The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency weighs in on both indoor and out-of-door air quality .
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Memorial Day weekend means summertime is on the path . tender weather is a welcome respite for favourite parents who no longer have to worry about shouldering on a jacket before taking their hound on sun - dowse paseo or a weekend camping trip . However , warm weather is also a catalyst for pitiable atmosphere timbre , as are some of our favorite summertime activities .
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Here ’s how to enjoy your summer while hold open your deary secure from poor air quality , with expert advice from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA ) .
Why Is Poor Air Quality Dangerous for Pets?
Poor air quality can trip a plethora of problem for our pet , including :
contamination is specially harmful to pets ( and owners ) that have preexisting health consideration such asasthma , allergies , and asmushed facial expression .
5 Causes of Poor Summer Air Quality
Although we all expect forward to warmer weather , certain breeze timber risk factors are more spectacular during the summer months , due to everything from wildfire to your atmosphere conditioner .
Wildfires
We have it away that wildfire locoweed is harmful toboth humans and animal . Unfortunately , summer can encourage the bit of wildfire in an arena due to more frequent tour of warmer , drier air . And even if you do n’t live in an domain typically at risk for wildfires , zephyr pollutants make by wildfire can travel chiliad of mile .
“ Animals with sum or lung disease and older pets are especially at risk of infection from smoke and should be nearly watched during all periods of poor aura quality , ” aver the EPA .
Smog
It ’s a hoot , it ’s fog , no — it ’s smogginess . affectionate temperatures also aid in the shaping of background - level ozone , know as smogginess . The EPA has a dedicatedair lineament guidefor when ozone level are higher than normal , which can help you make up one’s mind what action to take for you and your pets and which symptom of respiratory suffering to front out for .
Fireworks
Even though your petsmay not love them , firework are an integral part of many summertime celebrations . The EPA ’s regulatory policies allow fireworks to come , but if you or your pet are at risk due to middle disease , bronchial asthma , etc . , watching fireworks from a distance — or at least upwind — can restrain your exposure to the additional particle pollution make by fireworks .
Outdoor Cooking
Cooking over a campfire or firepit is one of the best parts of summertime , whether you ’re on a camping trip or not .
To shorten contamination , the EPA suggests the following road map before starting a fire :
Air Conditioners
Your AC can provide some welcome relief for you and your pets when the outdoor temperatures rocket . But verify to schedule any necessary maintenance your HVAC system may need , including a filter replacement . HVAC filters are designed to tighten indoor air pollution , which is specially crucial if outdoor air quality is poor . contaminating filters can become foul with harmful bacterium or mould .
How to Protect Your Pet From Poor Outdoor Air Quality
For healthy and at - peril ducky , monitoring wretched gentle wind quality this summertime and beyond is a secure melodic theme . For outside aviation tone data , visitAirNow.govor download the AirNow app to your smartphone .
On days when the outdoor air quality is bad , take the following steps to keep your pets safe :
How to Protect Your Pet From Poor Indoor Air Quality
ameliorate your indoor air quality will avail both you and your pets . The EPA hasthree introductory strategiesto meliorate it :
