Fans built before 2012 may pose fire risks. These newer models have added safety features. Use a newer model box fan (2012 or later) and look for one with a UL or ETL safety marking.If you use a DIY air cleaner, follow these safety tips: Try to get a good seal between the fan and the filter. To maximize filtration, choose a high-efficiency filter, preferably rated Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 or higher, and align the arrows on the filter with the direction of the air flow through the fan. The Washington Department of Ecology and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have posted tutorial videos to help users construct DIY air cleaners: one-filter design and two-filter design. Some common designs are to place one filter flat against the fan, two filters taped with cardboard to form a triangle against the fan, or even more filters taped against the fan to form a cube. There are many ways to put together a DIY air cleaner. You may decide to purchase a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency HVAC system filter as part of your preparation in order to help improve your indoor air quality during a wildfire smoke event. Consider purchasing a portable air cleaner or high-efficiency HVAC Filter FEMA’s How to Prepare for a Wildfire provides additional detail on how to protect yourself and your property. The Prepare for Fire Season fact sheet describes the key steps you should take to make sure you are prepared to protect your family’s health in the event of a wildfire. Being prepared for fire season is especially important for the health of children, older adults, and people with heart or lung disease. If you live in an area where the wildfire risk is high, take steps now to prepare for fire season. What Can I Do Now to Protect My Family from Wildfire Smoke? In this situation, you can monitor your local outdoor air quality on and manage your indoor air quality as you normally would. While this can happen, the amount of smoke that may reach your community from such a distance is probably very small and may be overshadowed by local sources of particle pollution. Image credit: NASA You may hear that smoke from a far-away wildfire has spread to your community, even if it is thousands of miles away. Actively burning areas are outlined in red. Wildfire smoke crossing the US on the jet stream. This page provides helpful information to reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke inside your home. Learn more about the health effects of wildfire smoke. Still, it's a good idea to avoid breathing smoke – both outdoors and indoors – if you can help it. If you are healthy, you're usually not at a major risk from short-term exposures to smoke. Fine particles also can aggravate chronic heart and lung diseases - and even are linked to premature deaths in people with these conditions. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system – whether you are outdoors or indoors, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses such as bronchitis. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. Smoke is made up of a complex mixture of gases and fine particles produced when wood and other organic materials burn. Farther from a wildfire, you may be exposed to smoke even if the fire itself is far away. You and your family should be prepared to evacuate immediately if told to do so. If you are close to a wildfire, the fire itself, as well as heavy smoke and ash, can pose serious, immediate risks to your safety and health. You should be aware that some of the smoke from outdoors can enter your home and make it unhealthy to breathe indoor air, too. Local officials may advise you to stay indoors during a smoke event. ***ĭuring a wildfire, smoke can make the outdoor air unhealthy to breathe. ***NOTE : Additional information about the COVID-19 pandemic can be found in Public Health Strategies to Reduce Exposure to Wildfire Smoke During the COVID-19 Pandemic and in the Wildfire Guide Post-publication Updates page. Know how you will communicate with your family or other members of your household.Talk to your health care provider about what to do if you have heart or lung disease. If you have asthma, make sure you have an asthma action plan.Have at least a 5-day supply of food and medication on hand.Gather emergency supplies, including N95 respirator masks.Know how you will get emergency alerts and health warnings.
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