HOW TO DEAL WITH SMOKE

Many people are having to live with smoke night and day, due to fires burning in their areas.  I’ve gathered some hints that might make breathing a little easier.

We’re told to stay home, but is your home totally airtight?  Mine isn’t and most homes aren’t.  The smoke is going to find the smallest air leak and creep in, so before you start coughing start looking for those leaks. 

Here are some suggestions of where to look and what you can do once you find a leak.

-  The doors that lead outside (even to the garage) are a primary source.  Do you have a gap anywhere around the door?  Most of us do.  Take some of the old towels, washcloths and/or rags and push them into the gaps.  You won’t be able to push them in with your fingers, but a dull knife, nail file or needle-nose pliers work just fine … depending on the size of the gap.  Of course, if it’s a door you can live without using (like that second door out of the garage) you can always use duct tape or masking tape.  However, you always run the chance of taking the paint off when it’s removed – and rags won’t cost you anything.  If the smoke is really bad you can wet the rags to stop smoke penetration even more.

-  Double hung windows that don’t latch (and seal) properly are another place the smoke will find.  If you can’t fix the window, rags will work here too.  Even if your windows aren't double hung, check for gaps.

-  The garage can let in smoke as well, so if you can roll the trash can out the smaller door, don’t open that big overhead door.  If you intend to keep it closed, check for gaps around its edges and seal them.

We all have to go out of the house at some point in time….you will run out of milk and bread eventually.  Here are some suggestions you can try so your lungs are a little protected.

First of all, when in your car turn the RECIRCULATE AIR function on.  This will keep your ventilation system from pulling in smoke.  Plus keep your windows shut.

Second, when walking (no running right now – go to a gym if you must run) use one of the following:

 

-  SCARVES - Many women have those old, smallish neck-scarves stashed away.  You know the ones I mean, the ones that the cowboys wore around their necks in case of a dust storm.  Drag them out and tie one around your neck.  The other day the air in Wal-Mart was almost as bad as the air outside so I pulled it up over my nose.  Did people look at me?  Sure, but most of them gave me a nod of approval.  Oh, the young girls didn’t – not stylish enough for them, but style goes out the window when your health is at stake.  Men can use their “biker” scarves.

-  MASKS – You can go to the drug store and buy a surgical mask for about $3 or you can go into your garage (or your work truck) and pull out a painters mask.  Besides, they are cheaper to buy and they actually filter out finer particles than the surgical mask does. 

Note:  In Japan people wear surgical masks all the time and it’s considered normal and polite, it’s not normal in the US so I suggest pulling the mask or scarf off when you go into a store so they don’t think you’re a robber. 

Will these suggestions totally eliminate the effects of smoke on your lungs – no, but it will cut the amount of smoke particles going into your lungs significantly.

Lets all pray for the firefighters and for a lot of rain!

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Thank you RedGage .... here is my flower for the day:

http://www.redgage.com/rene#rf:/photos/rene/ready-to-bloom-flower-for-june-23.html