Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of Home: Essential Tips

Protect Your Indoor Air Quality

Wildfires are a scary reality. With increasing frequency, the question of how to keep wildfire smoke out of your home is top of mind. Protecting your indoor air quality isn’t just about comfort; it’s vital for your health. Let’s explore practical steps to keep wildfire smoke out of your home and safeguard your health.

Understanding the Dangers of Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is a health hazard. The EPA explains that it contains a mix of pollutants. Breathing can affect people with or without existing health conditions. From stinging eyes and a scratchy throat to aggravated asthma and heart conditions, the impact varies.

Even short-term exposure can have lasting respiratory consequences. Fine particles can penetrate deep into your lungs, causing inflammation and exacerbating existing lung diseases. Taking steps to improve indoor air quality during smoke events is crucial for protecting your health.

How to Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of Your Home: A Step-by-Step Guide

Taking proactive steps is the best way to keep wildfire smoke out of your home. We can’t control wildfires, but we *can* control our indoor environment. Learn about reducing airborne particles to keep your household safe.

Seal Your Home

Close all windows and doors tightly. Seal any gaps around windows and doors where smoke can enter. Use weather stripping or damp towels as a temporary fix.

This simple act creates a critical barrier. It can dramatically improve your chances of keeping wildfire smoke out of your home. This will create clean air within your home for you and your loved ones.

Optimize Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system plays a key role in battling wildfire smoke. Make sure you’re using high-efficiency furnace filters (MERV 13 or higher). Replacing your furnace filter with one of a higher MERV rating will improve your air quality, the California Air Resources Board maintains.

Run the fan continuously to circulate air and filter out particles. Changing filters frequently is crucial, especially during heavy smoke. For the highest efficiency filtration possible, consider a HEPA filter for your system.

If you have an evaporative cooler (swamp cooler), avoid using it during smoky conditions. They pull in outdoor air, worsening indoor air pollution. Covering the intakes with thick, high-efficiency filters may offer some protection. Just be sure to change these commercial portable air filters frequently as they can quickly become heavily soiled.

Utilize Portable Air Cleaners

Portable air cleaners with HEPA filters are powerful tools to keep wildfire smoke out. Choose a size appropriate for the room. To monitor smoke levels and check the current air quality index, refer to helpful resources like AirNow or the South Coast AQMD app.

Place air purifiers in rooms where you spend the most time. EPA resources detail how creating a “clean room” can provide a haven when outdoor conditions are poor.

Running these during smoke events is crucial for clean air. Portable HEPA air cleaners actively filter smoke particles, something your central system alone isn’t designed for. HEPA filter devices and filters meeting the same performance standard are portable HEPA filter devices that help you improve indoor air quality and protect yourself from the dangers of wildfire smoke. A window air conditioner combined with portable HEPA filter devices further improves air filtration quality. These provide temporary solutions while permanent ones are under development. Consider seeking professional HVAC advice regarding proper HEPA filter use.

DIY Air Cleaners (A Temporary Alternative)

DIY air cleaners, like a box fan with a filter attached, offer a short-term solution. You can secure a filter to the box fan using a bungee cord to make a temporary air cleaner.

More advanced models, such as the Corsi-Rosenthal box, combine several filters to catch smoke particles. The EPA recommends DIY air cleaners as a temporary alternative while permanent filtration solutions are sought. Well-built DIY air cleaners significantly contribute to reducing airborne particles within your indoor spaces, and provide a temporary alternative during emergencies.

If you must use a swamp cooler in smoky areas, ensure your unit has high MERV filters securely covering all outside air intakes. It’s vital to remember this fact sheet provides information that addresses concerns about improving indoor air quality during wildfire smoke events and recommends taking appropriate actions such as using HEPA filters to enhance safety and reduce the risk of lung disease, particularly when outdoor smoke levels become severe.

For instance, the California Air Resources Board maintains a list of certified air cleaning devices that can assist in mitigating health impacts. These certified air cleaners offer temporary relief during smoke episodes. These recommendations aim to help protect people from exposure to heavy smoke conditions.

Additional Measures for Keeping Wildfire Smoke Out of Home

Wildfire smoke can significantly impact indoor air quality, making it essential to take proactive steps to protect your home and health. Start by understanding key measures to reduce smoke exposure, both in the short and long term:

• Avoid activities that worsen indoor air quality: Refrain from vacuuming, frying foods, or burning candles during smoke events to minimize indoor particulate matter.

• Use an N95 respirator outdoors: Properly fitted N95 masks are essential for protecting your lungs when outside.

• Monitor air quality reports: Reliable sources like AirNow and local news outlets can help you stay informed about outdoor air quality and its health impacts.

• Prepare for future wildfire events: In fire-prone areas, consider measures like prescribed burns, fire suppression tactics, and firebreaks.

• Collaborate with Firewise communities: These groups focus on proactive, localized wildfire prevention strategies tailored to specific geographic needs.



• Improve indoor air quality: Temporary solutions like DIY air purifiers or permanent systems, such as commercial air purifiers, can effectively mitigate the impact of wildfire smoke indoors.

By following these steps, you can minimize exposure to harmful smoke and protect your home and family during wildfire events.

Keep Wildfire Smoke Out of Home: Final Thoughts

Learning how to keep wildfire smoke out of your home requires preparation and consistent action. From sealing your house and optimizing your HVAC system to running portable air cleaners and avoiding indoor air pollutants, these tips make a difference.

Preparation is crucial for staying safe during wildfire events. If filters become soiled and clogged over an extended period, changing filters promptly is recommended. It is also highly recommended to consult with professional HVAC technicians to check on your portable air cleaners’ health as the performance of each type can depend on various factors including changing environmental conditions, air conditioner age, window placement, and building conditions.

Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free consultation.

Breathe Easy, Live Healthy

A comfortable home isn’t just about plush furniture or aesthetically pleasing decor. It’s also about creating a safe and healthy environment for all inhabitants. Prioritizing duct cleaning is integral in enhancing indoor air quality, paving the way for better health and overall well-being.

For those keen on elevating the air quality in their homes and reaping the numerous benefits of clean air ducts, don’t hesitate. Contact Economy Heating & Air to get the job done right and breathe a sigh of relief!