Like we all know, poor air quality due to heavy wildfire smoke can affect our heart, lungs, nose, eyes, throat, and immune system. People vulnerable to this risk are those with compromised immune systems or people who have just recovered from COVID-19.
Experts advise that people living in areas affected by wildfires smoke during the pandemic to stay indoors in order to protect themselves against the potentially harmful effects. If you leave your door or window open, some dirt and particles from wildfires smoke might enter your home. So how do you improve your home air quality from wildfires smoke?
Here are things you can do to improve indoor air quality from wildfire smoke during this pandemic. Keep in mind that Thistle Window Cleaning offers expert cleaning services in Perth, Dalkeith, Cottesloe, City Beach, Peppermint Grove, and the surrounding area to reduce and clean the aftermath of air pollution caused by wildfires smoke on windows, doors, and other interiors.
- Limit your home exposure to air particles
Smoke particles are tiny and can flow through small openings, joints, and cracks in your building. Keep your doors and windows closed as much as possible to ensure the healthiest breathing environment and prevent drawing in smoky outdoor air. Run your air conditioner, if you have one, and keep the filter clean to prevent bringing smoke inside.
- Change your habitÂ
Sealing off your home doors and windows is a great first step, but it’s not enough to maintain healthy indoor air quality. Wildfire smoke particulate matter can be tracked into your home through your cloth, shoes, and pets. To prevent your home from wildfire smoke particles, take shoes and jackets off at the door. Wipe down your pets with a wet cloth after going out for a walk. Wipe down surfaces in your home with a wet cloth to reduce dust.
- Use portable air cleaner
Portable air cleaners can help reduce indoor particle levels, provided the windows and doors in which it is placed are kept shut, and the specific air cleaner properly matched the indoor environment’s size. Check to make sure the air cleaner does not produce ozone. A zone is a respiratory irritant that can worsen asthma and other lung diseases. Put the portable air clear away from windows, doors, and foot traffic so the air can easily reach the unit.
- Use a DIY box fan filter
DIY box fan filter can be a less expensive option to reduce fine particles from wildfire smoke in your room. However, it’s essential to understand their limitations and the potential risks when building your own box fan filter. There are different designs to consider, such as those where the filter is screwed on brackets, a bungee cord attaches the filter, and two filters are attached to create a triangle shape. Place the DIY box fan filter in a room, away from a window or wall with the windows and doors closed. All monitor the box when operating to reduce the risk of fire.
- Use a filter to get quality air
Air filters work to reduce the content of particles present in the air. They reduced the particles in the air by filtering and enhancing the oxygen level. “MERV” is a standard way of grading filters. A good filter has a MERV rating of 13 or better. Filters that are HEPA certified are the gold standard, with a MERV rating between 17 and 20. Using a high-quality filter with a MERV score of 13 or more can reduce fine dust particles in your home by 95 percent. Remember to always check the filter for dust and debris buildup during heavy use. Clean or replace the filter as necessary.
- Reduce your contribution to smoke
When the outside environment is polluted with smoke, your #1 priority is to ensure that the inner circle is safe. At this point, regulate any form of action that can produce smokes or result in particles’ distribution. You must not engage in burning or frying activities to limit the amount of indoor pollution you generate, especially in the kitchen. Avoid smoking cigarettes, using gas, propane, wood-burning stoves and furnaces, and burning candles or incense in your home.
- Follow updates on the wildfire smoke
It’s easy to follow the wildfire smoke’s latest information, thanks to weather news and updates. Watch local news on health warnings about air quality and smoke. Pay attention to local air reports and public health messages, and take extra safety measures. So, while you stay safe indoor, the report will give the best time to open your window and take in the fresh air. Doing so, you will be satisfied with your little contribution to staying safe even at the core of the Covid-19 pandemic.
