Our Background

Emergency Measures in case of Fire

1. If possible, close the door of the room where the fire started.

2. It is important to evacuate the premises IMMEDIATELY (call the fire department once outside). Leave all your belongings behind; your life is more precious!

3. Evacuate, ensuring no one is left behind! If there is a lot of smoke, remember to crawl to breathe more easily.

4. Once outside, if you have a mobile phone, call 9-1-1 immediately. If not, seek help from a neighbor. Stay calm to provide all necessary information so emergency services can be mobilized.

5. If one of your loved ones is missing, inform the firefighters as soon as they arrive.

6. NEVER return to a burning building, even to rescue a loved one or retrieve a pet. Leave it to the firefighters!

7. If a person’s clothes catch fire, they should stop, drop to the ground, and roll to extinguish the flames.

8. Contact your insurer.

After a Fire Disaster

• Regardless of the extent of the disaster, call your insurer first to inform them.

• If you need to incur immediate expenses (accommodation, food, clothing, etc.), keep all receipts as you may be reimbursed by your insurer.

• Remember, you can choose the company that will handle post-disaster cleaning. In these circumstances, choosing a company known for quality work is more advantageous than just going for the lowest bidder.

• 1. Inventory of Your Belongings

• By definition, a major disaster results in significant loss or damage to your property. To be able to present a detailed claim to your insurer and expedite its processing, it would be wise to prepare an inventory of your belongings and furniture now and keep it outside your residence. To simplify the task, you can use a camcorder, camera (or even your smartphone) to capture as many images as possible of each room’s contents (remember to photograph or film the contents of furniture, cabinets, and closets). Keeping your receipts, user manuals, and warranty certificates is another good way to maintain a tangible record of your property’s value.

• 2. Your Insurance Policy

• Take the time to read your insurance policy and do not hesitate to ask questions to your insurer. Many people are surprised to discover after the fact that their insurance policy did not adequately cover or did not cover at all the type of disaster they just experienced.

• 3. If a Disaster Occurs

• Remember, you must act quickly to reduce the aggravation of damages or prevent new ones. After contacting the appropriate authorities and your insurer, experts like those at Qualinet can help you immediately with temporary emergency repairs. Generally, you should think about:

• Securely obstructing all broken windows.

• Cutting the power supply in areas that water could reach.

• Ensuring a room is safe before entering.

• Unplugging all electrical appliances.

• Removing damaged belongings.

• Shutting off the main water supply.

• Securing or monitoring your property to prevent theft or vandalism.

• Take photographs of the damages if repairs must be done before your insurer can visit the disaster site and approve the start of work.

• If you must proceed quickly with expenses, it is essential to keep all receipts.