Smoke from wildfires can cause damage to your home in Northwest Arkansas

Keeping your home free of smoke is extremely important for your health. Wildfire smoke makes the air outside unhealthy to breathe. However, what happens if this contaminated air gets into your house through open spaces? When wildfire smoke is present outside, many people recommend staying indoors. Your house's interior air will also be polluted with smoke. These tips will help you maintain clean, breathable indoor air no matter what the weather outside is like. 

Purchase a Portable Air Cleaner

To improve the quality of the air in your home, consider getting a portable air cleaner or a high-performance HVAC filter. Consider the size of the room you will use the cleaner in before purchasing a portable cleaner. Make sure this portable cleaner does not produce ozone. If you are interested in purchasing a high-efficiency HVAC filter, select one that has a 13-percent efficiency rating. Your HVAC technician will know which filter is best for your system.

Keep Smoke Out by Adjusting the Heat and Air Conditioning

You can prevent smoke from entering your home by understanding your HVAC system. Follow these tips to prevent smoke from entering your home.

• In smoky conditions, do not use a portable air conditioner with a single hose, as this may bring smoke into your home.
• Evaporating coolers should not be used in smokey conditions because they may result in outside smoke being drawn in. 
• You can choose other options like window air conditioners or fans.
• Check whether your central HVAC filter has a fresh air intake. The filter needs to be changed as recommended by the manufacturer if it is not in good condition.
• Find out how to close the outdoor air damper on a window air conditioner.

Close Windows and Doors

You can prevent smoke from entering your home by closing your windows and doors. Smoke from wildfires should be kept at bay by closing windows and doors. Keeping your windows open will cause your house to fill with smoke, which increases your risk for respiratory problems such as asthma. Whenever you can, open the windows to let fresh air in.

Avoid Activities that Bring Smoke Particles Indoors

Smoke from wildfires is not the only source of smoke in your home; there are several other factors to consider. Cigarette smoking and flame-burning stoves and furnaces can be included in this list. The use of aerosol products, frying or boiling food, lighting candles, and vacuuming can also emit smoke particles indoors. Smoke can be prevented from entering your house if you avoid these activities.

Create a Cleanroom

You can protect your home from smoke from wildfires by creating a cleanroom. In essence, a cleanroom is a room designed to contain as few particles and smoke as possible. It is best to avoid smoking, cooking, and other activities in cleanrooms. Moreover, all windows and doors should be closed to prevent smoke from entering the house. There would be a great benefit to placing a portable cleaner in this room in order to improve its air quality. In the event of a smoke event, you should always go into your cleanroom and remain there. 

Maintaining a smoke-free home interior is essential to your health. Wildfire smoke pollutes the air, making it unhealthy for people to breathe. You may be at risk of health problems if unhealthy air permeates some open spaces in your home.

Please contact Restoration 1 of Northwest Arkansas for help with fire damage or smoke damage.