You don’t have to live near a wildfire to be affected by smoke. Air quality is at risk across large swaths of the Southland as strong winds fan fires burning in and around Pacific Palisades, Pasadena Foothills and Simi Valley.
Wildfire smoke can irritate your eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Soot can contain a variety of dangerous contaminants, including some that may cause cancer. The tiniest particles in smoke can penetrate deep into the lungs and even enter the bloodstream.
Situations like this are not good for anyone, but they are especially bad for vulnerable groups, including children, people with asthma or other respiratory conditions, people with heart disease and pregnant women.
To keep yourself safe, here’s what you should know.
stay indoors
Stay indoors and close doors and windows to minimize exposure to unhealthy air.
If you have a central heating and air conditioning system, you can keep your indoor air clean by turning it on and keeping it running. Make sure fresh air inlets are closed to avoid breathing in outside air.
Keep your pets inside
They also shouldn’t be breathing unhealthy air.
Check your air filter
A clean filter works better than a dirty filter, and a high-efficiency filter works better than a regular filter. The California Air Resources Board and South Coast Air Quality Management District recommend filters with a MERV rating of 13 or higher.
Consider using a portable high-efficiency air purifier in the rooms where you spend the most time. The EPA provides information about them here and CARB provides a list of certified cleaning equipment here .
Don’t pollute your indoor air
This means no burning candles or incense. If you’re out of power and need to see in the dark, it’s best to use a flashlight or headlamp.
If you’re cold, wrap up tighter. Now is not the time to light a cozy fire in the fireplace. AQMD says don’t use gas stoves or wood-burning appliances because they can make indoor air quality worse, not better.
The CDC also recommends not using a vacuum cleaner because it stirs up dust and releases fine particles into the air.
Be careful when cleaning
You don’t want your skin to come into contact with wildfire ash. This means you should wear long sleeves, long pants, gloves, socks and shoes. AQMD even requires you to wear goggles.
If you’re cleaning up ash outdoors, start by getting a hose and misting it with water. This will prevent it from flying into the air when you move it. Once the ashes are wet, remove them gently with a broom or mop. Place it in a plastic bag and discard.
If vehicles and outdoor toys are covered in ash, it’s a good idea to wash them. Try not to discharge gray water into storm drains. AQMD recommends draining dirty water directly into the floor area.
Throw away spoiled food…
If the power is out for an extended period of time, food in your refrigerator or freezer may spoil.
Food in the refrigerator will stay safe for four hours if you keep the door closed. If the power outage lasts longer than this time, you will need to throw away all perishable items, including meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, and cut fruits and vegetables. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says anything with an “unusual smell, color, or texture” should also be thrown out.
Refrigerated medicines should be fine unless the power is out for more than a day. Check the label to make sure.
…even if it’s in the refrigerator
Your refrigerator may be in better condition, especially if it’s well-stocked. If kept closed, the contents of a full refrigerator are safe for up to 48 hours, and the contents of a half-full refrigerator are safe for up to 24 hours. (Frozen items help keep each other cold, so the more, the better.)
According to the federal government’s food safety website, if items stay below 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) or you can still see ice crystals in them, they may be ready to use or refrozen.
If the power is out for an extended period of time, ice cream and frozen yogurt should be thrown away. Meat, poultry, seafood, eggs, milk and most other dairy products need to be removed if exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours or more. The same goes for frozen meals, casseroles, soups, stews and cakes, pies and pastries with custard or cheese fillings.
Fruit and juices that have begun to thaw can be refrozen unless they start to become moldy, sticky, or smell like yeast. If vegetables and vegetable juices have been above 40 degrees Fahrenheit for six hours or more, they should be discarded, even if they look and smell fine.
Breakfast items like waffles and bagels can be refrozen, as can bread, rolls, muffins and other baked goods without custard fillings.
Consider alternative shelters
If you’ve tried your best and your eyes still water, your cough doesn’t stop, or you just don’t feel well, seek alternative accommodation with better air quality.
Pause strenuous exercise
Anything that makes you take a deep breath is a bad idea right now.
Wearing a mask outdoors
If you need to go out for a long time, be sure to wear a high-quality mask. Surgical or cloth masks do not protect you – health authorities agree that you should use an N95 or P-100 respirator with a good seal.
Are young children at greater risk from wildfire smoke?
Young children are particularly susceptible Effects of wildfire smoke Because their lungs are still developing rapidly. Because they breathe much faster than adults, they inhale more toxic particles relative to their tiny bodies, which can trigger inflammation, coughing and wheezing.
Any type of air pollution can be dangerous to young children, but wildfire smoke is about 10 times more toxic to children than air pollution from burning fossil fuels, said Dr. Lisa Patel, clinical associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford University’s Center for Children’s Health. Young children with respiratory conditions such as asthma are at greater risk.
Patel advises parents to keep young children indoors as much as possible, create a safe room at home with an air purifier, and try to avoid using gas stoves, which can pollute the indoor air.
Children over 2 years old should also wear appropriate KN95 masks if they are going to be outdoors for a long time. Patel said babies and toddlers younger than that don’t need to wear masks because of the possible suffocation risk.
What are the risks for pregnant women?
Pregnant women should also take extra precautions about wildfire smoke, which can cross the placenta and affect the developing fetus. Research finds that exposure to wildfire smoke during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Researchers have also linked toxic chemicals in smoke to maternal health complications such as high blood pressure and preeclampsia.
What about other high-risk groups?
Certain chronic medical conditions, including asthma, COPD or other respiratory conditions, may also make you particularly vulnerable to wildfire smoke. The CDC says people with heart disease, diabetes and chronic kidney disease should be especially careful to breathe clean air. CARB warns that tiny particles in wildfire smoke can exacerbate existing health problems and may make heart disease or stroke more likely.
Be prepared for the next emergency
Living in Southern California means another wildfire is bound to happen sooner or later. To combat bad air, you can:
- Stock up on disposable respirators such as N95 or P-100.
- Keep clean filters for your air conditioning system and replace them if smoke comes out.
- Learn how to check the air quality where you live and work. AQMD has an interactive map that is updated hourly. Just enter the address and it will zoom in on the location. You can also sign up to receive air quality alerts via email or smartphone.
- Know where the fire extinguisher is and keep it handy.
- If you have heart or lung disease, keep at least five days’ supply of your medicine with you.
