Is it safe for kids to play outside in the haze?
🦦 Short answer from Ollie: it depends on the reading right now and on your child's health. Singapore's MOH haze advisory gives two tools. The 1-hour PM2.5 is for plans in the next few hours. The 24-hour PSI forecast is for planning the next day.
Right now: use the 1-hour PM2.5
MOH says the 1-hour PM2.5 concentration shows the current air quality during haze, and you can use the latest reading to plan immediate outdoor activities.
| 1-hr PM2.5 (µg/m³) | Band | MOH advice, next hour |
|---|---|---|
| 0–55 | 1 Normal | Continue normal activities |
| 56–150 | 2 Elevated | Reduce strenuous outdoor activity. Vulnerable persons: avoid strenuous outdoor activity |
| 151–250 | 3 High | Avoid strenuous outdoor activity. Vulnerable persons: avoid all outdoor activity |
| 251 and above | 4 Very High | Minimise all outdoor activity. Vulnerable persons: avoid all outdoor activity |
MOH's "vulnerable persons" are the elderly, pregnant women and people with chronic heart or lung disease. For the next-day advice, MOH puts children in the same group as the elderly and pregnant women (see below).
Tomorrow: use the 24-hour PSI forecast
| 24-hr PSI forecast | Advice for children (with elderly and pregnant women) |
|---|---|
| 0–100 Good/Moderate | Normal activities |
| 101–200 Unhealthy | Minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion |
| 201–300 Very Unhealthy | Minimise outdoor activity |
| Above 300 Hazardous | Avoid outdoor activity |
MOH defines the words carefully. Prolonged means continuous exposure for several hours, strenuous means using a lot of energy or effort, minimise means do as little as possible, and avoid means do not do.
What this looks like for a family day
- Band 1: normal play.
- Band 2: best to keep kids indoors. MOH advises children to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor exertion at this level.
- Band 3 or 4: bring play indoors. Try our indoor activities list.
- Give your child plenty of water. MOH advises staying hydrated.
Children with asthma or heart or lung conditions
MOH advises people with chronic heart and lung conditions to keep medication on hand. Anyone who feels unwell, especially children, should seek medical advice. MOE also asks parents to make sure children have medication such as asthma inhalers with them (MOE haze management measures).
Haze Buddy is not medical advice. The advice above is summarised from MOH and NEA (haze.gov.sg).
🗺️ See the live haze map for your region→
Stuck indoors? Find indoor activities for kids near you →
Quick answers
Can my child play outside when PSI is above 100?
MOH's advisory for children at 24-hr PSI 101–200 (Unhealthy) is to minimise prolonged or strenuous outdoor physical exertion. For the next few hours, check the 1-hour PM2.5 band.
What PM2.5 level is unsafe for kids?
MOH's 1-hour PM2.5 guide: 0–55 normal; 56–150 reduce strenuous outdoor activity; 151–250 vulnerable persons should avoid all outdoor activity; 251 and above, everyone should minimise all outdoor activity.
Should my child drink more water during haze?
Yes. MOH advises drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated.
When should I see a doctor?
MOH and NEA advise people who are not feeling well, especially children and the elderly, to seek medical advice.
Last reviewed 16 Oct 2026 against official MOH, MOE and NEA pages.