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This page provides answers to frequently asked questions about health and safety related to the
Southern California Fires. The answers have been prepared by pediatric experts at the Dept. of
Pediatrics, University of California, Irvine.
If your child has a special need or a chronic illness and is experiencing an illness,
we recommend that you contact his/her primary care physician for advice on health issues.
Q: Which group of children and adults are at risk of health problems because of the fire?
A: People with respiratory illnesses (asthma or chronic lung problems) or cardiac disease, people
who are active outdoors, infants and some healthy people sensitive to ozone (air pollution) are
particularly at risk of experiencing health effects. The air quality in some parts of Orange County
and adjacent cities is characterized as unhealthy to hazardous at this time. Therefore, childrenpeople
at risk should avoid outdoor activities or heavy exertion and healthy individuals should limit prolonged
outdoor activities.
For more information on air pollution and ozone levels visit: www.airnow.gov.
Q: What are the long term effects for my child if he inhales a lot of smoke?
A: Although smoke inhalation can damage the lining of the lung cells, normal cells usually replace
the damaged cells in a matter of days. Most of the effects are short term. The effect may be more
serious in infants or children with chronic lung conditions or if the exposure is very prolonged
(over months or years). Symptoms like cough, wheezing or shortness of breath might develop.
A few days later if the swelling and extra mucus production do not clear, there is a possibility of a
pneumonia developing.
You should contact your physician if you child is experiencing persistent breathing difficulty
or chest tightness.
Q: What should I do if my child inhaled smoke?
A: If child was close to fire (for example: in or very near a burning building)
don’t wait for symptoms to develop – go to emergency room. If your child is exposed to
downwind smoke and does not have any breathing difficulty – observe carefully at home.
Q: Does the smoke affect young children more than teenagers?
A: Yes, the younger the child, the smaller and more delicate their lungs and airways are.
Q: Are there any medications I can give my child if I notice changes in health due to the
increased air pollution?
A: If you notice a change in health – see a doctor.
If you have medicines prescribed for a chronic respiratory problem, give them as prescribed,
but still see a doctor if your child has a change in health.
Q: Are there any guidelines regarding play activities and exercise in poor air conditions?
A: Outdoor play activities should be limited or avoided as much as possible. Instead,
read a book, watch a video, tell stories or do other low key indoor activities.
(This is the only time a doctor will ask you to be a couch potato!)
Q: What action should be taken for eye irritation?
A: Don’t rub! Rinse out gently with saline (can buy in a store – or make yourself).
To keep child from rubbing eyes, try having your child lie down with a cool damp washcloth
over the eyes.
To make your own saline solution:
Mix 8 ounces of tap water (1 measuring cup) with 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of table salt.
Keep the saline in a bottle or glass for a maximum of 24 hours. Then throw the solution away.
Q: What should I do to reduce the amount of smoke my child inhales?
A: You should keep the windows and doors in your home closed and limit outdoor activities
as much as possible. You can use your air conditioner on the re-circulate mode.
Q: My Child has asthma, what do I need to know?
A: Avoid outdoor activities or heavy exertion and keep the doors and windows in your home
closed. Make sure you have a few day supply of his/her asthma medication on hand and carry the
medications with you at all times.
Individuals with asthma should rigorously adhere to the medication plan prescribed by their
physician and follow any action plan provided for increases in asthma symptoms. Symptoms of asthma
can include persistent coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing. Small
children may report that their chest "hurts" or feels "funny".
If your child has any of the following DANGER SIGNS contact your doctor
and/or seek medical care immediately – go to the emergency room or call 911:
Chest sucking in
nostrils wide open
lips or fingernails blue or purple
very difficult breathing
troubl talking or walking
Other reasons to contact your doctor and/or seek medical care immediately include:
difficulty breathing/astham symptoms not relieved by bronchodilators
if a bronchodilator is required more than twice in a 24 hour time period
Q: What precautions should I have my child take when being outside?
A: Children with a pre-existing lung disease should avoid prolonged outdoor activities and
carry their medication with them at all times. Healthy children should reduce prolonged activities
and heavy exertion. Never leave your children alone and give them plenty of water to drink.
NO sports practice or games until you hear there is good air quality. If the air is
very smoky, use something to protect mouth, nose and eyes (bandana over mouth and nose and
ski or sports goggles to protect eyes) and move child to smoke free place as soon as possible.
Q: Are there any medication I can give my child if I notice changes in health due to the
increased air pollution (chest pain, shortness of breath)?
A: If your child is outdoors, you should take him/her to an indoor location. If your child
has a lung condition, such as asthma, you should give his/her medication. If your child is
experiencing breathing difficulty, you should contact your physician or in case of life
threatening situation, call 911.
Q: How/where can I get inhalers without insurance identification?
Prescription inhaler can be obtained at low or not cost via a prescription assistance plan with a
doctor's prescription. Visit www.pparz.org
for more information or call 1-888-4-PPA-NOW. You should also contact your child's primary care physician
or community clinics for advice.
Q: Our family has been under so much stress and we are concerned that our child is not
coping with things very well. What can we do to help her?
A: It is very important to try and create some consistency in your child's environment.
Even small things like having a favorite book or toy can create a feeling of security for your child.
Adults need to be calm and reassuring when around children aeffected by a disaster. Children should
try to get back to their normal routine as much as they can. If your child is able to attend school,
they should go back to their regular classroom if possible. It is very important that children are
sheltered from television and media coverage of the disaster. Children who witness a disaster on
television can be as aeffected as children who were actually involved.
You can also visit AACAP Facts For Families at www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/helping_childre_after_a_disaster
For a list of mental health clinics for children around Orange County, visit
www.orchealthinfo.com/behavioral/cysclinics.html
Q: My child has been asking me a lot of questions about the fire. What should I tell him?
A: You should answer his questions as honestly as you can, but you must do this in a way that
is appropriate for his age and developmental level. Your child's safety should be reassured frequently.
It is important to allow your child to express his emotions. Children will be upset over losses and
changes and will need to be able to talk about these feelings with adults that they trust. Many
children will not be able to tell you that they are scared or sad. What you might see is that they
will complain of headaches and stomach aches or have a loss of appetite.
If you have non-urgent questions and would like to consult a physician, please call UC Irvine at
(714) 456-2300 and one of our providers will be happy to assist in answering the questions.
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