After the Fires: Protecting Your Health and Home From Poor Air Quality
After the Fires: Protecting Your Health and Home From Poor Air Quality  
Podcast: When Millennials Become Moms
Published On: Wed Jan 15 2025
Description: In this episode, we dive into everything you need to know about recovering and staying safe after wildfires. From understanding the limitations of AQI scores to selecting the best air filters, we cover practical steps to protect your home and health. Learn how to clean your furniture, manage ash and toxins, and safeguard your outdoor spaces. We discuss whether kids should attend outdoor schools, the impact of flame retardants, and the role of building materials in fire resistance. Plus, we explore what can help combat air quality issues and why a PM 2.5 detector is a must-have. Whether you’re navigating the aftermath of a fire or preparing for the future, this episode offers actionable insights for every homeowner. Our guest is David Edwards PhD from Earthboundhomes (Earthboundhomes.com) Links: Vacuum blog: https://www.drorganicmommy.com/blog/vacuums-natasha-beck PM 2.5 monitors: Airthings View Plus 2960 Indoor Air Quality Monitor IQAir AirVisual Pro Awair Element uHoo Smart Air Quality Monitor UHO-OT-000001 Time Stamps: 2:00 - Intro: This may not be what you want to hear. If that’s the case, feel free to turn it off. 2:30 - Does the AQI score indicate that the air quality is safe? 7:30 - Air filters: How often should you replace them during fires? 8:30 - Can you vacuum your filters? Is it as effective as replacing them? 9:00 - Which filters does Natasha recommend? 9:45 - Handling homes that survived the fires or were evacuated and sprayed with flame retardant. 12:00 - How to clean your furniture after the fires. 12:37 - What to do if the air quality looks good but ash is still covering your yard or roof. Easy ways to secure your home from toxins. 17:00 - Should kids go to school outside or stay indoors? 18:50 - Tips for keeping ash and toxins out of the home. 22:08 - Running air or heat during this time—what you need to know. 26:00 - Explaining vented attics and how they can ignite during wildfires. 33:00 - Why everyone should invest in a PM 2.5 detector. 36:00 - Should you be concerned about your outdoor plants or garden in the surrounding area? 38:00 - What to do if you develop a cough after the fires—should you be concerned? 40:00 - What’s in our building materials? 43:00 - If your home survived amidst others that didn’t, what steps should you take with that home? 44:00 - Are there supplements that can help counter poor air quality? 47:00 - Why some houses burned while others didn’t and what we can learn for future construction.