Get smoke and soot out of your home

Smoke can damage items that were never burned, as the U.S. Fire Administration notes. Soot can also get into the heating and cooling system through many points and spread through the building, and the National Air Duct Cleaners Association says ducts can be contaminated even with the system off. That is why we check rooms, closets and ductwork well away from the fire.

The EPA names soot and smoke as examples of particle pollution, and fine particles can get deep into the lungs. The U.S. Fire Administration warns that soot left after a fire may contain things that could make you sick. Keep children and pets out of the area until cleanup is done.

For light residue, the Red Cross suggests a mild soap or detergent, washing one small area at a time from the floor up, doing ceilings last, and rinsing and drying thoroughly. Wait to repaint until walls and ceilings are completely dry. Heavy soot, residue on porous surfaces or a smell that keeps coming back are signs to call us.

Often they can. The Red Cross says smoke odor and soot can sometimes be washed from clothing that can be bleached, and recommends testing garments before any treatment and following the manufacturer's instructions. We can pack out fabrics and other belongings for cleaning and list anything that cannot be saved.

It may. The National Air Duct Cleaners Association notes that soot can be drawn into a running system and contaminate the whole system, that smoke film may not come off with dry cleaning methods, and that hot smoke can melt plastic flexible ductwork. Keep the system off until it has been checked.

The Red Cross says to throw away food, beverages and medicine exposed to heat, smoke or soot. Food in the freezer can be kept if it still has ice crystals on it; if not, discard it.