With heavy smoke and poor air quality hovering over the Okanagan due to wildfires, there may be a temptation to wear a surgical or construction mask to try and cope with it.
But Interior Health's Jen Jacobsen says these masks don't actually protect us from the smoke.
"They're not designed to be used to remove those small particles found in the smoke," says Jacobsen. "They're not recommended in most circumstances due to a number of limitations."
These limitations include the following:
Alternatively, there are some easy ways to avoid long term smoke exposure.
"The best way to protect yourself when we have these skies is to seek cleaner air," says Jacobsen. "Stay inside, drink lots of fluids, and try to stay cool."
Interior Health says anyone wokring outside all day in the current air conditions is encouraged to contact WorkSafe BC or their occupational health and safety specialist.
For more information on smoke hazards and ways to deal with them, go to interiorhealth.ca.