tips to protect yourself from volcanic ash

2023-05-18 17:05:14

Nature is unpredictable and indomitable and we never know when an eventuality may occur, so you must be prepared and for this we tell you 6 tips to protect yourself from volcanic ash.

Photo: iStock

What to do before the fall of volcanic ash?

Los Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that in the event of rain or volcanic ash fall, you should do the following:

• If possible, stay indoors with windows and doors closed. The authorities will let you know how long you can stay at home
• Wear clothing that covers your body well, such as pants and long-sleeved shirts.
• Wear glasses to protect your eyes and avoid exercising
• Keep cars or any object that uses an engine turned off because the ash could enter and obstruct its operation
• If you must drive, you should keep the air conditioning off so that ash cannot get inside the car
• Use masks or mouth covers to protect your respiratory tract

Also, it is important to mention that you should not wet the ash, that is, do not try to remove it with a hose or wet buckets because this considerably increases its weight, making it more dangerous.

What is the best mask for volcanic ash?

The recommendation of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the use of the N-95 type mask.

This mask is very good at stopping microparticles and preventing them from entering the body; its use became popular as a result of the Covid 19 pandemic.

Experts recommend that if you do not have this type of mask, you can also use a common mask, however you should know that this type of mask does not protect in the same way.

Remember that the correct use of the mask is part of the 6 tips to protect yourself from volcanic ash.

Photo: iStock

What happens if I breathe in ash?

The World Health Organization It should be noted that if there is a constant or direct aspiration of volcanic ash, the following symptoms may occur:

• Irritation and runny nose
• Irritation and pain in the throat, sometimes a dry cough
• People with asthma or allergic rhinitis may have chest pain or bronchitis.
• People with asthma or complications may have difficulty breathing
• In some cases there are conjunctivitis pictures

Now that you know the 6 tips to protect yourself from volcanic ashIf you have severe symptoms, you should go to a doctor immediately to rule out major problems.

If you want to know how to improve the quality of life of a person with asthma, we share this video with you.