Central Coast Local Health District is today urging people with respiratory conditions to take extra care, with concerns poor air quality in the region may affect their breathing.
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A fire burning in the area of Lake Innes and Lake Cathie, south of Port Macquarie, which had scorched 1700 hectares on Tuesday evening, has caused the smoke haze.
People are advised to take precautions and stay indoors to avoid irritations to the eyes, nose and throat, and to avoid aggravating existing lung and heart conditions, a spokesperson for CCLHD said.
"Older adults and people with heart and lung conditions are most susceptible to the effects of air pollution and excessive smoke."
CCLHD's Public Health Unit director, Dr Peter Lewis, outlined a range of simple tips to help stay safe and healthy during the smoke/poor air quality:
People with asthma, heart disease and other lung and heart conditions should avoid vigorous outdoor physical activity when smoke is around.
"Stayling indoors with the doors and windows shut is an effective way of reducing exposure to smoke," Dr Lewis said.
"People with asthma or a lung condition should follow their asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) action plan and carry their relieving medication with them. If your symptoms do not settle, seek medical advice."
In case of emergency, always dial triple zero.
If smoky conditions are prolonged for several days or more:
- keep doors and windows of your home closed while smoke is about and take advantage of any breaks in the smoky conditions to air out your home.
- spend some time in air-conditioning with the air-conditioner set to recirculate indoor air (if possible);
- consider postponing outdoor events, especially sporting and other physically active events; and
- avoid indoor sources of air pollution such as candles, incense, and wood-burning heaters.
For more information, visit health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/bushfire-smoke.aspx
