The devastating bushfires that have impacted parts of Australia in recent years have rendered cities and towns across the country surrounded by clouds of thick bushfire smoke. With another severe summer on the cards and the Bureau of Meteorology predicting that the period from January to March is likely to be hotter and drier than the median for most of Australia. Bushfire authorities undertake hazard reduction through controlled burns, mechanical clearing and ground fuel reduction and management to protect homes and lives, however, it’s best to be prepared.
While many are lucky enough to have escaped damage and loss from bushfires, unfortunately, both hazard reduction and proximity to outbreaks come with their own hazards – particularly smoke haze and poor air quality. People with respiratory issues may be at risk and have been advised to stay indoors to avoid smoke inhalation.
When smoke sits thick and heavy in your area, office buildings, schools and homes may experience smoke seeping into their indoor spaces. Here are our tips for keeping smoke out of your home.
1. Go into lockdown
When the air quality is compromised by heavy smoke from bushfires or hazard reduction smoke, ensure all windows and doors are closed to avoid smoke seeping in.
2. Use your air conditioner
Keep your indoors cool and clean by using the air-conditioner, and if you can, add a filter to your air conditioner to stop smoky air from entering your home.
3. Ventilate when possible
Take the opportunity to open windows and doors to ventilate your home when there are periods of clear air quality.
4. Buy a portable air purifier
A portable air purifier can drastically improve the air quality in your home and break down smoke particles.
5. Install weather seals
Also known as weather strips, a weather seal is a component used to seal gaps around movable building components such as doors and windows to prevent air leaks. Weather seals will provide an infiltration barrier against conditioned air creeping out of the house, as well as keeping smoke, dust and insects from entering.
6. Introduce plants
While indoor plants on their own may not be able to purify your air, a combination of air purifying indoor plants and an air purifier can certainly do wonders for air quality.
7. Stay informed
Keep an eye out for information and alerts from your local fire service and state government authorities when bushfires break out in your area. It’s better to prepare and prevent smoke from entering your home than treat the unwanted effects.
How to get help
For more information on relief and recover following a bushfire, visit the Natural disaster page at Services Australia.
State government websites also have resources and information:
