Free help tool
The first hour: what to do, step by step.
If you’ve just found someone, or a crime happened at home, work through this list one step at a time. You don’t have to do it all at once.
- Call 911 if anyone may be hurt, or if you’ve found someone who has died.
- Step outside or into another room. Don’t touch, move or clean anything. Police may need the scene as it is.
- Call someone to be with you. A friend, a family member or a neighbor.
- Take care of children and pets and keep them away from the area.
- Wait for the scene to be released. Police or the medical examiner will tell you when. Ask them for a case or report number. Insurance and victim compensation will ask for it.
- Don’t clean it yourself. Search your city and call a verified company. Most answer at any hour.
- Call your insurance company or let the cleanup company do it for you.
- If a crime happened, ask about victim compensation. Find your state’s program.
- Find somewhere else to stay tonight if you can.
If you’re struggling, call or text 988 at any time. It’s free and confidential.