Many people in the Northwest are wearing masks to protect themselves from wildfire smoke. But are they using the right ones? Many masks available won’t do much to help you breathe easier.

Experts recommend masks made specifically to block particulates. The mask should say, “NIOSH,” or “R95,” “N95,” “P95” or higher printed on the packaging. You can pick them up at local hardware stores.

Those are ‘particulate respirators’ and they’re especially useful if you have to work outdoors.