Tasmania Fire Service says burn-offs cause of smoke around Hobart

Asthmatics have been warned to stay inside and drivers have been urged caution as Hobart is inundated with smoke. Here’s where it’s coming from >>

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TASMANIA Fire Service says there is no threat to Hobart despite the city being inundated with smoke.

There is currently a fuel reduction burn going on at Belbin Rivulet, Cambridge, and there is no threat, the fire service has reassured residents.

A statement from the TFS advised residents with asthma to stay inside and have a personal plan for avoiding smoke from the burn.

People travelling in the area should exercise caution if driving in smoke. Turn on your headlights and drive slowly.

The Tasmania Fire Service has offered these tips when smoke is visible:

1. MAKE SURE YOU ARE SAFE FROM ANY IMMEDIATE FIRE DANGER

2. DECIDE IF YOU ARE AT HIGHER RISK

The actions you take will depend on your age or your overall health. People at higher risk of health harms from breathing smoky air are:

• those with asthma or lung problems of any kind
• those with other chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes or a previous stroke
• older people, especially those over 65 years
• babies and children, especially those less than five years old
• pregnant women.

If you are at higher risk, smoke can make your existing health conditions worse. This might mean you need urgent medical care.

Air pollution is also one of many factors that can influence the growth and development of babies and children.

For this reason, minimising how much smoke you breathe during pregnancy and in early childhood is a sensible precaution.

If you are at higher risk, it is important to manage your health and reduce the smoke you breathe.

If you are at lower risk, it is unlikely you will be at risk of serious health harms from breathing smoky air.

However, smoke is irritating and you may get symptoms such as burning eyes, a sore throat, runny nose or a cough. These should clear up quickly once the smoke goes.

3. MANAGE YOUR HEALTH

If it’s smoky, and you have a health condition such as asthma, you should actively manage your symptoms.

Follow your asthma action plan, or your plan for managing flare-ups of other health conditions.

If you don’t have an action plan, see your GP.

If your symptoms worsen, call triple-0, go to your nearest hospital or go to your nearest GP.

4. REDUCE THE SMOKE YOU BREATHE

These simple steps can help reduce how much smoke you breathe.

Stay indoors with your windows and doors closed, and avoid physical activity outdoors.

If there is a break in smoky conditions, open the windows and air out your home.

If you use an airconditioner, set it to ‘recycle’ or ‘recirculate’.

If a lot of smoke from outside gets in or your home gets too hot, consider visiting a friend’s place, or a nearby library, shopping centre or sports centre if they have airconditioning or are out of the smoky area.

Consider using a portable air cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air or HEPA filter, available from home electrical stores.

These should be set up in a well-sealed room the right size for the filter.

Be cautious using face masks.

Simple paper or cloth face masks do not provide protection from bushfire smoke.

Specialised ‘P2’ masks, available from most hardware stores, will filter smoke particles but they require an airtight seal between the mask and your face to be effective.

This is difficult to achieve for adults and impossible for children due to their smaller faces.

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Originally published as Tasmania Fire Service says burn-offs cause of smoke around Hobart