WHAT TO DO IN THE EVENT OF HAZE?

.....Limit your activities outside
.....Drink lots of water
.....Wash hands & face often


IF IT GETS HAZARDOUS:
1)Stay indoors as much as possible, especially if pregnant or with
heart/lung problems.

2)While inside your home…
....keep all doors and windows shut;
.... turn on the air-cons (fans should be kept off as much as possible)
and if your budget allows, consider fitting air-cons with HEPA (High
Efficiency Particulate) filters;
....wet mop your house and indoor areas (sweeping with a broom is not
recommended);
....cook with an electric stove, oven or microwave (cooking in the house
with wood, gas or charcoal is not recommended)

3)If you are considering air cleaners, mechanical cleaners that use fibre or fabric filters are recommended– electronic air cleaners are not recommended as the ioniser produces small amount of ozone as a by-product and this actually worsens air quality! Alternatively, a humidifier can be used to dampen down the particulates. The additional moisture can also help reduce respiratory irritation.

4)If you must be outdoors, always use an N95 mask.
An N95 mask can filter out 95 per cent of particulate larger than 0.3 microns. However, people with heart and lung problems should always consult a doctor first as a mask does decrease air flow.

5)Keep off the roads
Road travel should be minimised to the absolutely necessary. Keeping your car home will help prevent further deterioration of air quality, and also minimise the risk of traffic accidents due to poor visibility. If you must drive…

IF YOU MUST TRAVEL BY CAR:
turn on the air-con and keep it to the "recirculate inside air" mode;
keep all the windows closed;
turn on the lights to increase visibility on the road;
never leave children unattended in the car;
don't smoke in your car, and don't allow anyone else to smoke, either.
keep seatbelts on while the car is moving.

WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO?
a)If you see any open burning, report it via the Department of
Environment (DoE) complaints line, 03-8889-1972 or hotline
1-800-88-2727.
b)You can also modify the air quality in your area athis DoE webpage,
www.doe.gov.my/apims
c)You can keep abreast of the haze situation daily through the Asean
Secretariat, http://haze.asean.org/.


(SOURCE: The Star, Friday 21June 2013)


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Dense smoke haze which was transported by the prevailing westerly winds to parts of South China Sea.

风将浓密的烟雾往西方南中国海的方向吹。