How to Minimize the Risk of Fire After Flooding

4/15/2022 (Permalink)

If you need help in dealing with fire damage after your home is flooded, make sure to contact SERVPRO.

When your home is flooded, you might think that you will only have to deal with water damage. But there are other things you should keep in mind. After a flood, the most likely source of ignition for flammable materials is water. Even on dry days, many materials that are stored or displayed inflammable liquids or gasses can build up in flood-damaged homes. This presents a serious fire risk. Floodwater can also cause electrical wires and appliances to spark, which can ignite nearby flammable materials. It’s important to know how to minimize the risk of fire after flooding. 

Here are some fire safety tips to reduce the risk of fire.

Don’t store flammable materials in flood-prone areas.

Many materials can be made flammable by exposure to water. These materials include gasoline, paint, oil, and aerosol cans. Even items that aren’t usually flammable, like food, can catch fire if they’re left in floodwater for too long. Before the flood, inspect your home for areas that may flood. If possible, avoid storing flammable materials in these areas.

Keep matches and lighters away from flammable materials.

Even a spark can ignite a flammable substance. Keep matches and lighters away from flammable materials, such as up high or out of reach. Store hazardous materials, like paint, in a separate area that’s also away from flammable materials.

Turn off electrical equipment.

Before the flood, turn off electrical equipment, like refrigerators, microwaves, and stoves, that’s not being used. This will help prevent small fires and provide additional protection against larger fires.

Use alarms and smoke detectors.

Install alarms and smoke detectors on every floor of your home. These devices will go off if there’s a fire, helping to notify everyone in the household and providing early warning. A smoke alarm in the home significantly reduces your risk of dying in a fire by 50%. So, if you have a smoke detector, make sure it is working properly.

Keep fires small, and extinguish small fires immediately.

Fires caused by flooding should be handled with care. Even when a fire is small, it can release a lot of smoke. Keep fires small and extinguish them immediately with a bucket of water or a fire extinguisher. However, avoid undermining small fires as they can spread faster than you think. Call for a fire damage restoration North Seminole to immediately do a fire damage repair if your home has already caught fire. They have the tools and expertise to control the spread of fire damage in your home.

Isolate the area outside of the fire zone.

If possible, move outside the fire zone to avoid exposure to smoke. This will help keep exposure to the area outside of the fire zone to a minimum. Isolating the area will also help prevent the spread of smoke throughout the rest of the house.

Conclusion

Fire safety after flooding is important to prevent fires and maintain good housekeeping. Floodwaters can wreak havoc on your home, leaving it exposed to fire. Follow these tips to minimize the risk of fire after flooding and if you need immediate fire damage repair, make sure to contact a reliable fire damage restoration North Seminole professional.