First 24 Hours After Damage
What to do — and what to avoid — in the critical first day after fire, water, or storm damage.
In the first 24 hours after fire, water, or storm damage: get everyone to safety, call your insurance company, stop further damage only if it's safe to do so, photograph everything before touching it, and don't discard anything until it's documented. These first steps protect both your family and your insurance claim.
Why the First 24 Hours Matter
What happens in the first day after a loss shapes everything that follows — how strong your insurance claim is, how much of your property is ultimately salvageable, and how fast your home gets back to normal. Damage spreads quickly: smoke residue sets into fabric, water seeps into places you can't see, and mold can begin growing within 24-48 hours in the right conditions. None of that means you need to rush into unsafe decisions. It means the order of operations matters.
Step-by-Step: What To Do
Get everyone to safety first
Before anything else, make sure everyone is out of harm's way. Don't re-enter a fire-damaged home until the fire department clears it. Don't wade through flood water — it can hide electrical hazards, sewage, and structural damage you can't see.
Call your insurance company
Report the loss as soon as possible. Most policies require prompt notice, and an early call starts your claim moving. Ask your adjuster what steps they want documented before anything is moved or cleaned.
Stop additional damage if it's safe to do so
If it's safe, shut off the water main for a leak or burst pipe, or tarp a damaged roof to keep rain out. Insurance expects reasonable steps to prevent further damage, but never take a risk to do this — that's what professionals are for.
Photograph everything before you touch it
Walk through and photograph every affected room and item before you move, clean, or discard anything. Wide shots of each room, then close-ups of specific damage. This is the single most useful thing you can do for your claim.
Don't throw anything away yet
Even items that look like total losses should stay in place until they're documented — either by you, your adjuster, or a contents restoration company. Insurance companies often require proof of the item's condition, not just your word for it.
Separate wet items if you can do it safely
If water damage is involved and it's safe, move wet items away from dry ones to slow mold growth. Don't force open swollen doors or drawers — you can damage salvageable furniture.
Call a contents restoration company
A professional pack-out crew can be on-site quickly to properly inventory, protect, and remove your belongings — which lets your restoration contractor start drying and repairing the structure right away, and gives your insurance company the documentation it needs.
Keep a simple log
Note who you spoke with, when, and what they told you — your adjuster's name, your contractor's timeline, anything a technician says about your items. It's easy to forget details days later when you need them.
What Not To Do
Don't throw away damaged items before they're documented — even if they seem obviously ruined.
Don't attempt major cleanup yourself if the damage involves fire, sewage, or significant water — you can make things worse or put yourself at risk.
Don't wait to call your insurance company. Delayed reporting can complicate a claim.
Don't sign anything from a contractor who shows up uninvited offering "storm chaser" repairs. Verify credentials first.
Questions About the First 24 Hours
How fast can a pack-out crew get to my home?
We offer 24/7 emergency response and can typically be on-site the same day across Nassau and Suffolk County to begin inventory and pack-out.
Should I call my insurance company or a restoration company first?
Call your insurance company first to report the loss and open a claim, then call a contents restoration company. Many adjusters can also recommend a pack-out company directly.
What if I already threw something away?
Try to recall and note what it was, its approximate condition, and if you have any photos even from before the loss. Let your adjuster know — it happens, and most claims can still account for it.