Make the most of your N95.
). First, put both hands over the middle area of the respirator and breathe in quickly. The respirator should seal tightly to the face when you do this. Then, place both hands over the respirator, including along the sides, and breathe out to feel for air leakage with your hands. If the leak is around the nose area, you can readjust the nosepiece to be more flush against your face. If the leak is at the edges, adjust the straps to close the gap and check the seal again. Repeat if necessary.
The CDC recommends checking for gaps by cupping your hands around the outer edges of the mask, paying special attention to any airflow under your eyes or on the sides of the face. You can test the security of your mask by taking a few breaths.