Common Hazards To Avoid During Fire Damage Restoration

Fire damage is not very forgiving. Most materials do not stand a chance when flames come their way, and, unfortunately, many release dangerous chemicals and toxins upon combustion. Soot and ash left behind after a fire are full of harmful substances that are dangerous to your health. Materials like wood, plastics, fabrics, carpet, insulation, and other textiles break down into chemicals when burned, and release many different toxins. 

Fire Damage Restoration In St. Augustine

Some of the most common hazards found left behind in soot and ash following a fire are:

• Carbon monoxide
• Ammonia
• Nitrogen oxide
• Asbestos
• Hydrogen chloride
• Bromomethane
• Halocarbons
• Formaldehyde
• Ketones
• Smoke containing chemicals that are also found in cigarette smoke

Exposure to any of these is harmful to your health, and when dealing with fire damage restoration, exposure cannot be avoided. During fire damage restoration and cleaning, these particles get disrupted and can become airborne. Attempting to wipe down surfaces, sweep up particles, or brush off soot can bring these harmful substances into contact with you. Whether through direct contact or inhalation, exposure to soot, smoke, and ash can cause a number of health effects. Some of the most common effects of exposure to toxins left behind after a fire are:

• Headaches
• Irritation to eyes
• Congestion
• Runny nose
• Sore, itchy, or scratchy throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Coughing
• Sneezing
• Asthma 
• Skin rashes

These symptoms can all come on quickly, and occur with short-term exposure. Prolonged exposure can worsen these symptoms and even lead to more serious problems like bronchitis, pneumonia, and even heart attacks. As if fire damage alone is not bad enough, now you have to worry about all these potential toxins and the harm they could cause to anyone in the vicinity of the damage. This may make successful fire damage restoration seem impossible, especially when trying to handle it on your own. This is why you should call the trained and experienced fire damage restoration experts at Restoration 1 of St. Augustine when your home has suffered from a fire. We know and are familiar with the dangers left behind after the flames of a fire have been extinguished, and we are certified and highly trained to restore the damage safely and as quickly as possible. We are available 24/7, with technicians standing by around the clock so we can respond to your fire damage emergency right away. We have the proper equipment, tools, and techniques to handle fire damages of varying scope and size; there is no problem too big for us to handle. We are able to assess the damage and develop a restoration plan unique to your situation that will meet your needs. The best way to protect you and your family from the contaminants left behind after a fire is to trust the professionals with the cleanup and restoration. We promise to work quickly and thoroughly to restore your home and property, and will be with you every step of the restoration process.