What to do after a fire*
- Contact your local disaster relief service (such as the American Red Cross) if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.
- Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter.
- Contact your insurance agent/company:
- Ask what to do about the immediate needs of the dwelling such as covering doors, windows and other exposed areas, and pumping out water.
- Ask what actions are required of you. Some policyholders may be required to make an inventory of damaged personal property.
- Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
- Many people/companies should be notified of your situation. Be sure to contact:
- Your mortgage company.
- Your employer
- Post Office
- Utility companies
- Any delivery services
- Identification such as driver's license 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.
*Source: The American Red Cross
