Wildfire safety tips
Learn how wildfires affect children and ways to protect your family.
Wildfires are becoming increasingly common around the world. Rising global temperatures are causing hotter and drier environments that create ideal conditions for these deadly and destructive fires. Wildfires pose an immediate risk to anything in their path, while the smoke from wildfires presents a far-reaching and long-lasting risk, particularly to children.
As wildfires grow in size and frequency, and because of the smoke’s ability to travel long distances, it’s important that parents and caregivers learn how to protect their families from the harmful effects of wildfire smoke.
Facts about wildfires
Facts about wildfires
Wildfires are free-burning vegetation fires that are unplanned and uncontrolled.
Wildfires are often started by people not being careful, but a combination of extreme weather conditions, such as droughts and strong winds, as well as lightning, can start one or quickly turn a small fire into a large uncontrollable one.
Wildfire smoke has been linked to respiratory issues like asthma, heart disease, brain and nervous system disorders, mental health conditions and illnesses like cancer.
Wildfire smoke exposure causes most harm to pregnant women and children. It can affect both the pregnant woman and the fetus, increasing the risk of gestational diabetes, hypertension, premature birth, low birth weight and pregnancy loss or stillbirths.
Infants and young children are at higher risk of experiencing respiratory illnesses, metabolic issues and cognitive dysfunction.
The impact of wildfires also goes beyond immediate health concerns. Its broader effects include injuries, disabilities, trauma, loss of learning and recreational opportunities, and even displacement.
How wildfire smoke affects children
As children are growing, their developing immune systems and lungs make them especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of wildfire smoke, which is more toxic than day-to-day air pollution. The fine particulate matter released by wildfires – known as PM2.5 – can penetrate deeply into children’s lungs affecting both their immediate and longer-term health and well-being.
Infants
Infants have developing bodies, breathe more air and are closer to the ground. They are at increased risk of:
- Low birth weight (linked to later-life respiratory problems and reduced height-for-age)
- Birth defects
- Childhood diabetes
- Death
Young children
Immune systems, brains and lungs are still developing at this stage. Children are also moving more and spending time outdoors. This increases their risk of:
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Weaker immune systems
- Lower brain function
Adolescents
Adolescents continue to develop mentally and physically and are also more active. They are now at risk of:
- Asthma and respiratory diseases
- Metabolic disorders, e.g. obesity
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Adverse mental health effects
Signs and symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure in children
Children – young children in particular – who breathe in wildfire smoke may experience a wide range of symptoms. Physical symptoms include:
- Chest pain and tightness
- Trouble breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Burning or irritation in the nose, throat and eyes
- Dizziness
If your child is experiencing breathing problems, is unable to sleep, or is experiencing noticeable health problems, take them to a health facility immediately.
How to protect children from wildfire smoke
Being prepared can help your family stay safe and together in an emergency. If you live in an area at risk of wildfire, you should review your plan with your family once a year, so that everyone is prepared.
Always pay attention to local weather and air quality news and public health advisories, including those related to wildfire smoke. Know the symptoms of inhaling wildfire smoke, so you can act immediately to prevent further health problems.
Before a wildfire
- Talk to your family about wildfires. Explain to your child in an age-appropriate way what wildfires are and how you will do everything you can to keep them safe.
- Have an emergency evacuation plan ready, including medical information and what your family should do if separated. Identify safe shelters nearby or in neighbouring areas and prepare your children by ensuring that they have your contact information and know what to do if separated. Check with your child’s school and learn what the school’s plan is in case of a wildfire.
- Create an “emergency kit” that includes non-perishable foods, medicines, cash, a first aid kit, a fire extinguisher, N95/KN95 masks (in adult and child sizes), flashlight, radio, batteries and water for several days in case you need to leave your area or services are cut off. Include any other necessary items to meet the needs of your family, as well as copies of important documents like birth certificates, ID papers, house deeds etc.
- If you live in an area vulnerable to wildfires, for example near vegetation or a forest, create a fire-resistant zone around the house that is free of leaves, debris or flammable materials for at least 10 metres, if possible.
Evacuate immediately if authorities advise you to do so or if your home is at risk.
During a wildfire
- Evacuate immediately if authorities advise you to do so or if your home is at risk.
- Physically relocate to reduce exposure to wildfire smoke if feasible.
- Keep your children indoors with the doors and windows closed, if possible. If using air conditioning, run it with the fresh air intake closed if possible, to keep outdoor smoke from getting indoors. Use a portable air cleaner if available.
- Limit physical activity and drink water to stay hydrated.
- If your child must go outdoors, consider using a N95/KN95 mask for protection. These masks are often not designed for children, but those aged 7 and older may be able to wear small or extra small adult-sized masks. Children should not wear a mask if it causes breathing difficulty or if they are not able to remove the mask on their own.
After a wildfire
- Don’t let your children do any clean-up work after a wildfire. Ash and debris should be removed before they return home.
- If your child starts experiencing any of the symptoms above, take them to a health facility immediately. Pay attention to any physical symptoms or emotional reactions in the months following.
- Children may not express their symptoms in the same way as adults and therefore need to be handled with more patience and support after experiencing a traumatic event.
> See tips on comforting your child after a wildfire
Things to avoid
To limit exposure from other sources of air pollution during and immediately after a wildfire event, avoid the following:
- Smoking
- Using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves or fireplaces, or candles
- Using ozone-generating air cleaners
- Using natural-gas- or gasoline-powered generators indoors
- Using spray cans
- Frying or broiling food
- Using the vacuum
- Burning waste
Even in the absence of wildfires, air pollution around the home can affect a child’s health drastically.
> Learn more about protecting children from air pollution
Comforting your children after a wildfire
Start the conversation and keep it open
- Make sure you provide your child with opportunities to talk about the wildfire and encourage them to share any worries or feelings of fear or anxiety.
- Show them that you are listening carefully and care deeply about how they are feeling.
- Limit their exposure to any distressing media coverage.
Provide reassurance
- Explain to them how the wildfire occurred and that its aftermath is not permanent.
- Give your children reassuring affection by spending time together and providing lots of extra hugs.
Watch for signs of emotional distress
While many children will seem okay for a month or so following a disaster, the numbness can wear off and they can begin showing symptoms of trauma. Some ongoing anxiety is to be expected, but if it does not stop after a few months or if your child is experiencing more extreme symptoms, such as panic attacks or wanting to harm themselves or others, reach out to your family doctor or mental health professional immediately.
Practice calming exercises together
Deep belly breathing is very helpful and is something you can do together with older children. If you have a younger child, you could make it into a game: Every hour on the hour, see how you can calm your mind and body down by slowing down your breath.
Try to maintain some kind of routine
Though it can be difficult, going to bed or eating at the same time will help your child to feel a bit more connected to their life before the wildfire.
> Read: How to support your child in an emergency situation
> Learn: How to recognize signs of distress in children
