If your community is currently threatened by an approaching fire, stay alert. Your local health or emergency service authorities will provide specific instructions. Be prepared to evacuate at any time.
Wildfire season is just getting started. Are you taking steps to protect your lung health?
To help our coast-to-coast community prepare, the Lung Health Foundation has created this simple preparation checklist. It will be of special interest to people who live near typical fire zones – but remember, the effects of wildfire smoke can often travel thousands of kilometers away.
Tip #1: Prep your home.
Whether you live close to a fire zone or not, wildfires create dangerously poor air quality outside that quickly become a big problem inside. Be prepared by:
- Replacing your home’s air filter to ensure it’s in the best shape to filter out particles
- Ensure your carbon monoxide monitor is in good working order
- Adding a portable air cleaner with a HEPA filter, which can reduce some indoor air pollution
- Limiting anything else that can affect your indoor air quality – especially tobacco smoke or vape exhaust. Now is an excellent time to quit – let us help!
- Read the Government of Canada’s full preparation list
Tip #2: Prep your go-bag.
For Canadians living close to fire zones, evacuation orders can come quickly. Having your lung health essentials ready-to-go is crucial. When packing your emergency bag, don’t forget your:
- Prescribed medications – including controller and reliever inhalers and oral medications
- Devices you rely on to control your symptoms, if used – think a spacer device for your metered-dose inhaler, peak flow device, CPAP machine and supplies, or oscillating positive expiratory pressure (OPEP) device
- Your oxygen device (if used) and associated accessories (including extra tubing, charging equipment, etc).
- A printed copy of your Asthma Action Plan, Pediatric Asthma Action Plan, or COPD Action Plan
- Your health card
- Any other medications or devices you use to control other chronic conditions.
- N-95 mask
- Bottled water, to aid in taking your oral medications and for rinsing your mouth after using your inhaled medications
Tip #3: The best time to get your lung condition under control? Right now.
Wildfire smoke can trigger flare-ups in people living with lung conditions like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). You can reduce your risk of a serious flare-up by keeping up with your prescribed medications, even if you feel fine right now. It’s also a good time to take extra care to avoid your personal asthma or COPD triggers.
Tip #4: Have a plan – a lung health Action Plan.
Wildfire smoke and poor air quality can make anyone anxious. Having a formal treatment plan can help you stay focused on your lung health despite interruptions to your routine, and help you stay in tune with what your body needs. If you don’t have an Asthma Action Plan or COPD Action Plan, download one today and fill it in with your healthcare provider as soon as you can.
Tip #5: Say “hi” to the AQHI.
The Air Quality Health Index is a scale designed to help you understand what the air quality around you means to your health. Check your current local reading and be ready to act on the results.
From the Government of Canada website:
Health Risk | Air Quality Health Index | Health Messages | |
At Risk Population* | General Population | ||
Low | 1 – 3 | Enjoy your usual outdoor activities. | Ideal air quality for outdoor activities. |
Moderate | 4 – 6 | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you are experiencing symptoms. | No need to modify your usual outdoor activities unless you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
High | 7 – 10 | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also take it easy. | Consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
Very High | Above | Avoid strenuous activities outdoors. Children and the elderly should also avoid outdoor physical exertion. | Reduce or reschedule strenuous activities outdoors, especially if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation. |
The bottom line? Wildfire smoke is bad news for breathing, but there are steps you can take to lower your risk of lung condition flare-ups.