Residents should avoid contact with the smoke and minimize any time spent outdoors, especially elderly residents, pregnant women, people who have asthma, lung or heart disease. Avoid outdoor exercise or work. Using a mask is not an effective substitute for staying indoors in a space with filtered air. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, or chest tightness may require immediate medical attention. Call 911 if you experience these symptoms. More information about wildfire smoke and air quality is available at: cchealth.org/wildfire-smoke, http://www.baaqmd.gov/, and https://airnow.gov/.
Reduce your Smoke Exposure
Wildfires leave behind a lot of ash that can irritate your eyes, nose, or skin and cause coughing and other health effects. Remain indoors with windows and doors closed or seek alternate shelter.
Reduce your risk of health problems:
Have enough medication and food (enough for more than 5 days) on hand.
If you feel sick, reduce your exposure to smoke and contact your health care provider or call 911.
Pay attention to public service announcements, health advisories, and air quality advisories.
Avoid vigorous physical activity.
Run your air conditioner if you have one.
Avoid using a whole-house fan or a swamp cooler with an outside air intake.
Avoid using indoor or outdoor wood-burning appliances, including fireplaces and candles.
How to Stop Air From Getting Through the Bottom of the Door:
Roll up a towel and place it on the floor up against the door on the inside. Wrap tape around the ends to keep the towel rolled each time you pick it up or open the door.
Cut a towel into a strip as wide as the door, and tack it into place at the base so that it covers up the air gap when the door is shut.
Use a door sock as a barrier to prevent air from coming through. This is a device similar to a rolled-up towel, but a door sock is usually stuffed with insulating material and makes a better seal at the door base.
How to Keep Air from Coming Through Windows and doors:
Use Weather Strips
Install new door sweeps
Apply Foam Tape
Insulate with Window Film
Re-Caulk Windows and Doors