Healthy Homes - Indoor Air Quality

October is National Home Indoor Air Quality & Awareness Month

Children & Asthma

Family Activity - Ideas for the Week

MONDAY:

Secondhand smoke can irritate the airways and trigger asthma. Make a commitment to smoke outside.

TUESDAY:

If you have asthma, keep a daily diary this week of environmental pollutants that you are exposed to indoors (e.g., molds, dust, etc.) and any asthma symptoms you may have as a result. Make an appointment with your physician to learn how to manage your asthma, including more information on asthma triggers. Bring your diary with you and ask if there is a connection between indoor air pollution and your asthma.

WEDNESDAY:

Molds can grow on damp surfaces so controlling moisture is the key to controlling mold growth. Fix any leaky plumbing or other sources of water thoroughly. Maintain low indoor humidity levels, between 30-50% ideally. Besides controlling molds, lowering moisture can also reduce other triggers such as dust mites and cockroaches.

THURSDAY:

Droppings or dead body parts of cockroaches can trigger asthma. To control cockroaches, store food in airtight containers, clean up any crumbs and spilled liquids immediately and dispose of food or garbage in closed containers.

FRIDAY:

Your pet's skin flakes (dander), urine, and saliva can trigger asthma. If someone in your house is allergic to pets, especially cats, consider finding a new home for the pet or isolating the pet from the sensitive person. Especially keep pets out of their bedroom.

SATURDAY:

Dust mites are too small to be seen and live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, upholstered furniture, bedcovers, clothes and stuffed toys. If dust mites are your asthma trigger, use plastic or dust-proof (allergen-impermeable) covers on mattresses and pillows. Wash all bed linens, sheets and pillow cases weekly in hot water to reduce allergens. House dust may contain asthma triggers. Remove house dust often with a damp cloth, and vacuum carpet and fabric-covered furniture to reduce dust. Allergic individuals should leave the area being vacuumed.

Return For More Resources