A Parents’ Guide to Wildfire Smoke, According to Doctors & Air Quality

Depending on where you live, wildfire smoke may be a familiar part of summer—and this year has been especially smoky, whether because Canadian wildfire smoke has traveled into your area or you live in one of the many states facing a long wildfire season.

As a parent, the smell of smoke is more than a nuisance. You may be wondering how harmful it is to you and your little ones—and what you can do about it.

With help from pediatricians and air quality experts, we created this guide to help you navigate a natural disaster that's becoming more common every year. You'll find information on air quality levels, how poor air quality affects babies and children, and how to keep your family safe—whether you're already a parent or a parent-to-be.

What air quality is safe? 

If you're concerned about the air quality in your area, then a good place to start is understanding what is considered safe. You can determine the air quality in your area by checking the Air Quality Index (AQI). This is the most accessible number reported by local air-quality authorities. It typically can be found on a weather app or website and corresponds to different colors ranging from green to maroon. 

"When air quality reaches orange, it is considered "unhealthy for sensitive groups," which includes children," says Laura Schifter, senior fellow at the Aspen Institute, founder and director of This Is Planet Ed. "When it reaches red, it is considered unhealthy for everyone, with purple and maroon representing even more serious conditions." 

Here's a handy guide, according to AirNow.gov: 

0-50 — Green (Good) — Air quality is satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

51-100 — Yellow (Moderate) — Air quality is acceptable. However, there may be a risk for some people, particularly those who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.  

101-150 — Orange (Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups) — Members of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general public is less likely to be affected.

151–200 — Red (Unhealthy) — Some members of the general public may experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects.

201-300 — Purple (Very Unhealthy) — Health alert: The risk of health effects is increased for everyone.

300+ — Maroon (Hazardous) — Health warning of emergency conditions: everyone is more likely to be affected.

When it comes to babies and children, you'll want to pay close attention to if the AQI hits orange or above 101. 

Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, pediatrician and CEO of Happiest Baby, says AQI levels under 100 typically indicate that outdoor play is generally fine. Once it climbs to 100–150, sensitive groups—including babies, kids (especially those with a history of asthma), and pregnant women—should cut back on outdoor time.

"Once it crosses 150, kids need to stay indoors whenever possible. Above 200 to 300-plus, everyone should be indoors with the windows shut. No exceptions," he adds. 

For babies, they should get the strictest version of every rule, according to Dr. Karp. "Little kids’ lungs are still growing and developing, so they are especially vulnerable to wildfire smoke, and babies breathe faster and take in more air relative to their body size than a preschooler or a teenager," he tells Babylist. "While a healthy 8-year-old might tolerate a quick errand at AQI 120, babies and toddlers are safer indoors well before the AQI hits that number."

When should you check the air quality?

It’s always a good idea to check the air quality because you can't always see or smell the smoke. 

"Just as parents check the temperature before deciding whether kids need coats, checking the AQI is becoming another part of everyday decision-making," says Schifter. "It's also worth knowing that AQI can change quickly — checking it in the morning doesn't tell you what it will be by afternoon pickup." 

A good rule of thumb is to check it in the morning, in the afternoon and evening — just a click of a button on your phone can give you the AQI needed to determine how you want to proceed. 

What should you do when you go outside? 

Kids will still want to play outside—on the playground or with friends—so make sure everyone, adults included, takes the proper precautions.

Limit time outdoors 

If the AQI is below 50, then most kids and adults are typically in the clear to go outside; however, if the AQI gets higher, then that would be a sign to limit time outdoors, especially for those sensitive individuals. 

"For older children, if they need to be outside, it's important to limit activities like running or sports on poor air quality days, since they breathe more heavily during exercise," says Schifter. "If your child has asthma or another chronic health condition, it's especially important to follow the guidance from your healthcare provider and take extra precautions on smoky days," she adds. 

