12 Steps to an Asthma-Friendly Home

  1. Second-Hand Smoke – If someone in the home smokes, take it outside of the home and car. Cigarette smoke is one
       of the most common trigger for asthma.

  2. Control the moisture, Control the Mold. Fix leaks: roof, plumbing or windows. Use exhaust fans or open windows
       when cooking and showering. By controlling moisture, (below 60% relative humidity) you control mold, dust mites
       and cockroaches which can not live without it.

  3. Sleep tight with No Dust Mites. Encase mattress and pillow cases with dust mite covers. Wash sheets and blankets
       once a week in hot water to control mite population. Damp wipe all surfaces to reduce dust build-up.

  4. Clear out Cockroaches, a “major asthma trigger” by keeping your space clean: clean up messes, take out garbage
       and clear the clutter to minimize cockroaches. Store food in airtight containers. Use baits or sprinkle non-toxic
       boric acid under the refrigerator, in the back of cabinets and around the perimeter of the house to kill cockroaches
       and ants. Do not use bug sprays, foggers or bombs instead use (IPM) Integrated Pest Management principals that
       use non-toxic and bait methods of controlling pests.

  5. Clean with non-toxic fragrance-free cleaners. Bleach and other harsh cleaners have toxic chemicals which linger in
       the air for hours, irritating the airways or asthmatics. Clean has no smell, find the source of the odor and eliminate
       it. Fragrances in products such as plug-ins and fabric sheets trigger asthma.

  6. Renovations create dust and toxic fumes from building products. Carefully plan and mask off areas so it is in an
       area away from the living space. Select new products that are formaldehyde free and low-voc to minimize the
       off-gassing of paints, building materials, flooring and cabinetry.

  7. Remove carpet and use hard-surface flooring which does not allow dust and allergens to live. Washable area rugs
       can be vacuumed with a hepa-filter at least 2-4 hours before asthmatics come back into the space. Remove
       stuffed animals and drapes which collect dust and allergens if possible. If there are a few favorite dust collecting
       toys, wash them in hot water or freeze them 24 hours to kill mites.

  8. Keep pets outdoors if possible, but definitely out of the bedroom. Skin flakes, urine and salvia are major asthma
       triggers. If animals must remain in the home, keep the bedroom door closed.

  9. Personal care products such as hair-spray, nail polish and perfumes bring toxins into the air that irritate the lungs.
       Keep other toxic activities such as candle and incense burning outdoors.

 10. Air out your home: open windows on a regular basis to bring in fresh air and reduce toxin build-up. Air conditioners
        re-circulate the same air. On high pollen or high pollution days, keep windows closed.

 11. Regularly maintain your air conditioner and change filters monthly. Make sure the system is keeping the relative
       humidity below 60% to control the moisture.

 12. Nitrogen dioxide is an odorless gas from indoor fuel-burning appliances such as gas stove, gas or oil furnaces or
       un-vented gas heaters. Always vent these appliances and do not use gas cooking stoves for heating a home

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