Tips for making your home a clean air refuge during wildfire season
Just because you're in the safety of your home, it doesn't mean you're safe from poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke. Here are ways to keep the air clean inside your home when the skies turn smoky.
Simple things like vacuuming or simply burning a candle are contributing to worsening air quality inside your home.
And that’s why it’s important to change your habits during wildfire season.
"You want to think of your home as your clean air refuge. If you have a furnace, you want to run your furnace with just the fan, so that it is cleaning the air. And change that furnace filter regularly," said Sherry Torkos, pharmacist and author.
Air purifiers are also recommended, but they are costly to use in every room of your home. So place them in the areas you spend the most time- like the bedroom or living room.
(Rachel Schoutsen/The Weather Network)
"Shower when you come inside, change your clothing. And launder that clothing. Don't leave that clothing sitting on your floor or in your living room. Put that clothing in the washing machine if you can," said Torkos.
And instead of vacuuming, Torkos recommends using a damp, microfibre cloth. They are "really effective" at picking up dust and fine particulate matter.
Next, avoid running kitchen and bathroom fans as this can draw outdoor, smoky air into your home.
(Getty Images)
"It’s also important to know when to leave. If you are not able to control or improve your indoor air quality, you are struggling to breathe [and] you have wheezing. If there are elderly family members who have asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), you may want to leave and go to a community centre, or somewhere where the air quality is better," said Torkos.
Signs your air quality is poor indoors: Burning or watering eyes, coughing, your chest may feel tight, your breathing changes and may lead to wheezing. Also, you might see smoke in your home.