A fire turns your life upside down fast. You’re left asking, what to do after a house fire checklist, who to call, what to save, and how to start again. This guide gives you a clear, step-by-step plan for Florida homeowners so you can protect your family, secure your place, and move your claim and rebuild forward without spinning your wheels.

Quick note: This is general guidance, not legal advice. Policies and local rules vary across Florida. When in doubt, talk to licensed pros.

Start Here: Your Day-One Checklist

1) Put safety first

Wait for the fire department to say it’s safe to re-enter. Hot spots and weak floors are common.
Watch for hazards: soaked ceilings, broken glass, nails, live wires, and gas odors.
Wear long sleeves, gloves, closed shoes, and an N95 if you have one. Soot is messy and can irritate lungs and skin.

2) Make the core calls

Insurance: Report the loss right away. Ask for a claim number, adjuster contact, and what emergency work is approved now.
Utilities: Ask electric, gas, and water to shut service if there’s damage.
Fire report: Request a copy for your records. It helps with claims.
Board-up/tarping: If the roof, windows, or doors are open, arrange a board-up and roof tarp to stop more damage.

3) Secure what’s left

Lock accessible doors, add temporary hasps, and post a simple “No Trespassing / Private Property” sign.
Move valuables you can safely carry (IDs, meds, jewelry, passports) to a secure spot.

4) Document everything

Walk-through video first, then detailed photos of each room, walls, ceilings, closets, and inside cabinets.
Don’t toss items yet unless they pose a health risk. You’ll want proof for your inventory.

After a Small House Fire vs. a Major Loss: What Changes?

If you’re wondering what to do after a small house fire, your steps are similar but lighter:

Small/contained fire (e.g., kitchen flare-up):
- Ventilate: open windows if safe.
- Power: flip the breaker to affected circuits until checked.
- Clean-up: neutralize smoke film quickly; kitchen fires leave acidic soot that etches metal fast.
- Appliances: unplug anything exposed to heat or water until inspected.
Large fire or what to do after your house burns down (major loss):
- Expect structural engineering checks, debris removal permits, and a longer claim.
- Focus on housing, finances, and full-home inventory.
- Don’t rush decisions on demolition vs. repair without a scope of loss from qualified pros.

Call Chain for Florida Homeowners

Insurance carrier to open the claim and ask about emergency services approval.
Local building department before teardown or debris removal. Many cities require permits even for clean-up.
Licensed restoration company for water extraction, smoke cleanup, and pack-out.
Roofing/board-up crew to tarp and secure openings fast (rain + Florida humidity = mold).
Public adjuster or attorney (optional) if your loss is large or complex and you want help reviewing estimates and policy language.

Stop Further Damage (This Helps Your Claim Too)

Insurance policies expect you to prevent more damage when it’s safe to do so.

Tarp and board-up holes in the roof and broken windows/doors.
Water extraction within 24–48 hours if the fire was put out with water. Mold grows fast in Florida’s climate.
Dehumidify and ventilate to drop moisture levels.
Separate wet from dry contents; move salvageable items to a drier space.

Keep receipts for every emergency expense (tarps, locks, cleaners, hotel stays, meals). These often fall under Additional Living Expenses (ALE) or Loss of Use coverage.

Smoke, Soot, and Odor: What Actually Works

Dry vs. wet soot: Kitchen (protein) fires leave invisible, sticky residue that smells strong and smears. Don’t use water first. Pro crews use special sponges and solutions.
Soft goods: Many fabrics can be restored with ozone or hydroxyl treatment plus specialized washing. Bag items by room and label.
Hard surfaces: Start dry-sponge first, then a smoke-specific cleaner. Test small areas.
HVAC: Replace filters, have ducts cleaned, and keep the system off until a tech inspects it. Pushing soot through ducts spreads odor.
Fridges/freezers: If power was off, empty and discard spoiled food. Photograph contents before you toss them.

