Health officials in Kern County continue to warn residents to avoid the outdoors if they see ash from the Zaca Fire as well as smell the fire from smoke.
Limited exposure to ash is not a health concern but there are some safety tips to take into consideration.
The following tips are from the Santa Barbara County Health Department:
Wash ash off of children’s toys before children play with them.
Clean ash off house pets.
Wash fruits and vegetables from home gardens and fruit trees before eating them.
Do not use leaf blowers or take other actions that will put ash into the air.
Handle ash in open, well-ventilated areas, and wet the dust whenever possible to prevent its movement.
Do not use shop vacuums or other common non-HEPA filter vacuum cleaners to clean up ash. These vacuums can exhaust small particles out into the air where they can be breathed in. HEPA filter vacuums should be used, if available.
If you wear contact lenses, consider wearing eye glasses or use goggles for clean up projects.
Use a well-fitting dust mask during clean-up. A mask rated N-95 or P-100 will be more effective than dust or surgical masks in blocking small particles from ash.
Sweep indoor and outdoor hard surfaces gently, followed by wet mopping.
Avoid washing ash into storm drains whenever possible.
Avoid bare skin contact with ash as much as possible.
Dispose of ash in the regular trash. Ash may be stored in plastic bags or other containers that will prevent it from being disturbed.
