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MANAGING THE STRESS
AFTER A HOUSE FIRE
The stress of having your house burned is enormous. You are dealing
with so much after the house fire in addition to your day-to-day
responsibilities such as work. After a traumatic experience such as a
house fire, its normal to feel frightened, sad or anxious.
Your Guide to
Surviving a House Fire
A fire in your home can
cause a lot of damage. What may not be damaged by the flames, heat or
smoke was likely damaged by the water used to put out the fire.
Firefighters may have cut holes in your walls or roof to make sure the
fire was completely extinguished and/or to ventilate smoke and heat.
Cleaning up the damage will take time. Although the fire is out, you can
still get sick from the soot, chemicals, and dirty water left behind. Your
safety and the safety of your family are very important. You will not be
able to re-enter your home without a certificate of occupancy (COO). You
will likely need to find temporary housing. There will be many decisions
to make in the days and weeks following your house fire.
This web site and related materials are your guides to not only survive,
but to thrive after a major catastrophe such as a house fire or flood. We
understand that having your home damaged is one of the most stressful
events that can happen.
Recognizing crisis-related stress
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), when adults
have the following signs, they might need crisis counseling or stress
management assistance:
Difficulty communicating thoughts
Difficulty maintaining balance in their
lives
Increased use of drugs/alcohol
Poor work performance
Tunnel vision/muffled hearing
Disorientation or confusion
Depression, sadness
Mood-swings and easy bouts of crying
Difficulty sleeping
Low threshold of frustration
Limited attention span
Headaches/stomach problems
Colds or flu-like symptoms
Difficulty concentrating
Feelings of hopelessness
Overwhelming guilt and self-doubt
How counseling can help
A counselor can be a valuable resource to you during this time. Even if
you have never sought counseling before, now might be the time to consider
it. A counselor can help you and your family:
Validate and process your feelings
Provide a safe space to discuss your feelings
Help you make a plan to manage the crisis effectively
Work with you to develop strategies to overcome the crisis
Support Groups
Support Groups are another valuable resource for managing the trauma and
stress of the fire. They may help you feel less alone.
More information
For more information from FEMA on managing stress after a crisis,
including how to help children, visit FEMAs website. |
