Contact: Stefany Strong
Volusia County Health Department PIO          

VOLUSIA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OFFERS SAFETY TIPS REGARDING WILDFIRE SMOKE 

The Volusia County Health Department and the Florida Department of Health offers advice to citizens who may be impacted by wildfire smoke. 

Smoke is a respiratory irritant, and can cause scratchy throat, irritated eyes, nose and worsen conditions such as asthma and other chronic respiratory or lung conditions.

How to Protect Your Family from the Health Effects of Smoke:  

• Pay attention to local air quality reports and stay alert to any news coverage or health warnings related to smoke.

• Use common sense. If it is smoky outside 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 don't 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 inside lower. When smoke levels are high, try to avoid using anything that burns, such as wood fireplaces, gas logs, gas stoves - and even candles!  Don't vacuum. That stirs up particles already inside your home. And don't smoke tobacco.

• Follow your doctor’s advice about taking your medicines and following your asthma management plan if you have asthma or other lung disease. Call your doctor if your symptoms persist.