Tips on managing orange skies

[sonia]

I'm saving freudiancascade's tips on managing orange skies here because they're that good.

I suspect a lot of Americans didn't hear about it, but the sky has gone orange with smoke in western Canada almost every summer for the past several years.

So, some tips below on managing it:

• shove rolled up towels under doors that lead outside, and avoid unfiltered central AC (if your AC allows you to add a filter, though, do that)
  
• minimize exposure as much as you can; if you must go out, plan to spend as little time outdoors as possible
  
• if you have small pets, keep them in rooms far from unsealed windows and external doors, and make sure they have more water than normal
  
• drink more water than normal!
  
• for the love of god, don't try to exercise
  
• face masks cut down the amount of particulate you're breathing in
  
• if you know you have asthma or other medical conditions that will be made worse by poor air quality, try to stay aware of fire conditions near you and where the wind is carrying the smoke, and fill your prescriptions before it hits
  
• if you get migraines, be ready to treat them (you'll probably have one)
  
• the humidity level goes right to hell, so running a humidifier or hot shower in your space can make it easier to breathe
  
• you're probably going to feel like garbage for days; be gentle with your body!
  
• it does go away eventually! It's apocalyptic-looking and utterly miserable, but it's temporary. Do what you need to lessen your anxiety over it, because hyperventilating.... doesn't help you here!

There's a soapbox moment about how we need to take care of our environment (and not do dumb shit like using explosives in gender reveal parties, come ON), and act on climate change before this becomes commonplace.

For now, though, it's okay for you to just focus on staying safe.

Thank you, freudiancascade!

Comments

[asakiyume]

I hope the air clears soon--which is to say, I hope the fires are controlled soon. I wish you the best getting through the day-to-day until that happens.

[sonia]

Thank you! The good wishes feel like little breezes, making a little bit of clear space.

[rosefox]

Shared with friends in WA/OR/CA. Thank you. <3

[sonia]

Glad to hear it's more widely helpful.

[jesse_the_k]

This is an outstanding summary, and I'm so angry that we need to learn this stuff.

And sad. Very sad. Hoping your filters stay clear,

[sonia]

Yeah, that's a good way to put it, angry that we need to learn this stuff. And I keep thinking about the people who just have to live with and adapt to this kind of air quality from ongoing industrial pollution. :-(