What To Do After A Home Fire | American Red Cross

Recovering After a Fire

Recovering After a Fire

Learn how to begin cleaning up and recovering after a home fire. Learn how to begin cleaning up and recovering after a home fire.

Grey ambulance icon in red circle

Need Help Now?

If you need help after a home fire, please contact your local Red Cross »

4 Steps to Take Immediately After a Home Fire

Call 9-1-1. Give first aid where needed; cool and cover burns to reduce the chance of further injury or infection.
Let friends and family know you’re safe.
People and animals that are seriously injured or burned should be transported to professional medical or veterinary help immediately.
Stay out of fire-damaged homes until local fire authorities say it is safe to re-enter.

Caring for Yourself & Loved Ones After a Fire

Pay attention to how you and your loved ones are experiencing and handling stress. Promote emotional recovery by following these tips.
Discard any food that has been exposed to heat, smoke or soot.
Watch pets closely and keep them under your direct control.
Help people who require additional assistance- infants and children, older adults, those without transportation, large families who may need additional help in an emergency situation, people with disabilities, and the people who care for them.

Family returns to their burned home

Returning Home After a Fire

Stay safe when returning to your home after a fire:

Volunteer comforts a fire victim

Recovering After a Home Fire

Once you are physically safe, take time to ensure your family’s emotional and financial well-being.

Sound the Alarm. Save a Life.

Join our national movement to help keep families safe from home fire.

Help Us Sound the Alarm

Free App to Help Your Family Stay Safe

Download the FREE Emergency App

Find our Emergency App in the Apple Store » or Google Play »

Aplicación de Emergencias - ahora disponible en español » también!

Explore Related Safety Topics

A man installs a smoke alarm

Prepare for Home Fire

Firefighters battling a blaze

If a Fire Starts

A Red Cross volunteer with a family after a home fire

Checking Your Home After a Fire

Cleaning supplies provided by the Red Cross

Cleaning Up After a Fire

Sign Up for Email from the American Red Cross

Did you find this content useful? Subscribe to our email list and stay informed on disaster alerts, preparedness tips, and ways to get involved.

Sign Up

Donate Now to Support Home Fire Relief

Prepare, respond and help families recover from home fires.