Documents and records are very important to your well being and can be damaged or destroyed as a result of a fire. For this reason, the St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue provides the following list of records and documents that should be located and/or replaced. Locating these documents will speed up the process of recovering from a fire.
The Fire Department will remove as much water and debris as possible from the structure before turning the building over to the owner. It is the responsibility of the owner to insure that the property is secure after the Fire Department leaves the scene. In the event the Fire Department feels that the building is unsafe, the property will be secured to the best of their ability.
Contact your local disaster relief services agency such as The American Red Cross or The Salvation Army if you are in need of temporary housing. They each provide services to help fire victims; give them a call to see if they can be of assistance. If you are insured under a package home owner's or tenant's policy, a section of your coverage may pay for temporary housing.
If the building is unsafe and you must leave: Contact the local Police Department and ask them to check your property periodically during your absence. Take the following items with you: All important identification, vital medicines (i.e. insulin, heart medication) eyeglasses, hearing aids, other personal aids, and valuables (i.e. money, insurance policies, credit cards jewelry, checkbook)
Refer to the important phone numbers listing link below.
The first thing to do after a fire is to contact your insurance company or agent as soon as possible. If you are renting the property, you must also contact the owner. Your insurance agent may be able to assist in making immediate repairs or in securing your home. If you cannot reach your agent and need professional assistance in boarding up your home, a general contractor or a fire damage restoration firm can help. Check the yellow pages. Remove as many valuables as possible if you must stay elsewhere. Be sure to inventory the property you remove. Also, check for important papers which may have been damaged. Mobile home insurance coverage is similar to other forms of home owner's coverage. Check with your agent to confirm your type of coverage.
Uninsured:
If your property is not insured or if your insurance will not cover all the losses, contact your family lawyer. You may have to depend on your own resources and get help from other agencies to recover your fire losses. Check with The American Red Cross, The Salvation Army, local church groups, or civic organizations such as Rotary, Exchange, or Sertoma for assistance. Some losses due to fire are tax deductible from your federal income tax. Keep the receipts of the money you spend for repairing or replacing damaged property and for covering your living expenses. These receipts will be helpful in calculating the total loss for your yearly tax return. Check with your local Internal Revenue Service office for Publication 547 - TAX INFORMATION ON DISASTERS, CASUALTY LOSSES, AND THEFTS. A quick refund is possible if you file Form 1045 APPLICATION FOR TENTATIVE REFUND. Check with the IRS first.
Personal Injury:
If as the result of the fire, you, a friend, or a member of your family is injured and the injuries require more than immediate first aid, contact your health insurance agent for further directions.
Household wiring that may have been water damaged should be checked by an electrician before the current is turned back on.
Be watchful for any structural damage caused by the fire. Fire personnel will secure property believed to be a potential safety hazard.
Any food or beverages that had contact with smoke, soot, or heat should be discarded. Wash canned goods and jars in soapy water. If the labels come off, identify the contents with a black marker. DO NOT use canned goods that are bulged, dented, or rusted. If you are unsure - throw it out!
Any medications that had contact with smoke, soot, or heat should also be thrown out. If you are uncertain about the reusability of the medication - discard it. Notify your physician and/or your pharmacist for replacement.
If your power has been turned off, keep the doors to the refrigerator and freezer closed. Refrigerators and freezers left unopened will hold the temperature for a short period of time. If food becomes spoiled or thawed - throw it out! (For more information on saving food, see salvage hints.)
If you have a safe - DO NOT attempt to open! Wait until the safe has cooled; there is a chance that the contents of hot gases could burst into flames when the door is opened. Before leaving, the Fire Department will see that the utilities (water, electric, or natural gas) are either safe to use or disconnected. The utility companies will not make repairs on the customer's side of the meter; therefore, a private contractor will have to be contacted to make the repairs. All repairs of this nature require permits and inspection by the proper building department. The utility companies will not restore the utilities until the repairs are approved by the Building Department. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO RECONNECT UTILITIES YOURSELF!
