What to do after a house fire

Step 1 · The first few hours

Get safe, then get support

• Call 911 if anyone is hurt. Cool minor burns with cool water and cover them. Get serious burns treated right away.
• Tell family and friends you’re safe. One text or post saves dozens of worried calls.
• Don’t go back inside until the fire department says it’s safe. Fire can rekindle, and floors and ceilings may be weak.
• Find a safe place to stay tonight. Call DVS at (480) 349-7300, the Red Cross at 1-800-RED-CROSS, or dial 2-1-1.
• Ask the fire department for the incident or report number and how to get a copy. Your insurer will want it.
• Keep pets close. Frightened animals run. Have injured pets seen by a vet.

Step 2 · The first few days

Start your claim and protect what’s left

• Call your insurance company (homeowners or renters). Get a claim number and your adjuster’s name and phone number.
• Ask about “additional living expenses” or “loss of use” coverage. Many policies pay for a hotel, meals, and other extra costs while you can’t live at home. Ask what’s covered and for how long.
• Save every receipt for lodging, food, clothing, toiletries, and transportation.
• Secure the property. Most policies expect you to prevent more damage, such as boarding windows or tarping the roof. Ask your insurer before hiring anyone, and keep the invoices.
• Photograph and video everything before you clean or throw anything away.
• Don’t throw out damaged belongings until your adjuster has seen them or tells you it’s okay.
• Let people know: your mortgage company or landlord, employer, your kids’ schools, your bank, and the post office (hold or forward your mail).
• Replace urgent items first: medications, glasses, ID, and phone. See Replace lost documents.

Step 3 · Going back in

When officials say it’s safe to return

• Leave the utilities to the pros. Don’t turn gas, power, or water back on yourself. The utility company or a licensed contractor should check them first.
• Watch for hazards: weak floors, falling debris, sharp objects, and hot spots. Wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves, gloves, and an N95 mask.
• Throw away food, drinks, and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot, or firefighting water, even if it’s in sealed containers or the refrigerator.
• Look for valuables like cash, jewelry, documents, and keepsakes. Fire-damaged cash can sometimes be exchanged through the U.S. Treasury.
• If you have a safe, let it cool for several hours before opening it. Opening a hot safe can make the contents burst into flame.

Step 4 · Cleanup

Smoke and soot need special care

Soot is acidic, oily, and easy to smear. It keeps damaging surfaces, electronics, and fabrics the longer it sits. Water from firefighting can also lead to mold within a day or two.

• Get written estimates from licensed restoration companies, and share them with your adjuster before work begins.
• Ask about contents cleaning and pack-out. Many policies cover professional cleaning, deodorizing, and storage of belongings that can be saved.
• Air out the home if it’s safe. Open windows and use fans.
• Bag smoky clothes for professional cleaning. Washing them at home can set the odor.
• Never run a gas generator, grill, or heater indoors or in a garage. Carbon monoxide can kill.

Step 5 · The weeks ahead

Rebuild your paperwork and your footing

• Make a room-by-room inventory of everything that was damaged or lost. Old photos, bank and card statements, and online order histories help you remember.
• Keep a claim log of every call, with the date, name, and what was said. Follow up important calls by email. See Working with insurance.
• Talk to a tax professional. Losses not covered by insurance may affect your taxes.
• Watch for scams, especially contractors who knock on your door. See Avoid disaster scams.
• Look after yourself and your kids. Stress, trouble sleeping, and irritability are normal. See Emotional recovery.