How to Help Your Neighbor After a House Fire

4/5/2019 (Permalink)

Have you ever wondered what to do when a house fire strikes a family, friend, or loved one’s home? House fires are devastating and destructive, and most usually everyone surrounding the victim(s) want to help in some way… But how? Here are a few of SERVPRO of West Amarillo’s tips on ways that you can help the victim of a house fire:

• Provide new undergarments and socks to the family.
• Donate any old clothing that you may not wear anymore to the family, including any work attire that the mother, father, or guardian may need.
• Buy toiletries and hygiene products for the family, such as soaps, combs, toothbrushes, etc.
• Provide seasonal necessities, such as winter coats, if necessary.
• Provide a nutritional or homecooked meal to the family, as eating out can be expensive and become tiresome after a while.
• If there are small children, provide any used or donated toys and “busy” items to help distract them and uplift them during trying times.
• If the family is in a hotel for the time being, invite them out to do something for entertainment, as the small area can feel cramped at times.
• Offer to do their laundry at the end of the week, as they won’t have as many clothes as before and will need to wash the ones that they do have more frequently.
• If the family has an infant, they may need a crib, bassinet, diapers, wipes, formula, baby food, bottles, etc.
• Provide food for their pets if they have any.

Any one of these things would be a blessing to the family, but most importantly, make sure that you provide emotional support, make yourself available to them, and do your best to alleviate any stress possible. A house fire is a very traumatic and stressful situation to the entire family and may be the worst day of their lives.