ARS PROPERTY-DAMAGE RESOURCE CENTER

Immediate Help After Property Damage

Use this safety-first starting point when water, fire, smoke, sewage, storm, or another event has damaged a home or commercial property.

Updated September 2026 · Technical review: ARS Restoration & Reconstruction

Immediate danger comes first. Leave the area and call 911 for fire, smoke, suspected gas, electrical arcing, structural movement, serious injury, or any condition that feels unsafe. Do not re-enter until the appropriate authority clears the property.

The first decisions

Protect people. Account for occupants, pets, visitors, and anyone who may need assistance.
Stop the source only if it is clearly safe. A water shutoff may limit a plumbing loss. Do not enter standing water to reach electrical equipment, and do not handle damaged utilities.
Prevent unnecessary exposure. Keep people out of sewage, floodwater, visible mold, unstable areas, and smoke- or soot-affected rooms.
Document before changing conditions. From a safe location, photograph the source, affected rooms, contents, and temporary protection.
Notify the right parties. Contact the property owner or manager, insurer, and qualified emergency-restoration help as appropriate.

Practical tools

First 60 Minutes After Property Damage

A calm, ordered response for safety, source control, documentation, and notifications.

Open the first-hour guide →

Property-Damage Documentation Checklist

A printable record for photos, damaged property, communications, authorizations, and expenses.

Open the checklist →

Property-Damage Claim Timeline

Common claim stages, useful questions, and records to keep without assuming coverage.

Review the timeline →

Fire & Smoke Resources

First-day fire decisions, soot and odor guidance, and specialized field tools.

Explore fire resources →

What not to do

Do not enter standing water when electricity may be present.
Do not use household vacuums on water, soot, or suspect contamination.
Do not run HVAC equipment if smoke, soot, mold, or contaminated water may have affected the system.
Do not discard damaged items until they are documented and you understand insurer or authority requirements, unless they create an immediate health hazard.
Do not sign a broad work authorization you do not understand. Ask what is emergency stabilization, what is optional, and how pricing will be documented.

Need emergency restoration help?

ARS can assess water, fire, smoke, mold, sewage, and storm-related property damage in Vancouver and Southwest Washington. Calling does not determine insurance coverage.

Sources, scope, and review

Review note: Prepared September 2026. This resource is educational. It does not replace instructions from emergency services, building officials, medical professionals, your insurer, legal counsel, an engineer, or an environmental professional. ARS does not determine insurance coverage.