The winter season is in full swing and with it comes chilly weather and dry air. While many people enjoy the cold weather, it can be tough on your lungs. Dry air can lead to respiratory problems, so it’s important to take steps to improve the air quality in your home. Here are 10 tips for good air quality in winter.
1. Use the bathroom fan while taking a shower
A steamy shower can leave your bathroom full of mist and moisture, making it the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. If you don’t have an exhaust fan in your bathroom, run the fan while you take a hot shower. Your lungs will thank you.
2. Avoid indoor air pollution
Studies have shown that people who live in homes with a wood burning fireplace have higher levels of soot exposure than those living in homes without a fireplace or stove. Wood burning stoves and fireplaces are popular sources of heat for many people, but they can also create an unhealthy environment for you and your family if they are not properly maintained.
3. Remove household items that collect dust and allergens
Your home is probably crawling with dust, pet dander, pollen and other particles that can trigger allergies and asthma attacks. While you cannot eliminate the dust entirely, it’s important to remove as many of these triggers as possible from your home. Keep your floors and furniture dust-free by regularly vacuuming, sweeping and mopping. Dust the tops of picture frames and knickknacks to keep them free of allergens, and invest in allergy bedding to protect your family from exposure.
4. Keep humidity levels between 30-50 percent
Dry air can make your skin itchy and your throat scratchy. If winter has made your skin feel dry and irritated, try using a humidifier to increase the humidity in your home. When choosing a humidifier, make sure you select one that is efficient enough to maintain the proper level of humidity in your home without wasting energy.
5. Use an air purifier
One of the best ways to improve indoor air quality is by using an air purifier. While you can buy an ionizer or air purifier for your home, many people benefit from using a portable device that they can carry with them throughout the day. The best portable devices not only remove contaminants from your personal breathing zone, but also neutralize odors and reduce allergens.
6. Keep your thermostat set between 68-74 degrees Fahrenheit
According to the EPA, keeping your home warmer during winter can improve air quality by increasing ventilation rates and reducing contaminant levels. In addition to using a portable air purifier, exposing yourself to fresh outdoor air twice per day is the best way to improve the air quality in your home.
7. Add moisture to your indoor environment by using a humidifier
Adding humidity back into the air can help ease congestion and other nasal issues, such as dry throat and itchy eyes that often accompany dry weather conditions. You can use a humidifier or simply fill a bowl with water and let it sit in your home for a few hours.
8. Take care of your heating system
Your heating system is vital to maintaining the proper level of humidity in your home, but it can also be a major source of indoor air pollution if it’s not maintained properly. Have an HVAC professional service your furnace before winter hits to make sure it’s ready to heat your home.
9. Control air pollutants around the home
Be on the lookout for sources of indoor air pollution, such as harsh cleaning products, cigarette smoke and scented candles. Purchase all-natural household cleaners that are free of ammonia and bleach, avoid smoking indoors or near doors and windows, and use unscented candles to reduce the level of air pollution in your home.
10. Keep fresh, filtered water on hand throughout winter
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways you can help improve the quality of air throughout your body, especially during dry months when humidity levels are typically lower. If you live in an area where drinking water contains high levels of impurities, consider investing in an inexpensive water filter or purification system to keep your drinking water clean.
Final Thoughts:
The air quality in your home during the winter months can make you feel great or leave you feeling stuffy and congested. Follow these tips to improve the air quality in your home this winter, allowing yourself to breathe easily while reducing allergy symptoms. Find Pulmonologist in Lahore at Medicare Cardiac & General Hospital.