Poor air quality and excessive heat: open or close your windows?

When the air quality is bad. Therefore, it is recommended to close the windows, but during a heat wave without air conditioned, you have to open them. For example, So what if an overwhelming heat warning occurs at the same time as an air pollution alert?

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The season of forest fires. which can lead to poor air quality, coincides each year with that of heat waves, while it stands from April to October, according to the Health Canada website. Here’s how to react if the two occur at the same time:

Open or close your windows? – Poor air quality excessive heat:

poor air quality excessive heat:

Between heat. poor air quality, The priority is to stay in the freshbecause having too hot can be more dangerous for health, according to Health Canada.

Thus. if you do not have a air conditioner and the temperature outside your home is cooler than that inside, you will have to keep the windows open to refresh your environment and limit discomfort.

In the same vein. even if it is advisable not to leave home in case of poor air condition, it will be better to leave your home to go to an air -conditioned location if the temperature becomes overwhelming or dangerous inside.

12 tips to follow in the event of a double alert

If the two alerts overlap, Health Canada and the Cisss of Montérégie-Ouest recommend:

1. Keep the windows in your home closed as much as possible, unless the heat causes discomfort;
2. To go to an air -conditioned place, such as a library, a shopping center, a grocery store, or in a place where it will be possible to cool off, like an indoor pool, if the temperature becomes too high inside;
3. Limit physical activity inside if it is hot, including household maintenance and exercise;
4. Avoid intense physical efforts, especially during the hottest hours, or go to an air -conditioned gym to make them;
5. To drink water regularly, even without thirst.
6. To take news of those who live alone.

To keep the home fresh:

1. To prevent the sun from entering by closing the shutters, the curtains or the blinds during the day, to keep the home fresher;
2. If you have one, to use your air conditioning to refresh your environment;
3. Avoid using appliances like the oven, which could increase the temperature inside, prioritizing recipes without cooking;
4. If you have a ventilation system, to ensure that the air filters are clean and of good quality;
5. Limit the use of extraction fans, such as bathroom fans;
6. If you have one, to use A certified portable air purifier To filter fine particles.