The Dangers of Smoke Odor
After a fire occurs, it might sound like a good idea to save a few bucks and do the cleanup yourself. It can’t be that difficult, right? Wrong. Fire tends to leave behind an evil, not so visible; smoke. Smoke odor can be very dangerous and detrimental to one’s heath. It is important to understand the dangers of lingering smoke and how to safely remove leftover soot.
The Dangers of Smoke and Soot.
Leftover smoke and soot following a fire are more than just smelly and unsightly. Even during the fire damage restoration process, if these leftovers are inhaled it can negatively affect one’s health. This is especially true for children, elderly, and those with weaker immune systems.
When combustion occurs during a fire, not all materials burn cleanly, resulting in smoke and soot residue. The products leftover include a combination of solids, liquids, and gases that, more often than not, could be composed of various chemicals which are harmful to your health.
How can I be exposed?
Exposure to smoke and soot during fire restoration may occur via the skin and eyes, inhalation, and ingestion. Because airborne soot particulate is invisible, you may unknowingly be affected. Once soot enters your bloodstream, it can cause a wide array of serious health issues, including respiratory issues, shortness of breath, bronchitis, asthma, stroke, heart attack, and even death. In infants, even short-term exposure to soot has been shown to have lifelong health consequences, permanently altering developing respiratory systems.
After a Fire Damage.
If a fire strikes your home, it is important to act fast to remove the smoke odor as soon as possible. To be safe, put on a face mask and start the damage control. First, you need to get rid of whatever was the cause of the fire, whether it’s the curling iron that got left on in the bathroom or the candle that never got blown out. Open windows and doors to get some air filtration that will begin to push out the smoke that hasn’t already settled.
Smoke particles can rest and stick to almost any surface in the affected area. Once this happens, air circulation will no longer be able to push the smell out, making it almost impossible to completely remove the smell. The longer this sits, the more soot will set in, making it harder to completely remove.
Hire A Professional
Unfortunately, safety risks from a fire do not end once the flames are extinguished. Even if you have acted fast and think you have cleaned it all up, fire damage can linger for years unless properly addressed. Proper tools, materials, and ventilation practices are necessary to protect and restore indoor air quality following a fire, including HEPA filtration and adsorption (activated carbon) to preserve air quality. Professional tools, knowledge, and expertise are at the heart of a thorough and safe fire restoration. Call a trained professional, such as Pioneer Restoration, to ensure the damage is completely remove