Oyster Radio: GULF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT WARNS OF RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH WILDFIRE SMOKE:

(Port St. Joe) – The Gulf County Health Department and the Florida

Department of Health (DOH) caution citizens that wildfire smoke is a respiratory irritant

that can cause scratchy throat or irritated eyes and nose. Smoke can also worsen

conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions.

How to protect your family from smoke:

* Pay attention to local air quality reports, news coverage or health warnings

related to smoke.

* Use common sense when outside conditions are smoky. Avoid prolonged

outdoor activities. It is especially important to limit time spent outdoors for

children and persons with existing medical conditions.

* Stay indoors and run your air conditioner, if you have one. Keep the fresh air

intake closed and the filter clean to prevent bringing additional smoke inside. For

best results, run the air conditioning with re-circulated air.

Note: If you do not have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows

closed may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. In these cases, seek

alternative shelter.

*Help keep particle levels lower inside. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid

using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves and

even candles. Do not vacuum, which stirs up particles already inside your home.

also do not smoke tobacco.

*Follow your doctor’s advice about taking medicines and following your asthma

management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if

your symptoms worsen.

Oyster Radio