Is It Safe To Live In A House With Smoke Damage?

Published on May 05th, 2023

Smoke damage can cause profound health implications for everyone on the property, regardless of how small the house fire appears. Even after you put out the flames, the dangers and damage caused by the fires remain. It can impact various surfaces and materials in the house, such as the carpet, wiring, and affect the lungs, heart, and sinuses of those exposed to the lingering smoke. The death of your safe environment is plagued not only by the effects of a fire but also by unsafe toxins, irritants, stroke, problems, cancer, and odors caused by the incident.

Smoke is invasive. Even if it appears to be gone, there are still signs of smoke damage throughout the house if you look closely. Smoke particles can get trapped in vents, leading to long-term issues and a potentially unsafe living environment due to lingering toxins and irritants.

As a result, it's not a good idea to stay or sleep in a smoke-damaged house after a fire without first cleaning out any lingering smoke particles. Professionals are often needed to effectively clean and restore the property, protecting it against the effects of toxins that can lead to problems such as stroke, cancer, and other health issues.

Coughing and other respiratory symptoms may result from exposure to residue from a fire. The house is covered in soot and smoke particles due to the fire. These elements, along with odors from burned materials, mix with the foul odor emitted by the various items that were burned in the fire, creating an unhealthy environment.

Is It Safe to Live In A Smoke-Damaged House?

A house fire may also cause indirect indoor air pollution. Plastics, foams, and carpets will emit harmful airborne chemicals and smoke particles as they burn. This gas can exacerbate the impact on residents' health, causing breathing problems and increasing the risk of cancer and stroke.

These chemical compounds and particles combine with harmful chemicals and quickly spread throughout the house. Anyone present is at risk of inhaling this lethal concoction. This smoke pollution can be fatal to those with immune or respiratory issues.

The following compounds and particles can be found in the smoke mixture:

Here are the three most serious health risks you and your family face if you stay in a smoke-damaged house:

Prolonged exposure to a house with smoke damage can cause skin damage. Smoke clogs your skin pores with ash and smoke particles, causing rashes and skin irritations.

• Residual carbon monoxide
• Dioxin
• Sulfur
• Asbestos fiber particles
• Phosgene

The smoke produced from a house fire can also have long-term consequences for your skin. Heated particles can harm the collagen in your skin, an essential skin protein.

Skin Irritation and Damage

Prolonged exposure in a house with smoke damage can cause skin damage. Smoke clogs your skin pores with ash and smoke particles, causing rashes and skin irritations.

The smoke produced from the house fire can also have long-term consequences for your skin. Heated particles can harm the collagen in your skin, an essential skin protein.

Another aspect of skin exposure to smoke is that the most significant health risk comes from your personal belongings that have been exposed to the fire - clothing, jewelry, furniture, and so on. These items can transfer harmful chemicals onto your skin if you use them. To avoid this, thoroughly clean all items before using them.

Respiratory Issues

People with compromised immune systems may experience severe asthma symptoms due to smoke inhalation from fire damage, including some of the symptoms mentioned earlier.

• Infants and children
• Individuals suffering from cardiopulmonary or respiratory system diseases such as asthma
• Senior citizens

Long-term respiratory damage can occur due to oxygen disruption to other organs. Inhaling carbon monoxide caused by smoke damage, for example, depletes the blood of oxygen. In this case, vital organs may be damaged due to poor air quality due to a lack of oxygenated blood.

• Burning nose and throat
• Breathing difficulty
• A persistent raspy cough
• Chest constriction
• Lung disease

People with compromised immune systems may experience severe asthma symptoms due to smoke inhalation from fire damage, including some of the symptoms mentioned earlier.

Long-term respiratory damage can occur due to oxygen disruption to other organs. Inhaling carbon monoxide caused by smoke damage, for example, depletes the blood of oxygen. In this case, vital organs may be damaged due to poor air quality due to a lack of oxygenated blood.

Eye Irritation

The most common symptom of fire damage is eye irritation. Itchy or burning sensations in the eyes are common. When exposed to high levels of smoke contamination, the eyes can become watery and red.

It will help if you treat eye irritation right away. To remove smoke particles, use an over-the-counter artificial tears solution. 

Late treatment or consistent exposure to a house with smoke can lead to permanent damage.

How Long Does It Take For Smoke Smell To Fade?

The smell of fire never goes away unless an expert cleans the fire damage and smoke damage. If that happens, it will take a long time. Here's why.

Every item or part of the house is covered in a smooth or mildly dusty layer of smoke. Given the fineness of its particles, it tends to permeate through porous materials- carpets, books, clothes, walls, etc.

The lingering smoke particles make removing the smoke smell difficult. It also means that if you do nothing, you will continue to smell smoke for a while.

Getting the smoke odor out of a house can be difficult. Often, you'll need the assistance of professional or specialized cleaning equipment. However, if you wish to start cleaning while you wait for the experts, here is a proven method for removing the smoke smell from the house:

Ventilating the Rooms

The most obvious step is to air out every room in your home. To ensure cross ventilation, open the doors and windows. Pull down the blinds and detach net screens to increase air circulation and remove any remaining particles.

Living in a smoke-damaged house can pose serious health risks, as the lingering smoke particles and toxins can be hazardous to occupants. The air quality may be compromised, leading to respiratory issues and other health concerns. If you find yourself in such a situation, considering a cash offer for your house after smoke damage could be a wise decision. We buy fire damaged houses - Sell yours now! Companies that specialize in purchasing fire-damaged properties can provide a fast and hassle-free solution. Additionally, with their expertise, you can get top dollar for your fire-damaged property, allowing you to move on from the distressing aftermath of a fire and into a safer living environment. Your well-being and peace of mind are invaluable, and taking this step can ensure a smoother transition to a healthier living space.