The air inside your home is not exactly ideal for good health. This fact comes as a surprise to a lot of people, especially when they’ve made efforts to keep their homes as clean as can be. It’s important to note that the air you breathe is a different matter entirely, and that, in most cases, it’s up to five times more contaminated than outdoor air. Why? Just consider the amount of dust, cleaning products, and pet dander in your home. If you don’t take action soon, the low indoor air quality can lead to a number of health issues like upper respiratory conditions.
This is a contributed post and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
This is especially important now that families are spending more time indoors due to the pandemic. As there is no way to determine when the stay-at-home order will be lifted for good, you have to take the precaution of keeping your home’s air as clean as can be. Thankfully, you have this guide to show you the essentials and get you started right away.
Monitor for Carbon Monoxide
Carbon monoxide poisoning is a serious health concern. A lot of people aren’t aware of being exposed to it primarily because it is an odorless gas, and its early symptoms make them think they’re just coming down with flu. If you have anything at all in your home that burns fuel to operate, you may be faced with this issue.
These devices include water heaters, gas stoves, furnaces, clothes dryers, and fireplaces. Your power tools, grills, lawn equipment, and even tobacco smoke unnecessarily expose you to carbon monoxide too.
The solution? Install a carbon monoxide detector; this should alert you when levels spike so that you can take action to fix it.
Maintain Your HVAC System
Your HVAC system does a number of things, and regulating your home’s temperature is just one of them. They also regulate the humidity indoors by removing the moisture in the air. This increases your level of comfort and prevents bacteria, mold, and mildew from building up around the house. It also improves the ventilation in your house by promoting proper airflow. When the air is free to move around, the pollutants don’t multiply and therefore can’t cause respiratory troubles.
In case you live in places like Utah that have dry climates, it’s especially important that you maintain your HVAC system all year round. Anytime you feel that it isn’t functioning well, look for reputable HVAC repair services. The sooner you address the problem, the easier it will be to achieve cleaner air.
Idle Your Car Outside of the Garage
Did you know that houses with garages are more likely to be exposed to high levels of poisonous gas? This is mostly because homeowners tend to idle their cars inside the garage, and the carbon monoxide produced seeps into the house. The same is true for fuel-burning equipment like lawnmowers, gas stoves, and heaters used in enclosed spaces. If you have to, then make sure that there’s a way for the gas to exit the house easily.
Groom Your Pets
Have you heard of a hypoallergenic pet? Unfortunately, there’s no such thing. Each one of them sheds skin, and if you’re dubious about the amount you actually see, consider the other fact that they salivate and urinate, too. The particles that come off them can easily suspend into the air and trigger your allergies. This makes it crucial for you to groom your pets regularly and to clean your furniture twice or thrice a week.
Throw Away Your Pesticides
While pesticides are convenient, they pose more risks than benefits. You’re basically spraying harmful chemicals that could not only kill the pests in your home but also give you and your pets lots of health problems.
Instead of buying a pesticide, why not try integrated pest management? This is a scheme that allows you to enjoy a pest-free home without using chemicals. Sounds complicated? Don’t worry, it’s as simple as securing your food in the right container and blocking holes that could give them access to your home. Be as hygienic as possible, and keep indoor plants that repel pests. It’s nothing fancy, but it does the job well enough.
Watch Your Health Improve
Breathing in cleaner air can significantly improve your health. You’ll notice that you’re not taking as many antihistamines as before, and you’re not feeling itchy whenever you lounge in the living room. You’ll sleep longer hours, and your entire house just feels like a better place altogether.
There are many more ways you can increase the air quality inside your home, but it’s enough to feel the difference just by following these tips.
