What to Do After a Fire at Your Business

9/13/2022 (Permalink)

Fires cause serious damage to thousands of businesses in the United States and Canada every year.

What to Do After a Fire: Recover Your Business

The most important thing to do after a fire is to stay calm. The scene may be chaotic, but a level head will help you and your coworkers take control of an unpredictable situation.

Ascertain the safety of any people or animals present at the location. You can worry about property damage after everyone is safe. Resist the urge to enter the building until firefighters have told you it’s safe.

Surprisingly, as a side effect, firefighters’ efforts can cause extensive damage on top of the fire itself. Firefighters may have been forced to cut holes in the roof, smash windows or move equipment to put out the fire. There may also be extensive water damage from the firefighters’ hoses or your sprinkler system. If your business has succumbed to water damage as a result of fire fighting efforts, call SERVPRO of Streamwood, Bartlett, West Chicago and Warrenville to repair and restore.

What to Do After a Fire at Your Business: Step-By-Step

There will be a lot to do after a fire at your business. To keep from becoming overwhelmed, utilize your custom Disaster Preparedness Plan and Business Continuity Plan (drafted in advance of a disaster and revisited annually) to make smaller task lists addressing each area of your business.

Here are ideas for what to do after a fire at your business:

1. Keep a notebook with you to document everything.

Take special note of everyone you talk to, their contact information and your conversations. Note any expenses in the aftermath of the fire and keep all your receipts in one place.

2. Photograph everything.

Before you begin to clean up, restore and remediate, it’s vital that you document the damage, as this may be pertinent to insurance claims or law enforcement investigations.

3. Contact your insurance company ASAP.

The more prompt you are in contacting your insurance company, the more they can help you. Ask questions until you are sure you understand everything and take notes.

4. Call SERVPRO of Streamwood, Bartlett, West Chicago and Warrenville