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7 Safety Tips to Follow When Cleaning up after a House Fire

The number one priority when cleaning up after fire damage in your home is the safety of everyone involved. It can be a complicated and difficult process, and failing to follow proper safety guidelines can worsen the situation. For this reason, it’s always best to leave the job to professionals, but nevertheless, here are seven safety tips to follow in case you need to do it yourself.

1 – Wear ample protection 

The first and most critical step to follow is to ensure that you’re well-protected from any potential danger left behind from the fire. You can expect to come across hazardous debris scattered throughout the building, and toxins created by the flames can still be present in the air and on surfaces. Put on thick gloves, eye protection, and a face mask to prevent coming into contact with these hazards.

2 – Begin cleanup by clearing trash and rubble

Start off the cleanup process by removing trash and rubble from the affected areas. These can get in the way of cleaning and can cause further accidents. Additionally, sort through the debris to determine which items can be salvaged and which ones have to be discarded.

A good rule to follow is to throw out anything that might cause further damage to your home. These include soiled clothing, curtains, and other fabrics that might attract mold growth.

3 – Ensure the flooring is dry

After the area has been cleared of all debris, the next step is to dry out your floors and carpets completely. You can use a wet/dry vacuum to remove excess moisture. Help facilitate this process by opening windows and doors, as well as turning on fans and ventilation systems. Also, make sure to check underneath floorboards and carpet mats for signs of water damage and have them replaced if needed.

4 – Check the integrity of walls and ceilings

Do a thorough examination of affected walls, ceilings, and other structural elements to ensure that they are still sound. If these are compromised, have them replaced immediately. Minor damage and slight dampness, on the other hand, may still be addressed with the next tip.

5 – Remove soot from surfaces

Clean walls, ceilings, and built-in furniture with water and cleaner to remove foul odors and dangerous chemicals left by the fire. Also, allow surfaces to dry out completely and then check if they need further cleaning. For more extensive damage, you may need to sand surfaces down and reapply paint and sealant to restore them to their original condition.

6 – Have your home inspected before moving back in

Whether the fire damaged your entire house or was localized to one section only, you should wait for officials to give you the go-ahead that you may safely move back in. Professionals are more experienced and capable of assessing properly whether or not your house still poses a threat to your well-being.

Other points to consider

Apart from the above, other practical tips to protect you and your family include staying at a different home while the damage is still being repaired, consulting with your insurance company for asset protection, and alerting local police so that they may watch over your property while you are away.

Recovering from a housefire requires a careful plan of action that all involved parties must adhere to. By following the tips above, you can get through such an unfortunate ordeal safely and without exposing you and your loved ones to further danger.

AAA Restoration is a fire restoration company in Utah and we look forward to assisting you. Get in touch with us today by calling 801-263-9990.