The Health Risks Of Smoke Damage

Smoke damage comes from a fire, or a super heated surface that produces smoke. Smoke can stick to every surface, sticky, duty, and hazardous. Leaving it uncleaned from surfaces can cause major health issues, learn more about the risks smoke poses to health.

Short Term Effects of Smoke Damage

 The short term effects of smoke can range from respiratory irritation to severe respiratory distress due to toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and cyanide. Inhaling residual smoke is extra risky for those with asthma, chronic kidney disease, COPD, diabetes, and many other conditions. Some short-term effects of smoke inhalation are: 

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Headaches
• Eye irritation
• Throat irritation
• Soot in nose or mouth
• Respiratory infections (ie pneumonia, bronchitis, etc.)

If you wear contact lenses and are exposed to smoke, take the lenses out and throw them away. Flush your eyes with sterile saline solution (available at most stores in the pharmacy section) and replace your contacts with new ones or glasses to prevent further irritation or eye damage. 

Long Term Effects of Smoke Damage

Smoke damage should not go untreated in your home. Prolonged exposure, even after the initial smoke has cleared, poses severe health risks. Long term risks include:

• New or worsened lung conditions
• Long-term, persistent respiratory illnesses
• Decreased lung capacity/ function
• Heightened cancer risk

If your home has visible smoke damage after a fire, get it cleaned and restored ASAP to protect yours and your family’s health. While lingering smoke damage can appear harmless, it is not. Some smoke might be easier to clean than others, smoke damage requires specialized cleaning tools, methods, and solutions. In addition, odor removal and air purification are likely needed to improve your home’s air quality by eliminating airborne particles that pose health hazards.

1800 Water Damage Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration

When it comes to smoke damage restoration, safety is always a crucial concern. Not only is it important to ensure that power sources are shut off, but it’s also critical to investigate potential issues to reduce the risk of a similar incident. At 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, we begin with a comprehensive assessment to identify potential hazards, including electrical issues. After that, we’ll survey the scope of damage to your property and formulate a detailed treatment plan. 

With 1-800 WATER DAMAGE, you never have to worry about hidden costs or similarly unpleasant surprises. We offer upfront, transparent pricing with all our services, including fire & smoke damage restoration. 

We help you understand what is happening with your fire & smoke restoration and what steps make sense for your situation. Enter your zipcode to find a 1-800 WATER DAMAGE location near you and take the next step toward repairing smoke-related damage in your home.