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Wildfire smoke can lead to dangerous air quality both outdoors and indoors, as millions of Americans are learning this week: Smoke from Canadian wildfires Affecting much of the US, from the upper Midwest to parts of New England. Even if your home is not near a fire, smoke can cause symptoms such as difficulty breathing, asthma attacks, and chest pain. This Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shares the importance of taking steps to reduce the amount of wildfire smoke entering your home. Take these steps to breathe a little easier and protect your family’s health.
1. Run a portable air purifier.
If you live in an area that is Forest fire threat or are affected by wildfire smoke, purchasing a portable air purifier can help improve Indoor air quality. Air purifiers can remove pollutants from indoor air, making it easier to breathe. One before buying air purifierDetermine the square footage of the room(s) in your home where it will be used. Make sure the unit you buy is large enough to clean the air in the room where you will be using it. Additionally, you should make sure that the model you buy does not generate ozone.
2. Use a high-efficiency HVAC filter.
Instead of, or in addition to, purchasing a portable air purifier, you can also consider getting a high-efficiency one. HVAC filter For use with your heating and cooling system. A high-efficiency filter can remove more pollutants from the air that your HVAC system circulates through your home, Smoke eliminator.
When choosing a filter, look for one with a MERV rating of 13 HVAC professional). MERV 13 filters are able to remove more wildfire smoke from the air than filters with a lower rating.
3. Keep windows and doors closed.
When there is wildfire smoke in the outdoor air around your home, you want to prevent as much smoke from entering the home as possible. It is very important to keep windows and doors closed. Limit indoor and outdoor travel to reduce the chance of smoke entering.
4. Turn off the fresh air intake setting on your HVAC system.
Many HVAC systems The interior is set to draw fresh air from outside. While this can be a nice feature on a clear day, it’s the last thing you want when there’s wildfire smoke outside your home. Turn off the air intake feature or adjust your system settings to recirculate the air indoors. For some HVAC systems, you may need to locate outdoors Fresh air intake Damper and close it manually.
5. Run fans on HVAC systems with high efficiency filters.
If you upgraded your HVAC filter before fire season and have a high-efficiency MERV 13 (or similar) filter, running a fan on your HVAC system can help remove more smoke particles from the air. When indoor air quality is particularly bad, run a fan frequently to get rid of excess smoke and help householders breathe more easily.
6. Do not use evaporative coolers.
Also called evaporative coolers Swamp coolerThey should not be used when wildfire smoke is a hazard. Evaporative coolers Draw outdoor air into the home, meaning they can increase the amount of smoke in the home. Turning off an evaporative cooler when it’s really hot outside can be dangerous because the temperature inside the house rises, especially if you have no other equipment. Cool the space. You may have to relocate, but it is important to run an evaporative cooler only when the outdoor air quality has improved.
7. Do not use a portable air conditioner with a single duct.
When there is wildfire smoke in the air outside, it is not a good idea to use it Portable air conditioners Vented out with a hose. Smoke can be recirculated into the home through ducts. Two-duct air conditioners can also pose a potential hazard; If you use one of these Types of air conditioners To cool your home, take care to inspect the seal between the window and the vent kit to make sure it’s tight.
8. Do not bring outside ashes indoors.
If your home is near the site of a wildfire, you may need to clean up the ash left behind after the fire stops burning. Just because the fire is no longer burning, however, doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Burnt ash or other debris can still pose a risk to your health and the air quality inside your home if they are able to get inside.
When cleaning ash, cover your body with long pants, long shirts, socks, and closed-toe shoes and socks to protect your skin. You should also wear an N95 respirator to prevent ash from entering your lungs. Before leaving the cleaning site, remove ash-covered clothing so you don’t bring ash into your home.
9. Use a doormat and wash it often.
Keeping a Doormat The outside of each entrance to your home can limit the amount of ash that gets inside. Soak your feet well before entering to remove as much ash as you can. Doormats should also be cleaned regularly to remove any lingering particles. Even when using a doormat, it’s still a good idea to remove your shoes when you enter the house, as there will still be some ash particles on your shoes.
Homeowner Survival Kit
