Page 5 - Van WIg & Associates Newsletter - Alamitos Heights Real Estate Edge, June 2019

this month: healthy home l

7 SMART STEPS LIVING SPACE

TO IMPROVE INDOOR AIR QUALITY AT HOME

hink about how much time cooking, cleaning, showering, higher in your home while also
you and your family spend burning candles and drying opening one below it or on a
Tinside versus outside. From clothes, contribute to polluted lower level. As fresh, cool air is
your home to the car to work indoor air. Pollutants coming from pulled in, the warmer, polluted air
and to school, it’s not uncommon toxic materials, such as plastic toys, will escape at the top.
that the majority of your day is synthetic furnishings, cleaning
spent indoors. This modern solvents and building materials, AVOID BURNING CANDLES
phenomenon means increased can also worsen indoor air quality. Candles provide ambiance and
exposure to indoor air pollution. Adding natural light and fresh air often a pretty scent, but they
Fortunately, with a few smart, to your home can help combat the can have a negative effect on
proactive steps, you can help dangers of modern indoor living. indoor air quality. Try opting
protect yourself and your family. for beeswax candles, which
People vastly underestimate the Here are seven smart steps produce fewer airborne toxins.
time they spend inside, assuming homeowners can take to make Alternatively, check out battery-
just four hours, when in actuality their living conditions healthier: operated candles that look close to
they are inside more than 21 hours the real thing.
each day, according to The Indoor VENT AIR WHILE COOKING
Generation report by The VELUX Always remember to turn on CLEAN REGULARLY
Group. The Indoor Generation the hood fan while you’re cooking Create a home and pet cleaning
refers to a growing number of and open nearby windows and schedule, and stick to it as much
people who spend the vast skylights. Try cooking oils with as possible. Vacuuming can help
majority of their time indoors— higher smoke points, so you eliminate dust and dander.
currently 90 percent of their days produce fewer fumes. Palm,
on average, according to the U.S. peanut, grapeseed, avocado and DRY CLOTHES OUTSIDE
Environmental Protection Agency. sunflower oils all have smoke When the weather is nice
In addition to people spending points higher than 400 degrees outside, take a cue from your
more time inside, homes are being Fahrenheit. grandparents, and dry clothes
built and sealed tightly to meet outside naturally with the
the demand for increased energy INSTALL A SKYLIGHT sunshine and breeze. Eliminating
efficiency. This is great for energy Adding a skylights is a use of the dryer or dryer sheets
efficiency but not so great for fresh simple renovation project that decreases air-polluting fumes and
air exchange, which is necessary to drastically improves your home’s moisture buildup in your home.
maintain healthy indoor air quality. health. One option is Velux No Plus, who doesn’t love the smell
The resulting polluted air is locked Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air of line-dried clothing?
in and can have health consequences: Skylights, which bring in natural
Moldy and damp air inside the home light and open to create fresh air MAKE HOME AIRING
can increase the risk of asthma by 40 flow. The latest models come with A DAILY HABIT
percent. Poor indoor air quality can a remote control to open and close Even if the weather only allows
contribute to irritated eyes, nose the skylight and its blinds. Learn you to air out your home for a
and throat, headaches and fatigue. more at WhySkyLights.com. few minutes, it can make a world
Long-term indoor air pollution can of difference. Make a habit of
even lead to the development of USE NATURAL AIR FLOW opening windows and skylights
respiratory diseases and heart disease. Hot air rises and cool air stays daily. If you think you’ll forget,
closer to the ground. You can just set an alarm on your phone to
HOW TO IMPROVE take advantage of this natural remind you. n
INDOOR AIR QUALITY air exchange in your home by
Everyday activities, such as opening a skylight or window ©2019 Brandpoint.
5