Health officials urge residents to stay indoors during poor air quality times

Wildfires are creating hazardous and smoky conditions in Klamath County prompting health officials to recommend the following safety precautions:

·         Limit strenuous outdoor activity during peak poor air quality times. To find the latest air quality information, visit http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.

·         Children, elderly, homeless, and individuals with respiratory illnesses such as asthma are at the greatest risk of having health problems from smoke. These priority populations can receive free NIOSH-certified N95 respirators during the following times:

o   Thursday, August 8th from 10:30am to 11:30 am at the Senior Center (2045 Arthur Street)

o   Tuesday, August 13th from 6:00pm to 7:00pm at the Center for Occupational Health (2621 Crosby Avenue).

Sky Lakes Medical Center and Klamath Senior Center are sponsoring these events. The American Red Cross and Klamath County Public Health will distribute NIOSH-certified N95 respirators to priority populations, particularly those on a fixed income, this week.

N95 respirators can be purchased locally at many hardware and drug stores, but remember that the commonly found paper comfort or dust masks will not protect your lungs from smoke. Masks can make the work of breathing more difficult and can lead to increased breathing and heart rates. Because of this people with heart or respiratory diseases should only use a mask under a doctor’s supervision. 

Klamath County Department of Health urges residents take the following precautions to avoid breathing problems or other symptoms from smoke:

·         Be aware of smoke concentrations in your area and avoid the places with highest concentrations.

·         Residents can check the current local air quality conditions on DEQ’s website (http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx) or call 503-229-6397. Avoid outdoor activities when air quality is unhealthy and hazardous.

·         Avoid smoke either by leaving the area or protecting yourself by staying indoors, closing all windows and doors and using a filter in your heating/cooling system that removes very fine particulate matter.

·         Avoid strenuous outdoor activity in smoky conditions. Those with heart or lung problems, as well as young children, are especially vulnerable.

·         People suffering from asthma or other respiratory problems should follow their breathing management plans or contact their healthcare providers.