AFTER THE FIRE

By Capt. Joe Harszy

1. First contact your insurance agent or company. (They may secure the site for you)

    

2. If you don't have a place to go, or for immediate needs such as clothing, food, medicine, eyeglasses, or other essentials, contact the American Red Cross or Salvation Army.

3. DO NOT enter the damaged site.

   • Roofs and floors may be damaged by the fire and may give way or collapse.

   • Food, beverages and medicine that has been exposed to heat, smoke or water should be disposed of immediately and should not be consumed. This includes canned goods. (Be sure to itemize them) 

     These items will really raise a stink if left in the house.

   • Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself.

   • Be observant of hidden smoldering remains of the fire that may rekindle.

    

4. Secure the site.

   • Lock all doors, windows and board up any holes to prevent theft and further damage by weather.

   • Contact your police department to let them know the residence will be unoccupied.

    

5. Save ALL your receipts

   • Not only for the insurance company but also to claim the loss on your income tax.

   • Since you can't cook at home, even your gasoline and dinning receipts may be useful.

   • If it is safe to do so, locate your drivers license, social security card, insurance information, medication information, eyeglasses & hearing aids.

   • Also if possible, secure valuables such as cash, jewelry, credit cards, bank books.

   • You may also want to salvage any pictures and protect them from further damage. Be sure to separate them to keep them from sticking together.

      

6. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.

   • Some insurance companies require details such as quantity, description, price paid, age, replacement cost or actual cash value. These can be added later but it's something to consider.  

   • When doing an inventory, I suggest doing one room at a time. 

   • categorizing each item may also be beneficial. If you have access to a computer, you can later type each item on a spreadsheet and sort them into categories.  This will also help you remember what you had.

     A=Appliance,  C=Children's,  CL=Clothing,  E=Electronics,  F=Furniture,   G=Garage items,  GR=Groceries (food, soaps, cleaners)  H=Hobbies & Collectables,  K=Kitchen (dishes, pots&pans, glassware),  J=Jewelry,  O=Office,  P=Pet's,  T=Tools.

     Also, it's very important to label every sheet (1 of 9, 2 of 9, 3 of 9 and so on).

     Salvage Note:  Glass, porcelain and pots & Pans cleans up nicely in a dishwasher.

   • If you are contracting for inventory or repair, discuss your plans with your insurance agent.

    

7. Notification of your relocation.

• Notify insurance agent, Post Office, Employer, Child's School, Fire & Police departments, utility companies, delivery services, Friends & Relatives, 

• Also notify your mortgage company of relocation and let them know about the fire.

8. Information about fire department actions:

• Before the fire department can enter the residence they must ventilate the heat, smoke and combustible gasses. They do this by breaking windows and cutting holes in the roof.

• Holes are knocked into walls so they can check for fire extension, to make sure all the fire is out before they leave.

• A fire report usually takes a couple days but can take longer if the cause is under investigation.

• Remember, these brave firefighters just risked their lives to save what's yours.  Be good to them....

Last update: March 27, 2004

Fire Dept: Print this out and give it to your fire victims with my permission and my blessing.

However, I cannot assume any liability for its effectiveness in every situation.