What to Dispose of after a fire

11/14/2018 (Permalink)

Dispose of These Items After a Fire

There are some items that should always be tossed after a fire.

• Perishable Food
  • If the electricity has been off for more than four hours, even after a small fire, most refrigerated and frozen food should be tossed. If a freezer is full and undamaged, check for ice crystals and you may be able to salvage the food for up to eight hours.
• Non-Perishable Food
  • Any foods, even canned goods, that have been exposed to heat and firefighting chemicals should be tossed. The excessive heat can cause food to spoil even if the cans are not burned.
• Cosmetics and Medicines
  • Water, smoke, firefighting chemicals, and excessively high temperatures can ruin cosmetics and medicines. It is not worth risking your health to salvage these items.
• Electrical Equipment
  • No electrical items like small appliances or entertainment equipment should be used until they have been checked for water damage and heat damage to wiring. Toss any questionable items to avoid the possibility of another fire.