Restoring documents after a fire damage

2/1/2021 (Permalink)

Fires are devastating in many ways, and they can destroy valuable items in your home or office. You may worry about important documents, such as birth certificates and social security cards. Knowing some important about document restoration can help you to restore those items in the event of a fire.

Take Precautions

Taking precautionary measures can better prepare your valuable items for document restoration. For example, you could store them in a fireproof box. In the event that they experience some damage, possibly because of a hole in the box, restoring them would likely be more of a possibility. You should also keep them together so that you don't waste valuable time trying to locate them after a fire.

Call Early

If you wait too long to call SERVPRO of Desoto, Tate, & Tunica Counties, you may discover that it is too late to perform full fire restoration services when it comes to your documents. Recovering from a fire is often tremendously difficult, and you may not want to think more about the incident. However, by taking the time to call early, you can allow your family and home to start to heal.

Ask for Instructions

When you are on the phone booking an appointment with the professionals, ask if you should do anything to better preserve your documents. For example, if you touch damaged documents, the paper might crumble. The team may advise you to leave the documents exactly where they are, or you may receive instructions to handle them in a certain manner.

Maintain Realistic Expectations

In the event that an important document was seriously damaged, you may have high hopes that it will be restored. Keep in mind that an evaluation of the situation is one of the first steps. If the documents have been completely burned in the fire, restoring them might prove impossible.

Create a List of Resources

Before a damaging event takes place, work to create a list of resources with which you can consult in the event that the documents are beyond repair. For example, you can find out what entity to contact if you lose your social security card or birth certificate in the fire

Fires provoke fear in many people. You likely have your own anxieties about fires. One of these fears may relate to the potential destruction of documents. Fortunately, you have options if you think your documents have been ruined; you can call to inquire about restoration.