We spend close to 90% of our time indoors, much of which is spent in our homes where we are exposed to a variety of contaminants and allergens that can trigger asthma attacks. In the U.S. almost 25 million people are affected by asthma. This includes about 7 million children. The asthma triggers in your home include dust mites, mold, pests, cockroaches, pets, secondhand smoke, and chemicals. You don’t have to live with asthma triggers in your home. There are several things you can do to reduce triggers and make your home healthier.
What can you do to reduce asthma triggers in your home? Start by assessing your habits and behaviors.
- Do you wash your bedding every week?
- Do you have piles of stuff and clutter in your home?
- Do you leave food on the counter or in open containers around your house?
- Do your pets sleep on the beds and furniture?
- Do you use several different cleaning products and air fresheners in your home?
- Do you use the exhaust fan when you shower?
The solution is to TAKE ACTION!……Reduce your exposure to Asthma Triggers
- Wash bedding in hot water once a week.
- Dust often, using a damp cloth.
- Take charge and reduce the clutter in your home by 25%. After you have done that, go back and take away another 25%. Be sure to recycle or donate items you get rid of.
- Store food in sealed containers.
- Train your pets to stay off the beds and other sleeping areas in your home.
- Make your own green cleaners with the Green Cleaning Recipes from UGA Extension.
- Use the exhaust fan when showering. Leave on for about 5 minutes afterwards.
- Invest in a hygrometer and keep indoor humidity below 60%.
For additional information on making your home healthier visit:
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Asthma Checklist
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
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