Check the predicted AQI in your area. Be careful if the AQI is greater than 100.  Also be careful if there are high-risk weather conditions, such as a hot, sunny day, and you begin to develop symptoms like chest tightness, burning eyes or a cough.

You can protect yourself and your family from the effects of air pollution by doing the following:

Stay indoors as much as you can during days when pollution levels are high. Many pollutants have lower levels indoors than outdoors.

If you must go outside, limit outside activity to the early morning hours or wait until after sunset. This is important in high ozone conditions (such as in many large cities) because sunshine increases ozone levels.

Don't exercise or exert yourself outdoors when air-quality reports indicate unhealthy conditions. The faster you breathe, the more pollution you take into your lungs.

These steps will generally prevent symptoms in healthy adults and children. However, if you live or work close to a known pollution source, or if you have a chronic heart or lung problem, talk with your doctor about other ways to protect yourself from air pollution.