Is It Safe to Live in a Fire-Damaged Home?
One of the frequently asked questions people have about fire-damaged homes is if it is safe to go back and live in the house while it is being restored. It depends on the conditions of the home and the extent of the damage. If the fire-ravaged part is only a small portion of the home and far away from your sleeping quarters, you might be able to live there until that part is restored. However, the general answer is that it isn’t safe to live in a fire-damaged home because of the fumes. The lingering smoke or fumes from the damaged part of the house can permeate the air that you breathe. You don’t want chemical residues you are inhaling coming from burnt plastic and other harmful chemicals that might have been in your home. There is also the danger of asbestos inhalation. Older homes might contain asbestos that when disturbed, can become airborne. Inhalation of these asbestos fibers can lead to respiratory illnesses and even cancer. The best thing to do is to find tempora...