How To Keep Your Lungs Safe From Wildfire Smoke

It’s wildfire season and that means that for part of the US, the skies are filling with smoke. As you look for ways to protect your home, family, and land, it is also important to learn how to protect your lungs from wildfire smoke. Wildfires contribute to poor air quality and when you live in an area where the air is polluted or full of smoke, you are in dangers of developing respiratory problems.

If you’re wondering how to deal with smoke from wildfires when it comes to your health, there are a few simple ways you can keep your lungs safe.

How to Deal With Smoke From Wildfires?

Assess Your Risk

When trying to protect yourself from wildfire smoke you should first identify the amount of risk you face. Check the local air quality by watching the nightly news or doing a quick google search. An air quality check can tell you how much smoke and pollution are in the air and how concerned you should be. Local hospitals often offer air quality information and warnings as well when you are trying to protect yourself from wildfire smoke and keep your lungs healthy.

If you have asthma, other respiratory issues, or are pregnant, elderly, or under the age of 3 — you face an increased risk to your lungs due to wildfire smoke. If you fall in one of these groups, take extra precaution. It is important to know if you face added risk when learning how to deal with wildfire smoke.

Protect Your Home

For families who face extra risk due to smoke and pollution in the sky, there are home air purifying options that can be used to clean the air within your house and keep you healthy. Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter is a great way to clean the air in your house as well as using air purifying plants. Studies done over the years have shown just how beneficial air purifying plants can be in the home.

Other ways to protect your home include limiting the number of times you vacuum, keeping the windows closed, not smoking indoors, and not burning candles or using gas stoves and fireplaces.

Avoid Going Outside

Though it’s hard to stay cooped up, limit your outside exposure when you are trying to protect your family from outside smoke. According to the CDC, wildfire smoke can not only cause breathing problems, but can cause a sore throat, headaches, runny noses, and tiredness, as well. If advised by local authorities, or if the air quality especially is poor, stay indoors and protect yourself from wildfire smoke. After you’ve been outside, officials also recommend that you change your clothing and rinse your eyes.

Love Your Lungs

If you have been exposed to wildfire smoke and find yourself having respiratory or other health problems, there are a few simple steps you can take. Diffusing an essential oil blend like Deep Breath, Peppermint, or Eucalyptus around the home can help keep your airways open and keep your lungs breathing deep. If you experience a headache due to the smoke, topical application of an essential oil blend like Head Med can help ease the pain and tension of the headache. Staying hydrated, not overexerting yourself and keeping your immune system some form of immune system protection is essential.

If your symptoms become serious, seek immediate medical attention. A restricted airway and reduced lung capacity can be very dangerous.

How to Help

Wondering how to help while simultaneously protecting your family from wildfire smoke?

• Prevent and limit further air pollution in your area
• Educate yourself and your family on how to prevent wildfires
• Get involved and give back to the firefighters
• Donate to the Red Cross
• Volunteer to feed firefighters or help displaced families