You likely think often about the cleanliness of your home—in terms of vacuuming your carpets and mopping your floors, wiping your countertops and scrubbing your toilets. But how often do you consider the cleanliness of the air you breathe? Keeping your home’s air clean should be part of your regular home maintenance routine. The benefits can positively affect your health in more ways than you may realize.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality can be two to five times more polluted than outdoor air, and estimates suggest that people spend 90 percent of their time indoors. Among the most deadly and health affecting indoor air pollutants are secondhand smoke, carbon monoxide and radon gas.
Keeping your home’s air clean can prevent the aggravation of afflictions like asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), for example. Here are 10 ways that you can help keep air-bound irritants out of your home.
- Do not smoke indoors. And don’t allow others to do so either. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke.
- Install a carbon monoxide detector. More than 400 people die each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning. Many others become ill or seek medical attention after being exposed to the odorless gas. A carbon monoxide alarm can alert you to vacate your home if levels get dangerously high.
- Test for radon. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in the United States behind smoking. This invisible gas occurs naturally in the soil and rock below your home and can seep in through cracks and openings in your floors and walls. You can purchase an at-home radon test kit from any major hardware retailer.
- Eliminate dust mites. Dust mites burrow into mattresses and bedding and can be severe triggers for people with asthma, allergies and COPD. Try using mattress covers and pillowcases that are bedbug and mite proof. Use foam pillows rather than down or feather-based billows, and wash your linens once a week.
- Stay on top of pet dander. Pet allergens can be very problematic for those who are sensitive to them. Reduce pet allergens by preventing your pets from sleeping on your bedding, vacuuming pet hair regularly and cleaning upholstered furniture and routinely brushing your pet outside.
- Fix leaks. Any unwanted moisture existing inside your home can lead to mold and mildew. Check your roof, foundation and basement for leaks or moisture problems once a year.
- Filter your air. Air filtration systems can help reduce fine particles that irritate your airways. Change your air filters often. You can also invest in an air purifier that is separate from your central heating and air system.
- Avoid pesticides when possible. Pesticides involve chemicals that can be harmful to your health. However, the presence of pests themselves can also be a trigger for asthma and allergies. Do what you can to prevent pests without using pesticides. Block possible entrances to your home such as any holes and cracks. Keep food in tightly sealed containers and keep your floors and counters clean. Consult a professional before using any pesticides as a last resort.
- Keep moisture levels low. Consider using a dehumidifier to keep moisture levels in your home at least below 50 percent. Household activities like cooking and washing produce water vapor, so you need to take extra steps to ventilate. You can also ventilate by running exhaust fans in bathrooms and making sure exhaust vents push air outdoors and not elsewhere into you home.
- Forgo wood-burning fireplaces. Though it’s hard to say, “No,” to a cozy wood-burning fireplace, they can produce soot and carbon that negatively affect your ability to breathe. Burning wood emits toxins such as dioxin, arsenic, benzene and formaldehyde, as well as particulate matter that can trigger asthma attacks, incite bronchitis and cause burning eyes and runny noses.
You breathe it every day, so keeping your home’s air clean should be a priority to promote good health practices for yourself, your family and even your pets. Try these easy tips to get your home’s air flowing in the right direction.
For your real estate needs in the Auburn – Opelika area, contact Realtor Ryan Roberts at 334-750-9872, or email [email protected]!