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Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement alongside the Heat Warning for the South East Health Unit (SEHU) region. When there’s an extreme heat event happening, indoor temperatures can get very high. When extreme heat and wildfire smoke occur at the same time, protecting yourself from heat is the priority.
If you are experiencing symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath, Public Health suggests you consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activity until the air quality improves.
People with lung ailments, heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, those with mobility issues, and people who work or exercise outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke and extreme heat.
Please follow these protective measures to keep cool and protect yourself and others from the effects of wildfire smoke:
- Regularly check local weather forecasts, heat alerts and local air quality conditions using the AQHI or special air quality statements.
- Limit time outdoors, consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
- When indoors, keep windows and doors closed as much as possible. Remember, when there is an extreme heat event occurring with poor air quality, prioritize keeping cool.
- Protect your indoor air from wildfire smoke. Precautions can include using a clean, high-quality air filter in your ventilation system and/or a certified portable air cleaner that can filter fine particles.
- If you must spend time outdoors, a well-fitted NIOSH-certified N95 respirator or equivalent may help reduce your exposure to harmful fine particles. Masks can reduce your exposure to the fine particles in smoke, but do not reduce exposure to gases.
- Public Health currently has N95 masks available for free to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be made available this week at the following SEHU office locations during regular business hours while supplies last:
- Belleville – 179 North Park St.
- Trenton – 499 Dundas St. West
- Bancroft – 1P Manor Lane
- Napanee – 99 Advance Ave.
- Cloyne – 14209 Hwy 41
- Kingston – 221 Portsmouth Ave.
- Brockville – 458 Laurier Blvd.
- Smith Falls – 25 Jonhson St.
- Check in on others who may be more vulnerable to poor air quality, such as older adults, young children and people with existing health conditions.
Watch for symptoms of heat illness, which include:
- dizziness or fainting
- nausea or vomiting
- headache
- rapid breathing and heartbeat
- extreme thirst
- decreased urination with unusually dark yellow urine
If you experience any of these symptoms during extreme heat, immediately move to a cool place and drink liquids. Water is best.
Watch for symptoms of smoke exposure, which include:
- Mild and common symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- sore and watery eyes
- runny nose and sinus irritation
- scratchy throat and mild coughing
- headache
Severe symptoms of smoke exposure include:
- shortness of breath
- wheezing (including asthma attacks)
- severe cough
- dizziness
- chest pains
- heart palpitations
Seek medical attention if you develop severe symptoms.
To learn more about the signs, symptoms and health effects of extreme heat and wildfire smoke exposure visit Health Canada’s Resource Wildfire smoke 101: Wildfire Smoke with Extreme Heat.
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Media contact:
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
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