Smoke & Water Damage
- Take quick action to avoid additional damage.Interior Furniture image by I-MAGIC from Fotolia.com
Call a fire restoration expert to assess the total damage. However, if you choose not to hire outside assistance, you can reduce additional damage once you have obtained permission from your fire marshal to reenter your home. Cover carpets with towels to avoid tracking soot. Blow or vacuum upholstery, drapes and carpets. Prop open the doors. Send clothing to a dry cleaner with experience in removing smoke. Throw away all open food. Install a new furnace air filter. - Smoke can be trapped inside walls.Interior of the cabinet image by Andytani from Fotolia.com
Unless smoke is completely removed immediately after a fire, it can become trapped in walls and ducts. Later, especially in damp or warm weather, the odor from the smoke can reappear. A professional restorer can conduct thermal fogging to neutralize the odor in the walls, ducts and other hidden areas. Consider replacing your attic insulation to remove all traces of smoke odor. - Water damage can result in mold.fire hoses stretching across the street during fir image by Elnur from Fotolia.com
Before a recovery specialist arrives, begin the drying process to stave off the growth of mold, which can appear in less than 48 hours. As soon as you can, use fans and, if the temperature is above 60 degrees Fahrenheit, use a dehumidifier. Mop to remove as much water as you can. Remove wet rugs. Move photos, art and other valuables to a safe location. Remove sofa cushions so they can dry evenly and place furniture on wooden blocks. Dry furs and leather items by hanging them separately. - Mold can irritate people with asthma.young woman wiping nose image by forca from Fotolia.com
Following a flood, or a fire when sprinklers and hoses have been used, mold is a health hazard. It can cause allergic reactions including red eyes, sneezing, skin rash, runny nose and even asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, to remove mold growth from hard surfaces, use commercial products, soap and water, or a bleach solution of no more than 1 cup of bleach in 1 gallon of water. Use a stiff brush on rough surface materials such as concrete. - Smoke detectors are essential.fire detector on ceiling image by StarJumper from Fotolia.com
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimates that, each year, more than 4,000 Americans die and more than 25,000 are injured in fires, many of which could be prevented. The National Fire Protection Association offers these home fire prevention tips: Install and maintain smoke detectors; plan and practice an escape plan; carefully discard cigarettes; be careful while cooking; keep portable space heaters at least 3 feet from flammable items; keep matches and lighters out of children’s reach; and use electricity safely.
