Air Quality Safety

Protect yourself and your family when the Air Quality Index (AQI) is unhealthy

  1. Stay indoors – keep windows and doors closed.
  2. Wear a properly fitted N95 mask.  Simple paper or cloth masks do not provide meaningful protection against air pollution.
  3. Limit outdoor activities where possible.
  4. Use an air cleaner (commercial or homemade) to help reduce air pollution that enters your home, especially when the AQI is poor for multiple days.
  5. Drive less if possible; driving conventional vehicles (non-electric) as well as using gas or diesel powered power equipment (lawn mowers, weed trimmers, chainsaws, tractors) can contribute to air pollution.
  6. Stay informed.  Check the AQI at BNCARE.org and sign up for AQI alerts.

What to do after an Air Quality Alert

  1. Open windows only after the alert has been lifted.
  2. Slowly resume outdoor activities.
  3. Change your air filters on your home HVAC system and air filters.  Good air filters should be able to filter many unwanted participles from the air in your home.  Make sure they are changed every three months, but even sooner after a high AQI alert.
  4. Replenish N95 masks as needed.