We do not recommend this. Smoke and soot are known to contain toxic substances. However, testing the air in your home will not tell you if, how, or when a chemical may affect your health. It is not possible to draw cause and effect health-related conclusions in these situations. The best way to deal with … Continued
This depends on a number of factors, most importantly whether your home was actually damaged by fire. For cleanup of smoke and soot, we recommend trying the cleaning steps above before considering a restoration or cleanup service. We cannot recommend specific remediation companies or contractors. The Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) can help consumers find … Continued
Not necessarily. According to the US EPA, duct cleaning has never been shown to prevent health problems or reduce particles in home indoor air. Learn more here. Nevertheless, if you are considering hiring a company to clean ducts in your home, consult the US EPA document for advice on choosing a reputable company and other … Continued
According to CARB, cleaning and ventilation are the best ways to improve indoor air quality and “if these actions do not resolve indoor air quality problems, sensitive individuals may benefit from using a central air filter or a good air cleaner in one or more rooms of the house.” If you choose to use an … Continued
As stated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), “the most effective way to reduce exposure to indoor pollutants is to first remove sources of pollution or reduce pollutant emissions”. This means thoroughly clean the parts of your home damaged by smoke, ash, and/or soot. We recommend following the American Red Cross “Cleaning Up After … Continued
During and immediately following the fires are when air quality impacts are the highest. There are steps you can take to prevent nearby burned buildings from affecting your home’s indoor air quality. Take off your shoes and wipe off your pets’ paws to prevent them from tracking ash and soot into your home. Keep doors … Continued
Soot or ash inside your home can cause odors that can linger for a long time. You should thoroughly clean those parts of your home with smoke damage. Possessions or parts of your home that have been burned should be discarded. See the answer to “What can I do about the air quality in my … Continued
