One of my greatest fears is a house fire. The scary part about it is that it's a totally real fear that many people have to face head-on.
I don't know about you, but I'm attached to certain choice possessions. I have instruments and books with notes scribbled in them that would absolutely just break my heart to lose. Everyone has their own things that are close to their heart that they try to keep safe.
But in a house fire, nothing is safe. The first thing to worry about is your family and the living creatures in the home. Getting everyone out of the house safe and sound is the main priority, and it's very lucky if that happens. Sometimes, your furry friends can even save your life by alerting you to the fire, like Bailey Bova did for her human family.
However, losing a home and all the possessions inside it is a massive tragedy. The financial strain and sentimental loss is immense, and those going through this grueling process need all the help they can possibly get. But how to help someone after a house fire may not be exactly as you'd expect.
Below are 10 ways that you can help someone who is dealing with the aftermath of a house fire. Trust me, they'll appreciate every bit.
Hopefully, you'll never have to deal with this tragedy, but please SHARE in case someone out there needs to see this information.
[H/T: Houzz]
Thumbnail sources: Wikimedia Commons / Brian Doucet, Flickr / KOMUnews, Pixabay
1. Offer To Take Care Of Their Pets
If the friend or loved one who is battling the aftermath of a house fire has pets that made it out safe and sound, offer to care for them if you can. Your friends might be stuck in a hotel that doesn't allow for dogs, or with another relative or friend who just doesn't have the extra room for a whole family and their pets.
It will mean a great deal to the family to know that their fur baby is cozy and in the hands and home of someone they trust.
2. Send A Text
Talking on the phone might be a lot for someone going through such trauma, but shooting a text message letting them know that you are thinking of them and that they are not totally alone can mean a whole lot.
Losing everything can leave you feeling pretty darn alone, which is why those little phone vibrations go a long way in reminding someone that they're loved.
3. Stock Them Up On Socks And Underwear
Think about the most essential daily needs when you get ready in the morning, and now imagine that they are all gone. Which would you miss the most?
Socks and underwear are way, way up there on the list, so grab enough to last everyone awhile. They'll appreciate being able to feel clean and fresh with each coming day.
4. Give Gift Cards
This may seem strange, because why wouldn't you just give money? Well, gift cards to restaurants or bookstores will help victims of house fires feel like normal people as they share a dinner out or begin to replenish their cherished book collection.
These things may not be essentials like clothing or shelter, but they are essential to a return to normalcy.
5. Reassure Them That It's OK To Be Sad
Often, when something bad happens, we try to remind each other of the silver lining. This isn't always a good idea, though. Saying things like "at least you're all right" or "it was just material possessions" are not always helpful after a house fire.
Their house was full of memories, meaning pieces of that person are now gone forever. Reassuring your friend that it's OK to feel sad in the wake of tragedy is the best thing to do.
6. Open Up Your Home
Living out of a hotel room can be really surreal and unsettling. If you have the space, offer up your home for a few nights for a bit of homey comfort.
If you don't have the space, invite them over to talk over a cup of tea or spend an afternoon watching movies.
7. Bring Pictures Or Other Happy Memories
If you have anything that shows them that not all of their material memories are lost, like a photo album or a souvenir from a trip you went on together, bring that over and tell them it's theirs now.
8. Run Some Errands
If you live in the area, offer to run some errands. Anything from trips to the grocery store to picking up kids from the school bus can be a huge relief in such dire times.
There will be a whole Mout Everest-sized to-do list after the fire, and the handful of things you take off of their plate will be a huge weight off your friend's shoulders.
9. Cook A Cozy Dinner
Invite your friends or family members over for a delicious home-cooked meal or bring food to them. Getting the funds together in the first days and sometimes weeks after a fire to even purchase food can be difficult.
That casserole you bring to wherever they are staying, already heated up at dinner time, will close their day out on a positive note.
10. Ask And Listen
Everyone's situation is going to be different, so sometimes the best thing to do is to ask and listen. Not everyone will want to ask for help, which is when you will need to follow the steps above. Still, others will appreciate you being there for whatever they might need, whether it's tracking down a brand-new teddy bear identical to the one their child lost, or something as simple as a hug and a shoulder to cry on.
Have you or a loved one ever been through a house fire? Please SHARE so that everyone gets the help that they need.
