Unfortunately the Pacific Northwest has experienced more frequent fires and unhealthy air caused by smoke. Wildfire smoke contains very small microscopic particles and gases that can be harmful in large quantities. They can get into your lungs and eyes, causing irritation and other health problems. The most common symptoms of breathing unhealthy air are runny nose, burning eyes and raspatory illnesses such as bronchitis.
To check current air quality click link below:
https://www.iqair.com/us/usa/idaho/coeur-d-alene
Did you know that wildfire smoke can travel hundreds of miles?
When outdoor air quality is in the unhealthy range it is recommended to limit the amount of time spent outside. But we should be safe inside, right? Not necessarily. Tiny smoke particles can travel inside your home and make the air unhealthy as well. Luckily there are steps you can take to reduce the number of unhealthy particles in your home:
Keep your home sealed.
Smoke often enters our homes through doors and windows so keep them shut as much as possible. If you have gaps under doors or windows, apply weather stripping to close the gaps.
Air conditioning:
If have central heating/cooling in your home, make sure to replace the filter with a higher efficiency filter. You should also set your unit to recirculate so the air stays within your home. Many people in our area do not have central air and may need to open windows to avoid dangerous temperatures. If this is your situation try to have a designated clean air room. Keep all windows and doors in the space closed.
Avoid other indoor air pollution.
Limit the use of other sources of air pollution such as aerosol sprays, candles, cigarettes, gas stoves, fireplaces and cooking food at high temperatures.
Purchase a portable air cleaner.
It is a good idea to have an air filtration system in your home even when smoke is not at dangerous levels. Indoor air quality is often much worse than outdoors, so running an air cleaner can keep your home at safe levels. There are many options available at a variety of price points. Choose one with a Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 13 rating and replace filters as recommended by the manufacturer.