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.
- For non-emergency health concerns, call Health Link at 811 to speak with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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 a forced air system to heat or cool your home, upgrade your furnace filters to the highest efficiency filter your system can handle. A MERV 13 or higher-rated filter may help lower the levels of smoke and particles in the air in your home.
- 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 whole-house fans or fresh air ventilation systems, that bring outdoor air inside.
- If you have a room air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, turn it on. Don’t use air cleaners that may produce ozone. Use a portable air cleaner, also called an air purifier, with a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for how to use it. You can also make your own air cleaner.
- 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
- A tight-fitting mask (also called a respirator) such as an N95, KN95 or P100 can help protect you from breathing in the very small particles found in smoke. These masks do not protect against gases in smoke. Medical masks may offer some protection, but small particles can go around these masks more easily.
- 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.
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