Fire and smoke damage is responsible for billions of dollars of property damage every year across the nation.
What’s worse, around 6,000 people die annually in fires and over half of those are due to smoke inhalation. Unfortunately, the dangers of fire and smoke damage do not disappear once the fire is put out. Smoke residue can linger for an extended period of time, long after the fire is extinguished and can wreak havoc on your health. It settles inside drawers, on blinds and windows, in closets and on drapery. Carpet, rugs and furniture catch smoke particulate matter and if they aren’t professionally cleaned, the smoke will continue to prove harmful to your health. Learn more about these dangers and how to avoid them below.
Dangers of Smoke Inhalation
Smoke contains a mixture of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide and soot which is extremely toxic. Breathing in this mixture can be very damaging to the lungs, particularly for someone who has asthma or suffers from other respiratory illnesses. Lung damage from aspirating smoke can be permanent and very severe. Asthma isn’t the only respiratory disease that can be negatively impacted by smoke inhalation. Emphysema can be worsened or even caused by prolonged breathing in of smoke. Chronic bronchitis is another serious concern that can be a long lasting result of smoke damage.
Other Health Risks
In addition to the many health problems that can arise from breathing in smoke, lingering smoke can cause eye irritation, itching and redness. Smoke particles in the air can also cause itchy, dry patches on the skin. Lotion and eye drops might help temporarily but until the root cause is treated and all the smoke residue is professionally removed, symptoms will remain.
Limiting the Risk of Fire
As the old adage says, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Take these steps to limit the risk of a fire in your home.
- Remove overhanging branches around your house and near power lines
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned regularly
- Install smoke detectors and test them monthly
- Keep a fire extinguisher in a convenient, easy to access location
- Limit the use of portable heating devices
- Use caution when lighting candles and using gas burners on the stovetop
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Talk to kids about fire safety and keep matches and lighters away from children
Summit Restoration, LLC Can Help!
Fire and smoke damage can be devastating, but it cannot be ignored. Even small fires can cause extensive damage. The fire and smoke damage restoration team at Summit Restoration provides fast, friendly and professional services throughout northern Utah, ranging from Logan to Provo.
We are available 24/7 and will respond to your disaster within an hour. We will take care of all the deep cleaning, damage removal and restoration of your property so you don’t have to worry about the lingering effects of smoke and fire damage. Give us a call today!
