Quick Wildfire Smoke Safety: The Right Way

Wildfires pose significant health risks due to the smoke, soot, and toxic particles they disperse. Exposure can lead to respiratory and heart problems, and elevate risks for conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. It can also worsen asthma and increase the likelihood of heart attacks. (time.com)

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Your Health?

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees, plants, buildings, and other materials. Breathing in this smoke can cause immediate health effects such as coughing, difficulty breathing, wheezing, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, irritated sinuses, headaches, fatigue, chest pain, and rapid heartbeat. Individuals with chronic conditions like asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), heart disease, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or those who are pregnant are particularly vulnerable. (cdc.gov)

How Can You Protect Yourself from Wildfire Smoke?

• Stay Informed: Monitor local air quality using the Air Quality Index (AQI) at airnow.gov or through your phone's weather app. (cdc.gov)

• Limit Outdoor Activities: Reduce outdoor activities, especially strenuous ones, during periods of poor air quality.

• Create a Clean Indoor Environment:

• Choose a room you can close off from outside air.

• Use a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in this room clean.

• Avoid burning anything indoors, including candles, gas, propane, incense, or wood.

• If you have a central air conditioning system, use high-efficiency filters (preferably MERV 13 or higher) and set the system to recirculate mode. (cdc.gov)

• Use Protective Gear: If you must go outside, wear a well-fitting NIOSH-approved N95 or P100 respirator to reduce smoke exposure. (cdc.gov)

• Protect Vulnerable Groups: Children, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic health conditions should take extra precautions, as they are at higher risk from wildfire smoke. (cdc.gov)

What Should You Do After a Wildfire?

• Monitor Air Quality: Continue to check local air quality reports, as smoke can linger in the air for days after a wildfire ends. (cdc.gov)

• Protect Against Ash: When cleaning up ash, wear gloves, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and shoes and socks to protect your skin. Wear goggles to protect your eyes. Wash off any ash that gets on your skin or in your eyes or mouth as soon as you can. Limit how much ash you breathe in by wearing a NIOSH-approved N95 respirator. (cdc.gov)

• Be Cautious When Returning Home: Do not return home until authorities say it is safe. Be alert for broken traffic lights and missing street signs. Watch out for trash and debris on the road. Be careful around damaged buildings or structures. (cdc.gov)

How Can Clime Help?

Clime offers real-time air quality monitoring, providing up-to-date information on smoke levels in your area. This feature helps you make informed decisions about outdoor activities and when to seek cleaner indoor environments. Additionally, Clime's health alerts can notify you of significant changes in air quality, ensuring you stay informed and protected during wildfire events.

By staying informed and taking proactive measures, you can significantly reduce your exposure to wildfire smoke and protect your health.

Highlights:

• Wildfire Smoke Can Be Terrible For Your Health. Here's How to Stay Safe, Published on Tuesday, October 10