3 things to do after a house fire

Going through a house fire is a tragedy. Regardless of the extent of the fire, you may end up losing valuable items and access to your home in North Carolina. You will have to work things through with your insurance company eventually. For now, you may be numb and unsure of what steps to take.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, once you have focused on getting yourself and everyone out of the fire , you can then deal the other issues as needed. Here is a look at three of the things you should do right away.

1. Take inventory and make calls

You need to first contact your insurance company and get the ball rolling with your claim . You may also need to contact other companies or agencies to start getting replacements for financial or personal items lost, such as your Social Security card and credit cards. If you had money that sustained fire damage , try to find the remnants and put them in a plastic bag. You may be able to recoup that loss.

2. Be careful

Just because the fire is out and no longer a danger does not mean there are still not dangers in your home. The soot and other debris could still be bad for your health. Wear protective gear when going into your home. Also, pay attention to warnings from fire officials.

3. Take care of yourself and your family

Get yourself, your family and your pets to a safe place. There is often assistance from relief organizations available to fire victims . Make sure you get somewhere comfortable to stay for the time being until the insurance matters are complete .

Dealing with a house fire is not something anyone wants to do, but if it happens to you, make sure that you keep a calm head and do what you need to do to get back on your feet quickly.