National Preparedness Month
Protect Your Indoor Air Quality
Every September, we are reminded to prepare for emergencies. This year, the National Preparedness Month theme is preparing older adults for disasters. Keep reading for tips to keep everyone, including older adults, safer during emergencies by protecting indoor air quality.
Wildfires: Create a Clean Room to Protect from Wildfire Smoke
A clean room can help protect those at greater risk from the effects of wildfire smoke, including children, older adults, and people with heart disease or breathing problems. Learn more about how to create a clean room in your home to make sure you have everything you need before smoke arrives.
 TIP: Use a portable air cleaner that is the right size for the room. Choose one that does not produce ozone. If portable air cleaners are not available or affordable, learn how to make your own DIY air cleaner.
Learn more about what you can do now to protect your family from wildfire smoke.
Floods: Be Prepared for Safe Cleanup
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If you live in an area where flood risk is high, learn how to clean your home after a flood to protect your family’s health. Older adults, children and people with existing health conditions should not help with cleanup.
TIP: Plan ahead by adding the following items to your preparedness supplies – these may be hard to find immediately after a disaster:
- N-95 respirators.
- Goggles.
- Long pants.
- Long-sleeve shirts.
- Gloves.
Check out EPA’s Flooded Homes website for step-by-step guidance and videos for safely cleaning up your home and recovering from a flood.
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Extreme Heat and Power Outages: Know How to Stay Cool
Extreme heat can be especially dangerous for older adults and children. Learn how to stay cool so you’re ready the next time extreme heat affects your area.
TIPS:
- Use ventilation and shading strategies to help control indoor temperatures.
- Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as designated cooling zones, malls and libraries.
- Use portable electric fans to exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct fans toward yourself when the room temperature is hotter than 90°F.
Before you lose power, learn how to safely use a portable generator to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide and other harmful chemicals. Always keep generators at least 20 feet away from any homes or air intakes, and make sure your home is equipped with one or more functioning carbon monoxide alarms, as carbon monoxide poisoning can be fatal.
 TIP: If you need to provide emergency power, NEVER use portable generators indoors! Place them outside and at least 20 feet from buildings.
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