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First 48 hours

House fire: what to do in the first 48 hours

By Vincent WallaceUpdated Expert review pending

What to do right now

Do not go back inside until the fire department says it is safe (USFA). Leave utilities off; if the fire department shut them off, do not turn them back on yourself. Call your insurer right away and ask what to do first. Photograph the damage, save every receipt, and do not throw anything out until it is on an inventory (Red Cross). Throw away food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Your local Red Cross can help with a place to stay.

On this page
  1. First hour: stay safe and get help
  2. First 24 hours: call your insurer and document
  3. 24 to 48 hours: secure the house and limit damage
  4. After 48 hours: what comes next

First hour: stay safe and get help

  1. Stay out until the fire department says it is safe to enter (USFA).
  2. Do not cross colored tape on doors or windows (Red Cross).
  3. Leave the utilities off. The fire department turns off unsafe gas, power and water. Do not turn them back on yourself (USFA).
  4. If you need a place to stay, call your local Red Cross. USFA says relief groups like the Red Cross help with food, clothing, medicine and shelter.
  5. Ask the fire department for the incident report number. Your insurer will want it.

First 24 hours: call your insurer and document

  1. Call your insurance company right away and ask what to do first (USFA). Ask whether your policy pays additional living expenses like a hotel.
  2. When you are allowed in, check the outside first. Leave children with a friend for this first visit (Red Cross).
  3. Take photos and video of every room and damaged item. Red Cross says not to throw anything away until it is on an inventory.
  4. Throw away food, drinks and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot (Red Cross). Frozen food that still has ice crystals may be kept.
  5. Save every receipt for money you spend (USFA).

24 to 48 hours: secure the house and limit damage

  1. Board up broken windows and doors so no one can get in. Tell the police if the house will be empty (USFA).
  2. Cover roof holes with a tarp if it is safe. NAIC says temporary repairs that prevent more damage are usually reimbursed if the loss is covered.
  3. Wear work gloves and heavy-soled shoes. Wet down ash and debris to keep dust out of the air (Red Cross).
  4. For light soot, Red Cross says wash small areas with mild soap or detergent, working from the floor up. Leave heavy soot to a pro.
  5. Get any repair contract in writing and read it before you sign. The FTC says if a contractor wants cash up front, walk away.

After 48 hours: what comes next

Read our guide to the fire damage restoration process and smoke damage cleanup so you know what a pro should do. Compare quotes with our fire damage restoration cost page. Before you sign, use our questions to ask a restoration company. If your insurer pushes back, see insurance claim denied. More help is on the fire and smoke hub.

When to call a pro

  • Smoke or soot spread beyond the room where the fire started.
  • Firefighting water soaked walls, floors or ceilings.
  • The roof, walls or floors are damaged or sagging.
  • Smoke odor stays after you air the house out.
  • Wiring, the electrical panel or gas lines were near the fire.
  • You need belongings packed out and cleaned off-site.

Questions to ask before you hire anyone

Common mistakes

  • Going back in before the fire department clears the house.
  • Turning utilities back on yourself.
  • Throwing out damaged items before they are on an inventory.
  • Keeping food, drinks or medicine that were exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Red Cross says throw them out.
  • Leaving the house open. USFA says you may need to board up windows and doors.

House fire: first 48 hours

Questions people ask

When can I go back into my house after a fire?

Only when the fire department says it is safe. USFA says do not enter a damaged home unless the fire department clears it. Red Cross adds that you should not cross colored tape or enter a home with a posted inspection sign until you know what the sign means. Leave children with a friend for your first look.

Can I clean soot myself?

For light soot on a small area, Red Cross says you can wash walls with mild soap or detergent while wearing rubber gloves, one small area at a time, working from the floor up. Heavy soot, smoke spread through the house, or soaked materials are a job for a fire restoration pro. Check with your insurer first.

What help does the Red Cross give after a house fire?

USFA says disaster relief groups like the Red Cross can help you find food, clothing, medicine and a place to stay. Contact your local Red Cross chapter. Ask your insurer too, and find out whether your policy pays additional living expenses while you cannot live at home.

Sources

  1. After the Fire: Returning to Normal (FA-46), U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA) (2019-01)
  2. What To Do After A Home Fire, American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
  3. Checking Your Home After A Fire, American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
  4. Cleaning Up After A Fire, American Red Cross (accessed 2026-10-19)
  5. How To Avoid Scams After Weather Emergencies and Natural Disasters, Federal Trade Commission (April 28, 2026)
  6. Navigating the Claims Process: Recover and Rebuild, National Association of Insurance Commissioners (June 23, 2021)

Safety note. This page follows CDC, Ready.gov, FEMA and American Red Cross guidance; it cannot see your home. Return home only when authorities say it is safe. When in doubt, wait for a professional.

How this page was made. Drafted with AI assistance from the public agency, statute and industry sources listed above, then edited and published by Vincent Wallace. An independent expert has not yet reviewed this page; when one does, their name and the review date will appear at the top. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.