How to Survive a House Fire
In the United States, a house fire occurs every 86 seconds. According to the National Fire Protection Association, there are an estimated 350,000 house fires each year. Though the thought of a house fire is scary, it’s important to know what to do if you ever find yourself in this situation.
In this article, we’ll share some tips on how to survive a house fire. We’ll also provide some information on what to do after a fire, such as how to contact your insurance company and begin the process of rebuilding your home.
So first things first, let’s talk about how to survive a house fire.
If you are caught in a house fire, it is important to stay calm and follow these steps:
- Get low– Smoke and heat rise, so the best place to breathe is near the floor. Crawl on your hands and knees if necessary. This will help you avoid inhaling smoke and reduce your risk of being burned.
- Cover your nose and mouth– Use a wet towel, piece of clothing, or your hand to cover your nose and mouth. This will help filter the air you’re breathing and protect your lungs from smoke inhalation.
- Find an exit– Once you’re low to the ground, begin feeling your way towards an exit. If possible, open doors and windows to let fresh air in. You may need to break a window to escape.
- Get out– Once you’ve found an exit, get out of the house as quickly as possible. Do not stop to grab any belongings. If someone is with you, make sure they are also safely outside before you call 911.
What to do after the fire
Now that we’ve gone over how to survive a house fire, let’s talk about what to do after the fire.
Once you’re safely out of the house, call 911 and wait for emergency responders to arrive. Do not try to re-enter the house, as it may be structurally unsound or still filled with smoke and dangerous gases.
Then, you’ll need to contact your insurance company and begin the process of rebuilding your home. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you through this difficult time.
How to inform insurance company about the fire
In order to file a claim, you will need to inform your insurance company about the fire. You should do this as soon as possible after the fire has been extinguished.
When you call, be prepared to answer questions such as:
- When did the fire start?
- What caused the fire?
- How much damage was caused by the fire?
- Have you been displaced from your home?
- Do you have any injuries?
It’s also a good idea to have the following information handy:
- Your policy number
- The names of any witnesses
- Contact information for your local police or fire department
- Photos or videos of the damage
Once you’ve filed your claim, an insurance adjuster will be assigned to your case and will contact you to schedule an appointment. During this meeting, they will inspect the damage and begin working on a settlement.
In some cases, the insurance company may require you to obtain multiple estimates for repairs. They may also ask you to submit a list of personal belongings that were damaged or destroyed in the fire.
After the adjuster has reviewed your claim, they will determine how much money you will receive from the insurance company. This payout can be used to cover the cost of repairs, replacement belongings, and other related expenses.
Tips for rebuilding your home
Once you’ve received the insurance payout, you can begin the process of rebuilding your home.
If you’re not sure where to start, we suggest contacting a local contractor or builder. They will be able to assess the damage and provide you with an estimate for repairs.
You may also want to consider hiring a fire restoration company. These companies specialize in cleaning and repairing homes that have been damaged by fire.
When rebuilding your home, it’s important to use flame-retardant materials. This will help reduce the risk of future fires and make your home safer for you and your family.
These are just a few tips to help you rebuild your home after a fire. For more information, we suggest contacting your local building department or fire marshal.
No one ever wants to go through the experience of a house fire. But if it does happen, it’s important to know what to do in order to survive and rebuild.
