Health Risks Of Smoke Damage
Smoke is essentially a collection of tiny solid particles that can contain a variety of chemicals, most often carbon, tar, ash, and oils. All forms of smoke also contain carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. There are actually 4 different types of smoke damage, all of which are dangerous. Here are some of the main health issues that smoke damage can cause.
- Respiratory Issues
Since smoke is small pieces of floating solids, when you breathe in the air of an area with smoke damage, you are breathing in all of these dangerous particles including chemicals like carbon monoxide. Even if you can’t see smoke in the air, your belongings will likely have smoke damage, especially porous materials such as carpet, fabric, and plastic. These possessions will contain the chemicals and particles of the smoke and cause them to linger. If you enter a room and smell smoke, that means the chemicals and particles are still present and you are breathing them in.
- Eye Irritation
If you’ve ever sat around a campfire and had to move your chair to get out of the way of the smoke, you know how irritated it can make your eyes. Even when the fire is out and the smoke is no longer visible, your eyes can still react with the same burning, watering, and stinging sensation you are likely familiar with. If you stay in smoky conditions for long periods, this can cause more serious damage to the eyes.
- Allergic And Asthmatic Reactions
While many people associate allergies with mold and pollen, smoke is also an allergen for many people. Staying in a building with smoke damage can trigger allergies, often in the form of itchy eyes and throat or in other ways you might typically react to pollen in the air. Asthma can also be triggered by smoke particles in the air and a person with asthma needs to stay away from buildings with smoke damage and keep their inhaler with them if they need to go into the building for any reason.
- Skin Damage
The particles from smoke can get onto your skin and cause damage ranging from mild to severe irritation. If you have any form of skin condition (such as eczema, psoriasis, or even acne) these conditions can become aggravated and more severe when exposed to a home with smoke damage. Long-term exposure to smoke particles can also lead to early signs of aging, such as wrinkles and pigment spots, and in severe cases can even increase your risk of developing cancer.
Have Smoke Damage Remediated By Professionals
If you’ve experienced a fire in your home, either large or small, call 24/7 Restoration for fire and smoke damage repair. Our team will remediate smoke damage to remove the dangerous particles from your home so you can live in a healthy environment. At 24/7 Restoration, we will carefully inspect and assess your property to determine the full effect of fire and smoke damage. From this assessment, we will develop a solution that is right for you. Our team uses specialized equipment to remove smoke damage. We will also clean, sanitize, and repair all items and structures damaged by the fire. To get smoke damage restoration services in Calgary, call 24/7 Restoration at 1-403-247-4365 or fill in the online contact form.
FAQ
Q: What should I do after a fire in my home?
A: If you have had a fire in your home (assuming the fire has been put out safely and it is time to deal with the next steps), it is recommended that you contact your home insurance provider to make a claim. Once your home is safe and secure, contact an experienced restoration company in Calgary to get started on your fire and smoke cleanup.
Q: Do I need a commercial smoke cleaning service if the fire was small?
A: In the case of most small fires, trying to clean up the remaining soot and smoke is the most difficult part. Even small fires can do a lot of damage in a short amount of time; they can leave behind particles that eat away at the home's structure and unpleasant odors. For the best chance at restoring your home and furniture after a fire, a professional restoration company will have the proper tools and experience to clean up your property and help save your belongings.
Q: The Fire Department has come and put the fire out, but now I have water in my house. Will this be cleaned up?
A: Water damage resulting from a fire is very common, and 24/7 Restoration will employ all of our expertise in water damage mitigation and structural drying in our restoration strategy for your fire loss. It is our job to ensure that you don’t have mold growth from this event.
