Surviving Smoke Heat and Floods This Summer | Washington DC News

Washington DC News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 4, 2026 · 2m

Smoke-choked skies and scorching heat waves are hitting hard this summer — and experts have practical, life-saving tips to help you stay safe. From PM2.5 particles that sneak into your lungs to dangerous heat that dries you out, the advice is clear: keep windows shut, wear masks, hydrate with water and watermelon, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and check Airnow.gov for real-time air quality. For those in smoke-heavy zones, kids, elders, and pregnant folks are most vulnerable — so stay indoors, use HEPA filters or DIY setups, and rest up. When floods threaten, prep smart: waterproof your docs…