The first day after a house fire is a long list of phone calls and decisions, usually made while you are tired and shaken. It helps to take them in order. Here is the order we walk families through, drawn from the Red Cross, the U.S. Fire Administration and the Illinois Department of Insurance.
What should I do right after the fire is out?
Take care of people first. The American Red Cross says to call 911, give first aid where needed, and cool and cover burns. Anyone seriously hurt, including pets, should go straight to a doctor or vet.
Next, take care of these.
- Let family and friends know you are safe.
- Stay out of the building until local fire authorities say it is safe to go back in. The City of Chicago gives the same advice.
- Respect tape and signs. Do not cut or walk past colored tape on doors or windows, and stay out of any building with a color-coded inspector’s sign until you know what it means.
Who should I call first?
- Your insurance company. The U.S. Fire Administration’s After the Fire guide says to call right away and ask what to do first. The Red Cross suggests reporting how, when and where the fire happened.
- The Red Cross or another relief service if you need a place to stay, food, clothing or medicine. The MWRD’s Cook County resource guide lists 1-800-RED-CROSS, and Cook County residents can dial 2-1-1 to find local help.
- Your landlord or mortgage lender to report the fire.
- The police, if the home will sit empty, so they know it is vacant.
- Your credit card companies, if cards were lost in the fire.
Keep a notebook or a note on your phone. The Illinois Department of Insurance suggests logging every contact with the person’s name, company, date and next steps, and asking your insurer for your claim number, your adjuster’s contact information and your filing deadline.
When can I go back inside?
Only when the fire department says so. Before firefighters leave, they make sure the water, electricity and gas are safe to use, or they have them turned off. The USFA is clear that you should not try to turn them back on yourself, and Ready.gov says the same.
When you are cleared to go in, the Red Cross recommends these precautions in its guides to checking your home after a fire and picking up the pieces.
- Leave children with a relative or friend for the first visit.
- Check the outside first for loose power lines, gas line damage, foundation cracks and missing supports.
- Use a flashlight, never a candle or other open flame.
- Wear long pants, long sleeves, sturdy closed-toe shoes and work gloves, plus a dust mask and eye protection as needed.
- Watch the ceilings and floors. Stay off sagging floors and avoid leaning on damaged stairs or walls. If a door is jammed, find another way in.
- Be careful with the electrical panel. If you see sparks or frayed wires, or smell hot insulation, shut off power at the main panel only if you are not standing in water. Do not reset tripped breakers. Call an electrician.
If you smell gas or hear hissing, leave right away and call 911 or the fire department from outside. Peoples Gas also takes gas emergencies around the clock at 866-556-6002.
The USFA warns that soot and dirty water may contain things that could make you sick, and that floors and walls may not be as safe as they look. Wear your protective gear on every visit, not just the first one.
What should I take out of the house?
Look for important papers if you can reach them safely. The USFA lists documents you may need to replace, including driver’s licenses, passports, birth certificates, Social Security and Medicare cards, wills and medical records.
- Medicine and food. The Red Cross says to throw away food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
- Burned money. Handle it as little as possible and wrap each bill in plastic wrap. If at least half of a bill is intact, the USFA says a regional Federal Reserve Bank can exchange it.
- Pets. Keep them out of the house until cleanup is done. A friend, relative or vet can board them.
How do I protect the house from more damage?
Your policy expects it. The sample HO-3 policy published by Triple-I asks owners to protect the property from further damage, and it pays the reasonable cost of necessary measures taken to do that.
- Board up and tarp. The USFA notes you may need to board up windows and doors so no one can get in. The Illinois Department of Insurance lists boarding windows and tarping a roof as ways to prevent more damage or theft. We do this work as part of board-up and tarping.
- Plan for the water. Firefighting can leave walls and ceilings soaked. The Red Cross says drywall and insulation soaked by fire hose water has to be replaced and that you should consult a professional, and the EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
- Hold off on permanent repairs. Triple-I advises against extensive permanent repairs until the adjuster has assessed the damage, and Illinois regulators say insurers may not pay for repairs they did not authorize.
What records should I start keeping today?
| Keep this | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Photos and video of every room, before cleanup | Shows the adjuster the damage as it was |
| Receipts for hotels, meals, supplies and emergency repairs | Supports reimbursement and additional living expenses |
| A list of damaged items, with receipts if you have them | Speeds up the contents part of the claim |
| Damaged items themselves | The Red Cross says to check with your adjuster before throwing anything away |
| Names, dates and notes from every call | Keeps the claim on track |
If you can’t live at home, most homeowners policies cover extra costs like a hotel and reasonable restaurant meals, according to the Illinois Department of Insurance. Those benefits have dollar or time limits and do not cover normal bills like your mortgage. Triple-I says the amount is generally about 20 percent of your dwelling coverage, though limits vary by insurer.
Be careful with anyone who shows up asking for a large payment up front. Illinois regulators advise never paying the full amount before work is complete. We explain how we work with adjusters on our insurance claims page.
How do I take care of my family tonight?
The Red Cross reminds families to pay attention to how everyone is handling stress. Get rest, drink water and keep as many normal routines as you can. Give extra help to children, older adults and anyone with a disability, and reassure kids that they are safe. If a child’s behavior changes, the Red Cross suggests reaching out to your local chapter, a counselor or a community professional.
When to call a restoration company
Call us once everyone is safe and the fire department has released the property. A person answers 24/7. We ask what happened, whether the utilities are off and whether the fire department has cleared the building. Then we send a crew to secure the home with board-up and tarping, remove water and start fire damage restoration. We photograph and record everything for your insurance company, room by room.
If there is any sign of fire, smoke or a gas smell, leave and call 911 first. When you are ready, contact us.