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Conduct an Inspection
Once you’re given the all-clear to reenter your property, it’s still wise to be cautious.
- Pay special attention to the utilities, looking out for loose power lines and damaged gas lines. If you smell gas/propane or hear a hissing noise, leave the property immediately and call the fire department after you’re safely away from the area.
- If you see sparks, broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main electrical panel, Fox says.
- Check for foundation cracks and missing support beams. Have a building inspector or contractor check out the structure before you enter.
- Do not discard damaged goods until after you’ve done an inventory. That will simplify your insurance claim.
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Tend to Your Mental and Emotional Health
“When we experience a disaster or other stressful life event, we can have a variety of reactions, all of which can be common responses to difficult situations,” says Fox.
These reactions can include:
- Feeling physically and mentally drained;
- Having difficulty making decisions or staying focused on topics;
- Becoming easily frustrated;
- Arguing more with family and friends;
- Feeling tired, sad, numb, lonely or worried;
- Experiencing changes in appetite or sleep patterns.
Most of the time, these are temporary reactions, and it’s healthy to accept them. To prevent yourself from being overwhelmed, try to focus on short-term accomplishments and goals, taking the process one step at a time.
Especially keep an eye on your children’s emotional state. “When disaster strikes, a child’s view of the world as a safe and predictable place is temporarily lost,” says Fox. “Children of different ages react in different ways to trauma, but how parents and other adults react following any traumatic event can help children recover more quickly and more completely.”
Your local Red Cross can give you more information about helping children and yourself cope with disaster and trauma.
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Figure Out What’s Salvageable
The insurance company will probably send an adjuster to determine if your home can be fixed, or if it needs to be leveled and rebuilt. If it’s the former, hire a professional fire damage cleanup company to clear out everything ruined by heat, smoke, soot and water. Make sure to coordinate this with your insurance company.
Then, once you’re allowed to reenter your property:
- Focus on retrieving salvageable valuables and paperwork, like birth certificates and medical records.
- Don’t take any consumables, like cosmetics, food or medications, because heat might have made them dangerous. But do take your prescription bottles/packaging, so you can get them replaced.
- Make a list of your damaged and undamaged possessions for the insurance company. The salvage company can also help you find and retrieve savable items.
- Thoroughly clean all items you’re keeping. Consider having them professionally cleaned.
- Find a safe place to store your salvaged belongings, like a storage unit.
