Yucky Haze Air! Kak Mawar's Simple Tips to Stay Safe & Healthy

Oh dear, oh dear! The air outside is looking a bit… yucky again. It is hazy! Do you know what haze is?

My little boy, Ujang, had a funny idea! He said, "Mama, I know why there is haze! It is because of the traffic jam ('jem'), right?" Hehehe. So cute! He thought all the cars stuck together made the smoky air.


Well, not quite, little one! But his idea made me think. We really need to know WHAT this yucky haze is and HOW to keep our family safe and healthy when it visits us. Here in Putrajaya, Malaysia!

What IS This Hazy Stuff Anyway?

Imagine the air is like a big, invisible soup. Haze happens when lots and lots of tiny, tiny dust bits and yucky smoke get mixed into the air soup. Where does it come from?

• Sometimes people burn big fires outside (open burning). Oops! That makes smoke.

• Big factories sometimes puff out smoke too. Puff puff!

• And yes, Ujang was a little bit right! Cars and motorcycles make smoke too. Vroom vroom... cough cough!

All this tiny dust and smoke floats around in the air. It is like a big, grey, foggy blanket covering the sky. This blanket can hide the sunshine! Boo! It makes it hard to see far away. Where did that tall building go? And the most important thing: this yucky air soup can make our bodies feel unwell. Oh no!

Is Kak Mawar Okay?

Right now, the air here in Putrajaya is getting quite hazy. The number helpers (API) said it was 161 today! That means: be careful! My own eyes feel itchy and watery. Ouchy! My throat feels dry and tickly. Cough cough! My friend rode his big bike all the way from Johor yesterday. He said the haze was so bad, it was hard to breathe! So scary!

Listen to Your Body! (Early Warnings!)

Sometimes, our amazing bodies give us little warning signals when the air is not clean. Like a little alarm bell!

• Does your nose start running like a leaky tap? Sniffle sniffle!

• Do you start sneezing a lot? Achoo! Achoo!

• These are signs that your body's brave little soldiers (your immune system!) are fighting hard against the yucky bits in the air. Go, soldiers, go!

Uh Oh! Time to See a Doctor?

BUT! If you start feeling really unwell, please listen carefully!

• Does your skin feel super itchy all over?

• Does your chest feel tight or hurty when you breathe?

• If yes, please tell Mommy or Daddy right away! And grown-ups, if you feel this way, please go see a kind doctor quickly! We don't want things to get worse. Safety first!

Who Needs Extra, Extra Care During Haze?

Everyone should be careful when the air is hazy! But some people need to be extra, extra careful because their bodies might find it harder to fight the yucky air.

• Tiny babies and little children (like Ujang and Syanaz!)

• Wise grandmas and grandpas (warga emas)

• People whose chests sometimes feel tight (like asthma or bronchitis)

• People with other lung or heart ouches

• People who smoke (smoking already makes lungs sad!)

• People who have to work outside all day long in the hazy air

Kak Mawar's Haze-Fighting Plan!

I try my best to keep my family strong! Every day, I make sure we eat healthy food. I also take my special yummy supplement drink (it's called Vivix!). For my kids, Ujang and Syanaz, they have their own special chewable vitamins (Vitalea for Kids) and a yummy drink mix (Mealshake) every day too. 

So far, they are still playing happily! Alhamdulillah! (Thank God!) If coughs start, I have another helper ready (Nutriferon). Remember, trying to stop getting sick is easier than getting better later! Prevention is better than cure!

10 Easy Tips to Fight the Haze! (Let's Do This!)

Okay, friends! Are you ready to learn some super easy ways to keep safe and strong when the haze comes to visit? I found these great tips from Suria FM (thank you!). Let's try them together!

1. Drink, Drink, Drink! Lots of plain water! Like giving your body a good shower on the inside. Try to drink 8 big glasses every day. Glug glug glug!

2. Windows Up! If you are in a car, keep the windows closed! Let the air-con do the work. Don't let the yucky haze sneak in!

3. Play Inside Today! Let's have fun indoors! Build a fort, read a book, draw pictures! Try not to play outside too much when the air looks grey.

4. Seal the House! Close doors and windows tightly. If you have an air-con or an air purifier (a machine that cleans the air), switch it on! Keep the inside air clean and happy.

5. Less Coffee/Alcohol (for Grown-ups!): These drinks can sometimes make your body a bit dry. Water is the best friend during haze!

6. Eat Your Superpower Foods! Eat lots of yummy fruits and veggies! Especially ones with Vitamin C (like oranges!) and Vitamin E (like nuts and seeds!). They help your body's fighting soldiers! Nom nom!

7. Sleepy Time is Important! Get lots of good sleep! When you sleep, your body recharges its batteries and makes its fighting soldiers super strong! Zzzz.

8. Washy Washy! Wash your face often, especially around your eyes, nose, and mouth. Wash away any sneaky haze dust! Splash splash!

9. Wear a Mask! If you really have to go outside, wear a special mask. The best ones are called N95 or P100. If you only have a normal doctor mask, maybe put a damp tissue inside to help catch more dust. Be a haze-fighting ninja!

10. Extra Helpers (Vitamins/Supplements): Eating good food is most important! But sometimes, taking extra vitamins (like Vitamin C or ones with high antioxidants) or special supplements (like Kak Mawar does) can give your body's soldiers a little extra boost! Ask Mommy or Daddy or a doctor what is good for you.

 

A Little Wish from Kak Mawar

I hope these simple tips help you and your family stay safe and healthy during this hazy time. Let's all drink lots of water, play indoors, and be kind to our bodies! Hopefully, the sky will be clear and blue again very soon! Sending healthy, happy wishes to everyone!

#HazeMalaysia #StaySafe #HealthTips #ProtectYourFamily #Putrajaya