3 Things to Throw Away After a House Fire

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Be sure to inspect your medicine cabinet after a house fire.

Items You Should Throw Away After A House Fire

House fires in West Miami,FL are devastating events, not only because of the damage to a home, but because of the valuable belongings contained inside. Fire restoration experts can bring much of your home and possessions back to pre-fire condition, but there are a few things that should almost always be thrown away, no matter what. Read on to learn more.

1. Food

One of the biggest concerns after a fire is food safety. Smoke, soot and firefighting chemicals can permeate many containers, and even heat alone can damage food.

Get rid of anything that is stored in an already opened container, as well as anything kept in plastic, cardboard or cloth packaging. In addition, toss any items in glass jars or metal cans that were exposed to high heat, which can support bacteria growth.

Perishable foods in a freezer or refrigerator might be salvageable, but it depends on how long they went without power. Food is usually safe is a properly sealed refrigerator for around four hours. Take a look inside of the refrigerator and closely assess the items. If the fridge smells smoky or contains soot, or the food has an odd smell, it’s better to be safe than sorry.

2. Cosmetics and Medicine

Be sure to inspect your medicine cabinet after a house fire. If you see any soot, firefighting chemicals or heat damage, throw away the items. Damage includes any warping to the containers, which means they were exposed to high levels of heat.

3. Clothing

Clothing can be dry-cleaned if the only damage is soot or smoke, but if you notice any charring, toss it. This is especially important for children and babies.

House fires are devastating, but most items are replaceable. If you are not sure about what is salvageable and what you need to throw away, there are experts who can help you begin the fire damage cleanup process.