Scranton and Northeast U.S. are experiencing poor air quality currently. (Scranton Air Quality Index). Smoke from Canada’s fires has periodically engulfed the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic for more than a week, causing persistent poor air quality.
Wildfire smoke can make anyone sick, but people with asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), or heart disease, or who are pregnant and children and responders are especially at risk.
Breathing in smoke can affect you right away, causing coughing, trouble breathing, wheezing, asthma-attacks, stinging eyes, scratchy throat, runny nose, headaches, tiredness, chest-pain, fast heartbeat.
Keep yourself safe by:
- Restricting outdoor activities
- Keeping smoke outside
- Keep windows and doors closed as often as possible
- Choose a room you can close off from outside air
- Set up a portable air cleaner or a filter to keep the air in this room clean even when it’s smoky in the rest of the building and outdoors
- Reduce your smoke exposure by wearing a mask/respirator
- Seek medical help if you experience respiratory issues
For more information, check out the following:
Safety During a Wildfire|Wildfires (cdc.gov)
Wildfire Air Quality Advisory | 06.07.23
Last modified: June 7, 2023
