To maintain good health, you try to eat well, drink plenty of water, stay active, and get the right amount of Z’s. But staying healthy doesn’t end there. In fact, your home plays an important role in your overall health and quality of life. The level of pollutants and respiratory irritants commonly found in an array of household products, furnishings, and building materials can cause headaches, dizziness, more frequent colds and illnesses, and spell big trouble for those suffering from allergies or asthma.

Still, by following these helpful tips, you can reduce respiratory irritants along with the trouble they cause.

Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

• Wash bedding weekly. Use hot water and a fragrance-free detergent or one specially formulated for sensitive skin, if needed.
• Use zippered mattress and pillow covers.
• Replace furnace and air conditioning filters every 8 weeks or as recommended by the system manufacturer.
• Avoid using chemical-packed household cleaning products, air fresheners, scented candles, and incense.

Pest Problems

• Store all non-refrigerated food in tightly-sealed containers and wipe up crumbs and spills immediately.
• Avoid leaving pet food out all night. Fido and Whiskers don’t need the midnight snack calories, nor do you want to leave a meal for mice and other rodents to feast on.
• Seal up potential access points like cracks and gaps around windows, exterior doors, pipes, and foundation cracks.
• Start with more natural ways to eliminate pests before turning to chemical products and pesticides.

Mold Prevention

• Use a digital hygrometer (found in most hardware stores) to monitor humidity levels in your home. Ideal relative humidity should be between 30 and 50 percent.
• Use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans to remove excess moisture from the air.
• Promptly clean up puddles and spills; also, repair leaky pipes, faucets, and toilets as soon as possible.
• Toss soggy cardboard, fabrics, carpeting, and other materials after three days or more or if you notice mold spores forming.

Carbon Monoxide

• Install carbon monoxide alarms on each level of your home and test the batteries every six months.
• Have your furnace, gas-powered appliances, chimneys, and fireplaces checked annually for carbon monoxide leaks.
• Never use your stove or oven as a source of heat.

As you can see, life at home can be healthier with just a little extra attention to detail and care. C&D Cooling & Heating can help too, with a whole-house air filtration system. Installed inside your air ducts, the right system can trap 99% and more of airborne pollutants as they reach the filter. And that’s just one of the air quality solutions we offer you. Contact us today to learn more and a free system proposal.