Securing Yourself and the Site
Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, to help with your immediate needs, such as:
- Temporary housing
- Food
- Medicine
- Eyeglasses
- Clothing
- Other essential items
Contact your Insurance Agent/Claims Office with your insurance provider.
Cautions
Do not enter the damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains. Normally, the Fire Department will see that utilities (water, electricity and natural gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself. Be watchful for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and floors may be damaged and subject to collapse. Food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and water should not be consumed.
Leaving Your Home
Contact your local police department to let them know the site will be unoccupied. In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.
Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax.
If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:
- Identification, such as driver's licenses and Social Security cards
- Insurance information
- Medication information
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids or other prosthetic devices
- Valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash and jewelry
Flooding
Flooding is becoming more commonplace and more expensive. You can't always stop it from happening but you can minimize its effects. Here are some tips to help you deal with a flood.
After the Flood
Play it safe: The dangers are not over when the water goes down. Your home’s foundation may have been weakened, the electrical system may have shorted out, and floodwaters may have left behind things that could make you sick. When in doubt, throw it out. Don’t risk injury or infection. Remember, flood water from an external source is classified as a category 3 (black water) loss and may contain numerous contaminates.
Contact your Insurance Agent/Claims Office with your insurance provider.
Leaving Your Home
Contact your local police department to let them know the site will be unoccupied. In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.
Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend. These receipts are important in showing the insurance company what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for verifying losses claimed on your income tax.
If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:
- Identification, such as driver's licenses and Social Security cards
- Insurance information
- Medication information
- Eyeglasses, hearing aids or other prosthetic devices
- Valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash and jewelry
