Even after a wildfire has passed, you need to exercise caution if your area was affected. The conditions after a fire can still be hazardous, and there are some important things you should do to protect your physical and financial safety.
Stay informed and follow official Guidance
If you evacuated, it’s understandable that you’d be eager to get home and see if your property was damaged. It is critical, however, to make sure you wait for the ‘all clear’ from local emergency departments before returning home. In addition to lingering fire risks, there may be dangerous road conditions or downed utilities that make an area unsafe.
Use Caution as You Assess Damage
Be patient and cautious when returning home or checking for damage around your home.
- Be careful near tall objects, like trees or power poles, that may have been exposed to fire. They could be unstable.
- Check your property and your home’s exterior for smoldering embers.
- Before inspecting your home, smell for gas and turn off your electricity supply until you confirm there is no damage.
- Check your home carefully for hidden embers or burning sparks, particularly the attic.
- Do not use water from your home’s faucets until it is confirmed safe by emergency officials.
- Keep children and pets away from ash, as well as people with heart or lung disease.
- Wear protective gear when cleaning up ash, including a tight-fitting N-95 mask, gloves, boots, and full coverage clothing.
- Avoid stirring up ash, such as with dry sweeping. Instead, mist hard surfaces with water to keep ash down. Don’t leave ash in piles, collect it in plastic bags or other sealable containers.
Beware of Post-Disaster Scams
Sadly, another danger you need to be aware of after a fire is to your financial wellbeing. Scammers often target those who have been hardest hit by natural disasters, taking advantage to commit fraud. Read our guide to avoiding these scammers, and report any suspicious activity to keep your neighbors and community safe.
File a Claim
If you need to file an insurance claim, do so as soon as you safely can. Prompt action means you’ll get faster support.
With Orion180, you can start your claim online or in MY180, or contact your agent for help. You’ll need your policy number, and you should include as much information as possible, including photos for documentation. Our Claims team will get in touch and explain the next steps, and guide you through the full process. You can track your claim’s progress in MY180, and reach our claims team for support. We’re here to help you recover!
