Those parts especially relevant to this article is the information about harmful gases, chemicals and particles that can remain in the air for days after fires have been put out. Cleaners should obviously not be exposed to these and must wear clothing that covers all their skin and a dust mask that covers their nose and mouth. They also advise that people with asthma don’t enter the building at all until it is certain that the air is clear. Gloves should be worn as fire residue ÍÍ Open doors and windows to clear the air in your home (but don’t leave windows or doors open when you are not there). ÍÍ Rinse leather and suede items in cold water and leave to dry naturally. ÍÍ Lightly remove soot from fabrics and surfaces using a vacuum cleaner with a high quality filter- use an open pipe and not a brush. ÍÍ Carefully clean fixtures, fittings, towel rails and chrome trim with a light coating of petroleum jelly (e.g. Vaseline) or other oil. ÍÍ Locks should be taken apart (especially iron), wiped with paraffin and oiled. If unable to do this, squirt machine oil through opening and move the handle to spread the oil. ÍÍ Thoroughly clean and oil hinges on doors and windows. ÍÍ Keep your freezer closed if your electricity will be back on within 24hrs. Make sure the freezer is not affected by water, heat or smoke. ÍÍ Spray plants with water on both sides of leaves (water softener helps). ÍÍ Pour undiluted antifreeze into toilet bowls, sinks and baths to prevent freezing if the heating is off in winter. ÍÍ Call a plumber to drain the heating system if it is unable to be used in winter. ÍÍ Remove pets, including fish to a clean place. ÍÍ Use dehumidifiers to remove water from the atmosphere, you can hire these from tool hire companies. 20 NOVEMBER 2015 CLEANING HYGIENE TODAY often also contains harmful chemicals. As with flooding electrical appliances must be isolated and unplugged. Any food that could have been contaminated by smoke must be thrown out. The exact advice related to cleaning up after the event reads: “It is natural for you to want to clean your property and contents but be careful because taking the wrong action can cause more damage. Make sure you don’t delay as cleaning will become harder the longer you leave it. Specialist local firms can help you. Don’t forget to contact your insurance company or landlord/council first before arranging for a company to clean up. “ ÍÍ Wipe or attempt to wash absorbent surfaces on walls or ceilings as the dirt will soak into the surface. ÍÍ Use contaminated upholstered furniture. ÍÍ Use food or canned goods that have been affected by heat or smoke and do not refreeze thawed food. To avoid getting ill, if in doubt throw it out. ÍÍ Use affected TV’s, Hi Fi’s or any other electrical appliances until cleaned and checked by a qualified person. ÍÍ Send smoke-damaged garments to ordinary dry cleaners as the wrong cleaning method may make smoke and odour impossible to remove. ÍÍ Use LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) heaters to dry out as they create water vapour.” Remember always act to protect your own safety. WIND The technical definition of a windstorm (at least according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica) is “any wind strong enough to cause at least light damage to trees and buildings.” Typically this means winds reaching speeds in excess of 34 miles per hour. The damage itself can be caused by gusts (short bursts of high speeds) or sustained spells of the same. Tornados, hurricanes and cyclones clearly involve wind damage but are generally not counted as windstorms. Whatever classification you choose to use, cleaning up afterward can be purgatory. Often the most damaging (and difficult to clear) part of a windstorm are the trees that are sent tumbling. If they land in the middle of a road they are a hell of an inconvenience, if they land through the roof of your house… well, someone up there might just have a grudge against you. Professional assistance is usually needed (and recommended) when moving fallen trees, and will almost definitely be required to get rid of the tree as well. Wind damage needs repairing, emergency board ups are commonly needed and in the worst cases structural stabilisation needs to be introduced to prevent buildings crumbling. In short, next time you hear anyone moan about cleaning their kitchens or bathrooms, know they should be grateful they aren’t cleaning up after freak weather breakouts. DON’T FEATURE WEATHER Between 2013 and 2014 alone the UK Fire and Rescue Service attended over 200,000 fires. ” DO
CHT November 2015
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