Experiencing a house fire is traumatic enough—but what you do in the aftermath is just as critical. Many homeowners are tempted to re-enter and start cleaning up right away. However, some items can pose serious health risks or compromise your insurance claim if disturbed. To avoid hazards and prevent further damage, here are five items you should never touch after a fire—and why calling DryFast Restoration should be your first step.
1. Electrical Appliances and Electronics
Even if your appliances look fine externally, heat and smoke can severely damage internal wiring. Plugging in electronics that have been exposed to fire may cause short circuits or additional fires. From microwaves to TVs and laptops, don’t risk using them until they’ve been inspected by a fire damage restoration professional.
At DryFast Restoration, our technicians assess and safely handle electronics as part of our comprehensive fire damage restoration in Long Island.
2. Food and Beverages
Whether it’s canned goods, sealed items, or refrigerated food, never consume anything that has been exposed to fire, smoke, or extreme heat. Toxic fumes can permeate packaging, and power outages can compromise perishables. It’s safer to discard these items—even if they appear intact.
3. Cosmetics and Medications
Cosmetics, skincare, and medicines can all be altered by high heat. Changes in temperature can affect their chemical composition, rendering them unsafe for use. Inhaling or applying contaminated products may cause allergic reactions or other health issues.
When DryFast Restoration handles fire damage repair in Long Island, we help identify compromised household items to protect your health.
4. Upholstered Furniture and Mattresses
Smoke and soot seep deep into fabrics and padding, making them difficult to clean effectively. These items can harbor toxins, odors, and mold if not treated correctly. Attempting to clean them on your own could worsen the contamination or void insurance coverage.
Let DryFast Restoration determine which furniture can be salvaged and which needs to be replaced as part of our expert fire damage repair services.
5. Walls, Ceilings, and Insulation
It might be tempting to start scrubbing away soot or repainting, but fire-damaged structural materials require professional cleaning and restoration. Smoke damage can be deeper than it looks, and improper cleaning may trap odors or lead to mold growth.
As a trusted name in fire damage restoration, DryFast Restoration uses advanced equipment to clean, deodorize, and restore your home safely and thoroughly.
Conclusion
When dealing with the aftermath of a fire, it’s important to focus on safety, not speed. Touching or trying to clean certain items may seem helpful but can cause long-term damage or risk your health. Leave the cleanup to the experts at DryFast Restoration, your go-to team for fire damage restoration on Long Island.