Whether from a wildfire or a home fire, knowing the steps to take for cleanup is crucial. Ash, dust, melted personal items and chemicals can create a dangerous situation. Read on to learn how to keep yourself safe as you start cleaning after a fire.
Safety first
Continue checking air quality reports. This is especially important after a wildfire. Tune into your local news or weather channel for air quality reports and guidance, even after the fire has been put out.
Look for structural damage. Look for burn marks inside and outside of your home. If there is any severe damage, especially to the exterior walls, wait to enter the building until you are sure it is safe.
Wear a mask. Ash and dust can be harmful to your health. Wear a mask to keep from breathing it in while you clean.
Be mindful of contaminated water. Local wells may become contaminated in a fire. Wait to drink the water until it can be tested and deemed safe.
Cleaning up
Cleaning up ash is much different from everyday dust. Here are a few things to remember as your work to restore your home.
Wear protective clothing. This includes masks, gloves, safety glasses and long sleeves to keep soot and chemicals off your skin.
Open windows. Opening the windows will help with air circulation, drying out any water that may have been used to put the fire out and clearing any smoke.
Use a vacuum. Vacuum up dust and ash rather than sweeping it to avoid pushing it into the air.
Replace kitchen utensils made of plastic or wood. Items made of these materials may have melted or been burned, making them unsafe for use.
Throw out perishable food. Any food that may have been exposed to the effects of the fire should be tossed out and replaced. This also includes cans that have busted and spices that may be hanging on the wall and exposed to smoke or heat.
Use cleaning products containing tri-sodium phosphate (TSP). This chemical can reduce odors in fabrics. Just be sure to test it out on a small patch first.
Remove soot and smoke from the walls, furniture and floors. A mild soap or detergent mix should suffice in most cases. You can also mix 4 to 6 tbsp of tri-sodium phosphate and a cup of household cleaner or bleach in a gallon of warm water. Remember to wait until the surface has dried completely before attempting to repaint.
Wildfires can cause devastation and take a toll on your wellbeing. If you are experiencing a mental health concern, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
Source: CDC and American Red Cross
