According to the National Fire Protection Association, the 1,240,000 fires reported in the United States caused $11.5 in property damage. Many of these fires were caused by defective household products, faulty electrical systems, and arson. It’s important to know the actions to take following a fire to protect yourself and your belongings. Use the following guidelines to safely navigate a fire emergency.
After any fire, the number one priority is your personal safety. If you are unsure whether it’s safe to enter your home, wait until you are given approval to do so by a fire emergency official. Once you are in your home again, be cautious around the damaged area. Fire Damage can cause destruction greater than what it appears to be. Depending on the severity of the damage, you may need to stay at another location until the damage is repaired.
After a fire, change your air conditioning filter. Soot and smoke can penetrate this filter and make it in effective. Cover your air registers with cheesecloth. This will prevent smoke from spreading. Clean household plants thoroughly to prevent destruction of the leaves and stems. If you are moving around your home, try to avoid going from areas that are affected by the fire to ones that aren’t. This can spread soot particles. Not only can this damage carpets and window coverings, it can leave permanent eyesore if it penetrates permeable surfaces. Soot is comprised of pollutants and can be in the form of a liquid, gas, or solid. It can also cause major health problems if it’s ingested.
If the electricity is off in your home, don’t attempt to turn it back on unless a fire official or other professional approves it. The electricity combined with gases from the fire can cause additional fires to form. Ensure that you wash your hands periodically so unaffected items are not soiled.
Dealing with the aftermath of a fire can be stressful and potentially dangerous unless you follow safety tips and instructions given by fire officials. To restore your home after a fire damage, talk to a specialist like the ones at Black Label Restoration. These professionals can handle numerous types of restoration jobs.
