Tips for Limiting Wildfire Smoke in Your Home

Right now historic wildfires are burning along the West Coast. While millions of acres have been destroyed, the fires are also impacting the air quality. The smoke from wildfires can make air unhealthy to breathe indoors and outdoors. Even if the fire is far away, you can still be exposed to the smoke inside your home. 

Wildfire smoke can get into your home through openings like windows and doors. It can also get in through heating and ventilation systems that use fresh air intake. The smoke could impact your indoor air quality differently, depending on how close the fire is and the density of the smoke. The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into our eyes and respiratory system, whether you are outdoors or indoors, causing various health problems. You can protect your family from the smoke by buying an air purifier, changing your HVAC filters and cleaning your home.

Buy an Air Purifier

One way to protect your family from wildfire smoke is by using an air purifier. When it comes to purchasing a device, you’ll want to choose one with a True HEPA Filter. It removes up to 99.97% of airborne particles as small as 0.3 microns in size including smoke, dust, pollen, pet hair and dander, mold spores and dust mite debris.

 Wildfire smoke microns are often 2.5 microns in size, something True HEPA air purifiers can easily remove from your home.

When picking out which True HEPA air purifier is right for your home, you’ll want to think about the space it will be used in.

• For larger rooms and spaces: LivePure Bali

     This air purifier is perfect for large spaces or open concept homes, with the ability to clean a space up to 1,500 sq. ft. in size.

• For smaller rooms and spaces:  Hunter HP400

     This air purifier is perfect for travel or small rooms. With its 3 fan speeds you get the cleaning power you want when you want it.

Change HVAC Filters

Another way to help improve your indoor air quality is by changing your HVAC filters. You will want to choose one with a high MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating. That rating determines how efficient your air filter is. The higher the rating, the more efficient it is. Make sure your system fan and filter slot can accommodate the new filter. Also know you will have to change this filter more often than normal, as wildfire smoke particles will clog it quicker.

Here are some of our favorite HVAC filters:

• AllergyZone

  A favorite during allergy season, these 1" furnace filters will help reduce the amount of smoke in your home with its MERV 12 rating.

• Carrier

  This MERV 15 rating helps to reduce pollen, dust, pet dander, mold spores, dust mites, viruses, bacteria, and other airborne allergens

Clean Your Home

There are also other inexpensive ways to improve your home’s air quality that we recommend.

• Close all windows and doors in your home
• Mop instead of vacuuming when possible, as vacuums can blow the smoke particles back into the air
• Change clothes when coming in from outside
• Wash bedding and sheets more often

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