Is the Food in My Freezer Safe to Eat After a Garage Fire in Queens?

9/9/2020 (Permalink)

Rely on SERVPRO of Long Island City to provide top-notch cleaning of fire damage residues and practical advice for your many questions.

The SERVPRO Fire Damage Restoration Team In Queens Helps Sort Out a Broad Range of Health and Safety Concerns During All Phases of a Recovery Project

A home improvement project gone wrong in your Queens garage caused a small fire extinguished quickly. The cleanup of the residues still needs consultation with a professional fire damage restoration company to ensure your family's health and safety. As it is tucked under your living spaces, the garage fire's aftermath can contribute unwanted fumes, gasses, soot, and odors into other areas of your home.

What About My Deep Freezer? How Could the Fire Affect It?
As our crews employ mitigation, remediation, and restoration strategies to eliminate exposure to toxic residues after your Queens garage's fire damage, we pay attention to the effects on appliances. If, like many residents, you use your garage space to store food and beverages in refrigerators and freezers, do not assume the closed doors sealed out harmful vapors or soot. The chemicals or water used to put out the flames also might damage the cord, pug, or circuits inside the appliance.

Are There Guidelines for Frozen Food Safety After a Fire?
SERVPRO crews follow governmental agencies' advice when helping you assess whether the food inside a chest or upright freezer was protected adequately during and after a fire. Understand that freezer seals are unreliably airtight, so each situation must be investigated. Recommendations include:

    •    Keep the door to the freezer shut during a power outage caused by the fire
    •    When opening the freezer the first time, check for soot lines or a smoky odor -- if present, discard the food
    •    Ensure the appliance kept food at a temperature lower than 40 degrees F -- as the temperature of the frozen food rises, so does the risk
    •    If items thaw, you can cook and consume or cook and refreeze meat, fish, or poultry
    •    Refreeze thawed, cold (40 degrees or blow)  juices, baked goods, and dairy items
    •    Refreeze thawed vegetables only if ice crystals remain
    •    Obtain professional advice regarding whether the electronics, cord, or plug is still appropriately operational

Rely on SERVPRO of Long Island City to provide top-notch cleaning of fire damage residues and practical advice for your many questions. Call (718) 440-6994 as soon as possible after your loss.