This is a Guest Post from Amanda Henderson @ safechildren.info
For most parents, keeping the family safe and healthy is a daily priority that often brings stress and anxiety. No matter how hard you work to keep your house clean, there’s always something else to be done, and staying on top of it all can be overwhelming, especially when you consider one of the biggest factors in having a healthy house: the air quality. When it comes to your home, there are many things you can do to create a good environment, from keeping dust and allergens under control to making sure there’s no excess moisture to lead to bacteria growth and mold.
Fortunately, there are several easy ways to accomplish this. Being careful about changing the HVAC filter each month, cleaning up spills and other messes immediately, and grooming the dog or cat outside of the home are just a few. Not only will these tips help you keep your home clean and in great shape, but they will also help you keep your family breathing easily, too.
Keep reading for some great tips on how to get started.
Enjoy Some Fresh Air
While the air quality in your home is important, it’s also imperative to spend some time outdoors, in the fresh air. Get out every now and then with your family for a camping trip, some bird-watching, or just some fun outdoor activities and enjoy nature. Be sure to get familiar with the common symptoms of pulmonary illness in children since it can show up at various times of the year during outdoor time. A bronchial cough that won’t go away, wheezing, and shortness of breath are some of the most common symptoms.
Keep Your Fabrics Clean
You may wash your bedding once a week, but do you also clean the pillows on your couch or your window coverings? It’s important not to overlook these items, as they collect just as much dust and dead skin as your sheets and blankets. Invest in a good set of removable pillow covers for the furniture so you can strip them off once a week and throw them in the wash; this will keep your pillows fresh and save you money on your dry-cleaning bill.
Add Some Plants
Plants aren’t just pretty to look at; they are also wonderful at cleaning the air indoors. Add a few to your home for some much-needed extra oxygen and to keep clean air circulating throughout the entire house. If you don’t have much of a green thumb, look for plants that are hardy and can survive a couple of days without watering.
Close the Windows
Allergens live in the air, especially in springtime and early summer. It’s a good idea, then, to keep your windows closed and use the A/C; a programmable thermostat (retails for under $70) will help you save money on your utility bills while you stay nice and cool inside. You can also help things by keeping your front and back lawns trimmed and weed-free, and taking your shoes off as soon as you enter your home to avoid tracking anything inside. It will also help immensely to vacuum regularly, especially if you have pets, as their fur and dander can affect the air quality. Instead of doing all this cleaning on your own, you can always hire a maid service for the job, but this will typically run you between $108 and $260 in Gulf Breeze.
Making sure the air quality in your home is in great shape is important, not just for the present, but for the future. A healthy house creates healthy children, who grow up to become healthy adults. Talk to your family about the need for cleanliness and turn household chores into a way everyone can get involved.
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