Edinburgh asthma sufferer tells of 'time of dread' as Bonfire Night smoke triggers fears
Bonfire Night smoke leaves Edinburgh asthma sufferers facing 'time of dread'
An Edinburgh woman with severe asthma has told how the weeks surrounding Bonfire Night are a "time of dread" as lingering firework smoke leaves her trapped indoors.
Gem Stafford, 39, from Edinburgh, says she is forced to keep her windows tightly shut and stuff rugs under doors to block out smoke that could trigger a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma + Lung UK Scotland said almost 500,000 Scots have asthma, and about 350,000 have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
With the colder months setting in, the charity said cold air and firework smoke were triggers for both conditions.
In a survey, the charity said four out of 10 respondents with either of the two conditions reported that air pollution made it harder to breathe, and seven in 10 named cold air as a trigger.
Ms Stafford, who has been hospitalised several times due to her condition, said: “The risk to my life isn’t confined to just one night; it begins weeks earlier as people start lighting fires and setting off fireworks, which can leave the air filled with smoke.
“For someone living with severe asthma, this can easily become life-threatening. To get through this time, I am forced to keep myself indoors, with all windows tightly shut and stuffing rugs under the doors to block the smoke.
“I am really worried to leave my house. On the rare occasions I must go outside, I have to wrap a scarf over my nose and mouth.
She added: “The combination of hanging smoke and the trigger of cold autumnal temperatures creates a constant, lingering fear that my next breath will trigger a severe asthma attack and land me back in hospital.
“Most people don’t give it a second thought, but for those of us with chronic lung conditions, this time of year can be truly terrifying.”
The charity urged those with breathing conditions to carry an inhaler with them throughout firework season, and to avoid triggers where they can.
It also recommended they keep up to date with vaccines against respiratory infections, which may also worsen their breathing.
Joseph Carter, head of Asthma + Lung UK Scotland, said: “Smoke from bonfires and fireworks, when coupled with colder air, can make asthma and COPD symptoms worse, meaning that in the next week people could face a dangerous combination of smoke and a drop in temperatures.
“Smoke and fine particles can remain in the air for hours after a bonfire or fireworks display, and under some weather conditions may persist for longer.
“As we approach this Bonfire Night, the best thing you can do if you have a lung condition like asthma is take your preventer inhaler every day as prescribed, as this helps reduce airway inflammation and makes symptoms and asthma attacks less likely.
“Keep your reliever inhaler to hand if you have one, so you can use it to quickly relieve symptoms if they do come on.
“If the smoke from fireworks, bonfires or cold air has brought on your symptoms before, be extra careful or maybe enjoy the display from indoors.”
He added: “However, we know bonfires and fireworks can be good fun, so if you are planning on going to a display, make sure you stand well back from bonfires and fireworks, and check what direction the wind is blowing so you can avoid the smoke.
“If it’s cold weather, you can try loosely wrapping a scarf around your nose and mouth to warm up the air you’re breathing in.”
More information can be found at: Fireworks and your lungs | Asthma + Lung UK, or call the Asthma + Lung UK Helpline on 0300 222 5800.