F E D E R A L  E M E R G E N C Y  M A N A G E M E N T  A G E N C Y

U N I T E D  S T A T E S  F I R E  A D M I N I S T R A T I O N

AFTER THE FIRE

R E T U R N I N G  T O  N O R M A L

Recovering from a fire can be

a physically and mentally draining process.

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) is a

*Note: This information is also available via the Internet at www.usfa.fema.gov

Securing Yourself and The Site

  Contact your local disaster relief service, such as the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army, to help with your immediate needs, such as:

1. temporary housing

2. food

3. medicine

4. eyeglasses

5. clothing

6. other essential items

  Contact your insurance agent/company.

Cautions

 Do not enter the damaged site. Fires can rekindle from hidden, smoldering remains.

 Normally, the fire department will see that utilities (water, electricity

and natural gas) are either safe to use or are disconnected before they

leave the site. Do not attempt to turn on utilities yourself.

 Be watchful for structural damage caused by the fire. Roofs and

floors may be damaged and subject to collapse.

Food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke, soot and

water should not be consumed.

Leaving Your Home

Contact your local police departments to let them know the site will be unoccupied.

In some cases it may be necessary to board up openings to discourage trespassers.

AFTER  THE  FIRE 2

 Beginning immediately, save receipts for any money you spend.

These receipts are important in showing the insurance company

what money you have spent related to your fire loss and also for

verifying losses claimed on your income tax.

 If it is safe to do so, try to locate the following items:

1. identification, such as driver’s licenses and Social Security cards

2. insurance information

3. medication information

4. eyeglasses, hearing aids or other prosthetic devices

5. valuables, such as credit cards, bank books, cash and jewelry

There are many people/entities that should be notified of your relocation, including:

1. your insurance agent/company

2. your mortgage company (also inform them of the fire)

3. your family and friends

4. your employer

5. your child’s school

6. your post office

7. any delivery services

8. your fire and police departments

9. your utility companies

 Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made. All damages are taken into consideration in developing your insurance claim.

 If you are considering contracting for inventory or repair services discuss your plans with your insurance agent/company first.

VALUING YOUR PROPERTY

You will encounter different viewpoints on the value of your property

in adjusting your fire loss or in claiming a casualty loss on your

federal income tax. Knowing the following terms will help you

understand the process used to determine the value of your fire loss:

Your personal valuation: Your personal loss of goods through fire may

be difficult to measure. These personal items have SENTIMENTAL

VALUE to you; however, it is objective measures of value that you,

the insurer, and the Internal Revenue Service will use as a common

ground for discussion. Some of these objective measures are

discussed below.

Cost when purchased: This is an important element in establishing

an item’s final value. Receipts will help verify the cost price.

Fair market value before the fire: This concept is also expressed as

ACTUAL CASH VALUE. This is what you could have received for

the item if you had sold it the day before the fire. The price would

reflect its cost at purchase minus the wear it had sustained since

purchase. DEPRECIATION is the formal term used to express the

amount of value an item loses over a period of time.

Value after the fire: This is sometimes called the item’s salvage value.

IF YOU ARE INSURED

1. Give immediate notice of the loss to the insurance company or the insurer’s agent/company.

2. Ask the insurance company what to do about the immediate needs of the dwelling, such as covering doors, windows, and other exposed areas, and pumping out water.

3. Ask your insurance agent/company what actions are required of you. Some policyholders may be required to make an inventory of damaged personal property showing in detail the quantity, description and how much you paid for the items.

IF YOU ARE NOT INSURED

1. Your recovery from a fire loss may be based upon your own resources and help from your community.

 Private organizations that may be sources of aid or information:

1. American Red Cross

2. Salvation Army

3. religious organizations

4. department of social services

5. civic organizations

6. state or municipal emergency services office

7. non-profit crisis counseling centers

REPLACEMENT OF VALUABLE DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS

Here’s a check list of documents you will need to replace if they have been destroyed, and who to contact for information on the replacement process.

      ITEMS                                                                         WHO TO CONTACT                             

1. Driver’s license, Auto registration                         Department of motor vehicles

2. Bank books (checking, savings, etc.)                     Your bank, as soon as possible

3. Insurance policies                                                    Your insurance agent

4. Military discharge papers                                        Department of Veterans Affairs

5. Passports                                                                   Passport service

6. Birth, death and marriage certificates                    Bureau of Records in the appropriate state

7. Divorce papers                                                        Circuit court where decree was issued

8. Social Security or Medicare cards                           Local Social Security office

9. Credit cards                                                               The issuing companies, as soon as possible

10. Titles to deeds                                                         Records department 

                                                                                       (of the locality in which the property is located )       

11. Stocks and bonds                                                    Issuing company or your broker

12. Wills                                                                        Your lawyer

13. Medical records                                                      Your doctor

14. Warranties                                                               Issuing company

15. Income tax records or your accountant                  The IRS Center where filed

16. Citizenship papers                                                    U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service

