Figuring out how to keep the smoke out of your living space takes time and energy (which can be extra hard to find when you’re busy keeping your children safe and busy indoors all day!)
Here are some tips and resources to help, including DIY options!
  • Turn off and tape plastic garbage bags over the fan vents in your bathroom and kitchen (do not leave them running to clear the smoke, this creates negative pressure which sucks more smoke into the house through all the tiny cracks in doors and windows).
  • If you have AC, only use it if it does not use any fresh air intake. If it does use fresh air intake, you might be able to change this setting.
  • Avoid going outside and keep doors and windows closed.
  • If you go outside, shower and put on clean clothes when you go back inside. The smoke will stick to your hair and clothing.
  • Put blue painters tape over the window and door seams to stop smoke from sneaking in. If you don’t have tape, fold up newspaper or paper and stick it in the cracks around doors. (Doors must still be easy to open in an emergency).
  • If you have an air purifier, keep that running in the room where you spend the most time (see DIY options below if you don’t have one).
  • If you have a humidifier, keep that running in the room where you spend the most time (see DIY options below if you don’t have one).
  • Run fans inside to circulate the air (not the ones in the bathroom or kitchen, see above).
  • Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Use warm tea and/or cough drops for sore throat.
  • Avoid baking or frying foods which can create added smoke. Steam, boil, or microwave instead.
DIY Air Purification: Set up a fan (box fans are best but not necessary) and use a bungee cord or tape to attach an air filter to the fan. You can find videos demonstrating how to do this online. See more pics in the comments too. If you don’t have an air filter, drape a thin damp towel over the fan.
DIY Humidifier: Drap a thin damp towel over a fan. If you don’t have a fan (or if you’re using it as an air purifier) shower more often and leave the door open so the steam enters other rooms or turn your shower on hot occasionally with the door open so the steam spreads.