Singapore's haze season is stirring, and if you have young children or elderly family members, it's worth knowing what the numbers mean before the air gets worse.
## Where things stand
- As of the afternoon of 9 August 2026, the 24-hour PSI reached 81 in central Singapore — the higher end of the "moderate" band (per NEA, reported by local media). Readings move hour to hour, so treat that as a snapshot, not today's number.
- NEA has warned that dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming week, which could increase the risk of haze if the fires persist. NEA says it will issue daily haze advisories if conditions worsen.
- The cause: hotspots and smoke plumes in Sumatra and Kalimantan. Under the prevailing south-easterly winds, smoke from southern Sumatra poses the greatest risk to Singapore.
- The bigger picture: the Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA) rated the region "Red" in its 2026 Haze Outlook — a high risk of a severe transboundary haze event — and named August and September as the peak danger period.
- Singapore's 28-agency Haze Task Force is on standby to roll out its action plans if the 24-hour PSI crosses 100 (the "unhealthy" threshold).
## Why preschools and parents are paying attention Children are one of the sensitive groups NEA advises to cut back on outdoor activity as air quality worsens (alongside the elderly, pregnant women, and people with heart or lung conditions). With the outlook worsening, some preschools have already begun scaling back or moving outdoor play indoors as a precaution. Practice varies from centre to centre, so check directly with your child's preschool and follow any ECDA, MOE or NEA advisories issued during the episode.
What the PSI bands mean
| 24-hour PSI | Air quality | What it means for outdoor activity |
|---|---|---|
| 0–50 | Good | Normal activities for everyone |
| 51–100 | Moderate | Normal activities for everyone |
| 101–200 | Unhealthy | Reduce prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion; children, the elderly and pregnant women should minimise it, and people with chronic heart/lung disease should avoid it |
| 201–300 | Very Unhealthy | Avoid prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion; vulnerable groups should minimise outdoor activity |
| Above 300 | Hazardous | Minimise outdoor activity; vulnerable groups should stay indoors |
For right-now decisions, use the 1-hour PM2.5 reading, not the 24-hour PSI. NEA updates the 1-hour PM2.5 hourly, and it's the better guide for whether it's OK to head out or let the kids play outside in the next hour or two.
## How to protect your family
- Cut back on outdoor exertion when the air is unhealthy — most of all for children, the elderly, pregnant women and anyone with heart or lung conditions.
- Stay hydrated, and keep windows closed; run an air purifier indoors if you have one (our air-purifier guide is here).
- On masks: a well-fitting N95 helps adults and older children who must be outdoors when the air is unhealthy — but N95 masks are generally not suitable for infants and young children (they don't seal properly and can make breathing harder). For little ones, the safer protection is staying indoors with clean air, not a mask. If in doubt, ask your doctor.
- Watch for symptoms — coughing, eye or throat irritation, breathlessness. Anyone with an existing condition should keep their medication on hand and see a doctor if symptoms develop or worsen.
## Where to check the live readings Check NEA (nea.gov.sg), haze.gov.sg, and the myENV app. Use the 1-hour PM2.5 for immediate outdoor decisions and the 24-hour PSI for the general trend across the day.
*Figures are as of 9 August 2026 and reflect NEA statements reported in local media and the SIIA's 2026 Haze Outlook; the PSI health-advisory bands are NEA's. Air quality changes hourly — always check the live readings before deciding on outdoor activities.*