17. Prepaid burial                                                           contract Issuing company

18. Animal registration papers                                      Humane Society

19. Mortgage papers                                                     Lending institution

Restoration Services

There are companies that specialize in the restoration of fire damaged

structures. Whether you or your insurer employs this type of service,

be clear of who will pay. Be sure to request an estimate of cost for the

work. Before any company is hired check their references. These

companies provide a range of services that may include some or all

of the following:

1.  securing the site against further damage

2.  estimating structural damage

3.  repairing structural damage

4.  estimating the cost to repair or renew items of personal property

5.  packing, transportation, and storage of household items

6.  securing appropriate cleaning or repair subcontractors

7.  storing repaired items until needed

SALVAGE HINTS

Professional fire and water damage restoration businesses may be

the best source of cleaning and restoring your personal belongings.

Companies offering this service can be located in the phone directory.

Clothing

A word of caution before you begin: test garments before using any

treatment, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Several of the

cleaning mixtures described in this section contain the substance

Tri-Sodium Phosphate. This substance can be purchased

under the generic name TSP. Tri-Sodium Phosphate is

a caustic substance used commonly as a cleaning

agent. It should be used with care and stored out

of reach of children and pets. Wear rubber

gloves when using if you have sensitive skin.

Read the label for further information.

Smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing.

The following formula may work for clothing that can be bleached:

4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate

1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach

1 gallon warm water

Mix well, add clothes, rinse with clear water. Dry thoroughly.

An effective way to remove mildew from clothing is to wash the

fresh stain with soap and warm water, rinse, and then dry in the

sun. If the stain has not disappeared, use lemon juice and salt

or a diluted solution of household chlorine bleach.

Cooking Utensils

Your pots, pans, flatware, etc., should be washed with soapy water,

rinsed and then polished with a fine-powdered cleaner. You can

polish copper and brass with special polish, salt sprinkled on a

piece of lemon, or salt sprinkled on a cloth saturated with vinegar.

Electrical Appliances

Don’t use appliances that have been exposed to water or steam until

you have a service representative check them. This is especially

true of electrical appliances. In addition, steam can remove the

lubricant from some moving parts.

If the fire department turned off your gas or power during the fire,

call the electric or gas company to restore these services – do not

try to do it yourself.

Food

Wash your canned goods in detergent and water. Do the same for

food in jars. If labels come off, be sure you mark the contents on

the can or jar with a grease pencil. Do not use canned goods

when the cans have bulged or rusted. Do not refreeze

frozen food that has thawed.

To remove odor from your refrigerator or freezer, wash the

inside with a solution of baking soda and water, or use one

cup of vinegar or household ammonia to one gallon of

water. Baking soda in an open container or a piece of charcoal

can also be placed in the refrigerator or freezer to absorb odor.

Locks and Hinges

Locks (especially iron locks) should be taken apart

and wiped with oil. If locks cannot be removed,

squirt machine oil through a bolt opening or keyhole,

and work the knob to distribute the oil. Hinges should

also be thoroughly cleaned and oiled.

Walls, Floors and Furniture

To remove soot and smoke from walls, furniture and floors, use a

mild soap or detergent or mix together the following solution:

  4 to 6 tbsp. Tri-Sodium Phosphate

  1 cup household cleaner or chlorine bleach

  1 gallon warm water

Wear rubber gloves when cleaning with this solution. Be sure to

rinse your walls and furniture with clear warm water and dry

thoroughly after washing them with this solution.

Wash a small area at one time, working from the floor up. Then

rinse the wall with clear water immediately. Ceilings should be

washed last.

Do not repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry.

Your wallpaper can also be repaired. Use a commercial paste to

repaste a loose edge or section. Contact your wallpaper dealer or

installer for information on wallpaper cleaners. Washable wallpaper

can be cleansed like any ordinary wall, but care must be taken not

to soak the paper. Work from bottom to top to prevent streaking.

Rugs and Carpets

Rugs and carpets should be allowed to dry thoroughly. Throw rugs

can be cleaned by beating, sweeping, or vacuuming, and then shampooing.

Rugs should be dried as quickly as possible – lay them flat

and expose them to a circulation of warm, dry air. A fan turned on

the rugs will speed drying. Make sure the rugs are thoroughly dry.

Even though the surface seems dry, moisture remaining at the base

of the tufts can quickly cause the rug to rot. For information on

cleaning and preserving carpets, call your carpet dealer or installer

or a qualified carpet cleaning professional.

Leather and Books

Wipe leather goods with a damp cloth, then a dry cloth. Stuff purses

and shoes with newspaper to retain shape. Leave suitcases open.

Leather goods should be dried away from heat and sun. When

leather goods are dry, clean with saddle soap. Rinse leather and

suede jackets in cold water and dry away from heat and sun.

