How to Secure Your Home After Fire Damage

When a fire strikes your home, the immediate danger might be over once the flames are out, but the hard work is just beginning. One of the most urgent steps you’ll need to take is securing your property to prevent further damage, theft, or injury. At RemediH2O, we’ve helped countless families across Colorado’s Western Slope and Roaring Fork Valley protect their homes in those critical first hours after a fire. Here’s what you need to know about securing your property when you’re dealing with the aftermath of fire damage.

Why Securing Your Home After Fire Damage Matters

After firefighters leave and the smoke clears, your home is vulnerable. Broken windows, damaged doors, and compromised structural elements create easy entry points for weather, wildlife, and unfortunately, opportunistic thieves. Plus, if your home isn’t properly secured, you could face liability issues if someone gets hurt on your property.

Fire damage restoration isn’t just about cleaning up soot and smoke – it starts with protecting what’s left. The faster you secure your home, the better chance you have of minimizing additional losses and starting the recovery process on solid footing.

Assess the Damage Safely (Or Let the Pros Do It)

Before you start boarding up windows or covering holes in your roof, you need to know what you’re working with. Here’s the thing: fire-damaged structures can be unstable and dangerous. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, returning to a fire-damaged home requires careful attention to structural safety, electrical hazards, and potential contamination from smoke and ash. If there’s any question about whether it’s safe to enter your home, don’t. Call professionals who have the training and equipment to assess structural integrity.

If you do get the all-clear to inspect your property, look for:

• Broken or missing windows and doors
• Holes in the roof or exterior walls
• Damaged locks or security systems
• Areas where smoke or water could continue causing damage
• Structural weaknesses that could pose collapse risks

Even if you’re itching to start the cleanup, your safety comes first. When in doubt, reach out to our team at RemediH2O for a professional assessment.

Emergency Board-Up: Protecting Entry Points

One of the most important steps in securing a fire-damaged home is emergency board-up. This involves covering broken windows, doors, and any openings in your home’s exterior with plywood or other sturdy materials.

Fire damage often creates openings in roofs and walls that need immediate covering to prevent weather damage and unauthorized entry.

What Gets Boarded Up

• Windows: Whether they’re shattered from heat or broken by firefighters gaining access, open windows are an invitation for trouble
• Doors: Fire can warp door frames and destroy locks, leaving your home wide open
• Wall openings: Sometimes fires burn through exterior walls, creating gaps that need immediate covering
• Roof damage: Tarping may be needed if your roof has holes or missing sections

DIY or Call the Pros?

If you’re handy and the damage is minimal, you might be able to handle basic board-up work yourself. But honestly? Most homeowners are better off calling professionals for several reasons:

1. You need the right materials and tools
2. Improper boarding can actually cause more damage
3. Working on a fire-damaged structure is dangerous
4. Professional board-up often includes documentation for insurance claims
5. We can get it done quickly while you focus on other urgent matters

At RemediH2O, emergency board-up is part of our 24/7 emergency response. We’ll secure your property fast so you can breathe a little easier knowing your home is protected.

Temporary Roof Tarping for Fire Damage

If fire damaged your roof or firefighting efforts left it compromised, you’ll need temporary tarping to keep water out. Colorado weather can be unpredictable, and the last thing you need after a fire is water damage from rain or snowmelt adding to your problems.

Professional roof tarping protects your home from additional water damage while permanent repairs are planned.

What to Know About Roof Tarping:

• Heavy-duty tarps should extend well beyond the damaged area
• Proper anchoring is critical (loose tarps can cause more damage)
• This is temporary – permanent repairs come later
• Professional tarping includes proper water drainage considerations

Pro tip: Don’t skimp on tarp quality or installation. A poorly secured tarp during a Western Slope windstorm can rip off and damage your roof further. Similar to preventing water damage, prevention now saves you major headaches later.

Document Everything for Insurance

Before you board up or tarp anything, grab your phone and document the damage thoroughly. Take photos and videos of every affected area from multiple angles. This documentation is gold when it comes to insurance claims.

Keep these records safe – cloud storage is your friend here. Many homeowners find it helpful to work with restoration professionals who understand insurance processes and can help document damage properly.

Secure Valuables and Remove Salvageable Items

Once your home is physically secured against intrusion, think about what’s inside. According to the American Red Cross, one of the first steps in recovering from a home fire is safely removing important documents, medications, and valuables once authorities confirm it’s safe to enter.

If it’s safe to enter, here’s a quick priority list:

1. Critical documents: Birth certificates, passports, insurance policies, financial records
2. Valuables: Jewelry, family heirlooms, electronics
3. Medications: Anything you need regularly
4. Salvageable clothing and personal items: Things that can be cleaned
5. Sentimental items: Photos, keepsakes (even if damaged, you might be able to restore them)

Store these items somewhere safe and dry. If you’re overwhelmed by the idea of sorting through fire damage, restoration companies can help with contents cleaning and securing household items.

Consider Security Measures Beyond Boarding

Depending on your situation and location, you might want to add extra security measures while your home is being repaired:

• Security cameras: Temporary cameras can deter thieves and help if anything happens
• Motion-sensor lights: Battery-operated options work even without power
• Signage: Sometimes a simple “Property Under Surveillance” sign helps
• Ask neighbors to watch: Your community can be your best security system
• Check with your insurance about security requirements: Some policies have specific requirements for vacant properties

Understand Your Immediate Next Steps

Securing your home is just the first chapter in your recovery story. Once your property is protected, you’ll need to start thinking about the actual restoration process. Understanding fire prevention strategies can also help protect your home once repairs are complete.

Your Recovery Roadmap:

1. Secure the property (you’re here!)
2. Contact your insurance company
3. Get a professional damage assessment
4. Begin smoke and soot removal
5. Address water damage from firefighting
6. Start the restoration and rebuild process

The good news? You don’t have to navigate this alone. Restoration professionals can walk you through each step and coordinate with your insurance company to make the process as smooth as possible. Much like preparing your mountain home for winter, having a plan makes all the difference.

When to Call Professional Help

Let’s be real: securing a fire-damaged home isn’t something most people should tackle alone. Between safety concerns, insurance documentation requirements, and the sheer emotional weight of dealing with fire damage, having professionals on your side makes sense.

At RemediH2O, our IICRC-certified team provides 24/7 emergency fire damage response throughout Colorado’s Western Slope and Roaring Fork Valley. We handle everything from emergency board-up and property securing to complete fire damage restoration. With over 25 years of combined experience, we know how to protect your property and get your recovery started right.

We also work directly with insurance companies to streamline your claim and make the whole process less stressful. Because after everything you’ve been through, you shouldn’t have to fight with paperwork too.

Frequently Asked Questions