What to Wear When Visiting a Damaged Property or Cleaning After a Fire

When visiting a property after a wildfire has destroyed a home or business, wearing proper protective gear to assess the damage or clean up debris is essential to minimize exposure to hazardous materials such as ash, soot, and potentially toxic substances.

Here’s what you should wear according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health:

• Long-sleeve shirt and long pants to protect your skin from scrapes and contact with harmful chemicals. Coveralls can add an extra layer of protection.
  
• Close-toed, sturdy shoes with a high ankle are ideal for protecting against glass, metal, and wood. Sandals and canvas tennis shoes are not appropriate for fire clean-up.
  
• Gloves should be worn when handling debris and hazardous materials. Household dishwashing gloves should be sufficient to provide adequate protection when cleaning.
  
• Safety goggles — not safety glasses — should be worn to protect the eyes from ash, especially if powerful chemical cleaners are used in a clean-up process.
  
• A disposable N-95 mask will protect against airborne particles, gases, ash, and other contaminants. It should fit tightly around the edges. Bandanas, surgical masks, and other unapproved masks with only one strap do not protect against dust, gases, or vapors.
  
  • Free N95 masks are available at Los Angeles Public Libraries, Los Angeles Recreation Centers, Los Angeles Senior Centers and local nonprofits.
    

• Half-face or full-face respirators (which protect the eyes and the lungs) may also be necessary if there is smoke or fumes in the affected area of damage.

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Important Points to Remember When Cleaning Up After a Fire:

• Ash, soot, dust, and other airborne particles may have been deposited inside and outside of homes and businesses.
• Ash from wildfires is relatively non-toxic but can irritate the skin, eyes, nose, and throat.
• Ash in the air may trigger asthmatic attacks in people with asthma.
• Ash, dust and debris (particularly from burned buildings) may contain toxic and cancer-causing chemicals, including asbestos, arsenic, and lead.

Additional Tips:

• Ash, soot, and chemicals can cling to clothing. Before entering your temporary shelter, remove all clothing and wash them after each use.
• If ash or soot touches your skin, remove it with baby wipes and shower immediately after you clean up for the day.