Ocean County Health Dept. offers tips to clean air, keep smoke out of homes

Smoke in the air? Ocean County Health Department offered the following tips to residents.

News 12 Staff

Apr 12, 2023, 11:22 AM

Updated 606 days ago

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The New Jersey Forest Fire Service says substantial progress has been made in containing a massive wildfire that started on Tuesday in Manchester Township.
According to the Lakehurst Police Department, all evacuated residents can return home. 
Ocean County Health Department offered the following tips:
To keep smoke out of homes:
People should shut all doors and windows. Shut off rooms that our family does not use.
- Block any sources of outside air such as air conditioners, fireplaces, vent fans, and even the dryer when not in use.
- Seal any leaky doors and windows with caulk, weather stripping, or even a dampened towel if you must.
To clean the air inside, residents can try:
- Using an air purifier.
- Do not add to poor air quality by vacuuming, burning candles, or frying any food.
- Use natural items to purify air such as houseplants, charcoal filters, beeswax candles, salt lamps, and boiling water.
- Stay Inside. If you do have to go outside, wear some sort of mask, and make it as quick as possible.
- For driving, use the recirculate setting in your car so as not to let in any smoky air.
- If vulnerable due to asthma or heart disease, ask a neighbor, family member, or friend to get the mail, deal with garbage cans, etc.
General tips:
- Open the windows.
- Wash all the linens.
- Wipe down every surface.
- Clean or buy every filter.
- Invest in a good air filter when they become available again.