As the weather changes, it may feel cozy to seal yourself in your home against the extreme cold during chillier months. But the heating systems and stale indoor air can exacerbate problems, especially for your senior loved ones with respiratory problems or highly sensitive to indoor allergens. So as we wait for the warmer months of the year, it is prudent to be aware of respiratory and allergy triggers lurking in your home. Try to improve indoor air quality.
Some common pollutants that are making indoor air notoriously worse include microbial pollutants like pollen, mold, and pet dander, poor ventilation that limit air circulation, home heaters, especially gas heaters, pesticides, formaldehyde, cigarette smoke, and even sweaters with high fiber content.
5 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality for Your Home as the Weather Changes From Murrells Inlet
Most things that pollute indoor air quality are odorless. In many cases, nothing will alert you of the air conditions other than the symptoms of these allergens like fatigue, sleepiness, respiratory problems like asthma flare-ups, and even digestive issues. While it might be difficult to eliminate all allergens, some of the changes you can make to reduce their number and minimize your exposure include:
1. Service Your HVAC System Regularly
An HVAC system is a key resource for air circulation in your home. Unfortunately, it may mess with the ventilation drastically if it isn't running efficiently. Schedule regular maintenance to the system to ensure it is always in its perfect working condition to help you keep your indoor air clean.
2. Keep Hard and Soft Surfaces Clean
Dust, debris, dirt, and pollen from outside can get into the house and settle on various surfaces. When not cleaned for quite some time, they may be stirred up and released into the air, leading to pollution. Schedule a regular cleaning program and pay extra attention to rugs and vacuum carpets because they are most prone to trapping pollutants and allergens.
3. Open the Windows and Doors from Time to Time
While winter and early spring may be too chilly to open the doors and windows and may let dirt and pollen into your home, you can open them occasionally to pull out the musty air. Say a few minutes or hours when the weather gets a little warmer to allow fresh air in and provide an escape route to pollutants.
4. Control the Humidity Levels in the House
Some bacteria thrive best in warm and humid environments. If your home is warm and consistently humid, it will likely attract mildew and mold growth, which releases harmful spores into the air. You can install exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom and dehumidifiers in the basement and other areas where moisture collects and use them often.
5. Adhere to Home Safety Guidelines
Some home safety guidelines like keeping smoke and carbon monoxide detectors up to date can help you notice the allergens early and protect your family against such harmful pollutants. Schedule regular check-ups to ensure the devices are always working properly. You can also replace the batteries yearly and schedule random maintenance after major renovations or structural changes or every two years.
How Can Senior Helpers Myrtle Beach Help?
At Senior Helpers Myrtle Beach, we are highly convinced that a healthy lifestyle, especially for the elderly, starts with a clean and comfortable home environment and indoor air quality. Senior Helpers Murrells Inlet offer comprehensive programs and home care services tailored to individual needs to ensure our clients lead a safe and happy life.
We provide top-notch services across Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, Little River, North Myrtle Beach, Conway, and Georgetown to help as many seniors as possible. Contact us today to schedule an in-home assessment.