Extreme Heat & Wildfire Smoke: Pregnancy & Infants

Monitor weather forecasts and air quality reports regularly, especially during periods of extreme heat and nearby wildfires. When AQI is over 100, expectant persons and young children are recommended to stay indoors as much as possible. 

Sign up for alerts from local authorities, like CodeRED, to stay updated on evacuation notices and emergency information.  

Live in Benton County? Go to www.bces.wa.gov. Click on the CodeRED icon and complete the instructions.  

Live in Franklin County? Go to www.franklinem.org. Click on the CodeRED icon and complete the instructions.  

If you don’t have internet access to sign up, please call Emergency Management  

Benton County residents 509-628-2600 or  

Franklin County residents at (509) 545-3546 or (800) 258-5873.  

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to stay hydrated. 

If you are breast/chest feeding, continue to do so as breast/chest milk provides hydration and essential nutrients to the baby. 

Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day, often times this is later in the afternoon. 

Keep a few bottles of water in your freezer; if the power goes out, move them to your refrigerator and keep the doors shut. 

If air conditioning is not available, stay on the lowest floor out of the sunshine. 

Take cool showers or baths to lower body temperature if necessary. 

If no central AC, get a fan and put a bowl of ice in front of it. This can decrease temperature quickly by 5 degrees Fahrenheit in any given room. 

Cool off the skin by taking cool wet wash cloths and cover any exposed skin. 

Keep indoor air as clean as possible by closing windows and doors to prevent smoke from entering the home. 

Run the air conditioner, if available. Keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside. 

Avoid creating more indoor air pollution. Don’t smoke, burn candles, or vacuum. Avoid using the oven, frying, or grilling foods on the stove top. 

Use air purifiers with HEPA filters to remove particles from the air. 

Consider wearing a well-fitting NIOSH-approved N95 mask.  

Make your own clean air fan.  

If air quality is poor in your home, consider relocating to an air-conditioned building with better filtration, such as a public library or shopping mall. Call 211 to find your nearest cooling center.  

Keep infants indoors as much as possible, especially during times of poor air quality. Infants breathe in more air for their size than adults and therefore absorb harmful materials from the air more easily.  

Dress infants in lightweight, breathable clothing and use lightweight blankets if needed. 

Use a portable fan or air conditioner to keep baby's room cool and well-ventilated. 

Never leave infants or children alone in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open. A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. And cracking a window doesn’t help. Heatstroke Prevention for Babies | Safe Kids Worldwide 

Pregnant individuals should consult with their healthcare provider about any concerns related to heat or smoke exposure. 

If experiencing symptoms such as dizziness, difficulty breathing, or chest pain, seek medical attention immediately. 

Ask your doctor about any prescription medicine you keep refrigerated. (If the power goes out, most medicine will be fine to leave in a closed refrigerator for at least 3 hours.)