What to do in the first 60 minutes after water or fire damage
The exact steps to protect your home, reduce damage, avoid costly mistakes, and strengthen your insurance claim.
The first hour matters more than most homeowners realize
When water or fire damage happens, most homeowners panic and start making decisions too quickly, or worse, wait too long to act.
Delays and mistakes during the first 60 minutes can lead to:
What You'll Learn
Safety first
Learn what to shut off, what to avoid, and how to keep your family safe.
Stop further damage
Simple steps that can help minimize additional damage before professionals arrive.
Protect your insurance claim
Learn how to properly document damage and avoid mistakes that could affect coverage.
A step-by-step emergency timeline
The guide breaks the first hour into simple action steps so you know exactly what to do and when to do it.
Do not wait for insurance approval before mitigation
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is waiting for insurance approval before starting mitigation services.
Insurance companies generally expect homeowners to take reasonable steps to prevent additional damage.
Fast action helps:
Download the free emergency damage guide
Apex responds quickly to help stabilize your property, reduce long-term damage, and assist throughout the insurance process — 24/7, across Genesee County and Metro Detroit.