I Had A Fire…What Next?

Fire Checklist After A Fire Impacts Your Home

1. Safety First:
   • Ensure everyone is safe and accounted for.
   • If there are injuries, seek medical assistance immediately.
   • Only enter the property if it’s deemed safe to do so by authorities.
2. Contact Authorities:
   • Call emergency services to report the fire.
   • Notify the fire department for inspection and investigation.
3. Notify Relevant Parties:
   • Inform family members, friends, and neighbors about the situation.
   • Contact a Public Insurance Adjuster to report the fire and begin the claims process. A licensed and certified adjuster can be your advocate through the claims process.
4. Document Damage:
   • Take photos or videos of the damage for insurance purposes.
   • Make a detailed list of damaged or destroyed items.
   • Pro Tip: Prior to a fire, go around your home semi-annually and document your entire home. Load the video onto the cloud or another hard drive specifically a safe location. If you have important documents do the same.
5. Secure Property:
   • Board up windows and doors to prevent unauthorized entry. Contact a restoration company to assist to complete this task properly.
   • Cover damaged areas to protect against further exposure to elements.
6. Arrange Temporary Accommodation:
   • Find temporary housing for you and your family if the property is uninhabitable.
   • Check if your insurance policy covers temporary housing expenses. Signing with a Public Adjuster, they can assist you to properly read your insurance policy.
7. Utilities and Services:
   • Contact utility companies to suspend services or arrange for reconnection.
   • Notify post office, banks, and other relevant institutions of your temporary address.
8. Assessment and Restoration:
   • Assess structural damage and consult with professionals for repair and restoration.
   • Hire reputable restoration services to clean up and salvage belongings.
9. Emotional Support:
   • Seek emotional support from friends, family, or support groups.
   • Consider counseling or therapy to cope with the emotional aftermath of the fire.
10. Preventative Measures:
    • Investigate the cause of the fire and take steps to prevent future incidents.
    • Install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and other safety equipment if necessary.
    • Educate yourself and your family about fire safety measures.
11. Follow-up and Documentation:
    • Keep records of all communication with insurance companies, authorities, and service providers.
    • Follow up on insurance claims and restoration progress regularly.
    • Maintain thorough documentation of expenses related to the fire for reimbursement purposes.
    • DOCUMENT! DOCUMENT! MORE DOCUMENTATION!
12. Review and Update Plans:
    • Review your emergency evacuation plan and update it if necessary.
    • Ensure your insurance coverage adequately protects against fire damage in the future.

By following this checklist, you can systematically address the various aspects of dealing with a fire and work towards recovery and restoration.