4 Ways Parents Can Keep Allergens Outdoors
Playing outside can help your kids get exercise and stay connected to nature. Unfortunately, when outdoor time ends, children can track dirt, pollen, and other allergens into your home. Keep allergens outdoors by following the four tips below.
Keep Windows and Doors Closed
Image via Flickr by tinafranklindg
Excited kids will often leave doors open when they run outside to play with friends. Establish a firm rule that all doors and windows must stay closed. An open door creates a large entrance for allergens in the air.
Make sure your kids also understand why they need to keep windows closed during the day. They can open them during the evening to enjoy breezes, but remind them to close windows during the day when allergens are more present.
Make a Mudroom
Establishing a mudroom at your home’s front or rear entrance gives kids a place to dump dirty items and get clean before they come into the house. Mudroom essentials include the following:
- Shelves for storing toys
- Hooks for hanging jackets
- Baskets for dumping dirty clothes
- Tile floor (or a rug) that you can easily clean
- If possible, include a sink with running water in your mudroom. Even something as simple as a small hand-washing station will lower the amount of allergens your children bring indoors.
You don’t have to get fancy to make a useful mudroom. No matter what budget you have, you can reduce the amount of allergens entering your home.
Schedule Outdoor Time for the Afternoon
Outdoor air usually carries the most allergens between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. If you can keep the kids inside before 10 a.m., then you will limit the amount of pollen that they bring inside when they enter your house for lunch.
Dry, windy days usually have high pollen counts. You don’t necessarily want to keep your children indoors on dry, windy days, but scheduling playtime for the afternoon can help.
Change Your HVAC System’s Air Filter Regularly
Some allergens will slip through your defenses. Your HVAC system can remove airborne allergens such as dust and pet dander, but it needs a clean filter to do the job well.
Check your HVAC system’s air filter at least once a month to decide whether you need a new one. You’ll need to replace the filter more often during months when you use the air conditioner or heater. If the filter looks dark gray, then you know it’s time for a replacement.
Additionally, it helps to have your home’s air ducts cleaned once a year to remove accumulated allergens. The cleaner your system is, the cleaner you can keep your indoor air. Contact a qualified home HVAC system services company for expert maintenance and repairs.
Keeping allergens out of your home prevents allergic reactions, which means you and your family will have more enjoyable days and sleep better at night. Think about your specific house and environment to find creative ideas that will keep your family healthy even on days with high pollen counts. By using the tips above, you can limit the amount of allergens that come into your home.
