Wildfires, blazes that start in natural areas like forests, grasslands and prairies, are a growing threat to many U.S. families. These flames can spread quickly to nearby communities. Even if you don't live near an active blaze, unhealthy wildfire smoke can travel thousands of miles and impact air quality.
Being prepared and knowing steps to take before, during and after a wildfire can help keep your family safe.
Before wildfire season: how to prepare
If you live in an area that is prone to wildfires, having a wildfire response plan should be part of your family's disaster plan. This includes having a disaster kit ready to leave home with if needed.
During a wildfire: steps to stay safe
The focus should be on protecting the immediate safety of your family.
If a wildfire is burning near you
If wildfire smoke is affecting your area
Children are particularly at risk from exposure to wildfire smoke. This is because they breathe more air relative to their size, and are more active than adults. Plus, they are still growing and developing. Health effects of wildfires on kids can include chest tightness or pain; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; coughing; burning or stinging of the nose, throat and eyes; and feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
Protect indoor air quality
- Stay indoors to minimize smoke exposure and improve indoor air quality.
Close all windows, doors and any other openings. Cover any cracks or gaps with blankets and then tape these areas to create a seal.
Set your air-conditioner to re-circulate if possible. Also try to avoid activities that can worsen the indoor air, such as cooking on a stove or vacuuming.
If you have central air or heating, use a MERV 13 or higher filter if your system can take it. This can help remove tiny particles in wildfire smoke from the air before circulating it.
Consider using a portable room air purifier with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, especially in a room where children spend the most time or sleep. Avoid air cleaners that produce ozone. Air purifiers can be expensive and may be hard to find during wildfires; call 211 or contact your local health department to ask if there are any air purifier assistance programs in your area.
When in a car, keep windows closed. Turn the air-conditioning to re-circulate. Replace air filters according to your vehicle maintenance schedule.
Keep track of outdoor air quality
Check on local air quality levels using airnow.gov or PurpleAir and search by your ZIP code. (For more detailed local data you can look at the map at fire.airnow.gov). More information on the air quality index is available at https://www.airnow.gov/aqi/aqi-basics/.
Keep in mind:
If the Air Quality Index (AQI) level of concern color zone is orange (over 100) or red (over 150), it may not be safe to go outdoors. The orange zone is considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, including children, and red is unhealthy for most people.
Young children and children with breathing problems such as
asthma are at increased risk. They should stay in a clean-air environment and be kept indoors until air quality improves. Watch for signs or symptoms of harmful health effects, listed above. Children having these symptoms whose usual medications are not helping should be taken to a nearby medical facility, despite the risks of traveling.
If there is poor air quality from wildfires during a
heat wave, prioritize safety from heat as it can be an immediate danger. If your home does not have air conditioning and it becomes dangerously warm inside the house, consider finding a local
cooling center to keep safe from both poor air and heat.
Do face masks protect against wildfire smoke?
Do NOT rely on cloth masks to protect against wildfire smoke. If your children are in an area with bad air quality, moving them to an indoor environment with cleaner air is the best way to reduce smoke exposure. Humidifiers or breathing through a wet washcloth do
not prevent inhaling wildfire smoke.
Medical masks and NIOSH-approved N95 respirators can help reduce exposure to smoke particles, but how well they fit is important. A well-fitting N95 respirator provides more protection than a medical mask. Children age 2 and older can wear masks and respirators, but finding one that fits comfortably and correctly can be a challenge, especially for younger children. When deciding whether an N95 respirator is appropriate for your child, consider their age, developmental status and special health care needs. Your pediatrician can help you determine this.
After a wildfire: what to watch for
The aftermath of a wildfire also poses dangers for children.
If you were evacuated from your home
Before returning, you should:
Wait to be directed by authorities that it is safe to return
Know the location of the nearest medical facility and emergency room that will be open
Be sure water supply, sewage, electricity and phone service are restored
Block off unsafe or unclean areas to keep children out
Make sure your house is structurally sound
Arrange for removal of
ash and debris by professionals or adults. Children and adolescents should not be present during site cleanup and should not participate in cleanup activities.)
