An air quality alert was issued in effect until Wednesday at 5 p.m. for Jefferson and Shelby counties.

“The Alabama Department of Environmental Management, ADEM, has issued an Air Quality Alert for Jefferson and Shelby counties for Wednesday, May 1. Under Code Orange conditions, ground level ozone concentrations are expected to reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. Children and people with asthma are individuals most at risk under these expected conditions. ADEM recommends the following actions during an air quality alert for ozone: Conserve electricity and set your air conditioner at a higher temperature. Limit driving and combine errands. Use the bus or car pool to work. Avoid use of gasoline power lawn and garden equipment. Refuel cars and trucks after 6 p.m. Limit engine idling. Use household, workshop, and garden chemicals in ways that keep evaporation to a minimum, or try to avoid them when poor air quality is forecast. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors,” states the National Weather Service.

Air quality Alerts: NWS prescribes safety measures

When an air quality alert is in effect, following the weather service guidance is pivotal. Here are some simple tips from the weather service for safeguarding your well-being:

1. Prioritize indoor stay:

• If possible, remain indoors, especially if you have respiratory issues, other health concerns, or fall within the senior or child demographics.

2. Trim outdoor activities to essentials:

• When you can’t avoid going outdoors, keep outdoor activities to the bare essentials. Reducing your time outdoors is the key.

3. Mitigate pollution sources:

• Be mindful of activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, operating gas-powered lawnmowers, or using other motorized vehicles. Limit their use during air quality alerts.

4. A no to open burning:

• Avoid burning debris or any other materials during air quality alerts. This contributes to worsened air quality.

5. Stay informed:

• Keep yourself well-informed by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news outlet. Staying in the loop empowers you to make informed decisions regarding outdoor engagements during air quality alerts.

6. Focus on respiratory health:

• If you grapple with respiratory issues or underlying health problems, exercise added caution. These conditions can render you more susceptible to the adverse effects of compromised air quality.

By adhering to the recommendations from the weather service, you can enhance your safety during air quality alerts and reduce your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and prioritize your health above all else.

Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.