Remember in summer’s past when the sky got so hazy you could barely see your neighbor’s house because the warm air was so thick with smoke? Opening your door or window often led to coughing, wheezing and a terrible smoky smell. And when it was really bad, everything outside was coated with a fine layer of ash and people had to wear face masks when they went outside. Most people just didn’t go outside. Even the birds were quiet. 

Unfortunately, that memory may be a reality again very soon.  

Wildfire season is real and wildfires can create hazardous, unsafe air quality for Willamette Valley residents.

Officials from the U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department recently warned the 2019 wildfire season would be worse than last year’s. Below are recommendations and links to help you prepare for wildfire season.

Helpful tips to protect your home air quality from wildfire smoke

• Keep windows and doors closed to help prevent polluted outside air from getting inside.

• Run your air conditioner if you have one and set the air intake to “recirculate.” 

• If you don’t have air conditioning, staying inside with the windows closed may become dangerous if the weather is extremely hot. If so, seek alternative shelter with air conditioning.

• Make sure your air conditioner is properly cleaned and maintained by a professional HVAC Service Technician to ensure it’s operating safely to manufacturer’s specifications.

• Check filters more often and keep your filter clean. When there is smoke and ash in the air, filters will become dirty faster, especially when you are running your air conditioner 24-7 to protect your home air quality. 

• Check filters more often and keep your filter clean. When there is smoke and ash in the air, filters will become dirty faster, especially when you are running your air conditioner 24-7 to protect your home air quality. 

• If you use disposable filters, make sure you have spare filters available in your home. You can also reduce dust and odors caused by wildfire smoke by using a charcoal pleated filter with activated carbon. 

• If you don’t have an air conditioner, get one as soon as possible. There are several rebates and incentives offered for high efficiency air conditioning systems for different types of homes. Call us to find out what your home qualifies for. 

• Don’t wait until there is an emergency, get prepared now.

Call Marshall’s today to schedule your AC Maintenance, purchase filters or get a quote for a new air conditioning system for your home. Don’t wait!

More Tips from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America: https://community.aafa.org/blog/wildfire-season-has-begun-and-it-affects-air-quality-and-asthma

Learn more about wildfire smoke and how it affects your health here: https://www.oregon.gov/oha/ph/Preparedness/Prepare/Documents/OHA%208626%20Wildfire%20FAQs-v6c.pdf

SAIF Oregon sent out a notification to businesses on how to prepare their businesses and employees for smoke events. This helpful flyer from SAIF Oregon has a lot of good information for everyone, not just businesses. 

Get local Air Quality information, as well as a PDF explaining Air Quality Index.