How to Use N95 Mask for Smoke During Wildfire

by Emma L. Business consultant

Today, wildfires are a real issue that people all over the world are struggling with, from Australia to North America and the Mediterranean. And besides being deadly to woodland creatures and trees, wildfires can even reach homes and endanger humans. If you live somewhere near a raging wildfire, watch out for evacuation warnings and make sure to protect your lungs from breathing in smoke, ash and gases. The best protection from wildfire smoke is an N95 respirator mask. Let’s learn how to use this protective device and get the best protection for your nose, lungs and throat.

Best protection

In general, the best protection from breathing in toxic air and smoke is avoidance. If you can, reduce the amount of time you have to spend outside when there are wildfires in your area. According to health organizations, it’s recommended to avoid any heavy physical activity outdoors, like running, cycling, gardening or mowing the lawn, when the air quality is poor. In some cases, your local health officials will conclude that the air quality is too low, so you might be asked to stay inside. In that case, it’s a great idea to be supplied with food, water, essentials and face masks. If you simply must spend time outside, mace masks like N95 respirators are your safest bet.

Why N95 masks?

With the recent pandemic, we all know a few new things about protective masks. However, while regular surgical masks can be good for preventing COVID-19 from spreading around, they might not be overly suitable for smoke. Instead, the cheapest and most widely available solution to wildfire smoke is N95 respirators. These masks (in Australia, they can be bought online or in pharmacies and hardware stores) are certified through government testing to provide filtration and proper protection of the respiratory tract. It’s possible to get your affordable N95 mask in Australia which is medical grade manufactured for best safety and ultimate comfort. These masks fit over your nose and under your chin, providing good coverage and breathability. These are designed to fit snuggly to your face, and if not, the protection won’t be complete.

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How to wear an N95 mask

If you have to spend time outside with wildfires in your area, all experts recommend taking an N95 respirator with you. It’s always a smart idea to have a few in your home because they are suitable for all sorts of situations when you want to avoid inhaling any contaminants.

Many people who use these protective masks use them wrong, reducing their effectiveness. Proper use of an N95 mask involves covering both the nose and the chin, with straps going behind the ears (or one going above and one going below the ears, depending on the design of the straps). The mask should be adjusted to fit well on the face without any gaps around the edges that will allow contaminated air to seep in. The nose part of the mask with a metal strip should be pinched to grab your nose and seal the mask.

What to avoid

When wearing your N95 mask, some things can reduce its effectiveness. For instance, beards prevent a tight seal of the mask. They are also not approved for kids. In case the breathing becomes difficult, or if you see certain damage or dirt on the mask, replace it with a new one. It’s also necessary to take more frequent breaks when wearing these respirators, so when you feel dizzy or sick, move to a less smoky area, remove the mask and call for help if your condition doesn’t improve (smoke exposure is not a joke).

Throughout the day, monitor air quality in your area, and if the levels are concerning, make sure to always have an N95 mask with you.