07/16/2026
The Air Outside Isn't Great Right NowโHere's How to Keep the Air Inside Cleaner
With wildfire smoke drifting into northern Illinois, air quality has declined across much of our area. Here are a few simple steps you can take to help keep the air inside your home cleaner:
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Keep windows and doors closed while air quality is poor.
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Replace your HVAC filter if it's dirty. A clean, high-quality filter can help capture more airborne particles.
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Set your thermostat fan from "Auto" to "On" for a few hours each day to continuously circulate and filter the air throughout your home.
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If you have a portable air purifier, run it in the rooms you use most.
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Avoid activities that create extra indoor air pollution, like burning candles, using a wood-burning fireplace, or smoking indoors while air quality is poor.
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If you have asthma, allergies, COPD, or other respiratory conditions, consider limiting outdoor activity until air quality improves.
While these steps can help, they won't eliminate all smoke particles. If anyone in your home is experiencing difficulty breathing or worsening respiratory symptoms, follow guidance from your healthcare provider.
Stay safe, take care of one another, and we hope everyone gets some cleaner air soon.