Communities are facing the impacts of climate change, including severe health consequences from heat waves and wildfires. EPA launched a pilot project in 2021 called Schools as Community Cleaner Air and Cooling Centers to address the combined hazards of extreme heat and wildfire smoke with a focus on spaces that serve children. The goals of this project are to support practical strategies for safeguarding children in schools during heat and smoke events. Teachers can be champions for facility improvements and other actions to keep kids and staff safe during the school day. This fact sheet can help you take the first steps. HOW TO TALK TO YOUR STUDENTS As schools improve their buildings' resilience to extreme heat and wildfire smoke events, school staff can share information with families and students to explain the risks these events can pose and ways to stay safe, both in school and at home. The following resources can be used to talk with students, Children's activity books; curricula, interactive online, tools, and school-wide programs are available and can be tailored to your needs. Information is constantly being updated and translated into more languages,, Some key websites to cheek for the latest information include www.heat.gov and https://www. airnow.gqy/wiMfiresf As appropriate, share resources with students to increase understanding of the health impacts of heat and smoke, how to find local information, and how to protect themselves and their families, Teachers can work with others in the building - school nurse, counselor, other teachers, and facilities mangers - to ensure everyone understands the protocols and can support each other and students during these events. Teachers may also want to use quick-reference guides' to recognize signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Piplo Productions. Trinka and Sam: The Rig Fire Available in multiple languages; a resource with a story about a recovery after a fire. Readv.gov Ready Kids | En^espaJM Tools, games;, and information on preparing for disasters for kids, teens, parents, and people who work with kids. FOR CHILDREN: EXTREME HEAT CDC: Ready Wrt"g|ev Books | English and Spanish children's books following Ready Wrigley the dog preparing for wildfires, smoke, and extreme heat. Readv.gov Ready Kids | En^espaJM Tools, games;, and information on preparing for disasters for kids, teens, parents, and people who work with kids. FOR CHILDREN: WILDFIRES AND AIR QUALITY AirNow Air Quality Fl&g Program for students ] En ispafiol Includes resources to teach children about the environment, clean air, and wildfires. Why is Coco Orange? | En espgnol Children's book on air quality and staying healthy during poor air quality events. Why is Coco Red? | Bnespafjol Children's book on how wildfires affect air quality and health. &EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Figure 1: Sources of heat within a typical classroom Publication No. 155F23004 September 2023 epa.gov/schools 1. Projector 2. Lights 3. Conduction from the building envelope 4. Solar heat through windows 5. Warm outside air from open windows and doors 6. Electrical devices and appliances 7. People and activity ------- HVAC system captures particulates using air filters, and odors using carbon filters AEROSOL INTRODUCTION RETURN AIR SOURCE * ^ Filters in the HVAC system capture airborne aerosols UV light inactivates airborne microbes * £-5 I Portable filtration unit captures airborne aerosols Figure 2: Sources of smoke infiltration during a smoke event Figure 3: Sources of airborne aerosols and their infiltration HEAT DAY CHECKLIST SMOKE DAY CHECKLIST ~ Coordinate with school nurserto review tbesigns and symptoms of hea&relaited illness. ~ Bse window coverings sueh as closing the bhnds or using shading deviee.s/maferials-|suehas foil) to reflect fee sun. out of the building;. ~ Dim fhe lights or use. fewer lights. ~ Bse ceiling-fans or room fans to increase airspeeds in the classroom. ~ Encourage sitadsntsto wear appropriate clothing for forecasted hsC days in the classroom. ~ Increase the frequencyo.# water breaks and/or encourage students fe bring water bottles. ~ Reduce the use of equipment that produces heat, sueh as. projectors. ~ Maintain, low--energyaefiyitieg such asiistrefching and recovery in lieu of strenuous exercise. ~ Check air outlets with a flashlighi to- ensure that.there are no major obstructions, that could inadvertently hm.it airflow. ifyou see something, notify maintenance before taking eorreetfce aebes. ~ Check with fhe maintenance department before a forecasted heat wave day fesee ifyou need to make anythermosfat adjustments. There may be special initiatives-by the maintenance department that involvethe thermostat as noted below: • Pr.e-GoQling^SOIfibg-fhefhermosiat to a lower temperature to start at a lower temperature at ihe beginning of the day. " Load, Shedding-; Setting the thermasfal to a slightly- higher temperature ta reduce the electrical strain and-cooling.capacity- strain on fhe building's systems.. ~ If there is air conditioning; ensure, windows and exterior doors are closed. • If the.air conditioningsjfstem isnit keeping fhe room cool, ¦:cheek with, maintenance before opening fhe windows. Open windows can, bring in more hotsaaj stressing the spstem... It could also turn off the air conditioning system if there.are .automatic .EPZKC shut off sensors on. the windows. ~ finsute, windows and exterior dotifs remain, closed. ~ Check for aiiy cracks or wahs/TOhdowB/doors said B&tifyinaffitexianBe, ~ CantjBUeftheuse of the .sir condttroniltg' aiid ventilatibn systems.. ~ Check with,file maintenance' departmehtif portable filiation units should be-used. ~ Consider the use of a do-it-yourself air cleAtter similar to one h ere:. Mty :/MwW:eptt.,ffi-afedBa^^ ~ Avoid actfeitiesrthat create more,fine particles indoors such. ®; * SprayilTg:aerosol products " RyingOr broiling food *¦ .Buriiing.eattdles or .incense and using other air fresheners, includingplug-in.8 *¦ Hfcuuming unles&the vacuum has a HBPA filter * Dust-producing afflisitiesisUEh as woodworkiiig,;, laser CDtfiBfjj. additive/Si) printing, etc. without .source capture ediauw With appropriate filtration ~ Avoid strenuous activities to hmitsmoke inhalation.. ~ If there are concerns about smoke Within the- classroom, children, :ageS2.:yeels and older can Wear respirators,and masks. However, KlOSH. Approyed respirators do..fl,oi. come in suitable sizes for very young children. Refer is CDP'SiManceiOB Wildfire Smoke and. Children. ~ Help studeafs recognize siressjand menial health effects of wildfire smoke exposure, especially during longer duration esfints. CONTACT: EPAchildren@epa.gov v>EPA United States Environmental Protection Agency Publication No. 155F23004 September 2023 epa.gov/schools ------- |