Wildfire season seems to only be getting worse. Prepare your home with these tips for reducing smoke exposure, improving your indoor air, and staying safe if the risk of fire draws near.

Dealing with wildfires has become a regular feature of summer as they grow hotter, drier, and longer. Across the country, smoky skies reduce air quality, aggravate health conditions, and disrupt outdoor plans, while the fire itself poses a risk to many communities as well. Taking a few steps ahead of time can help you stay more comfortable, protect your health, and be ready for changing conditions.

Preparing Your Home for Smoke

Even if you don’t live somewhere with a very high risk of wildfires, smoke can travel long distances and affect air quality all over the country. Your home should act as an oasis amidst smoky skies. Start by sealing up any areas where smoke could infiltrate. Repair damaged windows, replace worn weather stripping, and check for any gaps around doors. These small fixes can go a long way in keeping smoky air outside.

Air filtration provides another key line of defense for smoke that makes it inside. Some well-placed portable air purifiers with HEPA filters can trap the fine particles and make a noticeable difference. For central HVAC systems, consider upgrading to higher-efficiency filters, making sure to replace them regularly. Keep a supply of extra filters on hand as well.

Making a long-term investment into renovating your HVAC system for better integrated filtration could also be well worth it in the long run as smoky days continue to break records.

What to Do During Smoky Conditions

When smoke levels rise, your focus should be on limiting exposure as much as possible. This means keeping doors and windows closed, which is unfortunate in warmer weather but very important for keeping your indoor air clean. Turn off and keep off any fans that draw in air from outside as well.

While you should try to stay inside during smoky conditions, sometimes going out just can’t be helped. If you have to drive, you can also keep your car safer and more comfortable by making sure the cabin air filter is changed on a regular basis.

Preparing Your Home for Fire Risk

While smoke is the most common concern during wildfire season, it is important to be prepared for the possibility of wildfire itself if you live near natural areas. Start with basic property maintenance like clearing leaves, needles, and other debris from your roof. Firewood and other combustible materials on your property should also be at least 10 metres away from your home.

It’s important to have a plan for the worst-case scenario of a fire at your doorstep. Prepare both an emergency kit and home evacuation routes so that everyone knows what to do if you need to leave quickly.

Staying Wildfire Ready

Wildfire season can last for several months. Staying ready all season long means keeping an eye on conditions, keeping an eye on supplies like filters, and keeping your property maintained. But the little bit of extra time and effort is well worth it.

You can’t control the conditions outside, but taking a few practical steps can make a noticeable difference for your health, safety, and comfort once wildfire season arrives.