Prevent wildfire smoke from entering your home and carDuring a wildfire smoke event, local officials may advise residents who have not been evacuated to stay indoors and limit their exposure to the poor outdoor air.
"If you’re one that uses a window unit, don’t turn on your A/C," says FOX Weather Meteorologist Britta Merwin. "When you’re driving in your car, recycle your air -- the button with the arrow? Hit that, because you don’t want to bring in the air from the outside."Keep windows and doors closed - To stay cool while windows are closed, use fans and air conditioning. If need be, seek shelter elsewhere to remain cool.
Seal off your window air conditioner - If you have a window air conditioner, close the outdoor air damper; if this is impossible, do not use the air conditioner. Also, ensure the seal between the air conditioner and the window is as tight as possible. Avoid using an evaporative cooler - Evaporative coolers can bring in smoke from the outside, so try not to use it unless there is a heat emergency.