Can Smoke Damage in the House Impact Your Health?
When your home has had a fire, you know you're in need of fire damage restoration services. However, something else you should consider as seriously as fire damage is smoke damage. Smoke is very intrusive and can get into everything in your home, including between your walls, furnishings and any space in your home. The soot leftover can impair your personal belongings and the remaining odors are obnoxious. From our experience as a fire damage restorations company, Paul Davis understands how frustrating smoke damage is, but we also know how harmful it is too. Smoke damage needs to be removed of properly, because it is unsafe to linger in a location where a fire has been. Getting rid of any fragments from smoke damage is just as important as taking care of fire damage. Lingering soot and smoke can actually impair the health of anyone living inside the home. It is unsafe to live inside a residence with smoke damage, even when all the smoke is cleared away, there could still be soot and particles sticking around. That's why it's crucial to get a professional to inspect your house after you've had a home fire.How Smoke Damage Impacts Your Well-Being
Carbon and tar are some of the byproducts from smoke, and if these are inhaled over a period of time, they can damage your lungs. Carbon monoxide is another big problem to be cognizant of as well. It's a hazardous gas that displaces oxygen in the blood when inhaled, which takes oxygen away from the heart, brain and other organs. After your residence has been through a fire, a professional can come by and analyze the carbon monoxide levels in your home. Alongside tar, carbon monoxide and other particles, the health concerns that can arise from smoke contamination are comprised of:- Respiratory Issues – The ability to breathe can be diminished from smoke contamination. Even when the area is clear from smoke, the effects could be ingrained in your furniture, carpet, walls and any other open space that smoke can find its way into. When you come into contact with a smoke damaged space, you're in danger of breathing in particles that were left behind. This can cause sinus and lung concerns which could provoke major health concerns later.
- Skin Damage – All the particles that are embedded in your carpets, furniture and clothing can lead to mild, or even severe, skin irritation that can't be alleviated from lotion. That's why it's important to have your personal belongings treated from smoke contamination.
- Eye Irritation – Watery, red, itchy eyes are a common issue stemmed from smoke residue remaining in your home. If the problem isn't addressed, not only will your eyes be irritated, but more damage could be sustained.