Certain emergencies could send tiny contaminants into the air. For example flooding could create airborne mold which could make you sick and an explosion can cause very fine debris that can cause lung damage. A biological terrorist attack can release kinds of germs that can make you sick if breathed in or absorbed through the skin. Many of these agents can only hurt you if they get into your body, so think about a way to create a barrier between yourself and any contamination.

Nose and Mouth Protection
You may have to improvise with what you have on hand to protect your nose, mouth, eyes and cuts in your skin. Anything that fits snugly over your nose and mouth, including any dense-weave cotton material, can help filter contaminants in an emergency. It is very important that most of the air you breathe comes through the mask or cloth, not around it.  Do whatever you can to make the best fit possible for children. There are also a variety of face masks readily available that are rated based on how small a particle they can filter out.

Given the different types of emergencies that could occur, there is not one solution for creating a barrier between yourself and the contaminants in the air. Some simple cloth face masks can filter some of the airborne particles or germs you might breathe in, but will probably not protect you from chemical gases. Still, something over your nose and mouth in an emergency is better than nothing. Limiting the amount of contaminants that get into your body may impact whether or not you get sick or develop disease. Knowing what to do and being prepared in these situations can save your life.