Every year around June to September dry period, farmers from Indonesia will burn forest to clear land, thereby generating smoke haze. As a neighboring country, Singapore, of having a clear sky is really depend on the mercy of wind direction. However, our fate is usually not spared. Instead of clear and clean air, we get choky, burning smell and blurry vision in the sky. This year, in 2013, it is the worst that we've encountered. The Singapore haze index, Pollutant Standard Index (PSI) once hit 401 in the noon to a health hazardous level when this blog was created.

As such, there are many air pollution articles floating around on how to prevent air pollution. However, all these actions take time and there are a few first and foremost ways to stay away from the haze smog, as suggested below:


1) Stay Indoor

Close all the openings such as windows and doors to prevent haze further entering the room. Although you feel stuffy but you can on the fan and turn on the air condition to circulate the air in the room. You can also turn on the room air purifier at the same time to achieve better air quality. There are twelve popular room air purifiers for your reference at the menu pages.






2) Avoid Outdoor activities

Try to cut down or avoid strenuous activities when you are at Outdoor. E.g. cut down exercise such as jogging, cycling, swimming etc. You will inhale in the unhealthy air and cause irritation to your throat, body and respiratory system.






3) Wear face mask if there is a need to stay outdoor

Wear a face mask if there is need to stay Outdoor. Preferably a N95 respirator mask. Wear a surgical mask at least if there are no other choices. (Better than nothing at all)

As long as the N95 respirator mask is not out of shape or soiled, it is reusable.

As for surgical mask, how to wear it correctly? There are two sides of the surgical mask which are white and blue. The white side contains filter and if you have flu, it should be attached to your face so that the blue side faces out so as to prevent the germs from spreading outwards.

If you are not ill, the white side ought to be facing out to protect micro-organism from the environment to come into contact with you.


4) Stay hydrated at all times

Drink more water. Bring along a water bottle with you if you need to stay outdoor for a while.

For Chinese, we believe there are few kind of teas and soups that cool down the body heatiness because by inhaling in this type of haze from the forest fire will make your body heaty and uncomfortable.

1) Chinese herbal tea call 'LIANG CHA' (凉茶）
2) Chrysanthemum tea (菊花茶)
3) Barley water (薏米水）
4) Green Bean Soup (绿豆汤）
5) Lotus root Soup (莲藕汤）

Eat more fruits and drink juice such as apples, papayas，coconut water and watermelon juice to stay cool.


5) Seek doctor help if feeling not well

If you have irritation such as dry sore eyes, sneezing, coughing or respiratory problems due to the haze, go to the doctor and seek help. Not only with old folks and children, as they are generally weaker, people with history of asthma or heart problem are advice to stay Indoor and abstain from outdoor activities.




6) Fight haze with Salmon

As we know, oily fish such as salmon is rich in omega-3 and antioxidant such as vitamin C and E in it. They are effective to help to provide a stronger body to fight against haze problem and irritation.




Although there is no foolproof way to shun the haze totally in normal condition but at least these are the few ways above to mitigate it. A piece of advice: if possible, do buy a few N95 masks to stock up and air purifier as standby equipment during normal days. E.g. there is always a panic buying and prices increase during a pandemic and out of stock situation always happen.