Fire damage persists long after the initial flame has been put out. The aftermath of a fire includes smoke and soot that cover surfaces and items, causing metal corrosion and discoloration of porous materials such as fabric and wood flooring due to their acidic composition. Furthermore, smoke damage odors are generally foul-smelling and pose risks to health and safety. ServiceMaster professionals discuss the different types and dangers of smoke damage and how they can be handled.
Health Risks of Smoke Damage
Fine particles contained in smoke can result to heart and lung diseases when inhaled. The people more at risk of developing these illnesses are those with existing cardiopulmonary conditions, pregnant women, children, and older adults. Smoke’s acidic nature can also cause severe skin irritations.
Symptoms of smoke inhalation include:
- Asthma attack
- Chest pain
- Coughing
- Fast heartbeat
- Headaches
- Runny nose
- Scratchy throat
- Stinging eyes
- Wheezing
Three Different Types of Smoke
Wet Smoke
- This type of smoke is produced by low-heat, smoldering fires and leaves a smeary residue on surfaces which is difficult to clean.
- Material left unburned by the low-heat fire goes up the air as thick, black, sooty smoke, containing a very harsh smell. Wet smoke sticks readily to surfaces.
Dry Smoke
- Dry smoke is caused by hot, fast-burning fires from cotton fabric, paper or wood. The residue is powdery, which is easier to remove compared to that of wet or oily smoke.
- However, dry smoke's powdery residue can easily penetrate cracks and porous materials, causing hidden smoke damage, stains, smells, etching (acidic damage) and discoloration.
- Dry smoke can cause abrasive damage to glass, marble and semi-porous surfaces.
Oily Smoke
- Oily smoke, also called "petroleum residue", are produced by fires from a fuel source, which produce dangerous and toxic fumes. These fumes cause confusion, dizziness, nausea, nose and throat irritation, vomiting and more.
- Oily smoke has a very dense residue which is usually sticky, stinky and difficult to clean.
- Protein smoke is a type of oily smoke which often originates from cooking protein-rich foods. It is a common occurrence in homes during times of voluminous cooking activity, such as the holidays.
- Protein smoke covers non-porous surfaces with a sticky, foul-smelling residue and penetrates porous items such as fabric, carpets and tiles.
How To Put Out a Grease Fire
Cooking protein-rich meals can result to a grease fire. Here’s how to put out a grease fire:
- Cover the fire immediately. You can use a lid or cookie sheet to put out a grease fire. Leave this cover on until the flames are gone and the metal is cool to the touch. This helps prevent oxygen from continuing to fuel the fire.
- Turn off the heat source. Turning off the stove or burners used will prevent the grease or oil from continuing to be heated. While this will help, do not remove the pan from the stove. You may drop the pan or cause burning grease to spread throughout your home, placing yourself at risk of harm.
- Do not pour water on the fire. It can cause the grease to splash and the flames to spread. This is caused by the water vaporizing in the intense heat, causing grease to splash as the water vapor escapes.
- Using a Class K fire extinguisher should be your last resort. A grease fire can be difficult to put out without the proper tools. If you don’t have a Class K fire extinguisher, call 911.
Resources and Information for Fire Safety and Prevention
The following resources provide further information for fire safety and fire prevention, as well as information on recovering and mitigating fire damage, smoke and soot damage, and water damage.
Fire Prevention and Safety Education and Advice
Disaster.com is an excellent resource for disaster-related information, including information on wildfires, home fires, severe storms, and more. It includes a comprehensive forum where users can ask questions and seek advice for preventing and recovering from catastrophic events.
Fire Safety and Wildfire Preparation Tips from Disaster.com
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) page for Fire Safety Tip Sheets: http://www.nfpa.org/safety-information/safety-tip-sheets
American Red Cross Home Fire Safety guide: Home Fire Preparedness Safe Kids Fire Safety Tips for Children
Don't Know What to Do Next? We Do.
ServiceMaster by Reed has a 24-hour emergency hotline for an immediate response to your fire damage restoration needs in Miami, Florida and surrounding areas. We provide residential and commercial properties with a wide range of fire damage restoration services, including smoke damage removal. Contact us at (954) 922-2020.
- We offer FREE estimates for all insurance claims
- We bill insurance directly, so you don’t have to
- 100% guaranteed work with years of industry experience
- Licensed and highly trained restoration specialists
You may also connect with us online to schedule an appointment, or email us at smreedoffice1@aol.com. Our office is located in 1210 Stirling Rd. Unit # 8A Dania Beach, FL 33004.
An independent franchise business licensed to serve you by ServiceMaster Restore®.