Air quality and wildfire smoke

Outdoor air quality and wildfire smoke

During summer months, our region may experience more days with poor air quality due to wildfire smoke. Children and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, are more sensitive to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke. By preparing early and monitoring the air quality before spending time outdoors, you can help keep children in your care safe from the harmful impacts of poor air quality.

Outdoor air quality is measured using a color scale called the Air Quality Index (AQI) - green (good), yellow (moderate), orange (unhealthy for sensitive groups which includes children), red (unhealthy for everyone), and purple (very unhealthy). When the air quality in our region is in the orange to purple range, your child care should keep children and staff indoors. For certain children with health conditions, they should even stay inside when the level is moderate (yellow).

When there is wildfire smoke in the area

• Check the Washington Smoke Blog for current Air Quality Index (AQI) data, forecasts, and health information. Air quality can change quickly, so it's important to check the AQI right before spending time outdoors. 
• Use the DOH Washington Children and Youth Activities Guide for Air Quality chart to determine if outdoor activities are appropriate or if you will need to make activity modifications for outdoor play. 
  • When AQI falls in the orange to purple range, you should stay indoors. Some children with certain health conditions may need to stay inside in more moderate air quality. 
• Staff should consider using N95 masks (81.5 KB) when spending time outside.  

Improve indoor air quality on smoky days

• To help keep inside air clean, keep doors and windows closed as much as possible. Heat is a more immediate concern, so if it's too hot inside the building, it's better to open the windows for a short time than to overheat.
• Use air conditioning or fans to keep indoor air cool when it is hot. Set your AC or HVAC system to recirculate the air rather than bringing in outside air. 
• Consider getting HEPA air filters that provide 99% or higher filtration to reduce fine particles from wildfire smoke.  
• For a low cost option, you can make a DIY filter using a box fan, a MERV-13 filter, and a bungee cord or tape. Watch this how-to video for instructions: