Trash or Keep? Assessing Your Possessions After a Fire

5/10/2018 (Permalink)

Give SERVPRO a call if you experience residential fire damage.

Your instinct after a fire may be to preserve as many of your possessions as possible, but be careful: dangers may remain even after the flames have been extinguished and the structure has been deemed habitable. Although many of your possessions may be salvageable, there are a few that it’s best to throw away and replace.

Food
Because most residential fires start in the kitchen, food is often exposed to flames, smoke, high heat and water damage – all of which can make food unsafe to eat. If the food is visibly charred, discard it. Any food items that were stored in the open - for example, in a fruit basket – must be thrown away. Also throw away food that was stored in unsealed boxes or bags, as it may have been exposed to smoke or fire-retardant chemicals.

If your refrigerator and freezer remained closed during the fire, the food inside may be salvageable. Check to see if it is still cold, and make sure that the power was not cut off for more than four hours.

Clothing and Textiles
Many clothes and textiles can be cleaned and restored after a fire, but discard any items with visible fire damage. Also be sure to clean clothes thoroughly before wearing them. Residual chemicals in smoke-exposed clothing can be harmful to the lungs.

Medicines and Cosmetics
Be extremely cautious about taking medications that may have been exposed to smoke and chemicals. Don’t take chances. If your medications were in unsealed containers, if they smell of smoke or if they appear sooty, replace them. Cosmetics, too, can become harmful if exposed to smoke. Inspect them carefully before use, and throw away anything that wasn’t sealed during the fire.

Recovering from a fire in Jackson Township, Ohio can difficult in many respects, but guarding your own health and well-being is paramount. As hard as it may be to throw away food, clothing and other household goods, do not put your health in jeopardy. Visit http://www.SERVPROnorthweststarkcounty.com for more information on fire damage.