On Thursday at 12:04 p.m. the National Weather Service issued an air quality alert in effect until Friday at midnight for Jefferson and Shelby counties.

“The Jefferson County Department of Health has issued a Code Orange Air Quality Alert for Jefferson and Shelby counties for Thursday, March 21. Under Code Orange conditions, particulate matter concentrations are expected to reach levels that are unhealthy for sensitive groups. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged or heavy exertion outdoors. JCDH recommends the following actions during an air quality alert for particulate matter. Avoid exposure to wood, forest, or agricultural smoke. Reduce outside activity. Walk instead of jog. Do not exercise near busy roads. Plan outdoor activities for days when particle levels are lower. Limit driving and engine idling. Combine errands. Use the bus or carpool to work. Avoid use of gasoline powered lawn and garden equipment. Outside particulate matter can affect indoor air quality, especially when outdoor levels are high. Keep windows and doors closed to prevent further circulation of particles. You can further reduce indoor particle levels by eliminating tobacco smoke, limiting cooking with wood, coal, oil, or natural gas, and limiting the use of candles, incense, and household cleaners. If breathing becomes difficult, move indoors,” states the weather service.

Guidance for air quality alerts: Insights from the weather service

When an air quality alert pops up on the radar, deciphering its implications is crucial. These alerts, issued by the weather service, come with straightforward yet essential guidance to ensure your safety:

1. Prioritize indoor stay:

• Whenever possible, seek refuge indoors, especially if you grapple with respiratory concerns, health issues, or belong to the senior or child demographic

2. Minimize outdoor ventures:

• When venturing outside becomes unavoidable, limit your outdoor exposure strictly to essential tasks. Reducing your time outdoors is the name of the game.

3. Mitigate pollution sources:

• Exercise prudence when it comes to activities that exacerbate pollution, such as driving cars, wielding gas-powered lawnmowers, or utilizing other motorized vehicles. Minimize their use during air quality alerts.

4. A ban on open burning:

• Refrain from kindling fires with debris or any other materials during an air quality alert. Such practices only contribute to heightened air pollution.

5. Stay well-informed:

• Stay updated by tuning in to NOAA Weather Radio or your preferred weather news outlet. Staying informed helps you make wise choices regarding outdoor activities during air quality alerts.

6. Respiratory health caution:

• 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.

Following the recommendations from the weather service helps bolster your safety during air quality alerts, minimizing your exposure to potentially harmful pollutants. Stay vigilant, stay protected, and make your health the top priority.

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.