It’s important for families to understand the risks and ways to stay safe both at school and at home.
Children with asthma and chronic health issues may experience more symptoms from wildfire smoke. This can include trouble breathing. Plan for how your child can spend more time indoors when it’s smoky.
When looking at local air quality recommendations, all children should be considered to be in a “sensitive group.” Youth face increased long-term risks from exposure to wildfire smoke, including lower school performance, problems with brain development and health issues.
Take steps when it’s smoky outside
- Track your local air quality.
- Check for school closings.
- Keep children inside as much as possible.
- Keep windows and doors closed
- Use an HVAC system with an air filter and portable air cleaner, if possible.
- Think about evacuating or going to a cleaner air space if your child has trouble breathing or other symptoms that do not get better.
If a child is having trouble breathing, is very sleepy, or will not eat or drink, get them to a cleaner air space. Get medical help right away.
Adjust outdoor activity based on Air Quality Index (AQI)
Take time to learn how to read and understand the Air Quality Index (AQI).
The Oregon Health Authority has created guidelines to help make decisions about outdoor activities for youth. This includes recess, outdoor play, sports, camps and field trips.
If you move activities indoors, close windows and doors. Watch for heat. Extreme heat and poor air quality can make health problems worse.
Resources
For kids
- Ready Kids (Tools and info for kids, teens, families, and educators) from Ready.Gov
- Air Quality Flag Program from EPA
- Why is Coco Orange? from EPA
- Why is Coco Red? from EPA
- Ready Wrigley: Coping After a Disaster [Activity Book] from CDC
- Trina and Sam: The Big Fire from The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
For parents
- Wildfire Smoke and Children from CDC
- Wildfire Smoke Factsheet: Protecting Children from Wildfire Smoke and Ash from EPA
- Webinar Ask the Experts: Wildfire Smoke, Mental Health, and Green Cleaning/Sanitizing/Disinfecting from EPA
- Equipping Professionals and Parents to Ensure Healthy Futures for Children from Western States Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units
- The National Child Traumatic Stress Network
For schools
- Air Quality Flag Program for Teachers from AirNow
- American Public Health Association Fact Sheet on Climate Change: Wildfires and Children’s Health from APHA Environment Section’s Children’s Environmental Health Committee
- Best Practices for Reducing Near-Road Pollution Exposure at Schools from EPA
- Factsheets for Facility Managers, Principals, Teachers, and Parents and Caregivers from EPA
- Indoor Air Quality Tools for Schools from EPA
- Planning Framework for Protecting Commercial Building Occupants from Smoke During Wildfire Events from ASHRAE
- Resource for Educators and Organizations from Ready.Gov
- Sensible Guide for Healthier School Renovations from EPA
- Sensible Steps to Healthier School Environments from EPA
- Smokey Bear: For Educators
- Wildfires and Indoor Air Quality for Schools and Commercial Buildings from EPA