Keeping your family safe when the sun gets obscured by smoke

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Published Date 9/24/2020

If you live in the western U.S., by now you know that wildfires are now an expected and dreaded aspect of life. This season (which is not yet over), however, is worse, because they’re occurring during a pandemic. That means they are exacerbating susceptibility to COVID, especially among vulnerable populations.

Darkened skies caused by smoke and ash are causing unhealthy air quality index ratings across a wide swath of the western U.S. Forbes’ Jamie Gold quotes UCSF pulmonologist Dr. Stephanie Christianson, saying, “How much permanent health damage wildfire smoke and ash will inflict on local residents is still unknown, but the lung specialist has concerns, especially for small children, infants, pregnant women, immunocompromised individuals and people with underlying lung or heart conditions.”

What can someone living near one of these wildfires do? Christenson suggests keeping windows closed and purchasing an air purifier. If at all possible, add it to your existing HVAC system. Otherwise, portable air purifiers are a good option. Filters are also extremely valuable. Filter the air you breathe to remove as much of those particles as you can. Your forced-air heating or cooling system likely has a place to install a particle filter. To get good removal of the particles, make sure you buy a filter rated at MERV 13 or better displayed on its packaging.

Look to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as another resource for guidance on wildfire smoke issues and on residential air cleaners. The agency offers some quick tips for dealing with smoke and ash in your homes and on your property.

Use fans and air conditioning to stay cool. If that’s not possible, seek shelter elsewhere.
If your central HVAC system has a fresh air intake, find out how to close it or turn the system to “recirculate” mode.
If you have an HVAC system with a high-efficiency filter installed, run the system’s fan as often as possible to remove particles while the air quality is poor.
For window air conditioners, find out how to close the outdoor air damper. If that can’t be done, consider preparing other cooling options like a fan. And be sure to make sure that the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible.
Use a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency filter to remove fine particles from the air. Run it as often as possible on the highest fan speed.
Avoid smoking cigarettes, using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces, spraying aerosol products, frying or broiling food, burning candles or incense and even vacuuming, unless you use a vacuum with a HEPA filter.
Children, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, such as asthma, should not participate in cleanup work.
Keep windows and doors closed.

Source: Forbes | TBWS

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