A house fire is one of the most devastating events a homeowner or tenant may experience, leaving them with the tremendous task of attempting to salvage what they can. Luckily, there are professional restoration services available to help clean up, sort through the aftermath, and restore as much as possible.
There are, however, many common items that are typically too damaged by smoke, soot, and the fire itself to keep around. Let’s take a look at some items you should always get rid of after a house fire.
Burned and Charred Items
Items that have been directly affected by the fire in any significant way should be discarded. This includes clothing, linens, furniture, and other personal belongings. It may be difficult to toss out heirlooms or anything that carries sentimental value, but if the fire damage is beyond repair — and your belongings retain toxic substances — hanging on to these things could be hazardous to your health.
Nonperishable Foods
Though nonperishable food items are commonly purchased for emergency situations, in the case of a house fire, they should be thrown away. Canned or jarred food can be contaminated by smoke and soot, making them unsafe to eat. Even if there is no noticeable damage to the packaging, the contents have likely been compromised by heat, smoke, and chemicals, and should not be consumed under any circumstances.
Perishable Foods
If a house fire affects your electricity for an extended period of time, your refrigerated food will have spoiled and should be disposed of. Similar to nonperishables, perishable items are susceptible to smoke damage and soot damage. Even if these items were stored in a room that was not directly affected by fire, and there is no visible damage to the packaging, the smoke that permeates a house in a house fire can breach pantries and cabinets, making your food inedible.
Pet Foods
If you are tossing out your food because of the health risks posed, it stands to reason that your pets should not eat their bagged or canned pet food either. Just like perishables and nonperishables, the pet food will potentially contain contaminants from excessive smoke and soot.
Medications
Prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicine, and vitamins are stored in plastics that are extremely vulnerable to intense heat and should not be taken. Likewise, the chemical composition of some medications can be altered by high temperatures. If your required medication is compromised in a house fire, make sure you contact your doctor to promptly refill your prescriptions.
Cosmetics
Cosmetics can be costly to replace, but if they have been contaminated by smoke or soot, it is advisable to avoid using them. Makeup and skincare products affected by house fires may lead to skin irritation, rashes, and other adverse reactions. It is better to buy new products and dodge a potential dermatological disaster.
Better Safe Than Sorry
The trail of destruction a house fire leaves behind can pose serious health risks to those who attempt to salvage damaged items. Safety should be priority number one, so follow the advice of a professional restoration service like 24 Hour Flood Pros. They can guide you on what is salvageable and what is lost. Possessions can be recovered in time, but you should never gamble with your health. Remember, don’t risk it, replace it!
