Child Safety and Indoor Health Hazards that are Easy to Overlook

If your child has frequent bouts of allergies and colds, the culprit could be hiding right at home under the

guise of mold, animal dander, dust mites and chemicals found in everyday products.

Here are 5 easy ways to reduce indoor pollution and lead a safe life.

Ventilate often: Ventilation is very important in today’s day and age where smog, and airborne chemicals

from perfumes and room fresheners can linger on, irritating asthmatics. Closed doors and windows are also

a free passage for mold and fungus to develop. Ventilation drives away humidity, in which molds and

fungus thrive. Contrary to popular belief, cold air outside will actually do you good rather than staying in a

stuffy room that doesn’t allow allergens and harmful chemicals to escape. If the day is hot, using an air

conditioner is a wise idea.

Dust mite free life: Unfortunately, it is impossible to lead a dust mite free life unless you are living in a

sterile environment. Dust mites are usually found in mattresses and pillows. To prevent them from making

your bed their home, cover your mattress with a non permeable sheet. Usually, dusting is enough to get rid

of 80% of dust mites, but it is not every day that we dust our mattresses. So an opaque cover on the

mattresses works the best.

Keep humidity at bay: Humidity causes mold, fungus and attracts microorganisms to breed. Not only do

these cause allergies but also serious infections that can go undetected and are difficult to diagnose once

contracted. So make sure there is no mildew accumulating on your walls, bathrooms and cupboards. Ideally

humidity should be maintained below 50%.

Pet dander peeves: Pet dander is omnipresent in a house with pets. But if your child is allergic to it, it is

time to reconsider having a pet at all. If that isn’t an option, vacuum rugs, sofas, carpets and curtains

regularly. Consider having a pet free room in the house where your child can have reprieve.

Gas stoves and asthma: Gas stoves or ovens emit NO2, Nitrogen Oxide that is dangerous to kids who

already have asthma. Make sure your child isn’t spending too much time inside a kitchen, especially when

there is little or no ventilation.

Household’s products and how they pollute

Household products come packed with disinfectants but do not guarantee against allergies. Pe rfumes and

chemicals present in them can also trigger allergies. Choose fragrance free products that are

hypoallergenic.

Indoor plants

Avoid indoor plants like water bamboo that accumulate stagnant water. It attracts mosquitoes and flies

that cause dengue and malaria. Some indoor plants are known to reduce indoor pollution too. If you must

have indoor plants, choose the ones that are known to help clear air pollutants. Also see more info @

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