If you have babies and children at home, you should especially be aware of your home's Indoor Air Quality. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), which refers to the air quality within and around your home as it relates to health and comfort, is critical to your overall wellness. The Environmental Protection Agency notes that children and babies are more susceptible to the effects of contaminated air because they breathe in more oxygen relative to their body weight than adults.
You might be negatively impacting your home's IAQ without even realizing it. Some of the most common air pollutants in the home include:
- Toxic materials such as lead, pesticides, and asbestos
- Biological pollutants such as mold and mildew
- Natural contaminants such as pet dander and radon
- Combustion byproducts such as tobacco smoke and carbon monoxide
Luckily, you can take steps to improve your home's IAQ and help safeguard your children's health. Here are some ways to reduce harmful pollutants and improve the air inside your home.
Keep a Clean House
A clean house is often a healthier house. By regularly cleaning, you can get rid of the pet dander, dust, and mold that lurks in your home. When babies are napping or kids are at school, take some time to tidy up, including clearing clutter and washing your family's bedding. To improve the air quality inside your home, you should also vacuum carpets and rugs at least once a week with a vacuum equipped with a HEPA filter.
Get a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat, such as the iComfort® S30 ultra-smart thermostat, can give you some peace of mind by monitoring your home's humidity levels and air-purification-system filters. It'll let you know when your filter needs to be changed, which allows you to avoid the bacteria that often comes from not changing a filter regularly enough.
Place More Plants Around Your Home
Indoor plants aren't just home decorative elements—they can also help improve IAQ in a cost-effective and sustainable way, according to ScienceDaily. If you have babies and children at home, consider placing a few potted plants around the house. Plants improve IAQ by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis. They also passively absorb pollutants and increase humidity by transpiring water vapor through leaf pores.
Let the Fresh Air In
To improve the air quality inside your home, open up doors and windows to ventilate the air. This is especially important if you're painting, cleaning, or doing other activities that create a high level of pollutants in the air. When you air out your home as the weather allows, you can bring some fresh air into your home and dramatically improve your home's air quality.
If the climate or weather doesn't give you many opportunities to open doors or windows, consider the PureAir™ S or other ventilation products from Lennox to deliver fresh air. The PureAir™ S tackles the three major types of indoor air contaminants—airborne particles, chemical odors and vapors, and germs and bacteria—allowing you and your family to breathe easier.
Better IAQ is Within Reach
While you can't remove all allergens and pollutants in your home, you can use the tips above to significantly improve your home's IAQ. Even a small effort can mean a big difference when it comes to your children's overall well-being. Talk to your Lennox® dealer to learn more about the products that are best for your family.
