Have a head cold? Suffering from the sniffles? The problem may start at your furnace filter
Did you know that indoor air quality can impact the health of you and your family in a big way? If you’ve recently come down with a case of the sniffles, it could be because your indoor air quality is low. Make sure you arm your home with the proper defenses (like indoor air quality products and detectors) to make sure you and your family are happy and healthy this holiday season.
Here are a few ways in which indoor air quality can affect your family’s health:
- Carbon monoxide. There’s no questioning the usefulness of your gas furnace during the winter. But, with anything that runs on natural gas, there is the risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Make sure that your carbon monoxide detector has fresh batteries and is working properly when you turn on the gas furnace for the season.
- Mold in your home. Humidity can lead to mold growth. This can aggravate allergies or cause health problems when mold spores are inhaled. Make sure that you keep your home at a reasonable humidity level – optimal for comfort and without encouraging mold growth. You can even invest in a dehumidifier – particularly in unfinished basements that may encourage mold growth.
- Be mindful of household cleaners and air fresheners. Some, if not most, household cleaners, candles, air fresheners and more contain chemicals that can negatively impact your family’s health. Make sure that when you choose those products, you find ones that are more eco-friendly, or contain fewer dangerous chemicals. Or, better yet, find out how to make them yourself. This way you can have better control over what goes into the air in your home.