Asthma Tips
What you can do around your home to help with Asthma
No-cost/low-cost lifestyle changes
- Stop cigarette smoking.
- Find another home for your pets or house them outdoors (such as if you are renting in a house).
- Do not use pesticides. Use traps or baits and seal entry points.
- Persuade family members to be perfume-free.
- Discard harsh chemical cleaners and scented household cleaners.
- Avoid air fresheners and deodorizers. They mask odours and add pollutants to the air.
- Do not rely on plants to get rid of pollutants. The soil can be a source of molds.
- Candles and oil lamps are a source of respirable particles and soot. Minimize their use.
Fuel-based appliances can be a source of contaminants
- NEVER use kerosene or similar heaters inside your home. They can be a source of deadly Carbon Monoxide!
- Be aware of contaminants from fireplaces or woodstoves.
- Your home must have a smoke alarm and if you use gas burning appliance, a carbon monoxide detector.
- In a forced air heating/cooling system, make sure the landlord replaces the furnace filters regularly.
Dust mites and molds both love moisture
- Vacuum thoroughly and often. Use a vacuum cleaner with a good (HEPA) filter.
- Minimize carpets. They are good dust collectors.
- Dust mites need humidity (RH>55%) to grow. The most effective control for dust mites is reducing moisture in the house, not the use of chemicals or barriers.
- High moisture levels lead to molds. Molds can be a more serious concern than dust mites.
- An air conditioner provides dehumidification only when it is operating. A dehumidifier is needed when the air conditioner is off if you have problems with high humdity.
This is particularly a problem with basement apartments.
No-cost/low-cost ways of controlling moisture and molds
- If living in a house or low-rise, the landlord should divert water away from your foundation: lead downspouts away and/or regrade.
- Act immediately if there is a leak or a flood.
- Report mould to your landlord as soon as it appears. If there is substantial mould and the landlord does not fix it, you may want to contact your city health department.
- Carpets in the basement or bathroom are likely places for molds to grow.
- Use the kitchen fan when cooking to get rid of moisture and odours.
Reducing chemical contaminants
- Do not paint or renovate when the apartment is closed up. Use only new, low-odour paints and check that the paint does not smell spoiled before using.
- Portable air cleaners may not solve all your indoor air problems. Do not use ozone generators.
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