After a Fire in Your Home — Do and Don't

Fire & Smoke · Albany NY

After a Fire — What to Do and What Not to Do

The hours and days after a house fire are some of the most stressful a homeowner will ever face. Adrenaline is wearing off. The reality is sinking in. Decisions have to be made about temporary housing, salvage, contractors, and insurance — all while you're processing what just happened. The list below is the practical guidance we give every fire-damage client in the Capital Region.

DO

DO contact your insurance carrier immediately

Most policies require prompt notification. Even if you're still processing what happened, get the claim opened. The adjuster will be your primary contact for the duration of the claim.

DO secure the property

Broken windows, damaged doors, and roof damage need temporary protection. Board-up and tarp-over services are typically covered as emergency mitigation. Don't leave the house exposed to weather or unauthorized entry — additional damage in this window is preventable.

DO document everything

Take photos of the entire house — affected and unaffected areas. Make a list of damaged items by room. Save receipts for any emergency expenses (hotel, food, replacement clothing, child care). The carrier will reimburse reasonable additional living expenses but you have to document them.

DO get an inventory of contents

Even items that look unsalvageable need to go on the inventory. Furniture, appliances, electronics, clothing, kitchen items, books, decorations. The list seems endless because it is — that's why a professional contents inventory is standard for any meaningful fire claim.

DO work with experienced restoration professionals

Fire damage restoration is a specialty. The contractor needs to handle fire, smoke, and water damage components with proper IICRC training, insurance documentation discipline, and the equipment to do the work right.

DO save important documents and medications

If safe to enter the building, retrieve insurance policies, identification, financial records, prescription medications, and pet items. These are often time-sensitive and difficult to replace.

DON'T

DON'T enter the building until authorized

Structural integrity, electrical safety, and air quality may all be compromised — even in areas the fire didn't directly reach. Wait for fire department authorization. When you do enter, wear closed-toe shoes, long pants and sleeves, and consider a respirator for any meaningful smoke odor.

DON'T turn on utilities until they've been inspected

Electrical, gas, and water systems all may have been compromised by fire or firefighting effort. Don't flip breakers, light pilot lights, or turn on water until each system has been cleared by the appropriate professional or utility company.

DON'T eat food from the house

Anything in cabinets, pantries, or open refrigerators has been exposed to smoke and possibly extreme heat. Soot residue contains toxic compounds. Sealed canned goods may be salvageable; everything else is generally a total loss.

DON'T wash or clean items before they're inventoried

Cleaning may damage items that could have been professionally restored. It also removes evidence of the damage that the carrier needs to see. Let contents professionals document items in their current state first.

DON'T discard anything before the adjuster has seen it

Even items that are clearly destroyed need to be documented for the claim. Take photos before removing anything, and ideally don't remove things until the adjuster has done a walkthrough.

DON'T sign anything you don't fully understand

Storm-chaser contractors show up after disasters with paperwork to sign — assignments of benefits, scope agreements, work authorizations. Don't sign on the spot. Read it, take it home, have someone else look at it, ask questions.

DON'T try to clean smoke residue with household products

Smoke residue requires specific cleaning protocols and products. Standard household cleaners can set the staining permanently or react with the residue to make it harder to remove. Wait for professionals.

DON'T try to live in the house during active smoke remediation

Smoke remediation involves chemical agents, dust, and activities that aren't compatible with occupancy. Most insurance policies cover temporary housing during the work — use it.

DON'T let your guard down on insurance

Insurance claims work best when the homeowner is engaged, organized, and willing to follow up. Keep a notebook. Track every conversation. Save every email. Get every promise in writing. Most claims that go badly are claims where the homeowner assumed everything was being handled.

The Bottom Line

The hours after a fire are not the time to make permanent decisions or take irreversible actions. Slow down. Document everything. Work with professionals who do this every day. The recovery is going to take weeks or months either way — what matters is that the work that gets done is the right work, done properly, and properly documented.