Dispose of These Items Following a Fire in your Franklin, Indiana home

10/9/2018 (Permalink)

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Dispose of These Items Following a Fire

A fire can be a devastating experience, even if your Franklin, Indiana home remains intact. Smoke and fire damage leave a mess for you to deal with, and it is overwhelming to decide what can be salvaged and what must be thrown away. You may be inclined to hold onto sentimental items or try to salvage food exposed to smoke, but here are some tips to help you decide what can stay and what you need to throw away.

Non-Perishable Food

Food safety after a fire is a serious issue. Non-perishable food exposed to high heat, smoke and firefighting chemicals should be discarded. It may seem obvious that opened canisters and items stored in permeable containers, such as cardboard and plastic, need to be trashed, but food in sealed cans and jars also need to go. Extreme heat can activate bacteria causing food to spoil even if the container is intact. Toxic fumes also have a way of permeating jars and aluminum cans, causing contamination. Throw away any food you even remotely suspect has been in a compromising situation.

Perishable Food

Sometimes perishable food can be salvaged even if the power went out. If it was well sealed in the refrigerator or freezer, it could be safe for about four hours. Inspect all food, but don’t make any assumptions. If the inside of the fridge smells smoky or you see soot, the food is bad. If food has an odor or a funny taste, get rid of it. 

Cosmetics and Medicine

Make sure to inspect your medicine cabinet and makeup bag. Look for obvious signs of damage. If bottles are warped, melted or charred, dispose of them. Look for any signs of heat, soot, fire extinguisher dust or other suspect damage.

Clothing

With the proper cleaning, most textiles (clothes, curtains, bedding, etc.) can be recovered. Throw away anything that is burned. This is especially true if you are considering a young child’s clothing or bedding.

If dealing with your home’s contents after a fire is too much, hire a fire restoration company in Franklin, Indiana to take care of it for you. Visit  https://www.SERVPROindianapolissouth.com/ for more information on fire damage.

CALL us at SERVPRO of Indianapolis South 317-784-3008