The past month has been a tough one for many people in the United States. The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have left thousands of families facing the loss of their homes, businesses, and belongings, with at least 16,000 structures damaged or destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires alone. Our hearts go out to everyone affected; we know firsthand how damaging a fire can be, and we are, as always, grateful to the first responders—firefighters, paramedics, and emergency crews—who work tirelessly to protect lives and homes. If your home or business has been damaged by fire, we know how overwhelming it can feel, especially at first. Recovering after a fire may be challenging, but taking the right steps early on can make all the difference. In this blog we give our recommendations of what you should do next if you experience a fire.
Steps to Take after a Fire
Prioritize Safety
Before anything else, make sure you and your family are safe. Do not enter your home until the fire department confirms that it’s safe. Even if the fire is out, structural damage and lingering hazards like smoke or weakened walls can be unpredictable and dangerous. If you need temporary housing, food, or medical attention, reach out to local organizations like The Red Cross for support.
Contact Your Insurance Company
Starting the claims process with your insurance company quickly can help speed up your recovery.
- File a claim as soon as possible. The sooner you notify your insurance company, the faster they can begin assessing the damage to your home or business.
- Document everything. Take photos and videos before any cleanup begins. Keep track of all communications with your insurance company, including names, dates, and details of conversations.
- Request an advance if necessary. If you need funds right away for essentials like clothing, food, or a place to stay, ask your insurer about an advance on your claim.
Protect Your Property
Preventing further damage can help save time and money in the restoration process. If it’s safe to do so, you should secure your home. Cover any exposed areas with tarps, board up broken windows, and take any reasonable steps to protect what’s left. If you would like professional help with this, John Grace specializes in securing fire-damaged properties and preventing additional losses. We’ll make sure your home is stabilized and protected until the restoration of your property can begin.
Find a Trusted Restoration Company
Choosing the right team to restore your home will be crucial to your outcome. You want to have capable, experienced people on your side in a crisis. So:
- Do your research. Look for a company with solid reviews, proper certifications, and extensive experience in fire damage restoration.
- Be wary of scams. Avoid contractors who show up uninvited, pressure you to sign contracts on the spot, or ask for large upfront payments. Always verify credentials before hiring anyone.
- Work with a company that understands insurance. At John Grace, we coordinate directly with your insurance provider to simplify the process and make sure all necessary repairs are covered. Insurance is complicated, and recovering after a fire is stressful enough. Let us help.
Assess and Salvage What You Can
Some belongings may be restorable, while others will need to be replaced. If it’s safe to enter, check what can be salvaged. Carefully sort through your items, and create a detailed inventory of losses. List damaged or destroyed items along with their estimated value. This will help with your insurance claim. Our Contents team and state-of-the-art facility can handle this process for you. We will assist in ensuring everything is documented properly.
Unfortunately, smoke permeates everything it touches, seeping into walls, carpets, furniture, and ventilation systems. Our team is trained to assess the extent of the damage and to implement the appropriate cleaning and deodorization methods. They can help clean and restore belongings affected by smoke or water and remove any lingering odors.
Stay Involved in the Restoration Process
It’s important to stay in regular contact with your restoration company so you’re always updated on progress and work closely with your insurance company and restoration team to make sure the repairs meet local building codes.
If you have questions or concerns, ask! This is your home, and you deserve to feel confident in the process. It’s our goal to restore your home to better condition than it was before the fire, and your input is always welcome.
At John Grace Restoration, we know how difficult this time is, and we’re here to help after the fire is put out. Contact us at any hour of day or night. There’s always someone here ready to answer the phone. Our team will guide you through this step by step, from securing your property to rebuilding and restoring your home. While scary, a fire is not the end of everything. You can recover, and you don’t have to go through this alone. We’ll help you get your property and life back on track together. Call us.
