There’s a new health concern to getting outside in the region this summer.

Smoke from wildfires in Canada has been carried into the Midwest this week, leaving the area hazy and smelling like burned wood.

The EPA’s AirNow.gov site showed cities such as Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis and Cleveland, Ohio, had “very unhealthy air” as of Wednesday afternoon. Tuesday, parts of Illinois, lower Michigan and southern Wisconsin had the worst air quality in the U.S.

It led the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday to urge that families add checking air quality to their list of health and safety precautions, such as using sunscreen and insect repellent, before they head outdoors this Fourth of July weekend.

“We are experiencing a unique situation when it comes to air quality in Michigan,” Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive, said in a news release. “Smoke from Canadian wildfires is affecting air quality across the state, ranging from unhealthy for older and younger residents and those with underlying health conditions to unhealthy for all residents. We are urging Michiganders to check the Air Quality Index online regularly to determine if there are any actions they should take.”

The Air Quality Index is a color-coded guide that indicates the levels of some types of air pollution. The higher the AQI, the worse the air quality is and the more cause for concern.

Live color-coded air quality conditions that indicate if air quality is healthy (green) or unhealthy (yellow, orange, red and purple) — along with steps to protect health — can be found at the AirNow website and mobile app, according to the news release. Residents can also sign up for alerts through the EnviroFlash system, which allows the user to choose an area for alerts that will be sent directly to email or as a text message.

MDHHS also has set up a hotline for Michigan residents to ask health-related questions related to air quality issues. The number is 800-648-6942, and is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.

It is possible that the Canadian wildfires may last several more weeks, according to the MDHHS. The AQI is also used for levels of other pollutants, like ozone.

Anyone can get sick from exposure to wildfire smoke, but some people are more sensitive to particle pollution, such as adults age 65 and older, pregnant people, children and people with lung and heart conditions, the MDHHS advised. Symptoms from breathing in particle pollution can include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Those with asthma should follow their asthma control action plan or contact their health care provider if having symptoms. Those with heart disease who experience these symptoms should contact their health care provider as well.

The most protective option when air is unhealthy is to stay indoors with air conditioning, reduce strenuous activities and limit outdoor activities. If required to be outside, N95 masks offer enhanced protection when used according to product instructions.

During unhealthy for sensitive groups (AQI orange) to unhealthy for everyone air quality events (AQI red), MDHHS advises —

— For people with heart or lung disease, pregnant people, adults age 65 or older, children and teens: Avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short and consider moving physical activities indoors or rescheduling them.

— For everyone else: Choose less strenuous activities such as walking instead of running so you don’t breathe as hard; shorten the amount of time you are active outdoors and be active outdoors when air quality is better.

During very unhealthy (AQI purple) or hazardous for everyone (AQI maroon) air quality, MDHHS advises for everyone —

— Stay indoors with the doors and windows closed using MERV-13 or better air filtration.

— Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed. Call or text 211 or contact your local health department to find out if there is a shelter or cooling center nearby.

— Use air filters to improve indoor air quality. Whether you have a central air conditioning system or a portable room unit, use high-efficiency filters to capture fine particles from smoke. If you don’t have access to those filter systems, you can create a temporary air purifier with a 2012 or newer box fan and attaching a MERV-13 or higher air filter to it. Information is available online.

— Keep activity levels low.

— Avoid outdoor activities.

— Use N95 style masks if you have to be outside.

— Surgical and cloth masks are not recommended, as they are not designed to prevent breathing in the fine particulate matter in wildfire smoke.

For more information about air quality, specifically around wildfires and smoke impacts, the MDHHS recommends these additional resources —

— U.S. EPA Wildfires and Smoke map;

— U.S. EPA Interactive Map of Air Quality;

— U.S. EPA Fires and your health;

— U.S. EPA Particle Pollution;

— EGLE Air Monitoring Information and interactive map;

— Is burning allowed? and gov/OpenBurning.