The UK's leading asthma charity has issued a n important warning for bonfire night.
Asthma UK said the celebration - which is held yearly on 5th November but sees bonfires and fireworks used in the weeks surrounding - could trigger deadly asthma attacks for millions of sufferers.
The charity explained that lingering smoke particles from bonfires and firework displays can create localised air pollution, setting off attacks.
Last year, Asthma UK received 174 calls to its helpline between 2nd and 12th November, when the celebrations would have been at their peak, compared to 146 calls between 5th and 15th October, the month before.
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What's more, over 7,600 people were admitted to hospital with asthma in the UK in November 2017, compared to 7,100 the month prior.
"Fireworks and bonfire displays might look pretty but if you have asthma triggered by smoke, they could land you in hospital," said Dr Andy Whittamore, clinical lead at Asthma UK.
"The good news is if people with asthma follow our top tips such as taking their preventer inhaler, usually brown, as prescribed, keeping their reliever inhaler, usually blue, with them in case of emergencies and making sure their family and friends know what to do if they have an asthma attack, they should not have to miss out on festivities."
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Asthma causes sufferers airways to get inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult, and symptoms range from coughing to wheezing and feeling short of breath and tight-chested.
According to the charity, in the UK 5.4 million people are currently being treated for asthma, every ten seconds someone is having a potentially life-threatening attack, and roughly three people die every day from an attack.
Around bonfire night, the charity advises sufferers take their preventer medicines and carry their inhalers at all times.
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They also suggest wrapping up warm and wearing a scarf over you nose and mouth as cold and wet air can bring on asthma symptoms.
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