It’s no secret that fires are dangerous.
Whether a house fire or wildfire, the damage can leave everlasting destruction to homes such as property and smoke damage.
Ridding a home from the smell of smoke is a considerable challenge due to the way smoke infiltrates tiny particles that stick to all surfaces and porous — materials with many small holes in which liquid or air can pass through.
As the residents of Ocean County affected by The Jones Road Wildfire start to return to their homes many may face challenges such as odors that includes toxic smoke, ash and soot that reduces the air quality and become hazardous to inhale.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) recommends residents assess their homes for smoke, soot and ash conditions of each room by walking the entire house and following these steps below:
To check for the presence of smoke, simply “follow your nose”. If there is a noticeable smoke odor, then you likely have some level of smoke damage.
To check for the presence of soot and ash use a small prepackaged alcohol wipe to clean horizontal surfaces such as unpainted, unvarnished wood and walls.
Here are a few ways to rid your home of the smell of smoke says the Federal Emergency Management Agency website.
For light damage in homes with an odor but no traces of ash:
Open the windows and doors to air out the home. Unless heavy smoke remains outdoors.
Install a new filter in the HVAC unit.
Put bags of activated charcoal around the house to absorb odor.
Avoid the use of odor masking products or perfume-based odor counteractants, they just masked the smell.
Clean any rooms that smell like smoke.
For moderate damage in which you can smell heavy smoke and visible see ash:
Protect yourself. Wear PPE, including safety goggles and an N-95 mask
Wash or scrub exterior surfaces, including walls, walks, drives, decks, window and deck screens, etc.
Wash interior walls and hard surfaces with mild soap or other appropriate cleaning solutions or products such as vinegar and baking soda. Do not forget inside cabinets, drawers and closets.
Wash, dust or otherwise clean all household items, including knick-knacks.
Vacuum carpets, window coverings, upholstered furniture and mattresses.
Wash anything with visible soot that can be washed.
Consider having heating, ventilating, air-conditioning units and all ductwork professionally cleaned to remove soot, ash and smoke residue.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ wildfire: Ways to get rid of the smoke smell after a fire