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