you feel comfortable with because this process might take a while.

We are proud of our rē:network partners and have carefully vetted these companies out to ensure that you receive a high level of service.

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Fire Damage Restoration-Who is going to pay for this?

As soon as you have had damage to your home, contact one of our rē:network partners will be able to help begin the process of assessing the damage and restoration.

How much will this cost and who will pay for this? 

Estimating the cost to repair or renew items or property is very important and not to be done quickly. The best step to take is to have one of our rē:network partners or the restoration company of your choice come out to the site and give a thorough evaluation of the property

If you have insurance, they may be able to cover the damages. However it is very important to work with your restoration company so they can asses the damages correctly and have them work with the insurance company.

 

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Recovering from a Fire-Checklist

Things to remember Check-List

Contact one of our rē:network partners to begin the process of restoration of your home.

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. They can help you find shelter,food, replacement medicines and other important things.

If you have insurance, contact your insurance company. Ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired. If you leave your home, call the local police department to let them know the site will be vacant.

Check with the fire department to make sure your home is safe to enter. The fire department will tell you if your utilities (water, electricity and gas) are safe to use.

Locate your home inventory list and  try to find valuable documents and records. if your home is safe enough to enter. You can also share this with your restoration team and they can begin to help you locate these items when the home is safe enough to enter.

Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss (such as food and hotel stays).The receipts may be needed by the insurance company to prove any losses claimed during this time and for income tax purposes.

 

 

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During a Fire-What is happening to my house?

What to expect:

Your home may have fire, smoke or water damage. Firefighters may have needed to cut holes in the walls or the roof of the building to look for any hidden flames and let out heat and smoke.

They will most likely have used a lot of water to put out the flames and there might be a lot of damage due to this.

Items that you will want to try to save will need to be carefully cleaned and restored (if possible). It is very important to use extreme caution during this time to prevent further damage to your home and to yourself.

Your home may not be safe to enter so it is best to have professionals take a look at the area. Contact one of our rē:network partners and allow the professionals to handle everything for you. A restoration team will come assess the damage and give you a plan for your home and contents.

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Recovering from a Fire-Where do I sleep tonight?

Where do I sleep tonight– If you have insurance, a typical policy will include coverage for additional living expense in the event your home cannot be occupied during a covered loss. Let the rē:network partners help you locate a place to stay and ensure that your insurance company gets this addressed for you.

A rē:network partner can also tell you about our motor home availability as an option for temporary housing.

You can also contact your local disaster relief  service and they can help you with a place to stay, food, medicine and other needs.

Red Cross 

Salvation Army of Texas 

 

 

 

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Recovering from a Fire-Who should I notify?

Who do I need to notify– First and foremost notify your support network. Contact those closest to you and let them know what has happened. Recovering from a catastrophe like this can be difficult and frustrating. Then contact one of our rē:network partners. These companies are experienced in dealing with this type of situation daily and can help walk you through the process.

Let our network specialists be your advocate during this recovery. Our company vendors can help immediately – most of the time they can be there  for you within an hour. Your rē:network vendor can secure the property, clean up the debris and help protect your valuables and memories.

These are some great resources to help you:

Red Cross 

Salvation Army of Texas 

Religious organizations and places of worship

Public agencies (such as the public health department)

Community groups

State or municipal emergency services office

Nonprofit crisis-counseling centers

 

 

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During a Fire

Credit : Sean Ryan, The Flint Journal

 

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.

Smoke naturally rises, so if there is smoke-stay low and crawl under it.

  • Check to see if there’s heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door.
  • Do not open the door if you see smoke coming under the door or if the door/handle is warm or hot.
  • If you don’t see smoke and the door is not hot — lightly touch the handle.

Close the doors on your way to slow the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape to an outdoor meeting area.

Check-list

Contact your family, friends, church and anyone else in your support network.

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. They can help you find shelter,food, replacement medicines etc.

Contact a rē:network partner to begin the process of restoration of your home.

If you have insurance, contact your insurance company. Ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired. If you leave your home, call the local police department to let them know the site will be vacant.

The fire department will tell you if your home is safe to enter and if utilities (water, electricity and gas etc) are safe to use.

Locate your home inventory list.

 

 

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During a Fire-Who Should I contact?

Contact your family, friends, church and anyone else in your support network.

Contact a rē:network partner to help you navigate the next phase of finding a place to stay, keeping your home safe and restoring your home.

Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the Red Cross or Salvation Army. They can help you find shelter,food and replacement medicines etc.

If you have insurance, contact them and ask what you should do to keep your home safe until it is repaired. If you leave your home, call the local police department to let them know the site will be vacant.

 

 

 

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During a Fire-Safety

 

If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL for help.

Smoke naturally rises, so if there is smoke-stay low and crawl under it.

  • Check to see if there’s heat or smoke coming in the cracks around the door.
  • Do not open the door if you see smoke coming under the door or if the door/handle is warm or hot.
  • If you don’t see smoke and the door is not hot — lightly touch the handle.

Close the doors on your way to slow the spread of fire, giving you more time to safely escape to an outdoor meeting area.

 

 

 

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Before a Fire-Escape Plan

Create an Escape Plan –You typically have about 2 minutes to get out of a burning structure. Make a plan that includes 2 exits for each room including windows and doors. Households with children can encourage this by drawing and labeling a plan.

Check your windows–Make sure everyone can easily open windows to get out quickly in case of a fire. If windows or doors in your home have security bars, make sure that they have emergency release devices inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency.

Practice your fire drill- -Every home fire escape plan needs an outside meeting place that is a safe distance from the home.

Choose an outside meeting place so everyone will be together and adults will know that everyone is safe. Practice your home fire drill at least twice a year and encourage learning with resources like an Activity Book