12-step guide to protect yourself from Delhi's nasty pollution

USE FACE MASKS WHEN OUTDOOR: N95/99 masks should be used whenever you step out.

AIR PURIFYING PLANTS: Air Purifying plants such as Aloe Vera, Ivy and Spider Plant can be placed in the home and offices.

VENTILATE YOUR KITCHEN, BATHROOM: To avoid indoor air pollution, make sure there is a chimney in the kitchen and an exhaust in the bathroom.

RESTRICT OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS: Do not allow your children (less than 8 years to age) to be outdoor. If possible, request school authorities to suspend outdoor activities.

USE AIR-PURIFIERS: Use air purifiers, especially in kids room and the room of elderly (and even pregnant women). They are most prone to the ill effects of this toxic air.

TAKE STEAM DAILY: Try to take steam with a few drops of eucalyptus oil every day in the evening to relax your air-passages and help your body remove the harmful particulate substances.

PURIFY YOUR CAR AIR: When you start your car in the morning, roll down your window to let the air circulate. Next, run car AC in indoor circulation mode, which will reduce the PM 2.5 level considerably.

VENTILATE YOUR HOME: Open your windows and doors between 3 pm - 5 pm and allow the air to circulate. On a bright sunny day, this is the time slot when concentration of PM 2.5 is the lowest.

JAGGERY TO DETOXIFY: Eat jaggery to flush out pollutants from your lungs. You can have it raw or replace it with sugar in your daily preparations.

DIET RICH IN VITAMIN C, OMEGA FATTY ACIDS: Consume fruits rich in Vitamin C, Magnesium and foods rich in Omega Fatty Acids