Issued: Jun 8, 2023 (4:48pm EDT)

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Keep Your Children Safe from Wildfire Smoke

Wildfire smoke is impacting large portions of the Eastern United States.Children's lungs are still growing and developing so they are especially vulnerable to wildfire smoke and ash. Tiny particles (PM2.5) in wildfire smoke can also affect the health of people who are expecting and other vulnerable groups.

 

Children who breathe in wildfire smoke may experience: 

• Chest pain and tightness; 
• Trouble breathing;
• Wheezing;
• Coughing;
• Burning in the nose, throat, and eyes;
• Dizziness;
• Or other symptoms, including longer term health impacts. 

Wildfire smoke and ash can be particularly harmful to children with asthma, allergies, or other chronic health. Children are also more vulnerable to experiencing stress and mental health effects from disasters, including wildfires.

 

If your child has any problem breathing, is very sleepy, refuses food and water, or other health concerns, reduce their exposure to smoke and seek medical help right away.  

What Can I Do Now to Protect My Family from Wildfire Smoke? 

Reduce Outdoor Activities:

• Use AirNow to check your local air quality. If you are in an area with poor air quality, it may be best to stay inside. Wait until air quality improves before you are active outdoors.
• Children should stay and play indoors! During smoky times, reduce your child's exposure by keeping them inside.
• If outside, wear a mask that will help protect from smoke. Cloth masks will not protect from wildfire smoke, but an N95 respirator mask or an equivalently rated mask can provide some protection if properly fitted for children. 

Keep the Air in Your Home Clean:

• If you have central air, run your HVAC system. If you have a central air system in your home, use it to filter the air. Use high-efficiency filters (rated MERV-13 or higher) and replace the filters frequently. Learn about your system and use the appropriate settings ("Recirculate" and "On" rather than "Auto"). If your system has a fresh air option, close the intake.
• If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor air damper. Make sure that the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible.
• Use a portable air cleaner. Use a portable air cleaner in one or more rooms. Run continuously with doors and windows closed. If you can't get a portable air cleaner, consider using a DIY Air Cleaner.
• Create and use a "clean air room". Clean air rooms can help reduce your exposure to smoke while staying indoors. 
• Keep your air space cool while windows are closed. Use air conditioners, heat pumps, fans, and window shades to keep your clean air space comfortably cool on hot days. 
• Avoid activities that create pollution. Avoid activities such as frying foods, sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning with chemicals, and using gas, propane, or wood-burning stoves and furnaces.

Learn more about steps you can take to keep your indoor air as clean as possible during a wildfire. 

 

Wildfire and Smoke Resources

• Airnow.gov
• Create a Clean Room to Protect Indoor Air Quality During a Wildfire
• Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash
• Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality 
• Protecting Children's Health During and After Natural Disasters: Wildfires & Volcanic Ash
• Children's Health and Wildfires (PEHSU)
• Narrated Children's Book: Why is Coco Red?

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