Winters in Seal Beach can be rough and dry. During this time, most residents tend to keep their doors and windows closed, which minimizes air circulation. As such, contaminants like dust, smoke, pollen, and mold spores accumulate and circulate in the house, leading to poor indoor air quality.
While some health conditions caused by poor indoor air quality are short-term and treatable, increased exposure to pollutants can cause more severe conditions like asthma and upper respiratory problems, especially in seniors. As such, seniors must know how to keep indoor air quality consistent during winter. Below are a few tips.
Improve on Ventilation
The best way to get air to circulate in a house is by opening doors and windows. However, daily airing the house in cold and stormy weather can be challenging. Therefore, in addition to the occasional windows opening, seniors should consider installing trickle vents to improve ventilation. The trickle vents allow fresh air to trickle in and polluted air to trickle out without letting in the cold, thus keeping the indoor air quality consistent.
Purchase a Humidifier
The dry air of winter tends to make the house colder, causing unpleasant health effects like dry skin and itchy eyes and throat. To help prevent this cooling effect, seniors can use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Replace the HVAC Filters
Having a proper HVAC system during winter for seniors is essential. The heating and air conditioning help to filter air pollutants and create consistent temperatures in the house. Sometimes though, when the HVAC filters go too long without being changed, and especially during winter when the heating unit runs almost constantly, the dust that has gathered on the old filters can circulate throughout the house, contributing to poor indoor air quality. As such, seniors should check their air filters regularly and change them as needed.
Keep All Surfaces Clean
Another way of keeping indoor air quality consistent is by keeping surfaces clean. Frequent dusting and constant vacuuming can help reduce airborne pollutants like dust mites, pollen, and mold. Seniors should use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to avoid blowing dust back into the air.
Additionally, seniors should use non-toxic cleaning products to prevent fumes from lingering on surfaces or in the room. They can replace toxic cleaning products with natural, non-toxic alternatives that can evaporate without polluting the air.
Get Specialized Senior Care Today
Keeping indoor air quality consistent for seniors can be challenging, especially when it involves cleaning and vacuuming. Luckily, senior helpers in Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, can help with these tasks to ensure elders enjoy a comfortable stay during the cold months of winter.
At Senior helpers of Seal Beach, Los Alamitos, we serve senior residents of Cypress, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Long Beach, and Hawaiian Gardens. We offer a comprehensive suite of programs and services, all customized to ensure the comfort and security of seniors in the area. You can reach out to us today to find out which services work best for you.