Prescribed burns may impact air quality this week

It will be most likely in the late afternoon and evening and may intermittently reduce air quality across the ACT.

For further information on managing your health during smoky conditions, and to see the current air quality health advice for your area, visit the ACT Health Directorate Air Quality Health Advice Portal.

People with asthma and other respiratory conditions, who can be particularly sensitive to outdoor smoke, can take the following precautions to help minimise health effects of smoke if air quality is impacted during this period:

• Avoid outdoor physical activity if you develop symptoms like cough or shortness of breath.
• When indoors, close windows and doors until outdoor air quality is better.
• Follow the treatment plan recommended by your doctor. If you have asthma, have your reliever puffer available.

Canberrans who suffer from asthma should also make sure their treatment and action plans are up-to-date.

Anyone with concerns about their health should seek medical advice from their health practitioner, and anyone experiencing wheezing, chest tightness or difficulty breathing should seek urgent medical assistance. In the event of a medical emergency call 000.

The ACT Health Directorate will continue to monitor air quality and will advise the community if additional public health advice is needed.

Another useful resource to help Canberrans is the free AirRater Smartphone app which provides users with real-time information on air quality.  To download the free AirRater smartphone application: https://airrater.org/