KGMI News
By Tracy Ellis
BELLINGHAM, Wash. – It’s hot and smoky out there.
An air quality alert is in effect because of smoke from British Columbia wildfires.
Air quality is at unhealthy levels in parts of Whatcom County.
Children, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses are the most at risk and may want to limit the amount of time spent outdoors.
A heat advisory also remains in effect with highs in the upper 90s.
Ann Newcombe with Harborview Hospital says, again, kids and seniors tend to have more problems with the heat.
“Just as you’re older it’s a little bit harder for your body to adjust to the heat. So we see dehydrated elderly. On the lower end, for the children, every year, unfortunately we see children falling out of windows upstairs.”
Newcombe tells KOMO screens designed to keep insects from coming in, do a poor job of keeping kids from falling out.
It’s recommended you drink plenty of fluids, find air-conditioned places, stay out of the sun, and check on relatives and neighbors.