The devastating bushfires that impacted many parts of Australia in recent years rendered cities and towns across the country surrounded in clouds of thick bushfire smoke. With a severe summer on the cards and the Bureau of Meteorology predicting that the period from October to December is likely to be hotter and drier than the median for most of Australia, bushfire authorities are currently undertaking hazard reduction burns.
Unfortunately, this comes with its own hazards and the smoke haze currently choking Sydney has resulted in poor air quality. People with respiratory issues may be at risk and have been advised to stay indoors to avoid smoke inhalation.
With smoke sitting so thick and heavy in the city, some office buildings, schools and homes may have experienced smoke seeping into their indoor spaces. We spoke to the experts at Cowdroy for tips on keeping smoke out of your home.
1. Go into lock down
When the air quality is compromised by heavy smoke from bushfires or hazard reduction smoke, ensure all windows and doors are closed so no smoke is 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 clarity in the 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 moveable 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.
