As we all struggle with the clean up from the Paradise wildfires and work to putting our homes back together, one of the most important things we have to remember is that the ash leftover from the fires can be extremely dangerous. Though the ash from the fires is relatively nontoxic and similar to the ash you can find in your fireplace, any ash will contain small amounts of cancer-causing chemicals. Fire ash can also be extremely irritating to sensitive skin, noses, and throats.
So I wanted to send a few tips over that may help get your Paradise home back in order, but PLEASE BE CAREFUL.
Here is a list of recommendations that we should all follow to ensure that the ash is cleaned up and disposed of safely & efficiently:
1) DO NOT use leaf blowers to blow the ash out.
2) DO NOT hose the ash particles into storm or other drains.
3) Lightly mist surfaces (indoor and outdoor) with water before gently sweeping ash.
4) Be sure to only use vacuums with HEPA filters.
5) Never allow your children to play in the ash.
6) Wash ash off all toys and other household items before using.
7) Wear gloves, long sleeved shirts, and pants to avoid skin contact with the ash.
8) If your skin does come in contact with the ash, wash immediately.
9) Wear fitted dusk masks to protect your face from particles.
10) Place collected ash in trash bags for disposal.
This is just a basic list of recommendations. Please use caution when cleaning and removing the ash from your homes and if it looks like it is beyond a "do-it-yourself job", call a professional!