In California, its wildfire season, and the Fairview Fire in Southern California has many people worried about their health and safety.
If you are in or near the path of destruction, it is critical that you obey civil authorities’ evacuation orders. It has the potential to mean the difference between life and death.
Even if you’re hundreds of miles away, wildfire smoke can be hazardous to your health, especially if you have heart, lung, or vascular disease, such as asthma. When disaster strikes, Blue Shield works tirelessly to ensure the safety and well-being of all of our members. Furthermore, we encourage you to plan ahead of time. Now is the time to prepare for any physical or mental health challenges that may arise.
Here are some questions and answers from Blue Shield medical directors Dr. Nina Birnbaum and Dr. Ravi Kavasery to help you prepare.
Q. What can I do ahead of time to prepare for a wildfire?
Before a wildfire threatens your area, take the following precautions:
Prepare an emergency kit, including a “go bag,” in case you need to evacuate.
Install an air filter or cleaner in a designated smoke-free area of your home.
CAL FIRE, AirNow, and NOAA, as well as your smartphone’s weather app, can help you keep track of fires and air quality in your area.
Make an evacuation route and an emergency communication plan for your family. For more information, go to Ready.gov.
Install the Blue Shield of California mobile app on your mobile device to easily access your membership identification card and medical information if necessary.
Q. Should I bring a “go bag,” and if so, what should it contain?
Making a “go bag” is a great idea if you need to evacuate quickly. Items to consider include:
Prescription medications, such as asthma inhalers, may see increased use.
N95 masks are used to protect yourself from short-term smoke exposure.
Copies of important documents, such as your insurance card and medical records containing critical health information such as medications you are taking, allergies, or medical conditions you have
Water canned or preserved food, extra clothing, hygiene and first aid supplies, pet supplies, a flashlight, and an extra cell phone charger/external battery can also be purchased or assembled into a survival kit.
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Q. How can I best protect my health if there is smoke and/or a wildfire in my area?
If it’s smoky outside, try to stay inside. Exercise and other activities that require you to breathe deeply should be avoided. If you must go outside, a well-fitting N95 masks can be useful for protecting your lungs for short periods of time. Cloth, paper, surgical, or dust masks will not keep wildfire smoke out of your eyes. More information about masks and wildfire smoke can be found on the Santa Clara County Public Health website, which is useful regardless of where you live.
During wildfire season, you might find yourself with ash in your hair and tears in your eyes, even if you live far away from the actual fires. Breathing in wildfire smoke, which can travel hundreds of miles, increases your risk of asthma attacks, headaches, and other respiratory ailments. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that adults who are at risk of serious health problems due to wildfire smoke wear an N95 mask when they’re outdoors and especially during active fires.
When wildfires occur in your area, the smoke from these fires can adversely affect the health of residents living near the fire. These are hazardous conditions, so take precautions and wear an N95 respirator as necessary. Make sure you have masks with you in case emergencies arise where evacuations might be necessary.
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works well.