Once you return to your home:
Check with your water provider to make sure that your
water is safe to drink. If the water may have bacterial contamination, heat it to a rolling boil for 1 minute before drinking. Remember to let water to cool before giving it to children. If the water may have chemical contamination, use bottled water or use a water filter known to remove the chemicals of concern. For information, see
NSF Drinking Water Filters, Testing and Treatment or
Environmental Working Group Water Filter Guide.
Keep in mind that loss of power to refrigerators and freezers can cause food to spoil. If the food has been warmed to room temperature for more than 2 hours, throw it out and do not eat it. For more information about food safety,
see here.
Keep your child away from physical hazards. Potential physical hazards include:
Debris such as broken glass, wires, nails, wood, metal, plastics and other sharp or damaged objects
Ash pits, which are holes full of hot ashes created by burned trees and stumps
Unstable building structures, including flooring, stairways, railings, etc.
- Furniture, appliances and stored items that may have shifted or become unstable during the fire
- Slippery floors
Burned or damaged trees, since they may be unstable and fall
Roadways, bridges and other outdoor structures that may be damaged and unstable
Dead, injured, stray or wild animals
Heavier vehicle and construction traffic because from cleanup and recovery work, which can put children at risk when walking, biking or playing nearby
If your area was affected by ash and smoke residue
- Be careful around ash, which is a particularly dangerous hazard. Some piles of ash may still be hot and can cause burns. Even cool ash can be irritating to the skin, nose, and throat, and can be difficult to clean up. To be safe:
Do NOT allow your child to play in ash and clean it up as soon as possible. Be careful not to track ash and dust into the house with your shoes.
When cleaning, avoid spreading ash into the air. Lightly wet it down before attempting to remove it.
Do NOT use leaf blowers or vacuums. Even if you are careful, it is easy to stir up dust that may contain hazardous substances.
Adults should wear protective gear such as gloves and masks when cleaning up ash. Indoors, ash and dust should be removed using a wet cloth or microfiber cloth.
Continue monitoring the air quality in your area until the fires are fully extinguished. Changes in wind direction can bring smoke back to an area that had previously been cleared.
If your child has had contact with any potentially hazardous substance or has been playing in a fire-damaged area, wash their hands and any other exposed body part thoroughly. Flush their eyes, too. Remove any exposed clothing and wash separately as soon as possible.
Psychological effects of wildfires
Be alert to your child's emotional health and psychological well-being.
Grief associated with loss,
stress or anxiety from the disaster (or witnessing impact on pets and wildlife) may cause emotional distress. The more directly affected the child was by the wildfire, the more likely they are to have emotional distress.
Signs of emotional distress in children
Signs and symptoms of distrss can be different depending on your child's age, and may can include:
Clinging behavior and separation anxiety
Uncooperative behaviors (for example, being argumentative); irritability
Fears; nightmares
Physical complaints (for example, stomachaches, headaches, generally feeling unwell)
Eating or sleeping too much or too little
Returning (regressing) to babyish behaviors
Risk-taking behaviors
Fatigue, both physical and emotional; indifference
Withdrawal from previously enjoyed activities or friends
Difficulty concentrating or focusing at home or on school work; decline in school performance
Aggression or outbursts of anger; uncontrollable crying
Keep family routines & listen
Continue your child's established routines as much as possible and provide a listening ear. Encourage your child to express feelings through a variety of ways, such as music, art, writing in a journal, talking or playing with toys or dolls.
Avoid exposing your child to excessive or unnecessary media coverage of the wildfire. Ask them how they are doing and if they have any questions or fears. Answer your child's questions openly and honestly, as appropriate for their age.
Be patient and remain calm; children often take cues on how to act based on their parents and their environment. If you are calm, your child is more likely to be calm and reassured.
Symptoms of distress may start soon after the event or later, and may last for a prolonged period. In some cases, the child or the whole family may benefit from
supportive counseling. It is important to remember that it is not a sign of mental illness to accept professional support during times of emotional distress. Wildfires and other disasters can be very stressful, and professionals (such as pediatricians or counselors) can help you learn ways to cope with these stresses.
Remember
If you're concerned about nearby wildfires, your regional Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Unit (PEHSU) have staff who can also talk with you about concerns over the health effects of wildfires.
More information
Natasha Gill, MD, MPH, FAAP, David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP & Shana Godfred-Cato, DO, FAAP contributed to this article.