As the weather begins to cool, and we begin to prepare for the holiday season, many of us begin to decorate our homes with zeal. While this is a fun way to get into the holiday spirit, it's important to be aware of the risks associated with certain types of fall and winter home decorations.
Certain fall and winter home decorations can actually degrade indoor air quality, which can be problematic for seniors who suffer from respiratory problems or allergies. If you live in South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, or Mishawaka and have allergies or other respiratory issues, you should avoid the following decorations;
Scented Candles
Unsurprisingly, scented candles aren't always good for the air quality in your home. Many of them contain paraffin, which when burned can release carcinogens and degrade indoor air quality in your home.
If you want scented candles at home, make sure they have cotton wicks and use essential oils. Use caution when burning candles, regardless of their type. If you're not in the room, never leave them lit, and never leave them burning for more than four hours at a time.
Artificial Trees
Real Christmas trees can be a lot of work, but they are better for air quality than artificial trees.
Setting up an artificial tree that has been stored for 11 months of the year may release dust and toxic chemicals from degrading plastic into the air, compromising your indoor air quality.
Pumpkins
What's Halloween without carving a jack-o-lantern? What could a pumpkin possibly do to your indoor air quality? Mold may begin to form on it if you wait too long. Mold spores that enter your air will trigger asthma and allergies.
After you've finished carving your pumpkin, spray it with a water and bleach solution and let it air dry, to help with preservation, allowing the pumpkin to last longer without mold.
Decorations for Halloween
Halloween decorations are a wonderful addition to any home. However, they raise a number of autumn indoor air quality concerns. Many inexpensive plastic items, such as skeletons, build up dangerous chemical vapors inside during manufacturing. These chemicals gradually leak into your home due to a process known as off-gassing. If you buy plastic decorations, make sure they are non-toxic. Also, keep your home well-ventilated to keep dangerous fumes out.
You could go for a more natural look by incorporating a hay bale into your decor. You could also make your own decorations. Paint them outside and let them dry completely to prevent paint fumes from entering your home.
Ways to Reduce the Impact of Decorations on Air Quality
Although these decorations might prove challenging to deal with, there are ways of handling them to prevent them from affecting your indoor air quality, such as:
- Caregivers can use organic or faux trees and wreaths. Faux plants are a great option because they look realistic and don't release any harmful chemicals into the air.
- You can also decorate your home with natural materials such as leaves, pine cones, and berries.
- Clean your decorations. The dust that settles on your winter home decorations is easily removed if you clean them before using them.
Senior Helpers of South Bend provides a range of tailored in-home care services around the region of South Bend, Elkhart, Goshen, and Mishawaka in Indiana. Contact us today to learn more.