00:00Some areas where evacuation orders are being lifted, people are returning to homes covered in ash and soot inside.
00:06It's likely to smell like smoke, and some of the residue can be toxic dust from burnt buildings and cars.
00:13Circle of Health reporter Denise Dador spoke with experts on how to get back into your home safely
00:17and how to protect your home from smoke and ash if you're still in right now.
00:22At this Target in Pasadena, customers are being met with empty shelves.
00:26They were out of air purifiers, so it's obviously in high demand.
00:30Yeah, I can't escape the bad air even inside my house.
00:33Dusty soot from the nearby Eaton fire has been seeping into Jack Von Bulow's home.
00:38Every flat surface had ash on it.
00:41In certain areas, almost like a veil of black smoke that's there.
00:44A lot of that smoke carries toxic materials.
00:47Huntington Health pulmonary and critical care physician Dr. Raj Dasgupta says
00:51particulate matter can cause respiratory distress and exacerbate chronic conditions.
00:55That goes deep into the lungs, into the bronchioles, into the alveoli.
01:01So if you have heart disease, you have lung disease, of course, I'm worried about you.
01:06So what can you do as the poor air quality continues?
01:08Seal up your windows and doors.
01:10Use damp rags under gaps and doors.
01:13I'll take a wet towel.
01:14You can put it there and to block the smoke from coming in.
01:18Ephraim Haim with Green Planet Restoration has been in the smoke recovery business for 17 years.
01:23Haim says certified HEPA air purifiers work best in single-sealed rooms.
01:27Similar advice for people returning after an evacuation.
01:30Besides designating a room with an air purifier to stay in, wear an N95 mask when entering.
01:35Lay down a clean towel at the door so you're not tracking in soot.
01:39And do not take out the broom.
01:41Sweeping is very bad, actually.
01:43It just kicks up the dust.
01:44Use a vacuum cleaner.
01:46With a HEPA vacuum to make sure that you're extracting first all the loose particles,
01:52then we're going for a dry wipe.
01:54But if your home suffered significant smoke exposure, it's best to get it assessed by an expert.
02:00Cleanings can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand dollars,
02:03depending on your home size and smoke penetration.
02:06Denise Todor, ABC7, Eyewitness News.
02:08Cleanings can range from several thousand dollars to several thousand dollars to several thousand dollars.
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