Wildfire Safety Tips for Parents: Protecting Your Family Before, During, and After a Wildfire

Wildfires pose significant risks to families, especially those with children. Understanding how to prepare, respond, and recover is crucial for ensuring your family's safety.

How Can Parents Prepare for Wildfires?

Create an Emergency Plan

Develop a comprehensive evacuation plan that includes multiple routes and destinations. Ensure all family members are familiar with the plan and practice it regularly. Include provisions for pets and livestock in your plan. (cdc.gov)

Assemble an Emergency Kit

Prepare a disaster supply kit containing essentials such as:

• Non-perishable food and water for at least three days
• First aid supplies
• Flashlights and batteries
• Medications and medical records
• Important documents in waterproof containers
• Respirators approved by NIOSH to filter out smoke or ash (cdc.gov)

Prepare Your Home

Reduce your home's vulnerability by:

• Clearing gutters of leaves and debris
• Trimming trees and shrubs away from structures
• Storing firewood away from the house
• Installing dual-sensor smoke alarms on each level of your home and testing them monthly (cdc.gov)

What Should Parents Do During a Wildfire?

Stay Informed

Monitor local air quality reports and weather forecasts. Stay tuned to local radio or television stations for information and instructions from local officials. (cdc.gov)

Protect Your Family from Smoke

Wildfire smoke can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs, and can make it hard to breathe. Children, pregnant women, and individuals with asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease are especially vulnerable. To reduce exposure:

• Stay indoors with windows and doors closed
• Use air purifiers if available
• Avoid strenuous outdoor activities
• Follow your healthcare provider's advice and your asthma action plan if you have one (cdc.gov)

Evacuate When Advised

If authorities issue evacuation orders, leave immediately. Follow the evacuation routes and avoid areas with heavy smoke. Take your emergency kit and ensure all family members are accounted for. (cdc.gov)

How Can Parents Ensure Safety After a Wildfire?

Wait for Official Clearance

Do not return home until authorities confirm it is safe. Wildfires can reignite, and conditions may remain hazardous. (cdc.gov)

Protect Against Ash

Ash can irritate the eyes, nose, and skin, and cause coughing. When returning home:

• Wear protective clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and pants, hard hats, safety glasses, leather gloves, and steel-toe boots
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Wash exposed skin and clothing thoroughly (cdc.gov)

Check for Hazards

Be aware of unstable structures and hazardous materials that may have been exposed or damaged during the fire. Do not assume areas are safe; conduct a thorough inspection and eliminate hazards before conducting any work. (cdc.gov)

Monitor Air Quality

Continue to check air quality reports, as smoke can linger in the air for days after a wildfire ends. Take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke, especially if you have children or individuals with respiratory conditions. (cdc.gov)

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Children?

Children are particularly susceptible to the health effects of wildfire smoke. They may experience:

• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Difficulty breathing
• Asthma attacks

To protect children:

• Keep them indoors during smoke events
• Ensure they have access to their prescribed medications
• Limit their exposure to outdoor air pollution (cdc.gov)

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect People with Chronic Conditions?

Individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, diabetes, or chronic kidney disease are at higher risk during wildfire smoke events. They may experience:

• Increased symptoms
• Worsening of existing health issues

To protect yourself:

• Follow your healthcare provider's advice
• Keep medications readily available
• Limit outdoor activities during smoke events (cdc.gov)

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect Pregnant Women?

Pregnant women are at increased risk during wildfire smoke events. Exposure can lead to:

• Respiratory issues
• Increased stress

To protect yourself:

• Stay indoors during smoke events
• Follow your healthcare provider's advice
• Keep medications readily available (cdc.gov)

How Does Wildfire Smoke Affect the Environment?

Wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants that can degrade air quality, including:

• Particulate matter
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen oxides
• Various organic compounds

These pollutants can have long-term effects on the environment and human health. (cdc.gov)

How Does Climate Change Affect Wildfire Risks?

Climate change increases the risk of wildfires by contributing to prolonged high temperatures and droughts, which create conditions conducive to fires. This, in turn, affects air quality and poses health risks. (cdc.gov)

By understanding these guidelines and taking proactive steps, parents can better protect their families from the dangers associated with wildfires.