Press Release
MAY 6th, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
|
CONTACT: TIM
O’CONNOR
561-355-3576 FAX:
561-355-3035 |
PALM
BEACH COUNTY, FL – The
Palm Beach County Health
Department offers advice to
citizens that may be
impacted by wildfire smoke.
Smoke is a respiratory irritant, and can cause scratchy
throat, irritated eyes, nose
and worsen conditions such
as asthma and other chronic
respiratory or lung
conditions.
How to Protect Your
Family from the Health
Effects of Smoke:
Currently the far Western Communities are in the moderate to
unhealthy range – persons
with heart or lung diseases,
older adults and children
should reduce prolonged
outdoor activities.
People in the Eastern communities should be aware of smoke
conditions and also avoid
prolonged outdoor
activities.
Stay indoors and run your air conditioner, if you have one.
Keep the fresh air intake
closed and the filter clean
to prevent bringing
additional smoke inside. For
best results, run the air
conditioning with
recirculated air.
Note: If you don't have an air conditioner, staying inside
with the windows closed may
be dangerous in extremely
hot weather. In these cases,
seek alternative shelter.
Help keep particle levels inside lower. When smoke levels are
high, try to avoid using
anything that burns, such as
wood fireplaces, gas logs,
gas stoves - and even
candles! Don't vacuum. That
stirs up particles already
inside your home. And don't
smoke tobacco.
Follow your doctor’s advice about taking your medicines and
following your asthma
management plan if you have
asthma or other lung
disease. Call your doctor if
your symptoms worsen.
For additional information contact the Health Department at
561-355-3070 or for the
Air Quality Index
561-355-3962.
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