Bushfire smoke can make some people’s existing health conditions worse.
You may be more sensitive to the health effects of bushfire smoke if you:
If you or your child is at higher risk, talk to your doctor now about how bushfire smoke might impact your health.
There are some helpful resources below to help you plan for managing your health and your family’s health when it is smoky.
Bushfire smoke can worsen heart and lung conditions such as angina and emphysema (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
This may lead to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath or heart palpitations, and may increase the risk of heart attacks.
Things you can do to protect your health:
If you are pregnant, you may be more sensitive to the effects of smoke.
Brief exposure to bushfire smoke during pregnancy is unlikely to affect you or your baby. If you are continuously exposed to smoke for more than one week, it may increase the risk of outcomes such as preterm birth, lower birth weight and developing gestational diabetes.
Things you can do to protect you and your baby:
Children are more vulnerable to the effects of smoke because they spend more time outdoors engaged in physical activity, have developing airways and breathe more air relative to their body weight.
It is important to reduce your child’s exposure to bushfire smoke.
Children with lung conditions, such as asthma, may be more sensitive to smoke.
Things you can do to protect your child:
Childcare centres are also encouraged to monitor air quality for their local area and follow the health advice to protect children from bushfire smoke.
Learn more on protecting yourself and others from bushfire smoke.
If children in your care display symptoms of asthma such as difficulty breathing, a wheeze or persistent cough, follow their written Asthma Action Plan. If they do not have a plan, provide asthma first aid, contact their parents or carers and monitor the child closely. Call Triple Zero (000) if symptoms are not improving or get worse.
Bushfire smoke may affect blood glucose levels and make them harder to manage.
During an emergency, your body processes glucose differently.
Stress, changes in physical activity and the food you eat, may mean you need to adjust your medication during and after a bushfire emergency.
Call Triple Zero 000 in an emergency.
Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 for medical advice (24-hour helpline).