Keep It or Toss It After a Fire

8/17/2021 (Permalink)

After suffering fire and smoke damage you might be wondering what you can keep and what you should toss.

When the ash has settled after a home fire in North St. Paul, MN, there's still a lot of recovery work to do, and some of the most difficult work is still ahead. Sifting through the rubble and deciding what to keep and what to throw out is one of these troublesome steps. You may find several items that can be salvaged and repaired after suffering fire damage, such as furnishings and jewelry.

There are some items that must always be thrown away:

Food Items

Any foods that were stored in open containers or permeable packaging should be thrown out immediately. Foods that were sealed in cans, jars, and other containers may also be contaminated. The heat from the fire can cause food to spoil. Foods may absorb toxic chemicals and pollutants.

Food in the refrigerator may be safe unless

• The fridge smells smoky.
• Soot is visible inside the fridge.
• The refrigerator lost power during or after the fire.
• Food has an odd odor.
• Frozen food isn't cold or hard.

If you have any doubts or concerns about your food, throw it out and replace it. Remember fire damage isn't limited to areas where flames were present; high levels of heat can also cause damage.

Medications and Cosmetic Products

Anything you plan to consume or put next to your skin should be carefully inspected after a fire. This includes any medications, vitamins, supplements, and similar products. If you don't think these items were close to the flames, inspect their storage area for soot, fire extinguisher dust, and similar damage. Watch out for warping on bottles and other containers. Any sign of these damages means that the products aren't safe to use.

When in Doubt, Throw Them Out

Even if these items were directly exposed to flames or smoke, the high temperatures in the vicinity of the fire can damage items. If you aren't sure, ask qualified fire restoration and cleanup professionals for help. Talk to your fire insurance representative to learn more about your fire damage coverage.