While you might think it won’t happen to you, house fires blaze across the nation every day. Whether it ignites because of a cooking accident, an electrical malfunction or from a natural disaster, home fires can happen to anyone.
In the event that you and your family encounter a fire, it’s important to be prepared. To help you stay safe, make sure to take the following steps after a fire.
Get To Safety
When you realize there is a fire, the first thing you need to do is to get out of there. Keep in mind that inhaling smoke can cause health problems, so if there’s smoke in the hall, get low and crawl under it toward the exit.
If you have a family, you should prepare beforehand, outlining two exit routes for each room and designating a family meeting spot outside.
Call the Authorities
Call 9-1-1 after you’ve determined everyone is safe. Explain the situation to them and stand by while the authorities prepare to come to the rescue.
While you wait, apply first aid to those who need it. If someone has been burned, it’s a good idea to cool the burn with cool water or a wet compress and apply a nonstick, sterile bandage to the wound.
Contact Your Insurance
After everyone is safe and sound, you’re going to want to make an insurance claim as soon as possible. Your agent will likely be able to connect you with home restoration experts and might offer you an advance on your claim to help with temporary housing services.
Final Takeaways
House fires are all too common. To keep you and your family safe, familiarize yourself with the steps you should take after a fire. For an easy checklist of things you should do after a fire, check out the infographic below.
