Help After A Fire
After a house fire, life can become very stressful. Here is some suggestions to help you as you face the overwhelming emotions.
The First 24 Hours
- Contact Your Family
You don't want the news to get out to your family members through the grape vine. - Contact Your Insurance
- Your insurance needs to know ASAP and they will help you know what to do then. If the damage isn't extensive, ask who they recommend and will cover for cleaning.
- Find out how to know to learn the value of your home and property.
- When you contact the cleaning company make sure you get an estimate in writing.
- Safety
- Do NOT go back into the house until you know that it is safe.
- Do not turn gas, electric, etc back on until it is safe.
- Be careful what you touch because you don't know what may be on it and what kind of harm it may cause you.
- You may need to board up windows and doors to keep other out.
- Food, beverages, and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and water should not be consumed.
- See To Your Family
Contact either the Salvation Army or the Red Cross to get emergency help.- Salvation Army
- Red Cross
417-832-9500 or 1-800-Red Cross
- Check On Your Pets
Make sure that your pets are ok and that they have a place to stay until you move back in. - Financial
- If you are a renter call your landlord.
- If you are buying, call your mortgage lender.
- Call your credit cards and let them know they were lost in the fire
- Save your receipts of all purchases!
- Replacing Documents and Records
- Driver's license
- Auto registration
- Insurance policies
- Military papers
- Birth, marriage and death certificates
- Divorce papers
- Social security and Medicare Cards
- Credit Cards
- Wills
- Medical records
- Warranties
- Income tax records
- Citizenship papers
- Burnt Money
Handle burnt money as little as possible. Delivery by personal, nonpostal (FedEx/UPS) 8:00 am-11:30 am and 12:30 pm-2:00 pm, Monday-Friday:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
MCD/OFM, Room 344A
14th and C Streets SW
Washington, DC 20228
Through the mail, send it registered and ask for a receipt to:
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
MCD/OFM, Room 344A
PO Box 37048
Washington, DC 20013
Contact your local police department to let them know that the site will be unoccupied