Fire and Smoke Damage – Everything You Need To Know

Seeing your home go up in flames is traumatic enough, never mind thinking about the aftermath of this devastating nightmare and the long-term effects it could have on your health and home. Fire damage goes beyond the immediate damage caused by the burning itself. Damage from ash and smoke, long-lasting odors, glass etching, metal tarnishing – the list goes on. Let’s take a look at some causes for concern when it comes to fire and smoke damage restoration.

The Health Issues Caused by Fire and Smoke Damage

When a house fire occurs, so many toxic substances are released into the air due to the types of materials used to build it. The most hazardous substance that is cause for concern is polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are released into the air with the burning of materials such as furniture, plastics, and electronics from the home. 

Among the substances found in soot, which is a by-product of the materials mentioned above, are PAHs and other carcinogens, such as cadmium, arsenic, and chromium, which can all cause cancer as well as genetic alterations. Exposure to these toxic chemicals makes it twice as likely that you develop mesothelioma or cancers of the skin and testicles. 

Cancer aside, there are also many other less deadly health risks involved when it comes to smoke and soot. Some of the most common include:

 Fire and Smoke Damage – Skin & Eye Irritation

The acidity levels from soot and smoke can cause many negative impacts on your health. You may experience itchy, watery, and sore eyes as well as severe irritation and dryness of the skin.

Acute and Long Term Respiratory Symptoms

When there is soot in the air, you breathe this in and it coats your lungs, causing acute asthma, chronic bronchitis, and permanent lung damage in children.

Cardiovascular Issues

Existing, and potentially unknown, heart issues could be exacerbated with exposure to the carbon monoxide that comes with smoke and soot.

The Do’s and Don’ts of  Fire and Smoke Damage

Once you’ve noticed a house fire in your home, you may find that your instincts take over and you begin to handle the situation in a way that may not necessarily be the best long-term decision. Here are some Do’s and Don’ts when it comes to smoke damage in your home: 

Don’ts

1. Don’t Enter The Area 
2. Stay clear of the area unless an expert has deemed it safe. Soot, smoke, and fire can cause long-term structural damage to a home.
3. Don’t Use Appliances
4. Don’t use anything, including electrical appliances, in the immediate area of the fire, until it’s deemed safe by a professional.
5. Leave It To The Experts
6. Don’t attempt any remediation. Leave it to the fire restoration company.

Do’s

Stop and Think 

1. Determine the cause of the fire before taking any drastic measures to clean the area yourself.
2. Clear the Area
3. Remove any unaffected appliances or furniture.
4. Cover Up
5. As discussed, the acids from soot and smoke are toxic to your body, so ensure you’re wearing proper PPE to avoid irritation and health issues.
6. Call a Fire Restoration Company as soon as possible
7. Read on to determine when it’s time to call a fire restoration company.
8. When To Call A Fire Restoration Company
9. There are so many risks and variables when it comes to fire damage, that it’s hard to know exactly where to start – that’s where a fire restoration company comes in. After you’ve determined the immediate risk to your safety has subsided, it’s time to begin evaluating the next steps. Because of the complexity of fire damage, it’s important to involve a fire restoration company immediately so the proper equipment is used and the cleanup is done properly.
10. Every second counts when it comes to fire restoration, so contacting a fire restoration company as soon as possible is the best decision you can make.
11. Contact us for Fire damage restoration service.