Following the recent wildfires in Canada and Minnesota, much of North America has been battling the surge of wildfire smoke. And with air quality alerts active in over 20 states, local leaders are urging many households to stay indoors.
Not to mention that it’s coupled with extreme weather — many places are seeing temperatures in the high 90s and low 100s.
In fact, one of our Tom’s Guide editors living in New York reported a strong smell of burning in the air, while another colleague reported an “orange haze in the sky”.
Needless to say, any outdoor pollutants will inevitably affect our indoor air quality, even if we don't venture outside.
Wildfire smoke in particular is packed with dangerous particulates and toxic gases, which can lead to respiratory issues or trigger existing health conditions.
Thankfully, there are simple ways to safeguard your home from wildfire smoke and pollutants, helping you breathe easily. Here’s what you need to do right now.
1. Close windows and doors
While we may be tempted to crack a window open to get rid of smoke, ensure that you keep all doors and windows closed where possible. And if there is one area in particular that is affected, the CDC advises choosing a room you can close off from outside air to keep the smoke out. Then set up a portable air purifier or filter to ensure the air is clean.
Another tip is to install weatherstripping to seal any gaps/cracks around windows or doors. Taking these steps prevents outdoor pollutants from seeping into your living space and polluting your indoor air quality.
2. Invest in a good air purifier with top-rated filters
Investing in a top-rated air purifier with an advanced filtration setup is an effective way to purify your home’s environment. When shopping, always verify the specific filter grades and the CADR (clean air delivery rating) to ensure optimal performance.
Most air purifiers have a four-stage filtration system, with a high-quality HEPA (particulate) filter that can capture particles as small as 0.3 microns. Since wildfire smoke particles typically measure between 0.4 and 0.7 microns, using high-quality HEPA filters provides an efficient way to keep your indoor air clean.
Just be sure to know what size air purifier you need for your room before buying to get the most out of it.
3. Use fans and A.C to stay cool
According to the EPA, use fans and set your A.C to a recirculation setting to help clean the air. Plus, if you have central HVAC units, it is advisable to utilize high-efficiency filtration. Ideally, you should opt for MERV 13-rated filters or better, provided your equipment is compatible.
“If you have a central HVAC system, find out if it has a fresh air intake,” states the EPA. “If it does, learn how to close it or turn the system to "recirculate" mode.
"Make sure the HVAC filter is in good condition, fits snugly in the filter slot, and is replaced at the frequency recommended by the manufacturer. Consider upgrading to a MERV 13 or higher-rated filter if your system can accommodate it.”
For more top tips for beating the summer heat, check out keep your home cool for less: The ultimate guide to summer AC settings.
4. Keep tabs on local air quality
Another top tip is to check your local air quality daily via the EPA’s AirNow.gov. You simply put in your zip code and city, and this will instantly give you the air quality index in your area.
Typically, anything from 0-50 on the index is good (Green). Yellow is ‘Moderate’, Orange is ‘Unhealthy for sensitive groups’, Red is ‘Unhealthy’, Purple is ‘Very Unhealthy’, while Maroon is ‘Hazardous’ — which is from 301-500 on the index.
What's more, if you have a top air purifier, it will give you real-time air quality readings, like this Dyson HushJet Air Purifier.
5. Consider purchasing N95 respirator masks
Similarly, the EPA recommends buying a supply of N95 respirator masks to protect your family from inhaling harmful toxins.
“You should also consider keeping a supply of N95 respirator masks on hand,” advises the EPA. “You can often purchase these masks in hardware stores or drugstores. The Protect Your Lungs from Wildfire Smoke or Ash fact sheet and this infographic will help you choose the correct mask and wear it effectively.”
It’s also recommended to look for masks marked NIOSH with N95 or P100. Also, remember to read the guidelines on how to use such masks properly.
It's important to note that if your local authorities tell you to evacuate, you must do so immediately.
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