Preparing for wildfire season
Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke
Each year, fire and smoke from wildfires affect millions of people across the United States. As we enter wildfire season, it is important to take steps NOW to ensure that you and your loved ones are prepared.
During a wildfire, smoke can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe. Local officials may advise you to stay indoors when these events happen. You should be aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can also enter your home and make the air indoors unhealthy to breathe. It is important to be prepared to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke indoors, especially for those who are at greatest risk of health impacts, including children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease. Below are several steps you can take now to protect your family from wildfire smoke:
Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency HVAC filter
- If you decide to purchase a portable air cleaner, choose one that is sized for the room in which you will use it. Make sure the portable air cleaner does not produce ozone.
- If portable air cleaners are not available or affordable, you may choose to use a do-it-yourself (DIY) air cleaner. DIY air cleaners are made by attaching one or more furnace filters to a box fan with tape, brackets, or a bungee cord, and can serve as a temporary alternative to commercial air cleaners.
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- If you decide to purchase a high-efficiency HVAC filter to increase filtration, choose one with a MERV 13 rating, or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can accommodate. You may need to consult a professional HVAC technician to determine the highest efficiency filter that will work best for your system.
Know how to adjust your HVAC system or air conditioner to keep smoke out
It’s also a good idea to get familiar with your HVAC system or air conditioner, if you have one, so you can adjust it to help keep smoke out of your home.
Consider purchasing N95 respirator masks
You should also consider keeping a supply of N95 respirator masks on hand. You can often purchase these masks in hardware stores or pharmacies. The Protect Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke or Ash fact sheet and this infographic will help you choose the correct mask and wear it effectively.
Create a clean room at home
A clean room is a room that is set up to keep levels of smoke and other particles as low as possible during wildfire smoke events. A clean room should be free from activities that create particles, such as cooking or smoking, and the doors and windows should be kept closed to prevent smoke from getting indoors. A clean room can also contain a portable air cleaner that makes the air in the room cleaner than the rest of the home.
The How to Create a Clean Room at Home fact sheet provides more information about setting up a clean room.
Learn more about what to do during and after a wildfire smoke event to ensure your family is protected from exposure to smoke and ash indoors.
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