After-a-fire checklist for Detroit homes

The first hour

Safety and the fire department come first. Nothing in the house is worth going back in for before firefighters say it is safe.

• Everyone, including pets, is out and accounted for
• Do not go back inside until the fire department releases the house
• Ask the fire officer whether the gas and power were shut off
• Note the date, time and the fire company or incident details if given
• Call family or a neighbor who can help you tonight
• If you need somewhere to stay, call the American Red Cross or your insurer

The first day

Once the house is released, the priorities are the insurance call, securing the property and protecting what can still be saved.

• Call your insurance company and write down the claim number
• Ask what your policy pays for temporary housing and meals
• Have broken windows and doors boarded up and the roof tarped if needed
• Take photos and video of every room before anything is moved or cleaned
• Do not turn on the furnace, air conditioning or appliances that took heat or water
• Remove medications, documents, wallets and phones if it is safe to do so
• In cold weather, ask about draining the plumbing if the heat is off

Documents to gather

A claim moves faster when the paperwork is in one place. Start a folder, paper or digital, on the first day.

• Policy number and your agent's contact
• Claim number and the adjuster's name and phone
• Fire department report request (see the Detroit fire recovery resources page)
• Photos and video of the damage, inside and out
• Receipts for hotels, meals, clothing and supplies
• A running list of damaged belongings, room by room
• Mortgage company contact, since insurance checks often name the lender

The first week

The first week is about getting the house dried, cleaned and assessed so the repair scope and the claim can move forward.

• Have firefighting water removed and the house dried
• Get a written assessment of soot, smoke and structural damage
• Decide which belongings go to cleaning and which are a loss
• Have the furnace and ducts checked before using the heat
• Meet the adjuster at the house with your photos and list
• Keep a log of every call: date, person, what was agreed

Things not to do

Some well-meant steps make the damage worse or weaken the claim.

• Do not wipe soot with water or household cleaners; it smears and sets
• Do not throw away damaged items before they are photographed and listed
• Do not run electronics that took smoke or heat before they are checked
• Do not sign anything assigning your claim rights without reading it
• Do not eat food, or use medicine or cosmetics, exposed to heat, smoke or soot

Questions about using this checklist