Henderson Fire
After the Fire is Out - A Guide to Coping with Fire Loss
Quick Check List
The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you to follow after a fire strikes.
- Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross, if you need assistance with temporary housing, food and medicines.
- If you are insured, contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting an inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies.
- If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.
- Make sure you check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.
- The fire department should see that utilities are either safe to use or are disconnected before they leave the site. DO NOT attempt to reconnect utilities yourself.
- Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.
- Do your best to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.
- Begin saving receipts for any money you spend related to fire loss. The receipts may be needed later by the insurance company and for verifying losses claimed on income tax.
- Notify your mortgage company of the fire.
- Check with an accountant or the Internal Revenue Service about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.