Dr. Karp says you'll want to head home at the first sign of a cough, itchy eyes or a scratchy throat. 

Be aware of heat 

Keeping an eye on the temperature matters too, because heat and air quality are often connected.

"Poor air quality and extreme heat often happen at the same time," says Schifter. "On hot, smoky days, children can be exposed to both risks at once so being extra cautious may be important.” 

Stay indoors if needed

Babies can typically go outside if the air quality is good; however, even if it is slightly above the green range, you'll want to keep them inside. Babies (especially under 12 months) have smaller airways and thus higher vulnerability to smoke, meaning they should stay indoors as much as possible if the air quality is above 50, according to Dr. Sonal Patel, pediatrician, trimester expert, and founder of Naya. 

When to wear a mask 

We all learned the value of masking back in 2020, and masks can still help today—not just by preventing the spread of germs, but by minimizing smoke inhalation. Still, they shouldn't be used as a substitute for staying indoors.

"A well-fitted N95 or medical mask can help little ones over 2 years, but for infants, the best option is simply to keep them inside in clean air," says Dr. Karp. 

How to Stay Protected Indoors This Summer 

Since it's the middle of the summer, that means the temperatures are higher, so it may be time to turn on the air conditioner (if you have one). That said, you'll want to pay attention to how you decide to stay cool.

Keep windows and doors closed 

Without air conditioning, you might be tempted to open your windows and doors for a breeze—but when the AQI is high, it's safer to keep them shut. Depending on how sensitive the people in your household are, an AQI above 51 may be reason enough to close up, especially with babies at home. Above 150, keep them closed, according to Dr. Karp.

Run your AC on fan mode 

If you decide to run your AC system, then you'll want to have the “Fan On” mode selected so you’ll get constant filtration, according to Tony Abate, an air quality expert and vice president of AtmosAir Solutions, an indoor air purification and monitoring technology company. Similar to how you click the button in your car when going through tunnels, you'll want to do that in your home when the air quality is bad outside and you have the air conditioner powered on. 

Check and replace HVAC filters 

Speaking of air conditioners, you'll want to replace your HVAC filters more frequently when the air quality is poor. "AC filters should be changed at least every three months, but when these bad air quality periods happen, changing more frequently is a good idea," says Abate. 

Get an air purifier

Dr. Patel says a good air purifier can give you the most controllable benefit indoors. "Use portable HEPA air cleaners and look for CADR (clean air delivery rate) sized to the room and follow manufacturer recommendations," she explains. Some of our favorites include Honeywell Allergen Plus 3-in-1 HEPA Air Purifier and the Dyson HushJet™ Purifier Compact as they are both small, portable and efficient in keeping air clean. 

Take off outdoor clothes after being outside 

After coming home from outside, you'll want to be sure to wash everyone's hands and change clothes immediately. "Smoke particles can cling to skin, hair, and fabric and you don't want to bring that into your home," says Dr. Karp. 

Abate adds that it is a good idea to bathe when coming back home, especially washing hair, as strands can capture a lot of particles and drop them down onto your face.

When to See A Doctor 

Dealing with this wildfire smoke can be stressful for people of all ages, so you'll want to know when it's time for babies, kids and even adults (especially pregnant women) to see a doctor. 

"A cough is the most common symptom, along with an itchy sore throat, chest tightness, or slightly faster breathing," says Dr. Karp. "Those warrant a call, not necessarily an ER trip, but wheezing, gasping for air, or belly breathing are later, more serious signs. In babies specifically, head bobbing or grunting means you should call a doctor right away. Any bluish tint around the lips, new or worsening trouble breathing, or your child not bouncing back as expected is an emergency, not a wait-and-see." 

Additionally, Dr. Patel adds that smoke can still be harmful without obvious symptoms, especially in infants. "If your child has asthma or chronic lung disease, it’s worth reviewing a “smoke action plan” with their pediatrician before the next event," she adds.