FORT STEWART, Ga. - Winn Army Community Hospital Department of Preventive Medicine advises Fort Stewart residents and employees to take precautions to avoid health issues which may be associated with wildfire smoke exposure.

This smoke is a mixture of gases and fine particles from burning trees and other plant materials. These conditions are a direct result of the ongoing wildfire in Long County and could also be affected by the 82,000 acre Honey Prairie fire burning in the Okefenokee Swamp.

Smoke from wildfires usually pose no hazard to healthy adults, but when levels are high, even healthy people may experience coughing, scratchy throat, irritated sinuses, headaches, stinging eyes, and a runny nose. Older adults and those with heart or lung disease such as congestive heart failure, angina, COPD, emphysema or asthma, are at higher risk of having health problems.

In addition, children are more likely to be affected by smoke because they breathe more air per pound of body weight than adults and are usually more active outdoors.

Fort Stewart residents and employees can reduce their risk of smoke related symptoms by implementing the following guidelines during heavy smoke exposure:

• Stay inside with windows and doors shut.

• Use the recycle or re-circulate mode on the air conditioner in your home or car and keep your home air conditioner filter clean.

• Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have air conditioning and it is too warm to stay inside with the windows closed.

• Keep your indoor environment as clean as possible; avoid indoor burning such as candles, fireplaces and smoking, which will increase air pollutants. A high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter may reduce the number of irritating fine particles in indoor air.

• Asthmatics should follow their asthma management plan and keep at least a five-day supply of medication on hand.

• Contact your doctor if you have symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or severe fatigue. This is important for not only for people with chronic lung or heart disease, but also for individuals who have not been previously diagnosed with such illnesses.

• Keep airways moist by drinking lots of water. Breathing through a warm, wet washcloth can also help relieve dryness.

• Do not rely on paper “comfort” or “dust” masks commonly found at hardware stores for protection as these are designed to trap large particles, such as sawdust and will not protect your lungs from smoke.

• During heavy smoke conditions, pay close attention to local news reports for updated public health advisories. Exercise caution when driving in low visibility areas.

If you have any questions or concerns, contact your healthcare provider or the Department of Preventive Medicine, Fort Stewart’s “public health department” at 912-435-5101/5071.