Wildfire season in Washington state begins in July and lasts through September. During 2020, more than 68% of the West – or 43 million people – were affected by pollution from wildfires and rising heat in one day, according to a recent study from Washington State University.
Even when it’s not wildfire season in Washington, smoke has been known to travel from fires burning in Canada or California and linger in the state. The fine particles from these wildfires are dangerous because they can travel deep into the lungs and enter the bloodstream.
Here are some important ways to protect your home and the people inside it from wildfire smoke this season, as recommended by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Keep all doors and windows closed. If you have a HVAC system or AC unit, make sure you select a setting by which air only circulates indoors, so that you are not drawing upon air from outside. AC units that are window units or portable ones with a hose can be trickier. Make sure there are tight seals around the unit and the window and that you can close the outdoor air damper. Otherwise, do not use them during this time.
If you use an air purifier, it’s recommended you run it constantly, and on the highest setting. Creating your own box filter involves using a newer box fan and adding filters to the front and back. The Washington Department of Ecology and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation have tutorial videos for how to construct these filters yourself.
Questions about home insurance? Contact a Sea Mountain Homeowner Insurance Specialist today!
