While staying indoors during our cold Southwest Ohio winter will protect you from the elements, it does expose you to other health and discomfort issues. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, staying indoors all winter will expose you to a variety of allergy triggers. Here are some of the most common household triggers for asthma and allergies, and what you can do about them.
Dust Mites
Dust mites feed on flakes of skin and are partial to soft surfaces like bedding and pillows. To reduce or eliminate dust mites in bedding, make sure to wash everything weekly in hot water, and if possible buy allergen-proof casings for all bedding.
Pets
Some pets are allergy triggers for people, although there doesn’t seem to be a rhyme or reason for which people and which pets. IF you find that you’re allergic to a certain pet, the best thing you can do is to groom and wash it frequently (outside) to keep the dander under control and maintain clean indoor air.
Mold
Since mold grows in damp, dark environments like basements and showers, people who are allergic to mold should avoid living in finished basements or half-basements. If you have a finished basement in your home, have tile installed as flooring rather than carpet because tile will not retain moisture as well.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches primarily affect people with asthma, and if you find them in your home you should take aggressive steps to eliminate them: keep food covered, take garbage out right away, and if the problem persists, call an exterminator.
Pollen
Pollen isn’t just an outdoor problem; it can be brought indoor by both people and pets. Pets can be wiped down after coming in from outdoors, and people can change shoes and clothes to get rid of the pollen. Remove your hat and shoes at the door for the best protection against pollen allergy triggers.
Contact us
If you should need any kind of expert advice on home comfort issues, please contact us at Ace Hardware Home Services, Inc. We have been proudly serving the Dayton and Springfield areas since 1978 and look forward to serving you.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Dayton, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).
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