Using Face Masks, Respirators, Test Fitting, N95 Masks & Children at Safety Central

Using Face Masks, Respirators, Test Fitting, N95 Masks & Children

What is a respirator?

A respirator (for example, an N95 or higher filtering facepiece respirator) is designed to protect you from breathing in very small particles, which might contain viruses. These types of respirators fit tightly to the face so that most air is inhaled through the filter material. To work most effectively, N95 respirators must be specially fitted for each person who wears one (this is called “fit-testing” and is usually done in a workplace where respirators are used). N95 respirators are most commonly used in construction and other jobs that involve dust and small particles. Some healthcare workers, such as nurses and doctors, use these types of respirators when taking care of patients with diseases that can be spread through the air.

If you have a heart or lung disease or other health condition, you may have trouble breathing through respirators and you should talk with your doctor before using a respirator.

Like surgical masks, N95 respirators should be worn only once and then thrown away in the trash.

What is a facemask ?

Facemasks are loose-fitting, disposable masks that cover the nose and mouth. These include products labeled as surgical, dental, medical procedure, isolation, and laser masks.

Facemasks help stop droplets from being spread by the person wearing them. They also keep splashes or sprays from reaching the mouth and nose of the person wearing the facemask. They are not designed to protect you against breathing in very small particles. Facemasks should be used once and then thrown away in the trash.

Wear it Right:

This respirator must be worn whenever you are exposed to germs during a public health medical emergency, such as an influenza pandemic. Always follow the user instructions inside the box when you wear the respirator. Putting the respirator on correctly means more of the air you breathe goes through the respirator filter.

Check Your Fit:

Check your fit to ensure you are getting a good seal. Putting the respirator on correctly means more of the air you breathe goes through the respirator filter. Always follow instructions in section 6 of the user instructions, how to wear, to check your fit.

Use it Correctly:

Although this respirator can help reduce the number of germs you breathe, it will not eliminate the risk of disease or illness. See section 10 of user instructions. Additional precautions to take for information on other you can do to help reduce your risk of getting sick. For your respirator to help reduce the number of germs you breathe, you must read and follow the user instructions inside this box.

How Long Should I Wear an N95 Face Mask or Respirator:

When should I change an N95 respirator/mask? A: The length of time an N95 mask can be worn varies. If at any point the N95 becomes wet, soiled, damaged, or interferes with breathing, exit the area and following proper infection control protocols, remove the N95 and replace with a new one. Even if the N95 is not wet, soiled or damaged, after 4 hours of continuous use, exit the area and following proper infection control protocols, remove the N95 and replace with a new one.

Masks WITH Exhalation Valve:

The exhalation valve reduces heat and moisture build-up inside the mask, making it last much longer than masks without a valve. It also provides more comfortable breathing and prevents eyeglass fogging. If you plan to wear the mask for several hours, on an overseas flight, for example, this valve lets your moist breath escape from the mask, minimizing skin irritation. N95 face masks with a valve are designed to be worn for up to eight hours, depending on the environment and should be carefully thrown away (without touching the outside of the mask) immediately after using. "Health Authorities" advise that face masks can be worn until they become in contact with a virus or become wet, damaged, soiled, or breathing becomes difficult.

Masks WITHOUT Exhalation Valve:

An N95 face mask without an exhalation valve does not last as long as a mask with a valve. The reason for this is that moisture from your breath causes the inside of the mask to become wet much faster. Carefully discard the mask when it becomes wet, soiled, damaged or breathing becomes difficult. Do not touch the outside of the mask because you might contaminate your fingers. Carefully remove the mask by using only the straps, and then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Masks without an exhalation valve are recommended for those that might be infected and for short term use, such as entering into health facilities, government buildings, going to the grocery store, post office, bank, etc. In some instances masks with exhalation valves may not be permitted to enter into certain areas, as these types of masks exhale unfiltered air.

Children and Face Masks:

Caution must be used when fitting children with face masks as proper fitting is essential to avoid small particles being inhaled around the edges of an improperly fitted face mask. A physician should be consulted prior to fitting a small child with a respirator or N95 face mask, as a child's lungs do not function at the same level and capacity of an adult.

Face Masks and the Sick

• Avoid close contact (less than about 6 feet away) with the sick person as much as possible.
• If you must have close contact with the sick person (for example, hold a sick infant), spend the least amount of time possible in close contact and try to wear a facemask (for example, surgical mask) or N95 disposable respirator.
• An N95 respirator that fits snugly on your face can filter out small particles that can be inhaled around the edges of a facemask, but compared with a facemask it is harder to breathe through an N95 mask for long periods of time.
• Wear an N95 respirator if you help a sick person with respiratory treatments using a nebulizer or inhaler, as directed by their doctor. Respiratory treatments should be performed in a separate room away from common areas of the house when at all possible.
• Used facemasks and respirators should be taken off and placed immediately in the regular trash so they don’t touch anything else.
• Avoid re-using disposable facemasks and N95 respirators if possible. If a reusable fabric facemask is used, it should be laundered with normal laundry detergent and tumble-dried in a hot dryer.
• After you take off a facemask or N95 respirator, clean your hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

WARNINGS:

If you have pre-existing lung disease such as asthma or emphysema, underlying heart disease such as heart failure or other health conditions, you may have difficulty breathing through respirators and should consult your health care provider - doctor before use. A respirator is intended to help reduce breathing in pathogenic biological airborne particulates or germs during public health medical emergencies, such as an influenza pandemic.

If you do not follow all instructions and limitations on the use of this respirator and/or do not wear this respirator during all times of exposure to the airborne germs the respirator may not be as effective. This respirator can reduce the germs you breathe but does not eliminate the risk of disease or illness.

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