Fire precautions when returning home or to work

Safe return home

A fire in a house can cause severe damage and in some cases total loss. The building and many items in your home or business may have been badly damaged by fire, heat, smoke, and water.

You can find things that the fire didn't burn, but are now being destroyed by smoke and soaked in the water that was used to put out the flames. Anything that you plan to store or reuse should be cleaned thoroughly.

• Firefighters may have drilled holes in the walls of the building looking for hidden flames. They may have drilled holes in the ceiling to vent heat and smoke. Cleaning takes time and patience.

General safety tips: Caution!

Wear sturdy shoes (steel legs and toes are recommended), a mask, and protective gear when sorting products. Everything that comes into contact with the ashes must be disinfected and cleaned. Sorting / cleaning incinerated waste is not recommended for health reasons.

• Hazardous chemicals and conditions may be present.
• Check the propane tanks for visible damage before operating them.
• Beware of slipping, tripping, falling and breakdown hazards.
• It is important to understand the risk to your health and safety even after the fire has been extinguished.
• The remaining soot and dirty water can make you sick.
• Be very careful when touching objects damaged by fire. Seek advice from the fire department, local construction officials, your insurance agent, and restoration specialists before you begin cleaning or repairs.
• Do not eat, drink, or breathe near flame, smoke, soot, or water used to extinguish fire.

safety

- Fire ash can irritate the skin, nose and throat and cause coughing and / or nosebleeds. The fine particles can be inhaled deeply into the lungs and worsen asthma and make breathing difficult.

- Do not clean ash and debris from fire until professional hazardous materials cleaning services are provided. Contact a professional for professional damage and dirt removal / restoration.

- If dust or ash cannot be avoided, wear a NIOSH certified N-95 filter respirator. Due to COVID-19, only N-95 masks without one-way valves should be worn.

- Children should not be around while cleaning. Even with care, it is easy to remove ashes, which can contain dangerous substances.

- Clean the ashes of pets and other pets if they are in contaminated areas.

- It is best not to allow pets in these areas as it poses a potential health hazard and they can spread outside of contaminated areas.

- Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts and long pants to avoid skin contact. Glasses are recommended. Contact with moist ash can cause burns or skin irritation. Change your shoes and clothes before leaving the decontamination site to avoid chasing ashes in your car, home, etc.

water

- Do not use your water to wash dishes, brush your teeth, wash and prepare food, wash your hands, make ice cream, or prepare baby food if you suspect or have learned that it is contaminated. Safe water for drinking, cooking, and personal hygiene includes bottled, boiled, or purified water.

- If your drinking water fountain is affected by the fire, it is recommended that you contact a professional fountain and notify your local licensing agency if necessary.

Wash your hands

Keeping your hands clean in an emergency can help prevent the spread of germs. If tap water is unsafe to use, wash your hands with boiled or disinfected soap and water, or use a large pitcher of clean water. How to wash your hands well:

• Wet your hands with clean running water and apply soap.
• Rub your hands together (20 seconds) to lather and rub well.
• Rinse your hands well under running water.
• Dry your hands with a clean towel or air dry.
• If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Food safety

- Food that is at risk of fire can be endangered. Reheating contaminated food doesn't make them safe. When in doubt, throw them out!

- Food in cans, jars, bottles, and other porous containers may look good, but if it's near the heat of a fire it may no longer be safe. Heat from a fire can activate perishable bacteria. If the heat is extreme, the cans or jars on their own can crack or break, making the food unsafe.

- Food exposed to toxic fumes and chemicals must be disposed of. Toxic fumes can get into the packaging and contaminate food. All types of food stored in permeable containers (cardboard, transparent film, etc.) must be disposed of. Throw away any raw food stored outside the refrigerator, such as potatoes or fruit, which may be contaminated by the fumes.

- Food that is stored in refrigerators or freezers can also be contaminated with vapors. Fire fighting chemicals contain toxic substances and can contaminate food and kitchen utensils.

- Food establishments must request environmental health services before reopening their establishment. Contact Environmental Health at (707) 565-6565 .

cleaning and desinfection

Cleaning and sanitizing your home after an emergency is important to keep disease from spreading.

• There are four easy steps to cleaning and disinfecting the surfaces: Wash with soap and clean, warm water.
• Rinse with clean water and sanitize by soaking for 1 minute in a solution of 1 cup (240 ml) non-perfumed household bleach in 5 gallons of clean water.
• Allow to air dry.
• When cleaning, keep these safety tips in mind : NEVER mix bleach with ammonia or any other cleaner.
• Wear rubber or other non-porous boots, gloves, and eye protection. Try not to breathe the fumes from the product.
• When using products indoors, open windows and doors to let in fresh air.

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