In recent days, much of the province has been experiencing air quality issues from wildfire smoke, so the Saskatchewan Health Authority has some tips for staying as healthy as possible.  Medical Health Officer, Dr. Savita Rani, says the best advice for everyone is to close windows and doors, reduce outdoor activities if you can and if you have a wood burning fireplace, close the dampers. If you have an air conditioner, keep the fresh air intake closed.

You can also buy an air cleaner for your home with a Hepa filter, or a DIY version of that would be a box fan with a furnace filter taped to it.  Dr. Rani adds that wildfire smoke doesn’t affect everyone in the same way. Those most at risk include seniors, infants and children, pregnant people, those who work outside or who are doing strenuous outdoor activities, and those with chronic health conditions including cancer, diabetes, and lung or heart conditions.

Rani explains that people can get irritation in their nose, throat and eyes from the smoke, but it can also become more serious for those with underlying conditions. For those with asthma, the air quality can trigger an attack. Other symptoms from exposure can include feeling dizzy, wheezing, chest pains, severe cough, shortness of breath and irregular heartbeat.

Lung Saskatchewan spokesperson, Jamie Peters, says, “We know that when there is an increase in smoke that it can send more people to hospital, which makes the emergency rooms busier”.  Peters points out that medical or dust masks won’t protect you from wildfire smoke. An N95 mask can trap larger particles in the air, if you have to be outside and are concerned about exposure, but they won’t protect your lungs from the small, dangerous particles found in smoke. She urges everyone, especially those with underlying conditions to check the Air Quality Health Index. You can check it here.