Build Your Home Inventory (Fast, Simple System)

You need a list of what was damaged or destroyed. Here’s a quick way to do it without getting stuck:

Room-by-room video while speaking out loud: “Master bedroom—king bed, 2 nightstands, 5 drawers of clothes…”
Photo each wall, then open closets and drawers and snap wide shots plus close-ups of anything high-value.
Spreadsheet basics: Item, brand/model, where bought (if you know), year, qty, condition before fire, and a rough price.
Old records help: Bank/credit statements and past order confirmations (email) jog your memory.
Group smalls: Don’t list every fork—group “Kitchen utensils (40 pcs)” with an estimated total.

Pro tip: Don’t chase perfect. Start broad, add detail later when the adjuster asks follow-ups.

Paperwork and Money Moves

Claim number and adjuster info: Keep it handy.
Receipts log: Hotel, meals, laundry, pet boarding, emergency repairs.
Mail: Set up USPS Forwarding to your temporary address.
ID & meds: Replace driver’s licenses, prescriptions, and key documents.
Photos of pre-loss: Grab any from phones, family, or listings; they help prove condition.

Working With Pros Without Headaches

Restoration company: Ask for a written scope, timelines, and what’s billable to insurance.
Contractors: Get licenses and insurance certificates. Ask for a line-item estimate (materials, labor, code upgrades).
Avoid signing away control: Read work authorizations and payment assignments. If you don’t understand a clause, pause and get advice.
Contents pack-out: Tag high-value items and keep a copy of the pack-out list.

Your Insurance Claim Game Plan

Coverage snapshot: Most policies include dwelling (structure), other structures (sheds/fences), personal property (contents), and ALE/Loss of Use (housing/related costs).
Proof of loss: Your carrier may ask for a signed statement of what was damaged. Your inventory feeds this.
Estimates: You’ll likely see line-item estimates with codes and unit prices. Don’t worry if they look cryptic; ask the adjuster to walk you through any confusing parts.
Don’t toss too soon: If an item is borderline, keep it until the adjuster sees it or you have clear photos.
Communication: Follow up in writing after phone calls with a short email recap. It keeps the file clean and avoids misunderstandings.

Salvage vs. Toss: A Quick Guide

Usually salvageable (if addressed early):

Solid wood furniture with light soot
Metal cookware and tools
Hard surfaces (tile, stone, sealed wood)
Some electronics after a pro check (don’t power on wet gear)

Usually not worth saving:

Charred or delaminated cabinets, swollen particleboard
Mattress/box spring with smoke/water exposure
Melted plastics, blistered finishes
Open food, meds, and baby supplies exposed to heat or smoke

Temporary Housing, School, and Daily Life

ALE basics: Ask what’s covered (hotel, short-term rental, increased meal costs, mileage to work/school). Keep receipts.
Length of stay: Share repair timelines with your adjuster so housing can be extended if the build takes longer.
School and work: Request letters from school/employer if you need flexibility; many will help after a fire.

Mental Health, Kids, and Pets

Kids: Keep routines where you can—bedtime, school, and simple chores help rebuild a sense of normal.
Pets: Soot can irritate paws and lungs. Bathe pets if safe, and wash bedding.
You: It’s okay to be overwhelmed. Short lists, short tasks, and small wins add up.

Rebuild, Repair—or Sell After a Fire?

If you’re weighing what to do after your house burns down, you have options:

Repair/rebuild: Good if the structure is sound and you want to stay. Push for a full scope that covers code upgrades if your policy allows it.
Partial rebuild + refresh: Common for room-limited fires with heavy smoke spread.
Sell as-is (fire-damaged): Can be faster if you don’t want a long repair. Get at least two offers and compare them to your net after a rebuild (time + stress count too).
Lot sale/new build: If the home is a total loss and timelines stretch, some owners choose to start fresh.

Run the numbers with your contractor’s estimate, your coverage, and your tolerance for long projects.

You Can Do This: A Simple Florida Fire Recovery Plan

You’ve got a path forward: start with the what to do after a house fire checklist, keep safety first, document well, stop more damage, and lean on the right pros. Whether it was a small flare-up or what to do after your house burns down feels like your reality, you can move from shock to steady progress—one clear step at a time.

What to Do After a House Fire Checklist (Florida Guide)

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