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With major wildfires in both Southern and Northern California air quality is suffering throughout the state. People with disabilities can be especially vulnerable to the negative health effects of smoke filled air.
The CDC offers simple guidelines to reduce harm. Included is checking local air quality before doing outdoor activities, staying inside as much as possible, using HEPA air filters, and limiting physical activity.
For those of us who must go outside, wearing a respirator mask reduces exposure to the harmful particulate matter in the air. Many hardware stores sell respirator masks. This EPA fact sheet offers helpful advise for choosing and using a respirator.
As we insure our own safety we can check in on our communities.
Homeless people are an especially vulnerable group on hazardous air quality days. If you are able, contact your local homeless shelters and outreach organizations and ask if a donation of respirator masks would be helpful.
Stay safe and keep our communities safe!
Christian McMahon, Communications Specialist, The Arc of California