Wet books must be taken care of as soon as possible. The best

method to save wet books is to freeze them in a vacuum

freezer. This special freezer will remove the moisture without

damaging the pages.

If there will be a delay in locating such a freezer, then place

them in a normal freezer until a vacuum freezer can be located.

A local librarian can also be a good resource.

Money Replacement

Handle burned money as little as possible. Attempt to encase each

bill or portion of a bill in plastic wrap for preservation. If money is

only half-burned or less (if half or more is still in tact), you can

take the remainder to your regional Federal Reserve Bank for

replacement. Ask your bank for the nearest one. Or you can mail

The burned or torn money by “registered mail, return receipt requested” to:

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Engraving and Printing

Office of Currency Standards

P.O. Box 37048

Washington, DC 20013

Mutilated or melted coins

can be taken to your regional Federal Reserve Bank or 

mailed by “registered mail, return receipt requested” to:

Superintendent

U.S. Mint

P.O. Box 400

Philadelphia, PA 19105

If your U.S. Savings Bonds have been destroyed or mutilated,

you must obtain Department of Treasury Form PD F 1048 (I) from your bank or www.ustreas.gov and mail to:

Department of the Treasury

Bureau of Public Debt

Saving Bonds Operations

P.O. Box 1328

Parkersburg, WV 26106-1328

Tax Information

Check with an accountant, tax consultant or the Internal Revenue

Service (IRS) about special benefits for people with limited financial

needs after a fire loss.

Wood Furniture

Do not dry your furniture in the sun. The wood will warp and twist out of shape.

Clear off mud and dirt.

Remove drawers. Let them dry thoroughly so there will be no sticking when you replace them.

Scrub wood furniture or fixtures with a stiff brush and a cleaning solution.

Wet wood can decay and mold, so dry thoroughly. Open doors and windows for good ventilation. Turn    on your furnace or air conditioner, if necessary.

  If mold forms, wipe the wood with a cloth soaked in a mixture of borax dissolved in hot water.

  To remove white spots or film, rub the wood surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia and 1/2 cup water. Then wipe the surface dry and polish with wax or rub the surface with a cloth soaked in a solution of 1/2 cup turpentine and 1/2 cup linseed oil. Be careful – turpentine is combustible. You can also rub the wood surface with a fine grade steel wool pad dripped in liquid polishing wax, clean the area with a soft cloth and then buff.

EMERGENCY AND NONEMERGENCY

NUMBERS

Please fill this area in with your local phone numbers and keep copies

at locations other than your home.

Emergency______________________________________________

Poison Control __________________________________________

Doctors ________________________________________________

Insurance Company                                                                              

medical policy number ________________________________________________

home policy number __________________________________________________

auto policy number __________________________________________________

Gas/Fuel Company ______________________________________

Municipality ____________________________________________

Banks __________________________________________________

Neighbors ______________________________________________

Accountant ____________________________________________

Family ________________________________________________

American Red Cross ______________________________________

Shelter/Assistance ________________________________________

Pharmacy ______________________________________________

Work Numbers __________________________________________

Other __________________________________________________

A WORD ABOUT FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS

Common Questions

Q. Why are windows broken or holes cut in the roof?

 A. As a fire burns, it moves upward then outward. Breaking the

windows and/or cutting holes in the roof (called ventilation)

slows the damaging outward movement, helps remove blinding

smoke that obscures the actual fire, and enables firefighters to

fight the fire more efficiently. The result of this action is less

damage to the structure in the long run.

Q. Why are holes cut in walls?

 A. This is done so that the fire department is absolutely sure that

the fire is completely out, and that there is no fire inside the

walls or other hidden places.

Q. Is it possible to obtain a copy of the fire report?

 A. In most localities, a fire report is a public document

and is available at the fire department

or fire marshal’s office.

United States Fire Administration

16825 South Seton Avenue

Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727

Ph. (301) 447-1000

www.usfa.fema.gov

NOTES & INFORMATION

A F T E R  T H E  F I R E

The following checklist serves as a quick reference and guide for you                                            

 1 Contact your local disaster relief service, such as The Red Cross, if you need temporary housing, food and medicines.

2   If you are insured, immediately contact your insurance company for detailed instructions on protecting the property, conducting inventory and contacting fire damage restoration companies. If you are not insured, try contacting private organizations for aid and assistance.

 3    Check with the fire department to make sure your residence is safe to enter. Be watchful of any structural damage caused by the fire.

 4    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.

5    Conduct an inventory of damaged property and items. Do not throw away any damaged goods until after an inventory is made.

6    Try to locate valuable documents and records. Refer to information on contacts and the replacement process inside this brochure.

7     If you leave your home, contact the local police department to let them know the site will be unoccupied.

 8    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.

9    Notify your mortgage company of the fire.

10   Check with an accountant or the Internal Revenue Service about special benefits for people recovering from fire loss.