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The first hour: a checklist

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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.

  1. Call 911 if anyone may be hurt, or if you’ve found someone who has died.
  2. Step outside or into another room. Don’t touch, move or clean anything. Police may need the scene as it is.
  3. Call someone to be with you. A friend, a family member or a neighbor.
  4. Take care of children and pets and keep them away from the area.
  5. 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.
  6. Don’t clean it yourself. Search your city and call a verified company. Most answer at any hour.
  7. Call your insurance company or let the cleanup company do it for you.
  8. If a crime happened, ask about victim compensation. Find your state’s program.
  9. 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.

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