RESIDENTS URGED TO TAKE PRECAUTION TO DEAL WITH SMOKEForest Fires have been wreaking havoc on the lives of people living in many
parts of the country over the last few weeks. Thousands of acres of land
have burned and continue to burn as the dry season continues. One of the
effects of the burning has been a blanket of smoke over most areas. It
presents some definite health challenges, especially for persons who suffer
from ailments such as asthma. Cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Adrian Coye says
while there is little that can be done physically to ease the discomfort,
there are some simple measures that can be used to survive in the smoky
conditions.
Dr. Adrian Coye - Cardiothoracic surgeon
"It is a very serious public dilemma because we can't run away from the
smoke; it is enveloping where we live, where we work and such. The best way
to say is to have no smoke at all but we can't get away from that. If you
can avoid being exposed to it directly especially those people who have
respiratory conditions, asthmatic patients, those with COPD and such they
may have within the smoke the triggers for them to have frequent attacks or
severe attacks so those people may have to try to avoid it or it might be
that they might have to wear some kind of face mask to help them limit the
particles that are going into their airway. It is a difficult problem
because if you can't avoid working in that area then you are going to be
constantly exposed to the problem, so avoidance is the main thing if
possible . There is nothing physically that you can do apart from wearing a
face mask that will help some patients to not inhale the carbon particles
and helps to filter it out a bit."
Dr. Adrian Coye works out of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The
National Fire Service is currently running a public service campaign asking
persons in rural communities to be careful when lighting fires and to keep
an adequate supply of water readily available to assist themselves should
their property be threatened by a fire until the national fire service
arrives.
Story at
http://www.lovefm.com/ndisplay.php?nid=13864========================
... AND IN PUNTA GORDA"At about 7:00 a.m. Punta Gorda resident Reginald Antonio observed that
smoke was coming out through the small spaces of a closed aluminium window
of a house next to his home. His concern and helpful telephone call to the
Punta Gorda Police and from Police to Punta Gorda Fire Service was timely
as members of the Punta Gorda Fire Service and Police responded immediately
to the scene of the fire at a building at #121 Front Street in the southern
part of town. The building was unoccupied as the owner Victoria Polonio is
currently in the USA. Upon a forced entry into the building Fire Service
personnel were able to extinguish the fire that had already engulfed a sofa
and upon further search of the building, Officer in Charge of the Punta
Gorda Fire Service Keniatta Garnett confirmed that three lighted candles
were found in each of the three bedrooms. Caretaker of the house Celia
Martinez was also at the scene and spoke of her disappointment.
Celia Martinez - Caretaker
"Last night I came to check after the guy came to clean the yard. I did not
enter the house, I walked around to make sure that everything was okay.
Everything seemed to be secured so I am surprised that this morning
somebody went to my house to tell me that there was fire in my aunt's
house, I don't understand how this happen but there is evidence they broke
in because the gate is broken into.
Paul Mahung - Reporter Did you find that anything was missing?
Celia Martinez - Caretaker
"There are many things that are missing. I notice from outside since I
cannot go inside until the fire people and police do their checks; but I
notice from outside that her television is missing, that's all I can see
right now."
Paul Mahung - Reporter
From what you can observe is there a break in the building?
Celia Martinez - Caretaker
"Not that I know of. The fire people found the bedroom doors locked and
these bedroom doors are kept opened to air out."
Paul Mahung - Reporter
I notice there were about three candles found in the building, do you k ow
anything about the candles.
Celia Martinez - Caretaker
"I have no idea but it definitely is the person who broke in because
candles can't light itself."
Damages include fire destruction of the sofa and internal smoke damage to
the one storey concrete building. I t was evident according to the house
caretaker that some household items were stolen from the building sometime
during the night hours."
Story at
http://www.lovefm.com/ndisplay.php?nid=13865