Smoke does damage, and the effects can linger—learn what it means for your health.
A fire in the home is one of the worst things that many homeowners can imagine. These destructive disasters can damage your belongings and your home. Worse, they can negatively impact your mental health.
While many people believe that fire is the only risk when a fire breaks out, that isn’t truly the case. Smoke damage is very common after fires, and the damage to your home can place you and your loved ones at risk.
In this article, we will explore the health implications of smoke damage around the house.
The Health Impacts Caused by Smoke Damage Following Home Fires
Smoke damage is highly troubling because it can penetrate almost every surface. From your couches and coffee tables to your clothing and walls, smoke damage can leave lasting negative effects.
These are some of the more common health risks associated with smoke damage.
Respiratory Duress
If you have ever sat by a campfire and smelled your hair or clothes later, you should have a firm understanding of how smoke can linger. This can happen with any items impacted by smoke damage, and that lingering smoke can really harm your respiratory system. The human body is not designed to inhale smoke, even if a good amount of it appears to have cleared out. Smoke damage can cause irritation, difficulty breathing, and excess mucus production.
Worsening Medical Conditions
Although no one is truly safe around smoke damage, those with certain medical conditions are even more at risk. If you or a loved one suffer from asthma, severe allergies, or heart disease, smoke damage can have very serious implications for short-term and long-term health. Many people have their conditions exacerbated by the presence of smoke.
Carbon Monoxide Exposure
Smoke damage can actually cause carbon monoxide exposure, which can have several damaging health effects. As we all know, you do not want to inhale carbon monoxide, and that means exposure to smoke damage should be limited if at all possible. Headaches, irritation, and even life-threatening effects may occur.
Emotional Distress
Smoke damage can mean the loss of items around the home, and it can also make you experience negative health effects. Both of these things are likely to cause emotional distress, which can take time to go away in some cases. It is always best to be patient and talk with someone if necessary.
The Takeaway
Seeing your home damaged by a fire can be highly traumatic. The steps you take after a fire can minimize or exacerbate the negative effects caused by these accidents. When it comes to fire restoration, Denver locals do not want to leave anything to chance. If your home has been impacted by fire damage and you need support to get your home safe and livable, contact our team today. We are here to help you recover from house fires!
