Newark Residents: Take Caution, Stay Indoors as Much as Possible
Mayor Ras J. Baraka and Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Ketlen Baptiste Alsbrook are urging city residents to take precautions during the air quality alert issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), which is expected to remain in effect until further notice.
“Due to heavy smoke from a convergence of wildfires as far away as Canada, the NJDEP has issued an air quality alert for the northern region of the state, including Newark,” said Mayor Baraka. “I ask everyone to protect their health by staying informed and carefully following NJDEP’s guidelines throughout the duration of the alert.”
To protect yourself from the current poor air quality, the NJDEP advises:
- Staying indoors as much as possible.
- Keeping your windows closed.
- Using an air purifier if possible.
- If you must go outside, limit your physical activity and wear a mask for any extended period of exposure.
“These guidelines are for all of us and even our pets, because air pollution concentrations are unhealthy for everyone,” said Director Alsbrook. “But they should be most carefully followed by sensitive groups such as children, older adults and people with heart disease, asthma, or other lung diseases.”
The Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness will continue to monitor the air quality and will issue updates as needed throughout the alert.
My daughter was sitting on the porch and called me to ask me did I smell the smoke and how foggy it was out side. But never heard any fire trucks I thought it was just a gloomy day when I looked out my window. I told her to come inside because the smell was so strong and so foggy I had no ideal where it was coming from until I just read about it from the nj news. Wow smoke from so far made its way over here.
My asthma been so bad this week I can’t breath every time I go outside I was wondering why I smell smoke now I know traveling on the air
Shows that we are all more interconnected than we think. Our neighbors to the north are experiencing the fires and we are inhaling the smoke. Be Careful Everyone!!
Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing. Will the city issue mask at government offices as I was driving in Newark I notice only a few of us was wearing mask. It would be nice for the mayor to stress the importance of wearing mask during this time. Especially the elder
Newark Schools should be CLOSED. It is not safe for students or staff.
My daughter’s and my asthma has been going absolutely haywire. My chest has been acting off and on as well as this persistent cough. Unbelievable how so very connected we are to be dealing with the more dangerous systems of the fire smoke. I purchased respiratory masks for my kids and I. It actually helped me sleep better with less coughing. 🙏🏾🙏🏾 for all!