Detect and Destroy Wildfire Smoke in the Home

The damage caused by wildfires in the states of Oregon and Washington is devastating. It impacts the people who live in those states, but wildfire smoke travels for hundreds, even thousands of miles. As a result, the damage caused by smoke extends across the country.

Smoke, whether from a wildfire or backyard fire, is a mix of particles and gases. These tiny particles enter the mouth and nose then trigger coughing and sinus problems. More severe reactions include chest pain, difficulty breathing, and headaches. Wildfire smoke acts as a trigger for asthma attacks as well. Pregnant women, young children, and those with preexisting heart and respiratory conditions are more likely to become sick from breathing in wildfire smoke.

Protect Your Family from Wildfire Smoke

If you live in a state with wildfire activity, there are ways to protect yourself. Check with the US Air Quality Index to find out the air quality where you live. If the air quality is labeled unhealthy or hazardous, avoid going outside as much as possible. Keep windows and doors closed and run your air conditioner with the fresh air intake closed. Also, if you must go outdoors, N95 masks offer some protection, but paper masks are not made to trap tiny particles. In the end, they offer little protection against wildfire smoke.

Test and Improve Indoor Air

If you live in Oregon, Washington, or an adjoining state and suffer from any of the symptoms listed below, you need to find out the cause and remove it. However, for severe cases, consult with a medical professional right away.

Smoke inhalation symptoms include:

• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Stinging eyes
• A scratchy throat and runny nose
• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Rapid heartbeat
• Headaches

Test for Wildfire Smoke

A smoke test kit helps homeowners test the air inside their homes for contaminants such as those found in wildfire smoke and can be a useful data point for . A quick and easy smoke test lets you collect samples then mail them to the Environmental Diagnostics Laboratory (EDLab). A detailed report, returned within 3-5 business days, gives homeowners the information they need to deal with the problem. It is also important to document the presence of wildfire smoke when preparing your homeowner’s insurance claim. 

Cleaning Inside Air

Ridding the home of smoke includes using an air purifier. Make sure the air purifier uses Carbon Filtration + HEPA Filtration + Bipolar Ionization. Air purifiers that only use one of these technologies will not provide a thorough coverage against wildfire smoke. Carbon filters trap harmful chemicals and get rid of odors. Bipolar ionization is also used break down VOCs, and clump together particulate, amplifying the effectiveness of the HEPA filter. Depending on the model, air purifiers clean areas between 300 and 700 square feet and up to 1400 square feet. 

HVAC systems do not generally use HEPA filtration and as a result, a secondary air purifier is needed to effectively clean the indoor air. HEPA filtration traps particles as small as 0.3 microns. When combined with carbon filtration and bipolar ionization, this makes a highly effective solution for destroying wildfire smoke and much more. They also kill bacteria and viruses like the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Air purifiers such as the Aeramax Pro line a combination of sound, motion, and odor detection to adjust their performance to the environment they are in. They also have certification as asthma & allergy friendly™ from the AAFA (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America).

Rid Your Home of Wildfire Smoke Today!

Don’t wait until the symptoms of smoke inhalation get worse. Test then end indoor air pollutants. Order your home smoke test kit and air purifier today. Or call us at 727-572-4550 with questions.