WASHINGTON (7News) — We know what to do when the Air Quality Index is high: stay indoors if you can, keep outdoor activities short and consider rescheduling outside events. There are other dos and don’ts you could be forgetting.
7News Health and Wellness Reporter Victoria Sanchez spoke with doctors in Prince George’s and Fairfax Counties about poor air quality tips.
“Besides staying indoors, is there anything we shouldn’t do?” asked Sanchez.
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“If you’re thinking about cooking, I’d probably avoid frying, using a frying pan. I’d avoid doing grilling,” suggested Dr. David Press, chief of medicine at Luminis Health.
“Try not to vacuum. Keep the doors closed, put the air conditioning on,” said Dr. Henna Qureshi, pediatrician at Inova Cares Clinic for Children.
Dr. Qureshi said just like you’d avoid dusting around the house or vacuuming when your allergies are bad, kicking up particles could increase discomfort for your already irritated respiratory system.
The Fairfax County Emergency Information website lists steps to take to reduce exposure to poor air quality, including:
- Going inside fast-food restaurants, coffee shops and banks instead of waiting in long drive-thru lines
- Re-fuel your vehicle after dark
- Combine trips for errands
Fairfax County Schools canceled outdoor activities due to the Code Red Air Quality Alert. A decision for Thursday’s activities will be made by 9 a.m., the website announced.
Prince George’s County Public Schools canceled “all outdoor classes, recess, athletic events and any school-specific outdoor activities” for both Wednesday and Thursday.
All outdoor activities at DC Public Schools are canceled while air quality remains in an unhealthy Code Red level. “This includes recess, outdoor Physical Education classes, athletic practices and competitions, and any school-specific events or field trips intended for the outdoors,” a statement from the mayor’s office said.
With summer break almost here, antsy kids could have a tough time with reduced activities.
Dr. Press said some parents won’t have it easy but it’s important to explain what’s going on with the air quality. “And having that conversation with your kids, saying, ‘I know you want to be outside, and you want to play, but it’s best that you stay inside for a couple of days.”
Dr. Qureshi said during the pandemic, parents shared their activity ideas with her.
“Board games are still alive and well. I would encourage going back to playing some board games. Zumba, yoga. Things like that, promoting wellness, reading books. I feel that there are a lot of things we can still do indoors,” she said.
While screen time should be limited, Dr. Qureshi said that sometimes it’s needed for a caregiver’s mental health break, and that’s OK.
