By: Ashmar Mandou

As the Chicagoland area continues to be under air quality alert due to the Canadian wildfires, the City of Chicago and the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) are advising residents to stay vigilant. As smoke from the wildfires in Canada continues to impact Chicago’s air quality, recommendations have been set in place to help residents, especially those in sensitive populations, including those with heart and lung disease, older adults, pregnant women, and young children. IEPA also advises families to take precautions when planning outdoor activities. The City released their guidelines to help residents plan their days as well as released indoor spaces for vulnerable populations to utilize public libraries, senior centers, Park District facilities, or the six community service centers that operate from 9am to 5pm:

• Englewood Center – 1140 W. 79th Street 
 
• Garfield Center – 10 S. Kedzie Ave. (24 Hours)  

• King Center – 4314 S. Cottage Grove   

• North Area Center – 845 W. Wilson Ave.  
 
• South Chicago Center – 8650 S. Commercial Ave.  
 
• Trina Davila Center – 4312 W. North Ave.  

Below are a few suggestions of how residents can protect themselves during the Air Quality Alert:

• Avoid spending time outdoors. If you must go outside, keep outdoor activity short and wear a KN95 or N95 mask while outside.  

• Stay indoors and keep your indoor air as clean as possible by not smoking, using candles, or vacuuming. 
 
• Follow your doctor’s advice if you have asthma, lung or cardiovascular disease. Some symptoms of breathing smoke include wheezing, chest pain, shortness of breath, and trouble breathing. If your symptoms worsen, call your physician or 911.  

• Keep windows and doors closed and turn on your air conditioner if you have one. Seek shelter elsewhere if you do not have an air conditioner and your home is too warm. 
 
• Use an air filter if you have one.  

• Limit driving a vehicle if possible.   

• Stay tuned to local news media advisories.  
  
To learn more about air quality in our area and monitor for updates from the U.S. EPA, visit www.AirNow.gov.