Safety tips for air purifiers as Canadian wildfire smoke spreads in US
Consumers should avoid ozone-generating air purifiers, the CPSC warned
Alaska Deputy Director of Fire Protection Norm McDonald discusses what it takes to stop the spread of wildfires on 'Cavuto: Coast to Coast.'
Federal safety regulators are issuing safety tips for when purchasing air purifiers as Canadian wildfire smoke continues to spread into the U.S.
Smoke from the wildfires is spreading throughout most of the Great Lakes region and as far as Missouri and Kentucky on Wednesday.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) tweeted six tips for consumers to keep in mind when seeking out air purifiers.
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For one, the CPSC is reminding consumers that these machines should be plugged directly into a wall rather than a power strip or extension cord.
Consumers should also purchase air purifiers with HEPA filters that meet the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) standards, the CPSC added.
These standards help "preserve the safety, efficiency and performance of major, portable and floor care appliances," according to AHAM's website.
Ozone-generating air purifiers, though, should be avoided, regulators said.
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In order for the machine to be effective, the filter also needs to be changed out when instructed, the CPSC said.
As of Wednesday, the Detroit area is facing some of the worst air quality in the U.S.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s AirNow.gov site warned that everyone in the area "should stay indoors and reduce activity levels."
Meanwhile, Chicago, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Ohio; and Pittsburgh all have "very unhealthy" air. A wider circle of unhealthy air spread into St. Louis and Louisville, Kentucky.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson urged young people, older adults and residents with health issues to spend more time indoors and pledged "swift action to ensure that vulnerable individuals have the resources they need to protect themselves and their families."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.