Making Your Marietta Home Whole Again After a Fire

8/3/2018 (Permalink)

In addition to being physically and emotionally draining, home fires are typically financially taxing. Of course, your family’s health and safety are your first priority, but over the weeks and even months that follow, you will need to take some practical steps to recover your financial well-being. This is where SERVPRO of Marietta West can help lift the burden of both emotional and financial stress. Our trained professionals help family recover precious belongings, family heirlooms, and critical documents every day.

Here are some prudent steps you can take once everyone is safe and you are ready to start the recovery process:

• Contact your insurance agent as soon as you can to report how, when, and where the damage occurred. 
• Be prepared to provide a general description of the damages (a list/photographs of damaged or lost items are helpful in most cases).
• Do not through away items you plan to claim without discussing it with your agent or adjuster.
• Limit movement in the home to prevent soot particles from being embedded into upholstery and carpet.
• Keep hands clean. Soot on hands can further soil upholstery, walls and woodwork.
• If electricity is off, empty freezer/refrigerator completely and prop doors open to help prevent odor.
• Leave system off until a trained professional can check the system;Change HVAC filters once system has been checked.
• Don't attempt to wash any walls or painted surfaces without first contacting trained professional.
• Don't attempt to shampoo carpet or upholstered furniture without first consulting trained professional.
• Do not attempt to clean any electrical appliances (TV set, radio, etc.) that may have been close to fire, heat or water with out first consulting an authorized repair service.
• Do not consume any food or beverages that may have been stored close to fire, heat or water, as they may be contaminated.
• If ceiling is wet, do not turn on ceiling fans. Wiring may be wet or damaged and cause electrical shock, and air movement may create secondary damage.
• Don't send garments to the dry cleaner. Improper cleaning may set in smoke odor.

Call SERVPRO of Marietta West for all of your fire restoration needs (770)428-5467

If you found this article useful, check out our related blog "Fire Damage: What To Do Until Help Arrives"

For more helpful advice, our friends over at the American Red Cross have published this guide - Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues.

You many also find some helpful direction in replacing vital documents after a disaster below:

 Driver's License: Georgia Department of Motor Vehicles (or appropriate state issuing authority) 

Government Issued ID: Contact the issuing authority

Insurance Policies: Your insurance agent or company

Military Discharge: Department of Veterans Affairs, Papers 1-800-827-1000 or TDD/TTY 1-800-829-4833

Passports: Visit State Department website

Birth, Death, Marriage and Certificates: Georgia Bureau of Records (or appropriate state issuing authority)

Social Security or Medicare Cards: Visit www.ssa.gov or your local Social Security office or 1-800-772-1213 or TDD/TTY 1-800-325-0778

Credit Cards: The issuing financial institution, as soon as possible

Titles to Deeds: Records department of the area in which the property is located

Stocks and Bonds: Issuing company or your broker

Wills: Your attorney

Income Tax Record: The IRS center where filed, your accountant or 1-800-829-1040

Citizenship Papers: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, 1-800-375-5283 

Mortgage Papers: Lending Institution