During an air quality event, all individuals living in or travelling within the affected area are advised to be aware of potential health concerns that can be associated with poor air quality conditions.
- If you think you are having a heart attack, stroke, severe shortness of breath or other severe symptoms requiring urgent medical attention, dial 9-1-1.
- Individuals with respiratory conditions (such as COPD and asthma), and individuals with existing cardiovascular conditions (such as angina, previous heart attack and congestive heart failure), may notice a worsening of symptoms, due to the poor air quality conditions. These individuals should monitor for worsening of symptoms and take the precautions recommended by their healthcare provider if a worsening of symptoms occurs.
- Children, elderly and people who are outdoors for work or strenuous outdoor exercise are also at higher risk of health impacts from poor air quality.
- Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse. Health Link is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll free.
Anyone may experience symptoms with exposure to poor air quality conditions. Healthy individuals can typically manage symptoms without medical intervention, but may wish to contact their healthcare provider for additional advice for symptoms such as:
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Increased mucus production in the nose or throat
- Cough
- Headache
Individuals are advised to take the following precautions to reduce exposure and risk:
- Your home: think about ways to keep the poor air quality out, such as:
- Close all outside windows and doors, including attached garage doors. Properly seal any areas with drafts.
- Close fireplace dampers on wood burning fireplaces.
- Do not use wood burning fireplaces, wood stoves or other smoke-producing appliances or features, including candles.
- Your heating / cooling / ventilation systems:
- Turn down furnace thermostats and furnace fans to the minimum setting. Do not attempt to extinguish pilot light.
- If you have an air-conditioner, keep the fresh-air intake closed and the filter clean to prevent outdoor smoke from getting inside.
- Avoid running fans, such as “whole-house fans” or “fresh air ventilation systems”, that bring more smoky outdoor air inside.
- Switch all floor registers to closed position.
- If you have room air cleaners with high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters, turn them on. Don’t use air cleaners that may produce ozone. For portable air cleaners, follow all the manufacturer’s instructions for changing the filter, where to place the device, and the size of room it’s meant to be used in.
- Your activities:
- Reduce levels of outdoor physical activity, as necessary, to decrease the inhalation of airborne pollutants.
- Reduce or stop smoking and vaping product - use of these products puts added stress on your lungs and those around you.
- Drink plenty of water to keep the nose and mouth moist
- If you must drive to another location, keep windows and vents closed. Run car fans on re-circulate mode to avoid drawing in outdoor air. Vehicles should not be used as a means of shelter.
Individuals experiencing symptoms can also call Health Link at 811 to speak to a registered nurse.
For wildfires resources including emergency planning kits, home guidance, and mental health support, visit ahs.ca/wildfires.
