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Smoke from Tasmanian bushfires is affecting towns in the North-west and parts of northern Tasmania.
Smoky conditions are expected to continue during the bushfires and may affect different places in Tasmania over the coming days.
Director of Public Health, Dr Mark Veitch, reminds Tasmanians how to stay safe if it is smoky from bushfires.
“Keeping safe from fire danger is always the highest priority, so make sure to follow emergency advice,” said Dr Veitch.
“People at higher risk from smoky conditions include older people, babies, young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and people living with medical conditions such as lung disease or asthma, diabetes or heart disease,” Dr Veitch said.
Know how to stay safe, including how to reduce your exposure to smoke.
“If you’re likely to be in smoky conditions for more than a day or two, consider if you can safely temporarily relocate to a place unaffected by smoke.
“This is particularly important for those at higher risk from smoke.”
Know what to do if it is smoky:
- If you have a medical condition, make sure you can manage your symptoms and medications, and do all you can to avoid smoke.
- Stay indoors and avoid physical activity outdoors.
- Keep household doors and windows closed; if possible, turn home air-conditioners to re-circulate indoor air.
- If safe to do so, consider temporarily staying with a friend or relative away from the smoke-affected area.
- If safe to do so, and available, consider visiting a nearby air-conditioned space like a shopping centre, library, or cinema.
- Specialised P2/N95 masks will filter smoke particles but need an airtight seal on your face to work; this can be difficult to achieve, particularly for children. If you have heart or lung conditions, ask your doctor about using masks safely.
- Consider using a portable air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter, set up in a well-sealed room the right size for the filter.
- If you need medical advice, contact your GP, or call healthdirect on 1800 022 222. In an emergency, call 000.
For more information:
- about staying safe when it is smoky, go to www.health.tas.gov.au/air-quality
- about bushfire and smoke warnings and emergency information, go to the TasALERT website; you can also download the TasALERT app
- about fire-related matters, go to the Tasmania Fire Service website.
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA) air quality data is at All Air Monitoring Stations - Current Data Table | EPA Tasmania
- Check your local news or radio for smoke warnings in your area