December 17, 2017 @ 2:45 PM
Having had to evacuate from soon to be the largest forest fire in California history, I am thinking of the serious health consequences that we face in the weeks, months and years to come. Equally important to saving lives during the fire is the task of saving lives in the years that lie ahead.
First and foremost, it is important to evacuate to a safe place: safe not just from the threat of fire, but safe in terms of air quality. If you can smell smoke, it is not safe. If you can see smoke or see a haze, it is not safe. However, it may not be safe even if you do not smell or see smoke if you are in a 100 mile radius, depending on wind patterns. WEAR An N95 MASK whenever outdoors or driving in your car in smoky areas.
If you have respiratory issues, err on the side of extreme caution. Lungs and bronchioles damaged by years of working the chemicals, asbestos, smog or smoking will be fragile to the onslaught of pollutants: consider the air contains not just organic material from the back country, but destroyed computers and appliances, fire retardant, burnt home chemicals will all contribute pollutants to the air with a sure-fire delivery system to your body: breathing.
Here are some things you may do to counter future health issues:
CONTINUE TO WEAR A N95 MASK! Especially in cleanup. Ash will remain in trees and bushes for a long time, even after a rain.
Keep your air on re-circ while in your car, with windows up.during future windy days.
You may need to get your car's air filter replaced.
Protect your animals from the out of doors by taking them out for short bathroom breaks.
Filter your air. Put heat or air conditioning on recirc. It will filter the air in your home.
HYDRATE! OFTEN!
Drink the Santa Barbara Green Drink to chelate out heavy metals or add cilantro to food and beverages.
Sip hot water and lemon to increase lymphatic circulation to assist in cleansing your body of toxins.
Avoid exercising outdoors until the air pollution is down to safe levels.
Avoid opening the doors often.
You may need to seal some windows or place a towel along the bottom of doors that go to the outside if the fire is still active.
Take anti-oxidants such as: Vitamins A, C and E, CoQ10, L-Glutathione, Methionine, SOD and Resveratrol
·Swish and chew 1 TBS. cold pressed sesame oil through your mouth and teeth for 20 minutes, then spit into a paper towel to discard. Then rinse for 1 minute with sea salt and water, then spit. Do this daily until the air or what comes out of your mouth is really clear.
Take Charcoal tablets to clear digestive track.
·Wash all organic produce thoroughly with vegetable wash. You may also soak vegetables and fruits for 10 minutes in 5 gallons of water to which a tablespoon of regular Clorox to five gallons has been added.
Take care with removing ash from your yard. DO NOT USE A LEAF BLOWER as that forces all of the pollutants back into the air. Wear a mask and gently sweep the ash into piles and place them into a plastic bag and dispose in the garbage. When you are done, you may use some water to wash small areas.
OUR LAKE IS AT 38% FULL, down 33% from last year and down 63% from full. PLEASE CONSERVE!
Pay attention to Emergency officials during rains as there will be flash flood danger.
***Go to Our Air.Org to find out how the air is in your district today.
Above all, stay safe and ob
ey all evacuation orders! And…PRAY FOR BALANCED RAIN – we need it! In the right quantities of course.....
Dr. Valerie Girard is a chiropractor based in Santa Barbara, CA with over 30 years of experience in holistic chiropractic treatments for the family, cold laser therapy, holistic energetic medicine, functional medicine, orthotics and much more. You can contact her at 1725 State Street B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 687-1617