Is it Safe To Stay In A Fire Damaged House? |
Posted: August 15, 2018 |
After a house fire, many people ask the question: is soot harmful to health? In short, the answer is yes. During a fire, more people die from smoke and soot inhalation then they do from getting burned. One can expect the same lethal threats from a fire damaged home, as these elements are still very much harmful. For this reason, it's recommended that you use a fire restoration service before re-entering your home. If you still feel tempted to enter a fire and smoke damaged house read the following reasons, which outline the dangers of doing so: Airborne DangersDuring and after a fire the smoke, soot and particulate matter can be killers. Please be aware that this danger is not gone, just because the smoke is no longer visible and the dust has settled. Instead, the smoke becomes microscopic airborne particles that, when inhaled, cause serious health risks. Likewise, soot and particulate matter are just as destructive to your good health. The difference is that soot is heavy and greasy, whereas particulate matter is light and dusty. Both tend to settle in layers on just about any surface that was in the vicinity of the fire. If you were to accidentally inhale a cloud of this stuff, that could mean a trip to the ER for you. These airborne particles may be even more dangerous after the fire, as they will travel through vents and pipes and enter other areas of the house. Damage To The HomeWhen considering re-entry into your fire-damaged home, first think about where the fire occurred and how far it has reached. If you don’t know the extent of the damage yet, STAY AWAY. This is important, because if the fire has reached structural elements of the home, the floor and ceiling may not be stable. Furthermore exposed wires and ruptured pipes may cause gas leaks and electrical dangers. If you are unaware of how to handle these problems, then please don't make any attempts to do it by yourself. Furthermore, with soot and particulate matter covering everything in the area, it's easy for you to overlook hazards like broken glass or nails sticking out of wood. Avoid the hazard all together and get help with the fire smoke damage restoration process from professionals. Mold (water Damage)If water was used to extinguish the fire, then you may have to worry about some other issues aside from fire and smoke damage. Water is just as detrimental to a home as fire damage, albeit it usually takes more time. But don’t underestimate its power to cause serious health problems. Not to mention, water damage can quite literally cause your house to fall apart, if it cracks the foundation. Aside from what water damage can do to your home, it can also take a toll on your state of well being. After the water has been sitting at the fire site for over 24 hours, mold growth will become more and more prominent. Furthermore, with all the debris available from the fire, the mold will spread rapidly. It won’t take long in this environment for the mold to become toxic. If this happens, it will become another airborne particle for you to avoid. Considering all of the above, it’s essential that you avoid entering a fire-damaged home on your own. Instead, employ the services of fire smoke damage restoration in Cape Cod.
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