Summer is a great time for children and young people to play outside, get exercise, and improve their physical and mental health. This year King County expects hotter weather and less rain, which means more smoky days. Please share these four action steps to help families and children in their care to stay safe and cool.
Public Health – Seattle & King County recommends four action steps to prepare for wildfire smoke and heat:
1. Check smoke and heat forecasts
- Get the most accurate predictions for wildfire smoke at AirNow.gov
- Track heat risk forecast from the National Weather Service
- Use weather apps and watch local news stations
2. Stay indoors on smoky or hot days
Consider the recommendations in the chart below depending on Air Quality Index (AQI) and HeatRisk Level:
| Air Quality Index (AQI) | HeatRisk Level | Recommendation |
| Orange (101-150 AQI) – Unhealthy for sensitive groups | 2 (moderate) | Consider canceling children’s outdoor activities or moving indoors. Provide a lot of water and options to cool off indoors. Children with heart or respiratory conditions – like asthma or the common cold – should stay indoors. |
| Red or Purple (151 AQI or higher) – Unhealthy or very unhealthy/hazardous for everyone | 3 or higher (major or extreme) | Public Health recommends canceling or rescheduling outdoor activities. |
3. Watch for symptoms of smoke and heat exposure
- Move indoors if someone has symptoms of wildfire smoke exposure: coughing, headache, sore throat, burning eyes, or wheezing.
- Move to a cooler place and drink water if someone has symptoms of heat exhaustion: headache, nausea, dizziness, weakness, irritability, thirst, heavy sweating, elevated body temperature, or decreased urine output.
- Keep inhalers and medications ready.
- Call 911 if someone has shortness of breath or chest pain.
4. Improve indoor air quality on smoky days and cool down indoor spaces on hot days
- Close windows and doors on smoky days. If it gets too hot, open windows for a short time.
- Get HEPA air filters or make a filter fan. Schools and buildings with mechanical ventilation can follow this guidance to improve ventilation.
- Use fans or an air conditioner (AC) when it’s hot and cover windows with curtains or blinds. Set your AC to recirculate.
- Consider activities where children can access air conditioning or cool down such as shopping centers, movie theaters, water recreation facilities, or other public places.
Learn More
To learn more, visit kingcounty.gov/wildfiresmoke and kingcounty.gov/heat.
