Asthma is a condition that affects 1 in 13 people (Source: CDC). That’s approximately 25 million people. It is a condition that has been steadily increasing for decades.
Modern living can cause many issues for those living with the condition. There is dust, pollen, pet hair, and other allergens everywhere. When moving into a new home, you need to ensure that it is asthma-friendly.
Install air conditioning
A good supply of fresh clean air is great for any home. But keeping windows open isn’t great for people with asthma. Open windows can let in pollution, pollen, and other allergens into the house. Use a reputable HVAC company to install or service your air conditioning system so that you can have clean, fresh air, year-round.
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Clean the house Thoroughly
Even if your new home looks clean, there could be allergens lurking everywhere. A thorough deep clean from top to bottom should remove a lot of potential allergens from the previous owners. Don’t forget vents and those hard to reach places where dust collects.
Carpets are also known for collecting pet hair and dust, even when vacuumed. If you aren’t replacing the carpets, ensure that they are professionally cleaned with an asthma-friendly cleaning product and vacuumed regularly.
Repair any areas of damp
Damp produces mold, which is bad for anyone with a respiratory condition. Thoroughly inspect the property for mold and if you do find any, treat it immediately and dry the area out. You may need to perform some more substantial repairs depending on the cause of the mold.
In areas with high levels of moisture such as bathrooms or kitchens, install extractor fans or dehumidifiers.
Remove any wood burners
A cozy log burning stove is appealing to many house buyers but it is not good for anyone with asthma. Aside from the potential for smoke, it will also put soot into the air and surrounding areas.
Remove asthma triggers from the garden
You can’t control everything outside your home but you can make some changes to reduce the chance of pollen entering your home. If there are any particularly triggering plants directly outside your windows, then remove or replant them further away. This reduces the chance of them getting into your house.
Create an air-lock in your porch
This isn’t nearly as dramatic as it sounds. When people come into your home, they can bring all sorts of allergens in with them on their coats and shoes. To reduce the amount the ends up in the rooms of your home, create a space where people can leave their shoes, coats, and bags when they come in.
Final thoughts
Moving to a new home gives you the chance to start from scratch when it comes to creating an environment that won’t cause someone with asthma to get worse. You can control the cleaning and environment and create a space where they can relax and not worry. It’s also important to let visitors know that you are trying to keep your home allergen-free for health reasons.
Photo by the CDC