Health tips for burning season

During March and April, many ranchers in the Flint Hills will be burning off pastures. Air quality during those months will be greatly decreased due to the large amount of airborne particles created by burning.

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has several recommendations for people with heart, lung, and other respiratory illnesses, and elderly and children who might be affected.

Residents with smoke in their area should consider doing the following to help decrease possible elevated symptoms caused by pasture burning: curtail or avoid strenuous outdoor exercise, those with heart or breathing related illnesses should stay indoors, close doors and windows and run air conditioners on a “recirculate’ setting, and keeping airways most by drinking lots of water.

Visit http://www.ksfire.org for more information.