Keep smoke out

When smoke moves in, it’s important to protect the air in your home.

When smoke moves in, it’s important to protect the air in your home. Here are some ideas to improve the air you are breathing inside right now:

1. Lock out smoke

  • Close doors and windows
  • Seal off any big gaps that might be letting in outdoor air (use tape, rolled towels, or weatherization plastic)

**People in homes that are too warm to stay inside with the windows closed, or who are at-risk of smoke-related health effects, should seek shelter elsewhere.**

2. Filter your air

  • Filter the air using an air cleaner or setting your AC/furnace to fan/recirculate mode with a MERV 13 filter.
  • Purchase or make an air cleaner
  • If traveling in a car, set the AC to recirculate (usually identified by a car symbol with a U-turn arrow inside).

3. Make a clean air room

4. Keep your air fresher

  • Do not burn anything, including candles, incense, cigarettes or gas stoves
  • Avoid frying or broiling when cooking
  • Do not vacuum
Last reviewed May 30, 2024