Do's and don'ts of ashfall preparedness

With an Alert Level 4 raised on Taal Volcano due to Sunday's phreatic eruption, ashfall from the volcano has started to affect surrounding provinces and even areas in Metro Manila.

\According to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN), volcanic ash was not just a great nuisance, it also could be potentially harmful to health.

The IBHHN said a sustained ashfall may keep people housebound for hours or even days, and the public was thus urged to take precautionary steps to protect themselves.

Among the preparation that should be taken were:

• Close doors and windows
• Place damp towels at door thresholds
• Tape draughty windows
• Protect sensitive electronics
• Disconnect drainpipes from gutters to stop drains clogging
• Disconnect the tank of rainwater collection systems
• Ensure livestock have clean food and water
• If volcanic ash is falling:
• Stay calm and stay indoors until ash has settled.
• If outside, use a mask, handkerchief, or cloth over your nose and mouth, and seek immediate shelter in a car or in a building.
• Do not tie up phone lines with non-emergency calls.
• Do not wear contact lenses as these will result in corneal abrasion.
• If there is ash in your water, let it settle and use the clear water.
• Should there be a lot of ash in the water supply, do not use it for dishwashing or washing clothes.
• Water contaminated by ash will make drinking water unpalatable before it presents a health risk.
• You may eat vegetables from the garden, but make sure they are washed thoroughly.

For vehicles:

• Avoid driving, as ash is harmful to vehicles and the roads may be slippery. Visibility may also be affected.
• If driving is crucial, drive slowly, use headlights and ample windscreen fluid. Using wipers on dry ash may scratch the windscreen
• Change oil, oil filters, and air filters frequently or every 50-100 miles or 80-160 kilometers in heavy dust, and every 500 to 1000 miles or 800-1,600 kilometers in light dust.
• Clean your car and have a service garage clean wheel assemblies every 50 to 100 miles for very severe conditions or every 200 to 500 miles for heavy dust conditions.
• Clean the vehicle, including the engine, radiator, and other essential parts daily if necessary, using water to flush the ash.
• Wash the engine compartment with a garden hose.

— Jon Viktor Cabuenas/DVM, GMA News